New 19' kawi... what can I expect?

EHink450
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EHink450
Edited Date/Time 10/2/2018 10:44am
Just got home from getting a new 19' kawi 450. I won't have it until there done putting all my mods I requested on it but I just wanted to ask whoever has one already, am I gonna love it or is it nothing special or what? From what I read, everyone seems to love them I'm just looking for more input. Thanks
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rollin64caddy 9/28/2018 10:56am
9/28/2018 10:56am
I have about an hour on mine, handles like a dream and suspension is awesome! I had a little buyers remorse for getting another monthly payment, but after riding it that went away quick. I love mine.
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Jbulz
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Jbulz 9/28/2018 11:31am
9/28/2018 11:31am
I've got quite a bit of time on mine and love it compared to my 2016. Best bike I've ridden right out of the box.

I'd recommend getting the right springs for your weight, since the bike is pretty plush. I think most people would be happy with just a fork spring rate increase. Adding 5cc of fork oil helped me soften the clickers up and maintain bottoming resistance too. Overall, Kawi killed it with the suspension on this bike.



EHink450
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EHink450 9/28/2018 11:35am
9/28/2018 11:35am
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in being that I'm one heavy ass dirtbike rider
Jbulz
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Jbulz 9/28/2018 11:42am
9/28/2018 11:42am
EHink450 wrote:
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in...
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in being that I'm one heavy ass dirtbike rider
I'm 225lb B-rider and a 0.52 front, 5.9 came out spot on for me.

Also, if you're already having some work done on the bike, I would recommend taking the clutch judder spring and half friction plate out, and just putting in a normal full width clutch plate. The stock engagement is really long and slow, which makes it comfortable and easy to use, but also hard to modulate in corners or get a good race start.

If you have someone who cam flash your ECU or are ever in the central NY area, I have a few maps that I've been working on that make the engine (which is already really good) even better.
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JBrockman856 9/28/2018 11:47am
9/28/2018 11:47am
The bikes a dream, absolutely love it! If you're an aggressive or heavier rider though springs for sure need to be taken care of. Also, I'd get the twin air power flo kit Bc the screen is a pain in the ass. It's imbedded in the cage -- aka no popping it out! Other than that it's an awesome machine, you'll love it.
EHink450
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EHink450 9/28/2018 11:50am
9/28/2018 11:50am Edited Date/Time 9/28/2018 11:52am
EHink450 wrote:
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in...
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in being that I'm one heavy ass dirtbike rider
Jbulz wrote:
I'm 225lb B-rider and a 0.52 front, 5.9 came out spot on for me. Also, if you're already having some work done on the bike, I...
I'm 225lb B-rider and a 0.52 front, 5.9 came out spot on for me.

Also, if you're already having some work done on the bike, I would recommend taking the clutch judder spring and half friction plate out, and just putting in a normal full width clutch plate. The stock engagement is really long and slow, which makes it comfortable and easy to use, but also hard to modulate in corners or get a good race start.

If you have someone who cam flash your ECU or are ever in the central NY area, I have a few maps that I've been working on that make the engine (which is already really good) even better.
I'm not having nothing crazy done just an exhaust, the springs, couple small things. I'm no mechanic so I have no idea what your even talking about with the clutch judder spring and whatever else but I'm never gunna need a good race start I'm a freerider and I try not to clutch it in the corners unless I really need to. I'll see how she is then maybe I'll understand more what your talking about. Appreciate the input, thanks
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 9/28/2018 12:18pm
9/28/2018 12:18pm
Some guy named "MC" is riding one at Pala, right now.
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 9/28/2018 12:19pm
9/28/2018 12:19pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Some guy named "MC" is riding one at Pala, right now.
Heard that guy was an ok rider.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 9/28/2018 12:27pm
9/28/2018 12:27pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Some guy named "MC" is riding one at Pala, right now.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Heard that guy was an ok rider.
I heard he just recently said he's over the whole "truck racing thing" and he was seen leaving Kawasaki with a new bike...
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Jbulz
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Jbulz 9/28/2018 12:39pm
9/28/2018 12:39pm
EHink450 wrote:
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in...
Only 2 replies and you guys are making me happy already. Lol thanks. Oh and by the way I am having them put stiffer springs in being that I'm one heavy ass dirtbike rider
Jbulz wrote:
I'm 225lb B-rider and a 0.52 front, 5.9 came out spot on for me. Also, if you're already having some work done on the bike, I...
I'm 225lb B-rider and a 0.52 front, 5.9 came out spot on for me.

Also, if you're already having some work done on the bike, I would recommend taking the clutch judder spring and half friction plate out, and just putting in a normal full width clutch plate. The stock engagement is really long and slow, which makes it comfortable and easy to use, but also hard to modulate in corners or get a good race start.

