Kawasaki KX450F

[RRose]

Called Kawasaki directly today and he said he didn't really know when it would be available, but was guessing Sept. Anyone have any info on this bike?

[PBR]

bubba has been testing on it for the last couple weeks...

a friend of mine works for kawi and said that they have had to go back to the drawing board 3 times and totally redesign the thing... the engineers all wanted a steel frame but the marketing guys said if honda and suzuki have aluminum frames we need one also... the marketing guys won, so the bike will have an aluminum frame and my buddy said it is scarry fast!!!

i wouldn't buy the first year on this bike... look at the problems the rmz450 is having(bike just shutting off randomly)

[RRose]

i wouldn't buy the first year on this bike... look at the problems the rmz450 is having(bike just shutting off randomly)

I know... but I am in need of a new bike immediately.... so I think this is going to be the one.

[PBR]

why not the honda???

[John_Bitting]

Rose, you are a baller, why settle for Kawi when you can buy a KTM.. PBR post a pic of your ride for him.. :-)

[johnnyweb]

I myself am ready for a new bike and am a kawasaki guy. i have riddin them for years and am going to go to my first 4 stroke. ive been waiting for this bike. if they had to scrap and redo the bike maybe they got alot of bugs worked out already. my kawasakis have allways done everything really good i am a pretty avid offroad rider and kawasakis work great for what i do. hondas are great bikes as always. only problem i know of with them is keeping valves in them. other then that alot of my buddies ride them and love them. but my old 2000 kx250 still has no problem running away from them. go to cycle news.com there is more info on the new kx line up.

[RRose]

why not the honda???

Had my first Kawi at the age of 3 and I love them.... I've been waiting for this bike to come out for a while now. Already have a ton of parts picked out for it. I need a universal bike... something I can run around glamis and oco with.... and then do some long distance baja rides.... so its gonna get the works... I'm excited about it....

Now I hear the '06 zx-10r is gonna come with an under the tail exhaust and a new brakeing system.... I might have to replace the fleet!

GO GREEN!

[PBR]

Rose, you are a baller, why settle for Kawi when you can buy a KTM.. PBR post a pic of your ride for him.. :-)

there's nothing wrong with a little orange in your diet... as per jb's request:

[BIG_FAT_LOSER]

Down side: 4 speed and no electric start

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/061005top.jpg

EATURES

Engine
- 449cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single
- Wide powerband extends into the over-rev

Top End
- High-acceleration cams help the engine rev more quickly
- Camshaft lobes and tappets feature soft-nitriding surface treatment for long wear and high-rpm reliability
- Hand-finished surfaces of the polished intake ports improve intake efficiency at all rpm
- Lightweight titanium 36mm intake and 31mm exhaust valves and aluminum valve retainers reduce reciprocating weight for reliable valve control at high rpm
- Double valve springs help ensure stable valve operation
- Screw-type cam chain tensioner adjuster with pressure spring functions automatically
- Low-friction coating on piston skirt

Bottom End
- Crankshaft, rotor mass centralization, oil circulation, and ignition timing have been carefully examined to help ensure ideal engine braking characteristics
- Crankshaft and connecting rod are sintered for additional rigidity

Starting
- Features highly reliable auto-decompression system; the dual-weight centrifugal decompression system fitted to the exhaust cam eases starting, and its simple construction helps to ensure reliability
- Hot start system gives quick starts when the engine is hot, and the hot start lever is unitized with the clutch lever
- The plunger actuating the hot starter has a U-packing seal to prevent water from getting into the carburetion system

Exhaust
- Tapered all-titanium exhaust pipe expands in diameter from 38 to 41mm, contributing to both low- and high-rpm performance
- Titanium exhaust pipe heat shield
- Silencer uses new, long-fiber packing

Cooling
- Newly designed, high-capacity Denso radiators deliver superior cooling efficiency
- Slim new radiators feature more tightly packed cores and a new fin design for enhanced heat dispersion

Shifting
- Four-speed transmission features new shift drum cam to minimize shift lever play

Frame
- All-aluminum perimeter frame is composite structure comprising forged, extruded and cast components
- The slim profile of the KX450F frame, two-piece radiator shrouds that leave the upper frame spars exposed, and careful design of the remaining bodywork make the KX450F feel light and narrow beneath the rider
- Titanium footpegs and footpeg brackets
- Aluminum skid plate

Front Suspension
- Kayaba AOS (Air-Oil-Separate) fork keeps oil and air in separate chambers for stable damping performance during long motos
- Low-friction fork seals contribute to smooth action
- Plastic liners inside the fork sliders allow secondary tuning

Rear Suspension
® rear suspension system features linkage ratios to suit the new frame and swingarm - New UNI-TRAK
- Alloy swingarm uses cast front section, tapered hydroformed spars and forged chain pullers; the tapered spars are shaped to match the balance of flex and rigidity required of the aluminum frame, and allow additional clearance for the rear brake caliper when the rear suspension is fully compressed

