KTM 450 or KX450

Ktm 450 is a great bike. It felt light and nimble to me, motor was very smooth and fast and suspension worked pretty good on it. Rode every year 2015 and up.

I say pick a color. Which has better dealer support near you?

If I fit better on the KTM (6’6”), I wouldn’t hesitate to snag one. I rode a ‘19 months back. Fantastic handling and for me a perfect motor. Just don’t gel with the cockpit fitment.

Current steed is an ‘18 kx450f.

Davinci67 wrote:

I usually don’t post on forums but I could really benefit from hearing some of your suggestions and reviews. New England rider, b class, currently ride a 2019 CRF450. I love the Honda power plant and for the most part the whole bike except the rigid feeling chassis at times. I have my suspension revalved and it works fairly well for my 5,10” 190lb frame.

I had a chance to ride a 2020 kx450, and really liked the chassis. The engine was a lot more mellow then my Honda even with the white and green coupler, but I could ride it twice as long and it didn’t tire me out as quick. Now before riding the KX I had planned on getting a Kim but I’ve never ridden one and it’s a lot of loot to blow on a bike you haven’t ridden. I’ve seen mixed reviews on the KTM 450, some say it’s a slower revving bike and when off throttle feels heavier then other 450s even though it’s the lightest.

What is the 2021 KTM 450 engine character? How does it handle? Yes I will probably need to do a KYB conversion but aside from that any feedback you have on the bike would be appreciated. Have any of you switched from a Honda to Kim or kawi to KTM?

Thanks!

I personally would go with the Kawi for multiple reasons.
1) The chassis is narrow, and has the best bump adsorption
2) handles well
3) you can make any bike faster
4) better starting point for suspension

I never thought i would say this because i have ridden green for 20yrs.... I LOVE my KTM 450, it does everything better, it’s lighter, feels lighter, power character in map one is soooo smooth and broad and map two is punchier but a lighter more free revving feel, right wrist is connected to the rear wheel, Handles way better, stable and can make the inside line without hesitation.

I rode my mates 20.5 factory edition KTM 450 in the summer, it wasn't stock though, had a full FMF, vortex, and cone valves. I thought it felt heavy and way too much power for me (B rider). I bought a 20 KX450 shortly after and absolutely love it. It feels light, nimble, corners lovely, great suspension, and the motor isn't too much to handle. My only complaint is the forks are a little soft, even though I'm only 72kg. I'm 6ft 4 and it feels great with the pegs in the low position and the bars in the forward clamp holes

The New KTM fork is excellent. The "durability" of the KTM is the gold standard.

I've ridden the Kawsaki quite a bit and even in a coupl'a shootouts. It's a great bike. The fork was a bit soft...that was my only complaint. Outside of that I know it eats a few parts really quickly...simple things like the chain-guide and chain.

When people talk about the fork on the new KTMs, they don't seem to know how good they are on the new bikes.

Even-though my screen-name is TeamGreen, it's the orange bikes that I think are worth the money these days.

hypermoto wrote:

Ktm 450 is a great bike. It felt light and nimble to me, motor was very smooth and fast and suspension worked pretty good on it. Rode every year 2015 and up.

I say pick a color. Which has better dealer support near you?

Great feedback thank you! I have a great KTM dealer near me so that is a consideration.

I have a 20 kx 450, too me ! The chassis feels pretty nimble, but I can feel some weight, suspension is good, power is smooth, corners Better than the last YZ I had, !
Rode my buddy’s Ktm yea it revs a lil slower but not a big deal, felt very light, turned a hair better maybe, but the problem is the forks! They suck! If I didn’t have to spend another grand to get them right I might go Ktm
I know people will say the new forks are good, but if there so good then why don’t the factory guys use them?

Davinci67 wrote:

I usually don’t post on forums but I could really benefit from hearing some of your suggestions and reviews. New England rider, b class, currently ride a 2019 CRF450. I love the Honda power plant and for the most part the whole bike except the rigid feeling chassis at times. I have my suspension revalved and it works fairly well for my 5,10” 190lb frame.

I had a chance to ride a 2020 kx450, and really liked the chassis. The engine was a lot more mellow then my Honda even with the white and green coupler, but I could ride it twice as long and it didn’t tire me out as quick. Now before riding the KX I had planned on getting a Kim but I’ve never ridden one and it’s a lot of loot to blow on a bike you haven’t ridden. I’ve seen mixed reviews on the KTM 450, some say it’s a slower revving bike and when off throttle feels heavier then other 450s even though it’s the lightest.