If you have someone who cam flash your ECU or are ever in the central NY area, I have a few maps that I've been working on that make the engine (which is already really good) even better.
EHink450 wrote:
I'm not having nothing crazy done just an exhaust, the springs, couple small things. I'm no mechanic so I have no idea what your even talking...
I'm not having nothing crazy done just an exhaust, the springs, couple small things. I'm no mechanic so I have no idea what your even talking about with the clutch judder spring and whatever else but I'm never gunna need a good race start I'm a freerider and I try not to clutch it in the corners unless I really need to. I'll see how she is then maybe I'll understand more what your talking about. Appreciate the input, thanks
You'll be fine then. Enjoy it, man!
Shaun_Powelson 9/28/2018 12:42pm
9/28/2018 12:42pm
TeamGreen wrote:
I heard he just recently said he's over the whole "truck racing thing" and he was seen leaving Kawasaki with a new bike...
That would certainly explain why hes selling his race truck, hauler, tractor, etc & said he has a whole entire race truck setup for sale on insta! Kinda guessed as much when I saw it was seemingly his most recent setup.
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 9/28/2018 12:50pm
9/28/2018 12:50pm
Jbulz wrote:
I've got quite a bit of time on mine and love it compared to my 2016. Best bike I've ridden right out of the box. I'd...
I've got quite a bit of time on mine and love it compared to my 2016. Best bike I've ridden right out of the box.

I'd recommend getting the right springs for your weight, since the bike is pretty plush. I think most people would be happy with just a fork spring rate increase. Adding 5cc of fork oil helped me soften the clickers up and maintain bottoming resistance too. Overall, Kawi killed it with the suspension on this bike.



Unless it has your shit set up in it with stock springs Tongue
Jbulz
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Jbulz 9/28/2018 12:52pm
9/28/2018 12:52pm
Jbulz wrote:
I've got quite a bit of time on mine and love it compared to my 2016. Best bike I've ridden right out of the box. I'd...
I've got quite a bit of time on mine and love it compared to my 2016. Best bike I've ridden right out of the box.

I'd recommend getting the right springs for your weight, since the bike is pretty plush. I think most people would be happy with just a fork spring rate increase. Adding 5cc of fork oil helped me soften the clickers up and maintain bottoming resistance too. Overall, Kawi killed it with the suspension on this bike.



Markopolo400 wrote:
Unless it has your shit set up in it with stock springs Tongue
The trick is don't run stock springs over 200 lbs ?
GPrider
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GPrider 9/28/2018 1:02pm
9/28/2018 1:02pm
im 170 and went softer springs, wayyy better, but valved also. Its so good, after I got all the clickers and sag right, it became magical. Took a few trips to the track to nail it, but worth the testing time!
MX558
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MX558 9/28/2018 3:54pm
9/28/2018 3:54pm
I have 2 hrs on mine and it's the best bike I've ridden (which is a lot) I'm 200 lbs so going to a tad stiffer fork springs , this thing is amazing
EHink450
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EHink450 9/30/2018 11:15am
9/30/2018 11:15am
Only like 12-15 posts in here so far but they're all positive... you guys got me all pumped up lol. I can't wait til it's ready

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Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 10/1/2018 1:02pm
10/1/2018 1:02pm Edited Date/Time 10/1/2018 1:03pm
5,4 hours on mine and i really like it, i went in 3 clicks om compression and that made a big difference but i might go with a stiffer front spring of try to add more oil but i think stiffer spring and back out in the compression might be perfect. My Precious bike was a 16 kxf with KYB a kit and i really like te 19 suspension as it is stiffer front spring and im perfectly happy i think.

Also like how easy it is to keep the airbox clean, engine is very smooth and you van rev it far, its almost like i can ride 1 gear lower then on my 16.
MX558
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MX558 10/1/2018 4:52pm
10/1/2018 4:52pm
I've got 3 hra on mine , it's a great bike
jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/1/2018 5:17pm
10/1/2018 5:17pm
Man , I really can't wait to test one of these bikes. Never thought I'd own another 450 , but with all the positive's people have said about it , I think it's time to give the 450's another shot. I actually loved my 16' Kawi 450 , but at the time it just felt like more bike then what I wanted on the track. Kinda miss the grunt of the 450's , so it'll be cool when I can finally throw a leg over one again.
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Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 10/2/2018 7:08am
10/2/2018 7:08am
Jeffro I never thought I would own a 450 either, I pulled the trigger on my 19 KX because Kawi put every thing on this bike that I said "If a Japanese bike ever came with (X, Y, Z) I would buy it"

I have 14hrs on mine now, and I love riding the damn thing.
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Baton Rouge 10/2/2018 10:19am
10/2/2018 10:19am
Markopolo400 wrote:
Jeffro I never thought I would own a 450 either, I pulled the trigger on my 19 KX because Kawi put every thing on this bike...
Jeffro I never thought I would own a 450 either, I pulled the trigger on my 19 KX because Kawi put every thing on this bike that I said "If a Japanese bike ever came with (X, Y, Z) I would buy it"

I have 14hrs on mine now, and I love riding the damn thing.
What did you own before the kawi ? 250 ? Thanks
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 10/2/2018 10:36am
10/2/2018 10:36am
2014 KTM 250sx, and a 2006 KX250 before that which I still have.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/2/2018 10:44am
10/2/2018 10:44am
Markopolo400 wrote:
Jeffro I never thought I would own a 450 either, I pulled the trigger on my 19 KX because Kawi put every thing on this bike...
Jeffro I never thought I would own a 450 either, I pulled the trigger on my 19 KX because Kawi put every thing on this bike that I said "If a Japanese bike ever came with (X, Y, Z) I would buy it"

I have 14hrs on mine now, and I love riding the damn thing.
Baton Rouge wrote:
What did you own before the kawi ? 250 ? Thanks
I had a 12' Kawi 450 that I rode for a few years before , and before that was on a CRF450 and a YZ450F. I have had some 2 stroke's in my time back as well , but they were always paired up with my 450's. I haven't had a 450 going on about 2 years now. Been strictly 125 and 250 2 strokes since I sold it.

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