Kx450 or crf450r

dombrowsky106
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dombrowsky106
Looking to buy a 450 torn between the two. So I'm curious to hear your feed back
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JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 10/28/2018 5:44pm
10/28/2018 5:44pm
I currently own an 18 CRF450R. I road a 19 kx. My CR is for sale after one ride. And I’ve talked to Chris Keefer to make sure I wasn’t just loosing my mind. I would ride both. I bet it will be an easy decision
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/28/2018 6:59pm
10/28/2018 6:59pm
I will be bias, CRF hands down....and dont listen to the above comment, compare a 19 to 19 not a 18 to a 19
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JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 10/28/2018 7:03pm
10/28/2018 7:03pm
kiwifan wrote:
I will be bias, CRF hands down....and dont listen to the above comment, compare a 19 to 19 not a 18 to a 19
Have you ridden both 19s? If the 19 Honda is as good as the kx that will help me. I really don’t want to get off a Honda but I just can’t get right with the 18. Do you own a 19?
NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 10/28/2018 7:19pm
10/28/2018 7:19pm
I've ridden both 19's back to back. Honda has more power every where, no contest. Handling wise, the Honda feels busier and a bit more sensitive to trying to hit your line when entering corners. Kawi felt more planted, easier to ride and plusher overall feel.

Both bikes were stock and neither one set up for me. We all know that either one can be set up as needed with time.

I'll take either bike for Christmas, then set up accordingly Wink
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/28/2018 9:01pm
10/28/2018 9:01pm
kiwifan wrote:
I will be bias, CRF hands down....and dont listen to the above comment, compare a 19 to 19 not a 18 to a 19
JohnnyD13 wrote:
Have you ridden both 19s? If the 19 Honda is as good as the kx that will help me. I really don’t want to get off...
Have you ridden both 19s? If the 19 Honda is as good as the kx that will help me. I really don’t want to get off a Honda but I just can’t get right with the 18. Do you own a 19?
Yes I have ridden the kx, admittedly only once

I own a CRF450RWE
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/28/2018 9:03pm
10/28/2018 9:03pm
NeedMoto wrote:
I've ridden both 19's back to back. Honda has more power every where, no contest. Handling wise, the Honda feels busier and a bit more sensitive...
I've ridden both 19's back to back. Honda has more power every where, no contest. Handling wise, the Honda feels busier and a bit more sensitive to trying to hit your line when entering corners. Kawi felt more planted, easier to ride and plusher overall feel.

Both bikes were stock and neither one set up for me. We all know that either one can be set up as needed with time.