What is the 2021 KTM 450 engine character? How does it handle? Yes I will probably need to do a KYB conversion but aside from that any feedback you have on the bike would be appreciated. Have any of you switched from a Honda to Kim or kawi to KTM?

Thanks!

Zycki11 wrote:

I personally would go with the Kawi for multiple reasons.
1) The chassis is narrow, and has the best bump adsorption
2) handles well
3) you can make any bike faster
4) better starting point for suspension

You make some great points. One other sidebar that kinda annoys me about picking between these two (and I know it’s a bit different now with the pandemic) is my two buddies bought leftover 2019 KX450s last year at this time for 6450 OTD! Granted that was last year but if I want a 2021 now the best I can grab one for today is 8950 OTD. I know it shouldn’t matter but knowing I paid nearly 2500 more then them for the same bike is a bit annoying. Kawi usually has good rebates but not with covid and limited supply. So when I think about buying a KTM my buddy is discounting it even in this environment and it makes the KTM seem like a great buy. I agree with you on all 4 of your points. I’ve never had this much difficulty picking a new bike!

bvm111 wrote:

I never thought i would say this because i have ridden green for 20yrs.... I LOVE my KTM 450, it does everything better, it’s lighter, feels lighter, power character in map one is soooo smooth and broad and map two is punchier but a lighter more free revving feel, right wrist is connected to the rear wheel, Handles way better, stable and can make the inside line without hesitation.

Did you ride the 19’s and up for KX? Your feedback makes me want to try a KTM!

DB505 wrote:

I have a 20 kx 450, too me ! The chassis feels pretty nimble, but I can feel some weight, suspension is good, power is smooth, corners Better than the last YZ I had, !
Rode my buddy’s Ktm yea it revs a lil slower but not a big deal, felt very light, turned a hair better maybe, but the problem is the forks! They suck! If I didn’t have to spend another grand to get them right I might go Ktm
I know people will say the new forks are good, but if there so good then why don’t the factory guys use them?

Bingo! I think for me having only ridden spring forks I would have a high probability of switching them out as well. I would try the air fork but most of the guys around here do the conversion and now your adding that to the equation. This is helpful thanks!

Keefer’s latest podcast compares all the 450s and tells which is best for different kind of riders and soil conditions.

Its interesting that all the improvements on the class leading kxf450 have come from copying the ktm.

Electric start, hydro clutch, belville washer clutch spring... does it have no tools airbox as well?

wrc777 wrote:

Keefer’s latest podcast compares all the 450s and tells which is best for different kind of riders and soil conditions.

It’s funny I had convinced myself to buy the KTM and was planning to drop off cash at my dealer yesterday morning, then I listened to keefers podcast and put the brakes on it.

He does say a ktm with cone valve forks and a vortex ecu is the funnest and most expensive bike to ride.

wrc777 wrote:

He does say a ktm with cone valve forks and a vortex ecu is the funnest and most expensive bike to ride.

9600 for KTM, add 2750 for FC KYB conversion and shock revalve, add 900 for vortex. 13,250!

No comparison, the kx450 all day! The only thing I like better about the KTM is the air filter in Brakes. The Kawasaki is better in every way. My last one had 75 hours only thing I had to replace was chain slider, more dependable than my last 2 ktms, i was a ktm man until I rode a 19 kx450, way more nimble. I bought a 19 kx450 the next week, had 2 2020s and picking up 21 kx Monday

Yeti831 wrote:

If I fit better on the KTM (6’6”), I wouldn’t hesitate to snag one. I rode a ‘19 months back. Fantastic handling and for me a perfect motor. Just don’t gel with the cockpit fitment.

Current steed is an ‘18 kx450f.

Ktm cockpit is quite a bit smaller than kx450 ,and you’re 6ft 6? Im 6ft3 and my kx is way more roomy

Had a 19 crf450. Kx450 is just easier to ride faster for longer. Plus fit Is perfect for over 6ft

Davinci67 wrote:

I usually don’t post on forums but I could really benefit from hearing some of your suggestions and reviews. New England rider, b class, currently ride a 2019 CRF450. I love the Honda power plant and for the most part the whole bike except the rigid feeling chassis at times. I have my suspension revalved and it works fairly well for my 5,10” 190lb frame.

I had a chance to ride a 2020 kx450, and really liked the chassis. The engine was a lot more mellow then my Honda even with the white and green coupler, but I could ride it twice as long and it didn’t tire me out as quick. Now before riding the KX I had planned on getting a Kim but I’ve never ridden one and it’s a lot of loot to blow on a bike you haven’t ridden. I’ve seen mixed reviews on the KTM 450, some say it’s a slower revving bike and when off throttle feels heavier then other 450s even though it’s the lightest.

