Holy s*** 2020 kx250

Moto520
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7/11/2019 8:18am
Here's what we know:
the chassis is good. We know this from the the old 450F as well as last year's 250F
the suspension is great: we know this from the 2019 450
the motor is going to be better
the bike should be reliable: we know this from the 2019 450
the brakes are good: " "

The only variable and question mark will be reliability of the new motor. If it's good....she'll be a great bike.
colvin227
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Alamogordo, NM US
7/11/2019 8:23am
Moto520 wrote:
Here's what we know: the chassis is good. We know this from the the old 450F as well as last year's 250F the suspension is great...
Here's what we know:
the chassis is good. We know this from the the old 450F as well as last year's 250F
the suspension is great: we know this from the 2019 450
the motor is going to be better
the bike should be reliable: we know this from the 2019 450
the brakes are good: " "

The only variable and question mark will be reliability of the new motor. If it's good....she'll be a great bike.
Suspension from 2019 450 and this years 250 are totally different companies and different size so not exactly apples to apples. But I see your point both dual spring forks. That’s my only thing with concentrating solely on a high RPM ripper is sacrificing reliability to get that. That remains to be seen if it’ll be an issue. Doesn’t seem it is for the KTM, or Husky and that’s their powerband MO.
ML512
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7/11/2019 8:25am
colvin227 wrote:
ML, since this new setup kyb Fork has .50 springs in the fork same as the RM-Z250. Same fork same spring rt both 250cc bikes how...
ML, since this new setup kyb Fork has .50 springs in the fork same as the RM-Z250. Same fork same spring rt both 250cc bikes how come this doesn’t get the “oversprung” rating the RMZ does? Frame make up that much of a difference in fork feel?
ML512 wrote:
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the...
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the final cut of the video...gotta change that now. Pinch

It is slightly over-sprung up front.
colvin227 wrote:
Too the same extent as the RMZ? The rates between the two with the AOS system are the same correct? .50?
It's not as bad as the RM-Z250, but still noticeable. I was a bit slower on rebound and softer on compression for the KX, but it still wasn't as comfortable as it should be.
Markopolo400
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7/11/2019 8:26am
ML512 wrote:
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the...
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the final cut of the video...gotta change that now. Pinch

It is slightly over-sprung up front.
Oversprung @160lb. I've said it before Ill say it again. At least where I ride I don't see many people that light riding unless they are kids coming right off 80s.
6

The Shop

ML512
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7/11/2019 8:34am
ML512 wrote:
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the...
I gotta go back and listen to my audio, I could've sworn I used the term over-sprung in there but I just realized it missed the final cut of the video...gotta change that now. Pinch

It is slightly over-sprung up front.
Oversprung @160lb. I've said it before Ill say it again. At least where I ride I don't see many people that light riding unless they are...
Oversprung @160lb. I've said it before Ill say it again. At least where I ride I don't see many people that light riding unless they are kids coming right off 80s.
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many big guys on a 250F.
2
Markopolo400
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7/11/2019 9:14am
ML512 wrote:
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many...
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many big guys on a 250F.
From the MFG? Just saying this is Japanese brand #2 to "overspring" a 250F.

Maybe it's just a Cali thing. But when I go to tracks in the midwest its a pretty even split between 250Fs and 450s for the Vet riders who seem to be the ones buying brand new bikes these days.
4
Moto520
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7/11/2019 9:25am
colvin227 wrote:
Suspension from 2019 450 and this years 250 are totally different companies and different size so not exactly apples to apples. But I see your point...
Suspension from 2019 450 and this years 250 are totally different companies and different size so not exactly apples to apples. But I see your point both dual spring forks. That’s my only thing with concentrating solely on a high RPM ripper is sacrificing reliability to get that. That remains to be seen if it’ll be an issue. Doesn’t seem it is for the KTM, or Husky and that’s their powerband MO.
Good point. I missed/ forgot that the suspension is KYB and not Showa. I understand the idea and benefits in not having all of your cookies in one jar with suspension.....having multiple suppliers is a good idea to prevent potential production supply issues. I do, however, think it might make a better end product by having one suspension company fine tune the settings for each brand. Imagine the jump start that Kawi would have if they could carry over what they learned from the 2019 KX450 suspension testing.

