KX450 or CRF450 (2013)

C.Harrell341
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C.Harrell341
Edited Date/Time 6/3/2015 4:27pm
Im headed out tomorrow to buy a new bike, i currently have a '07 CRF450 that i love, and i race my brothers '11 CRF450 but its just time for a new one, im 6' 2" around 200 lbs. on all the bike reviews i hear the KX450 is more suitable for bigger riders but i love the feel of the '11 CRF, and hear mixed reviews on the '13 CRF. im open to any advice or suggestions
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urbanlift707
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urbanlift707 11/22/2012 9:03am
11/22/2012 9:03am
If you love your brothers 11 why not try and find a cheap 12 crf? I was a lifetime Honda rider who made the switch to a 12 kx450, I really didn't like the Kawi at first Bike just wouldn't turn. 55 hours later and I love it! You really just need to adapt your riding style to each bike. Kawi's take a lot more input to get them to turn, buy once you figure that out its great. Now when I ride Hondas I oversteer everything cause I'm used to the Kawi.

Haha the moral here is they all kick ass, honestly it's been said over and over but find the best deal/dealer support and go for it.
jayback42
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jayback42 11/22/2012 9:28am
11/22/2012 9:28am Edited Date/Time 11/22/2012 9:30am
Both great bikes IMO. I was on an 09 crf450 and now ride a 12 kx450. I'm 6'-2", 220lbs and feel like the kawi is a better fit for a bigger rider. Plus the kawi motor is really strong. The 13 crf450 looks bad ass... Bike choice between the two seems like a more difficult decision for the 2013 models.
JOHN CHOATE
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JOHN CHOATE 11/22/2012 9:41am
11/22/2012 9:41am
MXA wrote that the 2013 Honda actually had a small DECREASE in hp and an increase in weight from the 2012 model. With your size and weight the Kaw seems like a better fit. I'd try to test ride a KX and go from there. Dealer support could be valuable in the decision process too. They're all great bikes nowadays it seems. Good luck and RIDE ON!!!
DrSweden
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DrSweden 11/22/2012 10:08am
11/22/2012 10:08am
I doubt the kxf is better suited for tall people. I had a crf450 09 and a kx250f 2009 and the general opinion was the crfs are smaller, but when I actually measured the distans between pegs, straight line up to the seat, and pegs distance to bar mounts, triple clamps it turns out they were the same peg to bar mounts BUT the top of the seat to peg was actually about 10 mm further away on the crf!!! What diff a lot is the stance, CRF angle, is stink bug, like u ride a kxf with half the fork stoke. Maybe that's the feeling people transform as better suited for taller riders? I figure kxf250/450 have similar width, angles and hights...

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dboivin
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dboivin 11/22/2012 11:00am
11/22/2012 11:00am
DrSweden wrote:
I doubt the kxf is better suited for tall people. I had a crf450 09 and a kx250f 2009 and the general opinion was the crfs...
I doubt the kxf is better suited for tall people. I had a crf450 09 and a kx250f 2009 and the general opinion was the crfs are smaller, but when I actually measured the distans between pegs, straight line up to the seat, and pegs distance to bar mounts, triple clamps it turns out they were the same peg to bar mounts BUT the top of the seat to peg was actually about 10 mm further away on the crf!!! What diff a lot is the stance, CRF angle, is stink bug, like u ride a kxf with half the fork stoke. Maybe that's the feeling people transform as better suited for taller riders? I figure kxf250/450 have similar width, angles and hights...
um. kxf caters to tall peeps. adjustable foot locations..etc...

your kinda comparing apples and oranges. the 450 is loads diff than 250....and an 09' at that. theres a huge difference between anything 09 kawi and 013.
DrSweden
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DrSweden 11/22/2012 11:53am
11/22/2012 11:53am
DrSweden wrote:
I doubt the kxf is better suited for tall people. I had a crf450 09 and a kx250f 2009 and the general opinion was the crfs...
I doubt the kxf is better suited for tall people. I had a crf450 09 and a kx250f 2009 and the general opinion was the crfs are smaller, but when I actually measured the distans between pegs, straight line up to the seat, and pegs distance to bar mounts, triple clamps it turns out they were the same peg to bar mounts BUT the top of the seat to peg was actually about 10 mm further away on the crf!!! What diff a lot is the stance, CRF angle, is stink bug, like u ride a kxf with half the fork stoke. Maybe that's the feeling people transform as better suited for taller riders? I figure kxf250/450 have similar width, angles and hights...
dboivin wrote:
um. kxf caters to tall peeps. adjustable foot locations..etc... your kinda comparing apples and oranges. the 450 is loads diff than 250....and an 09' at that...
um. kxf caters to tall peeps. adjustable foot locations..etc...

your kinda comparing apples and oranges. the 450 is loads diff than 250....and an 09' at that. theres a huge difference between anything 09 kawi and 013.
Maybe so? I tested a 450 09, felt similar to my 250 in ergos in every aspect? The 09-11 KX450F was considered taller than the CRFs as well? Maybe 12 got a totally new frame? All I heard was that it became more narrow? CRF250/CRF450 same frame geometry, in general 250s are newer smaller?

