Hey You '09KXF450 Owners...

Rupert X
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Rupert X
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:11am

We just picked up a lightly used one tonight - wondering what we need to

pay attention to, adjust, slam, pinch, squeeze or calibrate ?



Previous owner included a letter from Kaw - recall about foot-peg pins -

anybody familiar with this dealio ?
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Chili
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Chili 8/20/2009 7:34pm
8/20/2009 7:34pm
Footpegs pins were replaced on all 09 250/450's, there was also a recall on a small vin range for a throttle body flange breaking.

This is my first Kawi and it seems to spit bolts more than any other bike I've ever owned so loctite is your friend. Only other thing out of the norm is they seem to eat the chain sliders and guides pretty quickly.

Great bike, we just sold my sons 09 250f and picked up a new left over 450 for him as well so I don't have to wait to get my 450 back all the time!
ProMed
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ProMed 8/20/2009 7:35pm
8/20/2009 7:35pm
I did see a scientific study recently that proved if you put red plastic on it along with little decals that say CRF, it will pull more chicks.
500guy
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500guy 8/20/2009 7:39pm
8/20/2009 7:39pm
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
casper
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casper 8/20/2009 7:40pm
8/20/2009 7:40pm
I got one. As far as the recall, you can call into a Kawasaki dealer and give them the VIN number and they should be able to tell if it has been done or not. It's not a big deal, I cased my bike so hard I f-ed up my ankle and it ripped my hour meter off the frame and nothing happened to the foot peg pin. I think it will just bend the pin over time. It takes ~10 minutes to change the part when they get it.

As far as things to watch:

1. Loctite the front fender bolts and the rear fender bolts that go into the airbox. I lost 1 out of the 4 on the front fender and 1 out of 2 on the rear already.

2. People say the stock front tire is crap but I didn't really notice it better or worse then others. I ended up putting m403/404 combo on after ~25 hours out of the stock tires.

3. The chain guides on them are soft and wear out fast but I think if you keep up on chain maintenance, you should be fine. I have 30 hours on mine and it's showing wear but not near where I would have to replace it.

Besides that, i haven't touched a thing. Best bike I have owned so far, starts nice and easy and never had anything wrong so far.

The Shop

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casper
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casper 8/20/2009 7:42pm
8/20/2009 7:42pm
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
This is true but on the '09 you will need a wheel puller to take off the magneto to get to one of the bolts of the plate that you have to take off to get to the screen.
Chili
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Chili 8/20/2009 7:45pm
8/20/2009 7:45pm
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
Good advice, unfortunately you need a flywheel puller on the 09 to get to the last bolt.
rallendude
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rallendude 8/20/2009 7:47pm
8/20/2009 7:47pm
I've had one in my shop with the plate that welds on the end of the shift shaft all cracked and deformed. The bike wouldn't shift from 2nd to 1st and occasionally 2nd to 3rd. I think the guy must have landed with his foot on the shifter while in first gear to cause it but Kawi offered to replace it.
davis224
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davis224 8/20/2009 7:56pm
8/20/2009 7:56pm
be prepared to buy exhaust. If you look at the stock header wrong it will bend.
Chili
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Chili 8/20/2009 8:19pm
8/20/2009 8:19pm
davis224 wrote:
be prepared to buy exhaust. If you look at the stock header wrong it will bend.
LOL I don't know if it's a subconscious thing or what but I've destroyed a left rad and it seems everyone of my crashes has been to the left side.
Bret28g
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Bret28g 8/20/2009 8:35pm
8/20/2009 8:35pm
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
Good tip, but if you do this, be sure to line up the spline on the gear that runs the oil scavenging system. If this isn't lined up right it can break a chunk out of the case...then you need to buy a case. I work at a motorcycle dealer and saw this happen first hand with a kid who thought he could do the job himself at home. He figured out he screwed up when the bike kept puking oil out of the breather.

Take your time and pay close attention and you should be fine though.
JP
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JP 8/20/2009 9:07pm
8/20/2009 9:07pm
This is why you see so many Hondas at the track.
teggers
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teggers 8/20/2009 10:18pm
8/20/2009 10:18pm Edited Date/Time 8/20/2009 10:18pm
This post is way too helpful....please take this to Thumpertalk.
russerbe
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russerbe 8/21/2009 6:30am
8/21/2009 6:30am
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
What is the purpose of doing this? What will/could happen if I don't do this?
Huckster
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Huckster 8/21/2009 6:35am
8/21/2009 6:35am
I have one and cant get comfy on it. Anyone want to trade for a 09 YZF?
TeamGrnRacer99 8/21/2009 6:50am
8/21/2009 6:50am
JP wrote:
This is why you see so many Hondas at the track.
really??? where is that?? i literally gave away more CRF450's then i sold this year!!!!
more people in D6 ride Kawi's or Yamadogs.
TeamGrnRacer99 8/21/2009 6:53am
8/21/2009 6:53am
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
russerbe wrote:
What is the purpose of doing this? What will/could happen if I don't do this?
gasket material inside the motor from the cases gets into the screen and clogs it up. if you don't clean it it restricts oil flow. you only need to do it once. at about 5 hrs. or so.
russerbe
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russerbe 8/21/2009 6:59am
8/21/2009 6:59am
500guy wrote:
Lay it on it's side, pull the magneto cover and remove the oil screen clean the silicone from the cases out of it.
russerbe wrote:
What is the purpose of doing this? What will/could happen if I don't do this?
TeamGrnRacer99 wrote:
gasket material inside the motor from the cases gets into the screen and clogs it up. if you don't clean it it restricts oil flow. you...
gasket material inside the motor from the cases gets into the screen and clogs it up. if you don't clean it it restricts oil flow. you only need to do it once. at about 5 hrs. or so.
Damn!!! That's an expensive job!! Good info to know though. Guess I'll be looking for a good mechanic around here.
tcannon521
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tcannon521 8/21/2009 7:04am
8/21/2009 7:04am
russerbe wrote:
What is the purpose of doing this? What will/could happen if I don't do this?
TeamGrnRacer99 wrote:
gasket material inside the motor from the cases gets into the screen and clogs it up. if you don't clean it it restricts oil flow. you...
gasket material inside the motor from the cases gets into the screen and clogs it up. if you don't clean it it restricts oil flow. you only need to do it once. at about 5 hrs. or so.
russerbe wrote:
Damn!!! That's an expensive job!! Good info to know though. Guess I'll be looking for a good mechanic around here.
Not really, it takes no time at all to do it.

