Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

50dippin
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9/24/2018 12:31pm Edited Date/Time 9/24/2018 12:48pm
Nystrom7 wrote:
Does anyone have suspension set up tips? Im around 90kg is that like 200 lbs? I get a Good sag rear, i like the bike but...
Does anyone have suspension set up tips? Im around 90kg is that like 200 lbs? I get a Good sag rear, i like the bike but it seems harder rear then up front. From stock i have vent 1/4 out on high compression nut to soften it up an 3 clicks in on comp on the forks, seems to balance it up alittle. It feels like its putting more weight up front compared to my 16.
Jbulz wrote:
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I...
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I could open the compression clickers up without bottoming on bigger landings. 105 mm sag seems about right to me.
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation, felt a bit stiff in the front went out a couple of clicks on compression. Bike feels good out at softer sand tracks, but definitely lost that initial plushness on small hard chop.
Wade221
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Yuba City, CA US
9/24/2018 2:48pm
Nystrom7 wrote:
Does anyone have suspension set up tips? Im around 90kg is that like 200 lbs? I get a Good sag rear, i like the bike but...
Does anyone have suspension set up tips? Im around 90kg is that like 200 lbs? I get a Good sag rear, i like the bike but it seems harder rear then up front. From stock i have vent 1/4 out on high compression nut to soften it up an 3 clicks in on comp on the forks, seems to balance it up alittle. It feels like its putting more weight up front compared to my 16.
Jbulz wrote:
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I...
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I could open the compression clickers up without bottoming on bigger landings. 105 mm sag seems about right to me.
50dippin wrote:
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation...
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation, felt a bit stiff in the front went out a couple of clicks on compression. Bike feels good out at softer sand tracks, but definitely lost that initial plushness on small hard chop.
What is the stock spring rate (front & rear)?
DB97
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9/24/2018 3:39pm
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289352/s1200_Kawi1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289354/s1200_kawi2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289353/s1200_Kawi3.jpg[/img]
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up.





I'm sure you fixed it when you installed the new bars but your brake and throttle cables look to be tied to the handlebar lol. Also when you said you ordered arc levers I still havent seen them anywhere?

The Shop

50dippin
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9/24/2018 3:54pm
Jbulz wrote:
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I...
I'm 225 lb B rider. 5.9 Rear and .51 front with +5cc oil works great for me. Adding oil made the fork more comfortable because I could open the compression clickers up without bottoming on bigger landings. 105 mm sag seems about right to me.
50dippin wrote:
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation...
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation, felt a bit stiff in the front went out a couple of clicks on compression. Bike feels good out at softer sand tracks, but definitely lost that initial plushness on small hard chop.
Wade221 wrote:
What is the stock spring rate (front & rear)?
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
Wade221
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Yuba City, CA US
9/24/2018 4:16pm
50dippin wrote:
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
Wow! FC wanted you to jump from 5.5 to 6.3 @ 210 lbs.??! Even the 6.0 seems a bit excessive. I would think a 5.7/5.8 would still be good and get you the right sag numbers
ML512
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9/24/2018 4:23pm
50dippin wrote:
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
I think it's a 5.4 in the rear.
ML512
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9/24/2018 4:24pm
Wade221 wrote:
Wow! FC wanted you to jump from 5.5 to 6.3 @ 210 lbs.??! Even the 6.0 seems a bit excessive. I would think a 5.7/5.8 would...
Wow! FC wanted you to jump from 5.5 to 6.3 @ 210 lbs.??! Even the 6.0 seems a bit excessive. I would think a 5.7/5.8 would still be good and get you the right sag numbers
The linkage on the new bike is fairly linear, I could see some tuners using a higher rear spring to keep it from bottoming. I just went to a more progressive link and crank arm, it's an improvement in my opinion on stock valving. Going to have a shock built to go with it soon...
1
Greenguy
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Placerville, CA US
9/24/2018 7:16pm
My one complaint with the suspension is the shock does bottom on small G-outs. I do run my sag firm for that reason. ML512 who is doing the linkage and crank arm?
9/24/2018 7:19pm
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289352/s1200_Kawi1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289354/s1200_kawi2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289353/s1200_Kawi3.jpg[/img]
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up.