I'll take either bike for Christmas, then set up accordingly Wink
This, either bike is actually a good pick...I just prefer the CRF
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mx_phreek
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mx_phreek 10/29/2018 5:11am
10/29/2018 5:11am
Kawi beat Honda in every shootout this year. So there's that. I'm not sure the changes are better to the Honda this year, everyone seemed to like the 18 Honda and it seems to have gone backwards this year in rankings. Best bet is try one if you can. Personally I'd get the Kawi though.
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kwenske321
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kwenske321 10/29/2018 7:25am
10/29/2018 7:25am
I have ridden both the 2019 Crf450r and crf450rwe. I own a crf450rwe. I have not ridden the kx. The 2019 Honda turns on a dime. I have not felt the busy, uneasy or unstable characteristics some speak of. The motor is awesome!
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blockhead17 10/29/2018 7:59am
10/29/2018 7:59am
These days the bikes are all so similar in performance it doesn’t really matter, pick the one you think looks best!
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FLmxer
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FLmxer 10/29/2018 7:29pm
10/29/2018 7:29pm
Is the kxf larger or maybe wider compared to the Honda? The Honda has been feeling small and a bit twitchy to me the last few years. Both are great bikes but never been on 18s or 19s. I like the reviews of that Kawi but been on Honda for a long time.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/29/2018 7:34pm
10/29/2018 7:34pm
FLmxer wrote:
Is the kxf larger or maybe wider compared to the Honda? The Honda has been feeling small and a bit twitchy to me the last few...
Is the kxf larger or maybe wider compared to the Honda? The Honda has been feeling small and a bit twitchy to me the last few years. Both are great bikes but never been on 18s or 19s. I like the reviews of that Kawi but been on Honda for a long time.
The Honda is a lot more roomier than it used to be (pre-17 they were 'smaller' in the cockpit area)
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Myke
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Myke 10/29/2018 7:35pm
10/29/2018 7:35pm
If you ride soft tracks I would go Honda. If you ride hard pack square edge stuff do not pick the Honda.
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Tarz483
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Tarz483 10/29/2018 7:57pm
10/29/2018 7:57pm
Shoulda made it a voteSmile
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datkin128
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datkin128 10/29/2018 8:20pm
10/29/2018 8:20pm
I've ridden the 18 Honda and own a 19 KX. I will say the 19 KX is the best mx bike I've ever ridden. I also really liked the 18 Honda when I rode it. One thing that made me hesitate with the Honda though is that it felt a little short to me from front to back. They are both slim and feel great though. I'm taller and the KX just seems to fit me better, but Pingree isn't tall and thinks the KX is the best 450 out there this year. Plus, I wanted a hydro clutch and the Honda doesn't have it stock and the KX does. The 19 Honda 450 does look great though!
David934
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David934 10/30/2018 3:20am
10/30/2018 3:20am
Try Yami 18 or 19, for me feeling was way better than CRF
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Helda
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Helda 10/30/2018 4:09am
10/30/2018 4:09am
David934 wrote:
Try Yami 18 or 19, for me feeling was way better than CRF
Agree man my YZF is awesome to ride
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526
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526 10/30/2018 5:47am
10/30/2018 5:47am
JohnnyD13 wrote:
I currently own an 18 CRF450R. I road a 19 kx. My CR is for sale after one ride. And I’ve talked to Chris Keefer to...
I currently own an 18 CRF450R. I road a 19 kx. My CR is for sale after one ride. And I’ve talked to Chris Keefer to make sure I wasn’t just loosing my mind. I would ride both. I bet it will be an easy decision
Like Keefer says buy the bike you get the best deal on ............
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H4L
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H4L 10/30/2018 6:27am
10/30/2018 6:27am
Myke wrote:
If you ride soft tracks I would go Honda. If you ride hard pack square edge stuff do not pick the Honda.
Interesting. There is a local track that gets hard pack with square edges & haven't experienced any issues with an 18 CRF450r.
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GPrider
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GPrider 10/30/2018 6:51am
10/30/2018 6:51am
had both, I am a Honda fanboys for 40 plus years now. Went with a new KX for the weight and the clutch. The weight is not much on the scale but huge riding and you cant beat a hydro clutch. Also, the chassis is softer on the KX. I miss the Honda quality like simple bolts for example, but happy with my choice. When Honda puts a real clutch in their bike, losses a little weight and make a chassis not so rigid, I am back!
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MX558
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MX558 10/30/2018 8:06am
10/30/2018 8:06am
GPrider wrote:
had both, I am a Honda fanboys for 40 plus years now. Went with a new KX for the weight and the clutch. The weight is...
had both, I am a Honda fanboys for 40 plus years now. Went with a new KX for the weight and the clutch. The weight is not much on the scale but huge riding and you cant beat a hydro clutch. Also, the chassis is softer on the KX. I miss the Honda quality like simple bolts for example, but happy with my choice. When Honda puts a real clutch in their bike, losses a little weight and make a chassis not so rigid, I am back!
That was the same reason I went Kawie . I like the chassis better and love the hydro clutch along with it being lighter . That said I'd be slow on any of the bikes
barnett468
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barnett468 10/30/2018 9:14am
10/30/2018 9:14am Edited Date/Time 10/30/2018 9:15am
Nobody here can use all the power any new bike has and the power can be changed with mapping, however steering geometry can not be changed. If a bike is twitchy and pushes the front wheel in the turns there is very little that can be done about it.
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BobPA
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BobPA 10/30/2018 9:31am
10/30/2018 9:31am
barnett468 wrote:
Nobody here can use all the power any new bike has and the power can be changed with mapping, however steering geometry can not be changed...
Nobody here can use all the power any new bike has and the power can be changed with mapping, however steering geometry can not be changed. If a bike is twitchy and pushes the front wheel in the turns there is very little that can be done about it.
I use the full power every time I ride, who are you to judge?
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BikeGuy321
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BikeGuy321 10/30/2018 10:01am
10/30/2018 10:01am Edited Date/Time 10/30/2018 10:02am
I'd say get the KX if you buy new bikes frequently/mechanically inclined. Honda if you keep your bikes for a long time.
pete24
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pete24 10/30/2018 10:04am
10/30/2018 10:04am
I had a 17 kx450 and an 18 crf 450 if your old like me,55, and your reflexes are gone don't buy the Honda its fast and busy I was afraid mine was going to throw me down at any instance I know your looking at new bikes and I'm talking a 17 I should have just kept mine
barnett468
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barnett468 10/30/2018 10:07am
10/30/2018 10:07am Edited Date/Time 10/30/2018 10:37am
barnett468 wrote:
Nobody here can use all the power any new bike has and the power can be changed with mapping, however steering geometry can not be changed...
Nobody here can use all the power any new bike has and the power can be changed with mapping, however steering geometry can not be changed. If a bike is twitchy and pushes the front wheel in the turns there is very little that can be done about it.
BobPA wrote:
I use the full power every time I ride, who are you to judge?
ummmm...any rider with even a modicum of skill can hold the throttle wide open on these bikes for at least a short period of time, however, if you were capable of effectively using all the power the bike has, you would be a top level pro rider, and if you are not, then Herlings could easily smoke you on the same bike if he had 20 less hp. It's really that simple.

Jbulz
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Jbulz 10/30/2018 3:37pm
10/30/2018 3:37pm
I have not ridden a new gen CRF, but I own a 19 KX. It is hands down the best bike I've ever ridden and would buy one again in a heartbeat.
JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 10/30/2018 5:03pm
10/30/2018 5:03pm
I bought the 19 KX. The Honda just didn’t feel right. I’m a vet A rider and have been to Loretta’s. I love Honda’s. I hate Kawasaki. But I dare any Honda boy to ride the 19 KX450. You will buy one. The only thing I think might be in the Honda’s favor is if you are a top A rider. They seem to not hate the Honda as much as I do. I like softer bikes. So the Honda won’t cut it for me this go around
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