Pit Row

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tobz
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tobz 8/21/2009 7:12am
8/21/2009 7:12am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 1:41am
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and the thing is a beast.



Chili
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Chili 8/21/2009 7:15am
8/21/2009 7:15am
russerbe wrote:
Damn!!! That's an expensive job!! Good info to know though. Guess I'll be looking for a good mechanic around here.
The flywheel puller is a $20 tool and checking the screen takes no time at all.
Chili
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Chili 8/21/2009 7:16am
8/21/2009 7:16am
JP wrote:
This is why you see so many Hondas at the track.
That's hilarious given the extent of troubles 09 CRF450 owners have had compared to getting your foot peg pins replaced for free as part of a recall.
motofab36
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motofab36 8/21/2009 7:16am
8/21/2009 7:16am
I've heard of a few of the fuel pumps breaking off inside the tank. I'm sure a few vital members have had this happen.
nc_mx_kid
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nc_mx_kid 8/21/2009 7:31am
8/21/2009 7:31am
Go ahead and get the TM designworks chainslider, block, and roller kit. The stock stuff doesn't last long.

www.Yoshimura-rd.com for their stainless/aluminum system.

GO to your local dealer and the new pins, When I replaced the ones on my bike, they were beat up.

besides that, ride it.
mxmat813
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mxmat813 8/21/2009 7:46am
8/21/2009 7:46am
Go to ebay and pick up a CRF front brake master cylinder. The front brakes on it seem to get mushy and no amount of bleeding seems to solve it. The m/c will bolt right up to the KXF front brake line, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than an oversize rotor and steel braided line.

Also, I sold my 09 CRF a month ago to pick up an 09 Kawasaki, and I couldn't be happier. I was a huge CRF fan for 6 years, but had nothing but bad luck with my 09, and it was time for a change. Plus, you can't beat the kawi contingency. Good luck.
russerbe
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russerbe 8/21/2009 8:24am
8/21/2009 8:24am
russerbe wrote:
Damn!!! That's an expensive job!! Good info to know though. Guess I'll be looking for a good mechanic around here.
Chili wrote:
The flywheel puller is a $20 tool and checking the screen takes no time at all.
Oh, well he said it was a 5 hour job.
russerbe
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russerbe 8/21/2009 8:27am
8/21/2009 8:27am
tobz wrote:
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and...
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and the thing is a beast.



Hey, what chain guide is that? I like it. does it last longer than OEM? I've heard the Moose guide and roller last a long time.
mxmat813
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mxmat813 8/21/2009 8:34am
8/21/2009 8:34am Edited Date/Time 8/21/2009 10:33am
tobz wrote:
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and...
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and the thing is a beast.



russerbe wrote:
Hey, what chain guide is that? I like it. does it last longer than OEM? I've heard the Moose guide and roller last a long time.
That looks like the tm design guide, correct me if I'm wrong tobz?
Rupert X
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Rupert X 8/21/2009 8:56am
8/21/2009 8:56am
Appreciative of all the helpful advice.

Yeah, every Kaw I've ever had seems toshake things loose....

Chain rollers on our 08 KXF250 get consumed too often, too....

It arrived with a pipe on it.... MDR ?
kawboy388
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kawboy388 8/21/2009 9:03am
8/21/2009 9:03am
tobz wrote:
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and...
I love my 09, threw a pro circuit exhaust, 22mm offset clamps on revalved suspension, with a bit of tinkering with the efi calibration tool and the thing is a beast.



russerbe wrote:
Hey, what chain guide is that? I like it. does it last longer than OEM? I've heard the Moose guide and roller last a long time.
Yes he has the T.M. Designworks chain guide. Russerbe you should get the whole slide-n-glide system from them for your bike. I just put it on my RMZ and it has shown absolutely no wear marks in 2 hours of time. The swingarm slider does make the chain noise kinda loud though.
hillbilly
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hillbilly 8/21/2009 9:16am
8/21/2009 9:16am
keep a spare crank close by.

It gaulds the small rod end like a fat persons legs waddlin' into walmart.

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