Brakes
- Front and rear petal disc brakes help reduce unsprung weight
- Petal shapes of the discs help clean the brake pads for more efficient braking performance

Wheels
- 32-spoke rear wheel for reduced unsprung weight

From the Cockpit
- Renthal aluminum handlebars are standard
- Lightweight short-length grips feature a special pattern to reduce vibration transmitted from the bars to the rider
- Seat uses a slip-resistant top surface for good grip when seated and smooth sides for excellent rider mobility

Weight Savings
- Aluminum parts used instead of steel, including clutch cable elbow, clutch cable fitting nuts, fuel tank fitting nuts, seat mounting brackets, front brake hose clamp and igniter stay bracket

Options
- Optional cable set-up allows manual operation of the decompressor via a lever on the right handle grip
- Top mounting clamp for an oversized handlebar
- Aluminum and steel rear sprockets with optional tooth sizes
- Solid petal brake rotors for wet racing conditions
- Optional springs for the front fork and rear shock
- 20-inch front wheel

SPECIFICATIONS*
Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single with DOHC and four valves
Displacement: 449cc
Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Carburetion: Keihin FCR40
Ignition: Digital AC-CDI
Starting: Kick
Transmission: Four-speed with manual multi-disc wet clutch
Final drive: Chain
Frame: Aluminum perimeter
Rake / trail: 27 degrees / 4.6 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 48mm inverted AOS-type telescopic fork with 22-way compression damping and 20-way rebound damping / 12.4 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK® linkage system with 22-way compression and rebound damping, and fully adjustable spring preload / 12.4 in.
Front tire: 80/100-21 51M
Rear tire: 100/90-19 57M
Front brake: Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc with dual-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length: TBA
Overall width: TBA
Overall height: TBA
Wheelbase: TBA
Ground clearance: TBA
Seat height: TBA
Dry weight: TBA
Fuel capacity: TBA
Color: Kawasaki Lime Green / Black
MSRP: TBA

[RRose]

I wonder if they will offer a "x" version with a 5th gear and lights? That would be the bike of choice for me.

[Ryno]

It's still a Kawi. I understand brand loyalty, but to buy a Kawi in its first-thrid year out is asking to pay for the bike to be in the shop. For a desert bike, it's the orange or red guys. Maybe a pretty blue one. Never the color of puke.

[Devin J]

The pretty blue ones are always hard to beat. A kawasaki will Kauseyoutowalkie! (even regular production )

[Mikey]

Looks like an '05 CRF with lime plastics!

[johnnyweb]

kawasaki has alway been an awsome motorcycle to me i have raced motocross,x country,h,scrambles and desert and my kawasakis have never let me down as a matter of fact you are better of on one as amatuer support and contingency is the best you will find anywhere. they have been istramental in producing alot of the best riders or sport has seen like mcgrath,carmicheal,stewart,abbot,roseler,esposito etc. when it comes down to it the bike dont mean sh!!. on 2 wheels its way more talent they equipment. for every body to try to talk r rose out of the bike rather then give him info to make his descion like (big fat loser did) is bs. bottom line is not every one wants to ride the same bike as the next guy and if a certent brand works for a guy, why change it.

[Kritter]

I wouldnt buy this bike...I think its going to be a nightmare the first couple years.

4 spd is gonna suck for baja, ocotillo, and glamis...

the new yamahas are gonna be 5 spd...wait for those. Or just get a KTM EXC and be done with it!

[PBR]

I wouldnt buy this bike...I think its going to be a nightmare the first couple years.

4 spd is gonna suck for baja, ocotillo, and glamis...

the new yamahas are gonna be 5 spd...wait for those. Or just get a KTM EXC and be done with it!

i thought you only rode red...

[ChuckH]

The 4 strokes are ok until you blow one up, the cost to fix them compared to a 2 stroke is crazy, i wouldn't ever buy a used one and it might be best to ride it for a year or two then sell it for a new one, it would be cheaper than fixing a blown engine and you get a new bike.

[johnnyweb]

i didnt want to go there but i kind of fell the same way. alot of pro/exp offroad riders i know have went back to the 2 strokes for simplicity and reliablity. im just afraid ill buy a new kx250 and in a couple of years i wont be able to ride it at ohv parks. thats pretty much my only reason to get the 4 stroke over 2 stroke today. as far as the new kawasaki 4 stroke being a piece of sh!! as you are all insinuating. give it a chance before you go and condem it. the kxf and rmz 250 has sure won alot of races in the last couple years. as for the 5 spd trans the yzf and the crf both have 4 spds unless you get the wr or x model and then you just taked on 20 pounds to the thing. as far as ready to go offroad bikes it hard to bet ktm's for that other then the cost, spare parts availability. but you get a green sticker!!

