Posts
255
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Chula Vista, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
2/3/2019 8:46pm
So I posted a few months back about ditching my yzf for a KTM/Husky.
Haven't gotten to ride one yet, but I threw a leg over a 2016 kx450f today (first time I've actually ever even sat on a Kawi surprisingly). I'm 6'6" and it is without any doubt the best fitting bike I've ever sat on. Instantly felt very comfortable on it.
I will admit that I am one of the crowd who buys into Kawasakis being cheaply built and unreliable. I have absolutely zero reason to reach this conclusion.
That being said, is there ANYTHING that is a weak point or problem areas to look out for on either the chassis or motor?
To reword this, what needs to be or should be done to make these bikes bulletproof? Any little thing you guys can think of?
I'm not worried about suspension, chances are whatever I get I'm converting to KYB SSS fork and a kyb shock since I'm very familiar and comfortable working on kyb stuff myself.
Lay it on me. Be nitpicking about it. Any owner feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I'm very sold on these bikes because my back isn't getting any better, my legs can actually grip the bike properly and I'm not getting any shorter
Haven't gotten to ride one yet, but I threw a leg over a 2016 kx450f today (first time I've actually ever even sat on a Kawi surprisingly). I'm 6'6" and it is without any doubt the best fitting bike I've ever sat on. Instantly felt very comfortable on it.
I will admit that I am one of the crowd who buys into Kawasakis being cheaply built and unreliable. I have absolutely zero reason to reach this conclusion.
That being said, is there ANYTHING that is a weak point or problem areas to look out for on either the chassis or motor?
To reword this, what needs to be or should be done to make these bikes bulletproof? Any little thing you guys can think of?
I'm not worried about suspension, chances are whatever I get I'm converting to KYB SSS fork and a kyb shock since I'm very familiar and comfortable working on kyb stuff myself.
Lay it on me. Be nitpicking about it. Any owner feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I'm very sold on these bikes because my back isn't getting any better, my legs can actually grip the bike properly and I'm not getting any shorter
Ill post a pic of my 16 at 165 hours.
Otherwise let it rip. Theyre solid.
The Shop
I've seen a smattering of head gaskets on pros - who do long hot motos consistently. That's about it....
Oh, and they like to crack pistons if you try to get the aggressive map to work well on poor pump gas. The 16 was terrible about it - map was so lean, but 17-18 not bad.
I personally think that bike was under rated - the 2009-12 forks bolt right up and are the SSS (yes - they really are)
And the shock is TOP notch stock - just needs to be valved however you like.
If somebody tells a horror story about a KX450F, it is either because he is an idiot and does not know how to maintain a bike, or bought the troubled bike from an idiot who did not know how to maintain a bike
Bulletproof!
After nearly ten years of bulletprook KX450f's, I switched to a YZ450FX about 6 months ago for the off road factor and the E-start. great bike, but at about 75 hours it fragged its 5th wheel gear , which demolished a shifting fork and dinged up some other gears....not off to a great start lol
I put an entire YZ450F trans in because I hated the wide ratio anyway, so a blessing in disguise.
Post a reply to: 2014-2018 kx450f issues/fixes, new bike question