CarlinoJoeVideo
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7/11/2019 9:28am
ML512 wrote:
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many...
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many big guys on a 250F.
From the MFG? Just saying this is Japanese brand #2 to "overspring" a 250F. Maybe it's just a Cali thing. But when I go to tracks...
From the MFG? Just saying this is Japanese brand #2 to "overspring" a 250F.

Maybe it's just a Cali thing. But when I go to tracks in the midwest its a pretty even split between 250Fs and 450s for the Vet riders who seem to be the ones buying brand new bikes these days.
I can agree with this. In the NW I did see more older bigger guys on 250s. Southern California is mostly young kids in n 250s. I think because I’m So Cal the tracks are so big and wide open older guys jump of 450s right away.
1
ML512
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7/11/2019 9:35am
Video was updated btw.
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brocster
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7/11/2019 9:42am
ML512 wrote:
I'll just throw my two cents in:
https://youtu.be/Xrp2Hmw-2V8

WhistlingSmile
colvin227 wrote:
Thank the lord. Not trying to blow you, but nobody does a first impression brake down like you do. After watching the vital one, they are...
Thank the lord. Not trying to blow you, but nobody does a first impression brake down like you do. After watching the vital one, they are definitely missing you
Yeah ML is never at a loss for words. Felt bad one day at Perris my adult adhd kicked in and I squirreled out on him and I think he caught it. Sorry ML, keep doing what you do. Well done!
mxrose3
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7/11/2019 10:32am
ML512 wrote:
Video was updated btw.
Video was updated btw.
You do a great, detailed review on most bikes ML - great job!

I know a lot of people bash Kawi for not adding electric start, but i'll take lighter weight over electric start any day. But maybe i'm in the minority here.
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Markee
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7/11/2019 10:45am
14,000 RPM, that's 116 valve open/close a second I do believe Blink
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Gworm
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7/11/2019 11:19am
moscrop940 wrote:
Did I miss something or are we no longer calling them 250f’s ?
scott_nz wrote:
yes they dropped the F last year,
They ran smack out of F’s to give.
6
mattyhamz2
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7/11/2019 12:21pm
ML512 wrote:
Video was updated btw.
Video was updated btw.
Great video Michael! Looked like a 17 year old Bradshaw with that gear and hair out the back of the helmet Laughing

Looking forward to the rest of the 2020 videos
1
mattyhamz2
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7/11/2019 12:43pm
Jarrod458 wrote:
Spoke with my wallet! In 💚💚💚💚 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/11/359623/s1200_066BE56E_8AF7_4843_9DFF_BDA775EAFA29.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/11/359622/s1200_145F3B15_20C7_465E_933D_18746642AEE8.jpg[/img]
Spoke with my wallet! In 💚💚💚💚

Congrats on the new ride man!
3
Moto520
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7/11/2019 12:59pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Congrats on the new ride man!
Ride that thing and give us a report!
3
WW444
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7/11/2019 1:05pm
I'm surprised how early these bikes dropped. Usually they don't drop till after lorettas.
1
Markopolo400
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7/11/2019 1:20pm
Kawi sure has the launch timing down with availability. My 19 450 was available super early last year too.
1
280driver
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7/11/2019 2:36pm
Jarrod458 wrote:
Spoke with my wallet! In 💚💚💚💚 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/11/359623/s1200_066BE56E_8AF7_4843_9DFF_BDA775EAFA29.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/11/359622/s1200_145F3B15_20C7_465E_933D_18746642AEE8.jpg[/img]
Spoke with my wallet! In 💚💚💚💚

Sounds like it’s an awesome bike this year. Enjoy.
Sluggo77
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7/11/2019 4:09pm
ML512 wrote:
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many...
Target goal for most 250 development is 150lbs. Where I live, the majority of riders on a 250 are between 130-160lbs. I don't see very many big guys on a 250F.
From the MFG? Just saying this is Japanese brand #2 to "overspring" a 250F. Maybe it's just a Cali thing. But when I go to tracks...
From the MFG? Just saying this is Japanese brand #2 to "overspring" a 250F.