But I could be wrong...
MXBOY2661
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MXBOY2661 11/22/2012 2:12pm
11/22/2012 2:12pm
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj, i just hate the fact it has the dual pipes. Thats the deal breaker for me, until i c someone selling the single exhaust , id b on hold with that.road a 12 kx 450 , i think thats the fastest production bike ive ever ridden, it does have a big feel, the biggest draw back eith the kawis is they get old lookin quick. I personally would get the ,ktm 450
DL
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DL 11/22/2012 2:27pm
11/22/2012 2:27pm
MXBOY2661 wrote:
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj...
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj, i just hate the fact it has the dual pipes. Thats the deal breaker for me, until i c someone selling the single exhaust , id b on hold with that.road a 12 kx 450 , i think thats the fastest production bike ive ever ridden, it does have a big feel, the biggest draw back eith the kawis is they get old lookin quick. I personally would get the ,ktm 450
MXBOY2661
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MXBOY2661 11/22/2012 2:48pm
11/22/2012 2:48pm
Very nicemxwrench66 , does the exhaust exhaust wake the bike up at all? Im sure all the manufactors will follow, i think with an exhaust n cam that bike would b wicked.
rmpilot
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rmpilot 11/22/2012 3:22pm
11/22/2012 3:22pm
the kx 450 hasnt been made in forty years. kx 450f on the other hand...
Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 11/22/2012 5:11pm
11/22/2012 5:11pm
I rode the '13 Kawi recently and I've never been a fan of Kawi product. well it was the best bike I've ever ridden.

I still went and bought a '13 250SX the following week but that's just because I like my Dealer and 2 strokes in general. Plus a lot of my '08 parts can be used on my '13 as well.
mxwrench66
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mxwrench66 11/22/2012 5:37pm
11/22/2012 5:37pm
MXBOY2661 wrote:
Very nicemxwrench66 , does the exhaust exhaust wake the bike up at all? Im sure all the manufactors will follow, i think with an exhaust n...
Very nicemxwrench66 , does the exhaust exhaust wake the bike up at all? Im sure all the manufactors will follow, i think with an exhaust n cam that bike would b wicked.
the new 13 head design gives that bike about 2 hp over the 2012 design. Jimmy says the stock exhaust choked the bike down a lot. Although he never tested an aftermarket dual he did say that the FMF single was the biggest bolt on gain he has ever felt. Says its every bit as fast as the kawi or yamaha.
mxwrench66
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mxwrench66 11/22/2012 5:38pm
11/22/2012 5:38pm
plus it saved 3.5 lbs. much cheaper than a ti bolt kit
CRF505
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CRF505 11/22/2012 6:22pm
11/22/2012 6:22pm
I had an '07 CRF450 too. When I test rode a 2012 KX450F I thought it felt A LOT like my '07 CRF450. Very similar bikes handling wise. The Kawi motor is super fast. Much faster than the '09 Honda I ride now. I thought it was almost too fast to be honest. I think the Honda, although more tame, is easier to ride. The 09-12 Honda feels a lot more nimble to me (although the Kawi I rode was set up for someone 50 lbs more than me). The 12 Kawi and Honda are two very different bikes in my opinion. I say if you're a motor guy, go green. If you're a handling guy, go red.
MXBOY2661
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MXBOY2661 11/22/2012 6:41pm
11/22/2012 6:41pm
I believe a pipe will help that bike out greatly, but there is no chance by just putting a pipe on that it will run with the kawi. The kawi motor has more everywhere, n its the best fuel injected bike, meaning it doesnt just flatten out like other 4 strokes, it revs to the moon.
MXBOY2661
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MXBOY2661 11/22/2012 7:01pm
11/22/2012 7:01pm
Dont get me wrong, ithink the honda is great, what bums me out , after u spend 9k for the bike u def need an exhaust n suspension, so ur 9 k bike isnt 9 k , its more like 10,500, an after a yr use ur lucky if u get 5 k. Four strokes our a horrible investment, thats why ktm 2 strokes r in such crazy demand
Slow450
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Slow450 11/23/2012 7:28am
11/23/2012 7:28am
I'm about the same size as the OP, rode a 2013 CRF450R for the first time last weekend. I'm riding a 2011 KX450F now, so not the exact comparison you're looking for, but for what its worth:

-the CRF felt much smaller than my Kawi. I run RC high bars and fastway pegs in the lowboy position and the stock CRF setup felt like I was riding a super mini for the first lap. Very noticeable size wise, but not really in a bad way, just weird at first.

