Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but paid users have great benefits. Paid member benefits:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
The Shop
I'm thinking of upgrading to an 18 next spring and swapping my parts over.
" I am smoking crack again ! "
There ya go buddy.
Pit Row
I just came back to Kawi after 10 years, bought new 2017 leftover(18 model would have been cheap as well, but its the same bike so I chose 17 model). Right away I put the spring cartridges to the fork, Akrapovic pipe(STD coupler works best for me with Akra), 55Nm rear spring and pegs to the lowest position. After half a lap bike felt already comfortable.
If you are taller guy like me(6´3), you will like the ergos, motor has some good bark right at the bottom and mid but it doesnt have KTM punch at the top.
I came from CRF450 2017 and SX-F450 2017 so can compare to those two.
CRF450 2017 vs KX450 2017
-Ergos are pretty similar, both are pretty good for taller rider but Kawasaki is a tad roomier as you can lower the pegs
-Power is in the same range, Kawasaki has better bottom and mid, but Honda has better topend power
-Clutch is similar feel and if you are heavy on the clutch you will propably need Hinson for both.
-Suspension is better on Kawasaki, allthough I havent ridden the original Airfork. Rear shock is much better at Kawa, usually I have to revalve the shock, but its the first time in years that I feel that correct spring is enough for rear end
-Kawasaki is lighter bike and you can feel the difference at track
SX-F450 2017
-KTM cockpit has been designed clearly for shorter riders. The height between seat and pegs is much less at KTM(2106->up, old frame was roomier) and when you sit with these two bikes side by side, you can instantly see the difference as your knees are bent much much more at KTM
-KTM has way more power, especially on top. I had FMF 4.1 pipe on my KTM and I could launch this bike at 4.gear on some corners and with Kawasaki there is just not enough power to do that.
-KTM has better clutch
-Suspension is a tough one, as I liked the AER fork exept on a slap down landings. Rear shock is better on Kawasaki
-KTM is lighter bike, but weight feels similar on track. Maybe the KTM front end was little lighter due airfork
The cons on the Kawasaki is that already at 8 hours, the wear starts to look on plastics. I have owned almost all the brands and I think that Kawasaki looses his "fresh look" first on a new bike. Chain guide and slider are already worn and needs to be replaced soon. Original footpegs started to look worn also, I think I will replace them with some Ti pegs.
Overall, easy bike to ride and crispy fairly well powered motor. Good solid bike.
That's why Kawasaki 450's have been blown out on ebay and by various big volume dealers at around $6k for the last 4-5 years. I have been a Kawasaki 450 rider since 09. Have had a bunch of them, the last few I have gone out of my way to put Kayaba spring forks on. Im very seriously considering a Yamaha 450FX now, though. Im done screwing around with changing forks
Post a reply to: Anyone got a 17 kxf450