Maybe it's just a Cali thing. But when I go to tracks in the midwest its a pretty even split between 250Fs and 450s for the Vet riders who seem to be the ones buying brand new bikes these days.
I haven't seen 130 since I was 12! The age range for this product, and weight is pretty darn big to fault the MFG if isn't suitable to a specific rider. Maybe the primary target is 15-25 yr old? Regardless it must be a pretty bad ass bike if that is something to harp on. Swap the springs for your weight/ability and go!! Not a big deal.
1
Moto520
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7/11/2019 4:10pm
I might get one of these. The Yamaha is too fat up front, the Suzuki is meh, the Honda is a total screamer, the KTM is a KTM. This might finally be the perfect balance of everything in a 250f.

Guys.....the Kawi 450 is such an awesome bike. I’ve had no problems with it after 40 hours. I’m not a Kawi guy (ive always had hondas) but they may have finally balanced everything out. Made a little cheaper? Yeah....i’d say so but these are race bikes anyways.
3
Titan777
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7/11/2019 4:23pm Edited Date/Time 7/11/2019 4:31pm
ML512 wrote:
Video was updated btw.
Video was updated btw.
Hey man, does previous (18') FMF's system fit the 2020 bike? It uses the same FRAME-COMP,RR
32160-0779.

(will it fit the newer 2021?).
mxb2
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7/11/2019 4:30pm
Call fmf.
soggy
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7/11/2019 5:44pm
ML512 wrote:
Video was updated btw.
Video was updated btw.
Titan777 wrote:
Hey man, does previous (18') FMF's system fit the 2020 bike? It uses the same FRAME-COMP,RR
32160-0779.

(will it fit the newer 2021?).
2020 is barely out and this guy wants to know if 18 fmf system will fit 2021Grinning
Titan777
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7/11/2019 5:54pm
soggy wrote:
2020 is barely out and this guy wants to know if 18 fmf system will fit 2021Grinning
Yep. Why not? I just got a new FMF Ti system and wanted to know if I can use it with the new 2020 model.
NoMuff2Tuff
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7/11/2019 10:27pm
Moto520 wrote:
I might get one of these. The Yamaha is too fat up front, the Suzuki is meh, the Honda is a total screamer, the KTM is...
I might get one of these. The Yamaha is too fat up front, the Suzuki is meh, the Honda is a total screamer, the KTM is a KTM. This might finally be the perfect balance of everything in a 250f.

Guys.....the Kawi 450 is such an awesome bike. I’ve had no problems with it after 40 hours. I’m not a Kawi guy (ive always had hondas) but they may have finally balanced everything out. Made a little cheaper? Yeah....i’d say so but these are race bikes anyways.
I'm looking to get a 2020 250f, I'm a Honda guy so I'm hoping the new changes improve the bike. If not it's good to know the Kawi made some good changes and I would consider it.
1
yak651
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7/12/2019 6:51am
Moto520 wrote:
I might get one of these. The Yamaha is too fat up front, the Suzuki is meh, the Honda is a total screamer, the KTM is...
I might get one of these. The Yamaha is too fat up front, the Suzuki is meh, the Honda is a total screamer, the KTM is a KTM. This might finally be the perfect balance of everything in a 250f.

Guys.....the Kawi 450 is such an awesome bike. I’ve had no problems with it after 40 hours. I’m not a Kawi guy (ive always had hondas) but they may have finally balanced everything out. Made a little cheaper? Yeah....i’d say so but these are race bikes anyways.
I'm looking to get a 2020 250f, I'm a Honda guy so I'm hoping the new changes improve the bike. If not it's good to know...
I'm looking to get a 2020 250f, I'm a Honda guy so I'm hoping the new changes improve the bike. If not it's good to know the Kawi made some good changes and I would consider it.
I would pick one up right now if they would sell them for the price I'm seeing the '19s at ($53-5600). I get people would probably still want a discount, but if they can sell them now for that, why can't they sell them at the beginning of the year for that? Would think they would have more sales, but maybe I'm off base.

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