DB97 wrote:
I'm sure you fixed it when you installed the new bars but your brake and throttle cables look to be tied to the handlebar lol. Also...
I'm sure you fixed it when you installed the new bars but your brake and throttle cables look to be tied to the handlebar lol. Also when you said you ordered arc levers I still havent seen them anywhere?
Haha I was just taking a picture with the new bike. but good eye, you're right I had a couple of the cables still together at that point.
You can go ahead and order through Works Connection. They'll be released 9/27 though!
9/24/2018 7:24pm
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289352/s1200_Kawi1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289354/s1200_kawi2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289353/s1200_Kawi3.jpg[/img]
I currently have a build thread going (https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/19-KX450-build,1346816) but heres my new baby before shes all done up.





DB97 wrote:
I'm sure you fixed it when you installed the new bars but your brake and throttle cables look to be tied to the handlebar lol. Also...
I'm sure you fixed it when you installed the new bars but your brake and throttle cables look to be tied to the handlebar lol. Also when you said you ordered arc levers I still havent seen them anywhere?

DB97
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9/24/2018 8:26pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289378/s1200_IMG_5666.jpg[/img]

Cool thanks man.
9/24/2018 8:56pm Edited Date/Time 9/24/2018 8:58pm
Hopefully this is true. I called Arc last Wednesday and they still said levers were about 4 weeks out. It was the same response I got two weeks prior.
They did say they were working on something special for the kx though so I'm curious what that will be.
DB97
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9/24/2018 9:05pm
Hopefully this is true. I called Arc last Wednesday and they still said levers were about 4 weeks out. It was the same response I got...
Hopefully this is true. I called Arc last Wednesday and they still said levers were about 4 weeks out. It was the same response I got two weeks prior.
They did say they were working on something special for the kx though so I'm curious what that will be.
I've emailed and called and never had anyone answer or respond so you're doing better then me lol. They must be sick of us asking.
DB97
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9/24/2018 9:17pm
Does anyone understand this? I was trying to figure it out hard to picture it not on a bike.

ron36
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9/24/2018 9:26pm
50dippin wrote:
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation...
I am around 210-215lbs. FC recommended 5.3 forks and 6.3 shock spring for me, PC recommended 5.3 and 6.0. I ended up going with PC recommendation, felt a bit stiff in the front went out a couple of clicks on compression. Bike feels good out at softer sand tracks, but definitely lost that initial plushness on small hard chop.
Wade221 wrote:
What is the stock spring rate (front & rear)?
50dippin wrote:
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
I think it's softer, ride a demo last week and bottoms out pretty easy. And im only 170lbs, light for a 450 normaly. Or it is a soft valving in there. Great bike and comfort suspension stock.
ML512
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9/24/2018 9:40pm
Wade221 wrote:
What is the stock spring rate (front & rear)?
50dippin wrote:
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
ron36 wrote:
I think it's softer, ride a demo last week and bottoms out pretty easy. And im only 170lbs, light for a 450 normaly. Or it is...
I think it's softer, ride a demo last week and bottoms out pretty easy. And im only 170lbs, light for a 450 normaly. Or it is a soft valving in there. Great bike and comfort suspension stock.
It has 5.0s in the front, it just has a really low oil volume and some different coatings.
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Nystrom7
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9/24/2018 9:53pm
50dippin wrote:
5.0 front and 5.5 rear I believe.
ron36 wrote:
I think it's softer, ride a demo last week and bottoms out pretty easy. And im only 170lbs, light for a 450 normaly. Or it is...
I think it's softer, ride a demo last week and bottoms out pretty easy. And im only 170lbs, light for a 450 normaly. Or it is a soft valving in there. Great bike and comfort suspension stock.
ML512 wrote:
It has 5.0s in the front, it just has a really low oil volume and some different coatings.
Have you tested to add more oil? Maybe that helps, i like the comfort of the fork and it reacts well to clicks. Would more oil help it to sit higher in the stroke and still run with more open compression for the comfort.
RGaede
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9/24/2018 10:10pm
RGaede wrote:
Has anyone mounted the pigtail for the tuner? Kawasaki accessories show the same part number for the bracket as the 16-18 models, but I can't find...
Has anyone mounted the pigtail for the tuner? Kawasaki accessories show the same part number for the bracket as the 16-18 models, but I can't find anywhere to mount it...
Jbulz wrote:
Did you ever figure this out? I just got my pigtail today finally, and didn't see an obvious place to mount it.
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail in easily. Haven't tried yet, I'm going to try and build some maps toward the end of October.
And I'll agree, the suspension is soft, but that's one reason I bought it. I'm light for a 450, and it's pretty much perfect.
pCp 252
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9/24/2018 10:20pm
DB97 wrote:
Does anyone understand this? I was trying to figure it out hard to picture it not on a bike. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/09/24/289397/s1200_Screenshot_20180925_001326.jpg[/img]
Does anyone understand this? I was trying to figure it out hard to picture it not on a bike.