-it turned amazing, rutted off cambers and tight turns were the most noticeable. It felt balanced everywhere.

-it was definitely down on power compared to my bike, the only thing I've done in that department is FMF exhaust and added a tooth to the rear.

I liked the bike and wouldn't mind spending a season on one.

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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 11/23/2012 9:33am
11/23/2012 9:33am
Any talk about the '13 Honda being "Heavy" or "Slow" is retarded. NOTHING FEELS OR HANDLES AS "LIGHT" in the 450 class.

Nothing.

Also, anyone that's riden a '13 Kawi might say it "feels" slower than the 11' or 12'...because it does... But; it's not-it's just "smoother" in it's delivery.

I'd say the Honda feels like the ultimate "SX bike" or like a REALLY fast "250F": it feels that narrow, light & when it's set up right IT TURNS! MC gave us our '93-'96 CR250 back!

The KX-F, to me, is the best "All-Around" 450 & you have to set it up REALLY WRONG to make it do ANYTHING "bad"...handling-wise. The RMZ is virtually the same thing; but, with better "turn-in" & a bit more likely to shake its head (never really bad-it's just like the '06-'08 CRF when it shakes it's head)

For Strictly Moto on tight tracks/SX style
Riding/Track only: Honda

Any Off-Road & Out-Door style Moto: Kawi

Note: this just in...

We WILL see the New CRF-R used, By Honda, in Off-Road applications/Factory Supported Teams...
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 11/23/2012 10:29am
11/23/2012 10:29am
Buy the Honda. They are a higher quality product for the money. Sure it needs a pipe, but it will hold up much better than the KX over time.
brocsdad
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brocsdad 11/23/2012 2:49pm
11/23/2012 2:49pm Edited Date/Time 11/23/2012 2:49pm
MXBOY2661 wrote:
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj...
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj, i just hate the fact it has the dual pipes. Thats the deal breaker for me, until i c someone selling the single exhaust , id b on hold with that.road a 12 kx 450 , i think thats the fastest production bike ive ever ridden, it does have a big feel, the biggest draw back eith the kawis is they get old lookin quick. I personally would get the ,ktm 450
DL wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/11/22/image_859771.jpg[/img]
Do you need to remap the ECU with the aftermarket pipe?

Who did the graphics?

thx
DL
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DL 11/23/2012 3:41pm
11/23/2012 3:41pm
MXBOY2661 wrote:
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj...
I road the 13 450 honda, not crazy about it. The suspension was the nicest part of the bike, honda r built very we ll thougj, i just hate the fact it has the dual pipes. Thats the deal breaker for me, until i c someone selling the single exhaust , id b on hold with that.road a 12 kx 450 , i think thats the fastest production bike ive ever ridden, it does have a big feel, the biggest draw back eith the kawis is they get old lookin quick. I personally would get the ,ktm 450
DL wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/11/22/image_859771.jpg[/img]
brocsdad wrote:
Do you need to remap the ECU with the aftermarket pipe?

Who did the graphics?

thx
We did all the testing with the stock ECU and stock maps. They run good. That being said we have developed a mod engine, piston, cam and porting and mapped the bike with Renegade SX 4 and also SX4+ using a prototype Vortex ECU. Dirt Bike magazine just tested that bike and loved it. The motor package is available now. Split Designs did the graphics.
Paul333
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Paul333 11/24/2012 7:02am
11/24/2012 7:02am
mxwrench66 wrote:
plus it saved 3.5 lbs. much cheaper than a ti bolt kit
Wow, that is impressive.
ginger969
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ginger969 6/3/2015 3:49pm
6/3/2015 3:49pm
C.Harrell341 wrote:
thanks guys went with the Honda
How have you enjoyed the Honda since you bought it? What did you like and what would you have change or did you change on it? What do you weigh haha?
ryandiezic757 6/3/2015 4:27pm
6/3/2015 4:27pm
C.Harrell341 wrote:
Im headed out tomorrow to buy a new bike, i currently have a '07 CRF450 that i love, and i race my brothers '11 CRF450 but...
Im headed out tomorrow to buy a new bike, i currently have a '07 CRF450 that i love, and i race my brothers '11 CRF450 but its just time for a new one, im 6' 2" around 200 lbs. on all the bike reviews i hear the KX450 is more suitable for bigger riders but i love the feel of the '11 CRF, and hear mixed reviews on the '13 CRF. im open to any advice or suggestions
Not a fan of either of these manufactures personally, I'm a Yamaha guy. But kawi hands down beats the crf. The Honda was not a good bike with handling, that was their first go with the airforks and just did not have it down yet. Power on the kawi has always been more than Honda also.

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