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2/12/2014
Location
CA
Edited Date/Time
3/5/2019 7:05pm
Has anyone tested these back to back? I'm torn between these two and unable to try them.
I have been pricing them both and I can get the KX for $1000 less OTD. I'm coming off a 2017 KX250F Vet intermediate rider 5'9" 175lbs.
Thanks guys.
I have been pricing them both and I can get the KX for $1000 less OTD. I'm coming off a 2017 KX250F Vet intermediate rider 5'9" 175lbs.
Thanks guys.
I don't think that you can go wrong with either of them. But getting the KX for 1k cheaper than the YZF would be attractive for me. You can get a spare set of wheels for that or a full system.
But yzf is the bike i feel most uncomfortable on of all the bikes i tried. They are wide feeling and the space between footpeg/Seat does not suit me.. motor were good and it feels like they got alittle stiffer springs then they used to wich were positive but the ergos is way of for me atleast.
Compared to the newer bikes i have tried. Honda, KTM, Husqvarna and Kawasaki.
The Shop
Seriously, VitalMX, Lindsay and company put together a comprehensive, unbiased and multiple rider test of all the 2019 bikes including those in the thread title and OP comes on and asks us knuckleheads what we think.
Colectively this bunch of misfits wouldn't know a good dirt bike if it stood up and kicked our asses, much less how to set one up so it functions properly. I'm not rippin you guys, I'm rippin us guys.
Although there are a few that get my attention when they post for the most part we are clueless, so I thought the OP would be better served going to a source that has some credibility.
So Mr.Thumbs down guy I have your answer hangin.
On the other hand, Dmm698 and I have a mutual friend with an 18 YZ that was nothing but problems from the first ride, and ended up blowing up with less than 20 hours (there are a few others with similar problems in an old thread in the Tech Help forum). Idk if it was a small batch of bikes that had issues or something, but Yamaha handled it poorly for our buddy and really turned me off to them.
I have owned several Yamahas and liked them, but after seeing how they handled that 18 YZ450, I don't see myself owning another one.
Riding 16 and 17 YZ250F’s I enjoyed the feel of these bikes much better. I’m a taller guy 6 foot and I know they designed the new bikes slimmer and for smaller riders. I found it very hard to turn and was constantly fighting with it in the corners. The motor itself (when it was together) was smooth and hit hard.
I’m a pro rider, but one of my vet jr riding buddies also picked one up and his motor went around 30 hours. Countless other problems like I experienced too. He’s now dumping his.
I’m sure they made some changes from 18 to 19 but that is not something I want to gamble on.
No comments on the Kawi. Never heard anyone have issues with previous ones and they look bad ass.
The 2018 YZF 450 was all new. The 2019 got some small tweaks.
17 to 18 was the generation change for YZ450F
The YZ has better low end power, and is more stable. The KX feels just a tad bit nervous at times, but has good front end grip (not KTM level grip on hard, flat corners). It feels a little bit lighter, but also feels physically taller. The wide feel up front of the older YZ's isn't an issue, though the KX does feel a touch more narrow. However, the YZ was easier to grip with my ankles (not as easy as the KTM's).
Both bikes are really, really good. I think that what stands out the most is the KX feels taller while the YZ has a stronger low end pull.
Suspension I can't compare as the YZ has the clickers set for a much faster rider that outweighs me by 30 pounds, and the KX has been resprung and valved for a similar speed (45+ Vet Novice) rider that also weighs 30 pounds more than my 155 pounds.
For $1000, I'd be on the green machine. Even pricing probably blue.
If you want more a "precision" feel get the kxf.
The kxf - as different as it is - still has the chassis rigidity the older models had as far as feedback to the rider's hands.
I feel they have improved the balance to make the bike more capable of front end steering - and it's the lightest japenese bike by a mile - I keep reading how this isn't important - but physics don't lie. Lighter weight manifests itself every time you are trying to slow down, accelerate, turn etc.
If you have ever gone and ridden downhill mountain bike and come from mx - the first thing you think is, WOW - the bike is light I can save things that on a dirtbike would be total death... because you can muscle the bike back into shape.
While 10 lbs on a dirtbike isn't enough to allow you the same as a mtb - the fact is when it does get out of shape - you have more likely hood of saving it - even if that's only 5 percent better chance.
I think the kx is reliable enough - and the 1k difference is huge. That's a year's worth of tires!
Pit Row
The 19 is not any slimmer, the tuning app is not new, etc, like you were calling out in your post. It might be improved, but it's not like we're comparing it to a 2014-2017, dude.
Don't forget the new blue valve cover!
But i feel like saying the 19 rides nothing like the 18 sounds a bit drastic? Yes, there are positive changes/tweaks but the base is the same.
I rode all the 19's back to back over multiple test days here in SoCal for another outlet, and the 19' KX450 is the only bike I'd spend my money on; and at $1,000 less, it would be a no-brainer for me. Either way, enjoy the new scoot!
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