That's the OEM swingarm pivot bolt with the brake stop installed. Its a precautionary measure the PC team (I'm sure others do as well) to ensure the rear brake pedal does not extend or bend upwards in a crash or in some type of impact. Kind of like a "brake snake".

Where did you find this for sale?
DB97
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9/25/2018 2:51am
pCp 252 wrote:
That's the OEM swingarm pivot bolt with the brake stop installed. Its a precautionary measure the PC team (I'm sure others do as well) to ensure...
That's the OEM swingarm pivot bolt with the brake stop installed. Its a precautionary measure the PC team (I'm sure others do as well) to ensure the rear brake pedal does not extend or bend upwards in a crash or in some type of impact. Kind of like a "brake snake".

Where did you find this for sale?
That's the only thing that made sense to me. It says axle so it threw me off some. It's on ARC site.
GPrider
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9/25/2018 7:29am
Wade221 wrote:
Wow! FC wanted you to jump from 5.5 to 6.3 @ 210 lbs.??! Even the 6.0 seems a bit excessive. I would think a 5.7/5.8 would...
Wow! FC wanted you to jump from 5.5 to 6.3 @ 210 lbs.??! Even the 6.0 seems a bit excessive. I would think a 5.7/5.8 would still be good and get you the right sag numbers
ML512 wrote:
The linkage on the new bike is fairly linear, I could see some tuners using a higher rear spring to keep it from bottoming. I just...
The linkage on the new bike is fairly linear, I could see some tuners using a higher rear spring to keep it from bottoming. I just went to a more progressive link and crank arm, it's an improvement in my opinion on stock valving. Going to have a shock built to go with it soon...
ML, what link have you tried? is it longer?

on mine we went to a softer 5.4 spring for 165 lbs, but all new valving, its amazing so far
Jbulz
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9/25/2018 12:58pm Edited Date/Time 9/25/2018 12:59pm
RGaede wrote:
Has anyone mounted the pigtail for the tuner? Kawasaki accessories show the same part number for the bracket as the 16-18 models, but I can't find...
Has anyone mounted the pigtail for the tuner? Kawasaki accessories show the same part number for the bracket as the 16-18 models, but I can't find anywhere to mount it...
Jbulz wrote:
Did you ever figure this out? I just got my pigtail today finally, and didn't see an obvious place to mount it.
RGaede wrote:
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail...
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail in easily. Haven't tried yet, I'm going to try and build some maps toward the end of October.
And I'll agree, the suspension is soft, but that's one reason I bought it. I'm light for a 450, and it's pretty much perfect.
I'm going to take another look at the bike tonight. I'm hoping I can stash the connector under the seat some somewhere reasonable accessable.

Does your FI tool show 2019? When I hooked mine up it just says 13+ and 16+ KX450F. Still seems to connect and stream data, so I guess it works.

I'm not sure how to upload the stock maps from the bike to the scanner to get a starting point. I'd like to save them before overwriting anything.

EFI calibration is what I do at work, and I can barely figure this thing out. The instructions are pretty terrible for this tool!
RGaede
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Albuquerque, NM US
9/25/2018 1:48pm
Jbulz wrote:
Did you ever figure this out? I just got my pigtail today finally, and didn't see an obvious place to mount it.
RGaede wrote:
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail...
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail in easily. Haven't tried yet, I'm going to try and build some maps toward the end of October.
And I'll agree, the suspension is soft, but that's one reason I bought it. I'm light for a 450, and it's pretty much perfect.
Jbulz wrote:
I'm going to take another look at the bike tonight. I'm hoping I can stash the connector under the seat some somewhere reasonable accessable. Does your...
I'm going to take another look at the bike tonight. I'm hoping I can stash the connector under the seat some somewhere reasonable accessable.