[Mikey]

i didnt want to go there but i kind of fell the same way. alot of pro/exp offroad riders i know have went back to the 2 strokes for simplicity and reliablity. im just afraid ill buy a new kx250 and in a couple of years i wont be able to ride it at ohv parks. thats pretty much my only reason to get the 4 stroke over 2 stroke today. as far as the new kawasaki 4 stroke being a piece of sh!! as you are all insinuating. give it a chance before you go and condem it. the kxf and rmz 250 has sure won alot of races in the last couple years. as for the 5 spd trans the yzf and the crf both have 4 spds unless you get the wr or x model and then you just taked on 20 pounds to the thing. as far as ready to go offroad bikes it hard to bet ktm's for that other then the cost, spare parts availability. but you get a green sticker!!

My '05 CRF450 is a 5 speed (FYI). All CRF's (450) are 5 speeds.

[Kbach66]

Yup....no 4-speeds on the CRF's.

Just buy the honda, you can't go wrong.

Alright....maybe I'm a little biased!

[RRose]

I'm a Kawasaki man through and through.... so my choice won't change.... but I will be contacting them to find out if a "x" model is in the works.... I need the 5th gear, or the bike isn't going to do what i want it to do.

[johnnyweb]

i stand corrected on the 5 spd crf. were they always 5 spds or did they change to that?

[Kritter]

The 4 strokes are ok until you blow one up, the cost to fix them compared to a 2 stroke is crazy, i wouldn't ever buy a used one and it might be best to ride it for a year or two then sell it for a new one, it would be cheaper than fixing a blown engine and you get a new bike.

its about twice as much to do a complete top end rebuild on a 4 stroke due to the valves and springs...but they go twice as long as the 2 strokes so its a wash...UNLESS you have a catastrophic failure then it is quite a bit more but as long as you know how to wrench...you should not be having any issues like that.

[Kritter]

i thought you only rode red...


not for long unless honda steps up with a stump pulling electric start off road bike under 260lbs.

My CRF is a ripper and I love it...same with my 650...but I want a button and a real low first gear and real tall 5th.

[ChuckH]

its about twice as much to do a complete top end rebuild on a 4 stroke due to the valves and springs...but they go twice as long as the 2 strokes so its a wash...UNLESS you have a catastrophic failure then it is quite a bit more but as long as you know how to wrench...you should not be having any issues like that.

Yeah a engine built by a good wrench has never blown up ;) totaly imposable :rolleyes:

Note i said blow up and not rebuild, i know a few people who had bills in the 1,000s to fix their blown up engine, and most of them know their way around a wrench, spending $2000 to fix a bike worth $3500 is nuts, thats why i would never buy a used one or one that had been raced hard.

people are right about staying away from new models, the 250f suzk had major problems with valves and valve springs, they lasted a hour or two, more than a few people had a new bike they couldn't ride until they got enough fixed parts into the channel

[RRose]

I have a friend with a brand new KTM that had a rod let go and threw the jug with less than 5 hours on the bike.

[Kritter]

Yeah a engine built by a good wrench has never blown up ;) totaly imposable :rolleyes:

nope never...

Ride em like you stole em..then sell em...but maintain them along the way. Ive never BLOWN UP a bike according to your almighty description of blowing one up...which from your cost of rebuilds means the piston comes out of the engine and takes out everything in the way and the rod goes thru the bottom end and out through the skidplate.


worst thats happened is a seized piston which most people who ride dirtbikes refer to as blowing up and ive been riding the piss out of bikes since I was a kid.

Not one of my 4 strokes has left me stranded from motor issues...I cant say that about my 2 strokes.

Ive got a complete spare top end, cylinder, piston, rings, head, valves, springs, etc...and I paid less the 600 for it all brand new...bottom ends cost the same wether 2 or 4 stroke.

What modern 4 stroke do you have/ had that you have had a bad experience with?

[ChuckH]

Do you need a full Bio of my life :D

uhhh see the post above about the KTM, price what a head rebuild on a YZ 450f costs, yep over $500 unless you get a good deal, go read thumpertalk.com to see what people pay fixing thumpers,

Quote
Ive never BLOWN UP a bike according to your almighty description of blowing one up



"almighty description", you know that sounds like your putting me down because i have a opinion, Thats my last word on it i don't feel like arguing with you about it and i don't like your attitude.

[RRose]

Hey guys.... I was just looking for some information on a new Kawi thats coming out.... lets just leave it at that.

[Kritter]

CH...as TS always says...your opinions are worth what I paid you for them. Im an avid user of thumpertalk, I race dirtbikes and rebuild/wrench bikes for buds...I know what they cost and not one modern 4 stroke bike has come to me destroyed. First ive seen was an 05 450 that grenaded during a race due to the oil plug falling out...price to fix was roughly $2500 for the WHOLE motor...bottom end, top end...everything basically and that included labor.

and if you are paying retail for parts...makes some freinds in the industry or get some sponsors...retail sucks!

You like to butt heads and I never shy away from a good head butt.

Rose just get a bike and lets go ride...I havent ridden in a few months trying to rehab my torn MCL/ACL...im ready for some play riding since I cant race for a few more months.

[HAMSTEAK]

is the new kawi gonna be red sticker like the cr's and the yzfs?