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My brother is a long time Kaw/Polaris/TM dealer here. He stocks parts and what he doesn't have he gets in 3 days.
I would only add, the Kawi feels like a Honda, plus 10%.
The YZ is thick.
Pretty much how the ergos go.
Suspension? Yami takes the cake. Maybe that’s why it’s so thick....too much cake.
Buy them both you cheap bastard
The Shop
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/motocross-testing/2020/9/28/which-bike…
At 6' and with a Honda background, I vote Kawi 450. They're basically an 08' CRF with e-start, hydraulic clutch, EFI, and 49mm forks; down a clip on overall build quality, but a very predictable and solid platform. Yamaha built an alright bike with great suspension, but the ergos and quirks are hard to adjust to if you haven't been with them since the start of the "backward cylinder" experiment...
Turn in: this bike WANTS to turn and its almost like I have to stop it from falling into corners then to get it to turn.
Coming out of Berms in the corner - this is a setup issue and not a trait of the bike. Again, I have to stop the bike from laying over, not the other way around.
Too much power- Really? Ping said the bike scored low cause it had too much power even for a pro Complete and utter horseshit. Bike is about perfect from the factory and most faster guys I know have purchased pipes, including myself (FMF Factory 4.1) which adds smooth power across the board (I am however 220lbs and 6ft 3in)
Suspension - I don't need to cover this cause everyone knows they are the best, but I actually sent the suspension off to a "known" builder and it came back worse then stock. I have now left my stock suspension alone and will not touch it again.
Tuner App - its great to have and FREE...….. but I've never touched it. Bike does about everything I want it to do and really needs nothing power wise. I bought the slip on pipe because I got a good deal on it and it looks good and drops weight.
Ergos - again, I'm tall, 6'3" and think the opposite as most. How I fit on a Kawasaki is WHY I don't ride them because they are good bikes. But I feel like I sit "on top" of the bike and not "in it" and it feels a little ackwared.
bars and clamp in the most forward position and Pro Taper Windham bend Evo bars and the bike has all the rook I need.
I personally don't like Hydro clutches but if you do, Kawasaki has one, Yamaha does not.
The air filter design of the Yamaha completely SUCKS to be nice. But if you take your time you will have no problems with it. I own 3 and have had no issues with filter failure.
The last Kawasaki I rode was a 2019 KX so I don't have new data to compare with. My friends that have them love the bike. I just find nothing wrong with the current Yamahas to make me look anywhere else.
With that being said, nothing beats Yamaha durability and Ive had several quality issues with my Kawi pitbike and SxS to make me think their quality is slipping.
With that being said, I don't think you could go wrong with either purchase.
I will call you on the motor and the weight of the bike however.
I'm 5'11" and 169 lbs, and the motor in stock form can be a handful for non-giant riders like me. It has a LOT of power in the low and medium range, Even Justin Cooper, one of the most talented (and smaller) guys have a hard time with the stock motor and has to ride it a gear high.
The bike is wider and heavier than most, and on slow 180 degree rutted sweeper or off camber turns it is bit of a handful to get the bike into the rut. The sag was not set for me so that could have been the issue, but I have heard this same issue from other racers who have their bikes dialed in.
But hey you can always gear down or detune the ECU to get a less abrupt feel out of the motor. Sure it has a couple drawbacks but overall I loved the blue bike.
Pit Row
I'd go Yamaha haha
I think everyone covered it, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and riding style.
Here’s my opinion for what’s it worth. I’m. Vet rider
Riding style: yz is more planted and the front end tracts better. Kawi is still a bit rear steering, which can be a good or bad thing, again depends on your riding style.
chassis: I’m 5’11 and I prefer the slim layout of the kawi and the peg adjustability. I always have to put lowering pegs on my Yamaha’s.
Engine: both can be adjusted obviously; but Kawi is more user friendly in general
Cornering: see riding style, but in general I find the kawi is easier to lay down in the corners due to the lighter weight
Other: the one thing I hate about kawis is the bolts strip so easy - every one I have ever owned is like this, drives me nuts
Durability: probably give the nod to Yamaha, but my friends out hundreds of hours on their kawis, so they’re good too.
That was absolutely no help lol.
Bottom line both are great choices, ride them and pick the one that feels the best to you.
Post a reply to: Which 450, YZ or KX?