Does your FI tool show 2019? When I hooked mine up it just says 13+ and 16+ KX450F. Still seems to connect and stream data, so I guess it works.

I'm not sure how to upload the stock maps from the bike to the scanner to get a starting point. I'd like to save them before overwriting anything.

EFI calibration is what I do at work, and I can barely figure this thing out. The instructions are pretty terrible for this tool!
Haven't plugged into the bike yet to know if mine said 2019 yet, 2016+ should be fine. I haven't seen any updates from kawi.

The baseline of your ECU is all zeros for fuel and ignition. For example, I felt my 2016 was too snappy at low throttle openings and hard to keep from standing up in clay ruts. I retarded the ignition at -3 for 10 % throttle at all engine rpms, then faded it back to 0 so that it would be stock at 40% throttle. I used the fi % to tune my decel pop. I'm purposely not messing with it rn to see what I like yet, but will start by mid October. In the meantime I've just been running the black coupler
Jbulz
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9/25/2018 8:42pm
RGaede wrote:
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail...
What I ended up doing is leaving it in the stock spot, just untaped it from the harness. Hopefully I'll be able to plug my pigtail in easily. Haven't tried yet, I'm going to try and build some maps toward the end of October.
And I'll agree, the suspension is soft, but that's one reason I bought it. I'm light for a 450, and it's pretty much perfect.
Jbulz wrote:
I'm going to take another look at the bike tonight. I'm hoping I can stash the connector under the seat some somewhere reasonable accessable. Does your...
I'm going to take another look at the bike tonight. I'm hoping I can stash the connector under the seat some somewhere reasonable accessable.

Does your FI tool show 2019? When I hooked mine up it just says 13+ and 16+ KX450F. Still seems to connect and stream data, so I guess it works.

I'm not sure how to upload the stock maps from the bike to the scanner to get a starting point. I'd like to save them before overwriting anything.

EFI calibration is what I do at work, and I can barely figure this thing out. The instructions are pretty terrible for this tool!
RGaede wrote:
Haven't plugged into the bike yet to know if mine said 2019 yet, 2016+ should be fine. I haven't seen any updates from kawi. The baseline...
Haven't plugged into the bike yet to know if mine said 2019 yet, 2016+ should be fine. I haven't seen any updates from kawi.

The baseline of your ECU is all zeros for fuel and ignition. For example, I felt my 2016 was too snappy at low throttle openings and hard to keep from standing up in clay ruts. I retarded the ignition at -3 for 10 % throttle at all engine rpms, then faded it back to 0 so that it would be stock at 40% throttle. I used the fi % to tune my decel pop. I'm purposely not messing with it rn to see what I like yet, but will start by mid October. In the meantime I've just been running the black coupler
Alright, figured it out. I knew all 0s was stock, but wasn't sure how to read the other couplers. The "ECU Data" tab reads the map that is flashed into the ECU, and changes depending on what coupler is in, so you can save the stock maps. "Edit Data" is what you will overwrite with.

Anyway, I ended up mounting the subharness like this, right under the seat by the starter relay. It fits pretty well, and the seat doesn't hit it when installed.

DB97
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10/1/2018 2:37pm
I got my subframe back from being strengthened and everything fit great didn't have to trim anything. I had Brett at ICW do it turned out perfect now I don't have to worry about it breaking.

1
Bret
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10/1/2018 3:14pm
Wade221 wrote:
What is the stock spring rate (front & rear)?
5.0 N/mm fork
54 N/mm shock
or
.054 N/m shock
Cygrace74
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Westport, MA US
10/1/2018 4:56pm
Anyone being told weeks out from ARC is because they didn’t put there’s on reserve early enough. Mine came in today and because I waited a week they threw in no shipping, free shirt, and a set of slipper clamps. Great people to deal with, will have the levers on tomorrow for pics.

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