What is the 2021 KTM 450 engine character? How does it handle? Yes I will probably need to do a KYB conversion but aside from that any feedback you have on the bike would be appreciated. Have any of you switched from a Honda to Kim or kawi to KTM?

Thanks!

you probably won't have to do a KYB conversion.

The 21 Fork is vastly better than the 2020.

11 Bar in the fork and 15 clicks out on the comp is the sweet spot. Use Map 2 if you want snappier response. Try to ride one before you buy, they feel different than an Aluminum framed dirt bike. I am 5'11"/170

23 years on Hondas, this is my 4th KTM after buying my first in 2017. I won't be switching back anytime soon.

I dunno...I get the feeling not many folks in here are comparing them “enough”

Davinci67 wrote:

9600 for KTM, add 2750 for FC KYB conversion and shock revalve, add 900 for vortex. 13,250!

Is that what you did or is that what you think needs to be done to make one rideable?

wrc777 wrote:

He does say a ktm with cone valve forks and a vortex ecu is the funnest and most expensive bike to ride.

Davinci67 wrote:

9600 for KTM, add 2750 for FC KYB conversion and shock revalve, add 900 for vortex. 13,250!

captmoto wrote:

Is that what you did or is that what you think needs to be done to make one rideable?

I was thinking worst case, if I don’t like air fork, i need stiffer springs on any bike at 190, figured if it’s a slow revver a vortex might be needed.

TeamGreen wrote:

I dunno...I get the feeling not many folks in here are comparing them “enough”

You were in the shootout! 👍 so dam hard to choose and since we just got 6 inches of snow there’s no way to try the KTM.

TeamGreen wrote:

I dunno...I get the feeling not many folks in here are comparing them “enough”

Davinci67 wrote:

You were in the shootout! 👍 so dam hard to choose and since we just got 6 inches of snow there’s no way to try the KTM.

One of those pics is from the shoutout...

The other 2 are much more recent and involve developing the KX for racing...including some AMAZING suspension and “Too Much” motor! I’ve raced them both in stock form and in ridiculous form.
😂
But, out of the box and for the average guy? I’m saying it’s SX-F allllll day.

If you’re gonna spend whatever ya need to make it exactly how ya want it...?

Buy whatever is your favorite.

Chris99Flannery wrote:

Had a 19 crf450. Kx450 is just easier to ride faster for longer. Plus fit Is perfect for over 6ft

thats exactly how I felt the day I rode the kawi, I thought I was going slower but the lap times said I was actually slightly faster within the first 6 laps of riding it. Plus I rode twice the laps on it then I did on my Honda.

TeamGreen wrote:

I dunno...I get the feeling not many folks in here are comparing them “enough”

Davinci67 wrote:

You were in the shootout! 👍 so dam hard to choose and since we just got 6 inches of snow there’s no way to try the KTM.

TeamGreen wrote:

One of those pics is from the shoutout...

The other 2 are much more recent and involve developing the KX for racing...including some AMAZING suspension and “Too Much” motor! I’ve raced them both in stock form and in ridiculous form.
😂
But, out of the box and for the average guy? I’m saying it’s SX-F allllll day.

If you’re gonna spend whatever ya need to make it exactly how ya want it...?

Buy whatever is your favorite.

Both of those bikes (orange and green) look so good!

Davinci67 wrote:

You were in the shootout! 👍 so dam hard to choose and since we just got 6 inches of snow there’s no way to try the KTM.

TeamGreen wrote:

One of those pics is from the shoutout...

The other 2 are much more recent and involve developing the KX for racing...including some AMAZING suspension and “Too Much” motor! I’ve raced them both in stock form and in ridiculous form.
😂
But, out of the box and for the average guy? I’m saying it’s SX-F allllll day.

If you’re gonna spend whatever ya need to make it exactly how ya want it...?

Buy whatever is your favorite.

Davinci67 wrote:

Both of those bikes (orange and green) look so good!

If that’s where you think you’re heading...?

You should buy whichever one you can make TOTALLY RIDICULOUS for the least money!

I’d go WP & Twisted Development on the SX-F and that would mean starting with the “almost here” Red Bull Edition...or the ‘20 version (you’re gonna have A LOT of take-off parts to sell for A LOT of $$$: been there, done that...including ALWAYS selling those communist pipes & that goofy dark blue seat!)

Or...

Get a new ‘19-‘21 KX & have it shipped to Mitch and ask for “Full Tilt”...& ask really, really nicely.

I think I’m going to try the KX. Did anyone see on the new factory edition KTM it says engine changes but gives nothing more. Wonder if it’s just mapping or durability changes.