Crazy notion: are the 09-11 KX450F's the best?

user760a
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2/15/2016 7:17am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2016 7:56am
after a long period of searching for some fresh 09-11 KX450F's to buy, I finally gave up and got two newer bikes. Even put 12 forks on the newer one to ditch the junk air fork.

problem is, I cannot seem to get as comfortable on the newer bike. It seems unstable, twitchy and cramped compared to the big boned 09-11 bike. I don't have the same confidence in the newer bike, likely just because of the newer (cramped?) bodywork. I can't really come up with a good bar setting , either. The forward mounts just make the steering feel odd and the bike handle wierd.

am I crazy or were 09-11 the glory years for the Kaw 450? they sure feel better to me, even if everyone else likes the newer bodywork/etc
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cbuehler767
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2/15/2016 7:21am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2016 9:06am
When RV switched to the '12 Kawi he started winning. He was getting his butt kicked by Dunge on the '11, don't know if that means anything
Edit: RV switched to the '12 Kawi for Unadilla and preceded to go 1-1
MxKing809
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2/15/2016 7:31am
I LOVED my 2010 KXF450. Which was a newer green 08 CRF450......
Excaliburbmx
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2/15/2016 7:32am
When RV switched to the '12 Kawi he started winning. He was getting his butt kicked by Dunge on the '11, don't know if that means...
When RV switched to the '12 Kawi he started winning. He was getting his butt kicked by Dunge on the '11, don't know if that means anything
Edit: RV switched to the '12 Kawi for Unadilla and preceded to go 1-1
I must have missed that.
mattyhamz2
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2/15/2016 7:56am
MxKing809 wrote:
I LOVED my 2010 KXF450. Which was a newer green 08 CRF450......
Had a 10 Kx450 also. Man, how explosive was the motor in 2010?? I believe I remember ready Kawasaki had to mellow it out for 2011 because a lot of people had a hard time hanging on to it. That bike was badass though!

If you were a bigger guy or a strong guy they were awesome but, I didn't see too many small guys that weren't as strong do well on them. I've only sat on the 16 and it didn't feel too bad to me but, it sure as hell didn't feel like the 10 or 12 Kawis I had. I'd like to ride on though to see how different it really is.

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