Anyone planning to buy KLX450R?

[wanaride]

I walked through a local motorcycle dealership today looking for streetbikes (in case someday I can afford one ), and there it was...

The 2008 KLX450R.

Man, that thing was IMPRESSIVE. Seeing a picture of one in a magazine is one thing, but seeing it in person was completely different. The seat height was shorter than I expected. It didn't look overbearing at all, but I know looks can be deceiving. It seemed to be calling my name...

Yeah, I know it's a 4T and Kawasaki 4Ts are supposed to suck in the reliability department, but wow, it does make you THINK about taking the plunge. Maybe if I got used to engine braking and maybe if I changed the oil every day and maybe if I could afford the payments...

At least it's not orange, right? Those new KTMs fell from way up high in the ugly tree!

But of course, now that I've replaced over half of my KDX as "upgrades", why in the world would I want to change bikes? Hmmm...

Guess I'll be ex-communicated from this site as a heretic now. It's been a good run!

I was just wondering if anyone in our group was planning to get one, and if so, could they please post a ride report for the rest of us poor souls???

[radonc73]

I know how you feel. I figure that I can get one in about 5 years used. It is sweet looking. I have heard thumpers are a pain and expensive to rebuild but I figure that I will not use all of what it has enough to stress out too much.

[krazyinski]

HEY I LIKE FOUR STROKES THEY ARE GREAT BIKES, FUN TO RIDE LOTS OF ELECTRIC LIKE POWER. OFF ROAD RIDING DOESN'T REALLY WEAR THE VALVE TRAIN THE SAME AS MX RIDING.

EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT GETTING A NEW BIKE I CANT JUSTIFY IT BECAUSE THE OLD KDX CAN DO THE JOB JUST FINE. IF I WAS ANY FASTER I WOULD BE RIDING ALONE! WHATS THE FUN IN THAT. I THINK 270LBS IS A TAD HEAVY FOR A OFF ROAD BIKE. I CANT SEE ANY BENEFIT IN THE EXTRA HP IN THE TIGHT WOODS. MY KDX WEIGHT IS 242 LBS,GASSED READY TO RIDE. MAYBE A HYBRID OR 200 XC.

[mattR]

I saw one being taken on it's first ride at turkey run a couple of month ago. It looked great and I could not believe how quiet it was.

[Green Hornet]

I would consider it, BUT a KTM300XCWe would be my 1st choice

[Indawoods]

I am thinking about one next year... but we have to see what next year will bring. I am still in love with my KDX!~

[kawagumby]

I rode a well-modded WR426 for 3 years. I loved the bike's power and handling, but the weight is a real fun limiter. There were trails I love to ride on my KDX (or other light bikes) but if I got in trouble on the big bike, the hassle of lifting the extra weight could ruin a good day. Plus, it just couldn't handle really technical stuff like a lighter bike. The new KLX wouldn't be any different - great for more open stuff, but those kind of trails are mostly a drag for me anyways. My brother in law rides a honda CRF450X, very similar to the KLX, and it is a pig for single track IMO. It flat eats KDX dust - and he's a good, experienced rider.
The bigger the bike, the uglier the deflection at low speeds.

[Indawoods]

Dry weight 220 lbs.

Don't seem all that heavy to me!

[kawagumby]

Dry weight 220 lbs.

Don't seem all that heavy to me!

Yeah, my wife likes to use the same kind of spec's regarding her weight and age.

OOPs, security breach, now I have to destroy this computer.

[89kdx200rdr]

i rode one that had a rekluse auto clutch in it. pretty sweet. the suspension is plush from kawasaki. it is heavy but that start switch is nice too. keep the air filter and oil filter clean and the oil changed and 4 strokes arent that bad. top ends arent that hard and dont cost a whole lot more if you do it yourself.

[89kdx200rdr]

maybe if you had big t*ts

[2001kdx]

Whatever you say, Joe Walsh

[Indawoods]

ILBT's!

[fuzzy]

To answer your question simply....Never.

[Green Hornet]

maybe if you had big t*ts

[2001kdx]

ILBT's!

I knew someone heard that song

[89kdx200rdr]

top ends arent that hard and dont cost a whole lot more if you do it yourself.

I guess your right......that is if you don't do it right.



And no I don't have big tits but my wife does.

are you talking about that drz440? how often do you change the oil in that thing? maybe instead of topend i should have said piston, rings, wristpin and circlips. i have taken the valves out and cleaned them but nothing else after initial re-shim of intakes at 10 hrs.

[fuzzy]

DRZ=entirely differnt animal.

DRZ400 is to modern 450 as stock 350 chevy is to a fully race-prepped, all aluminum, bored to the water jacket beast of a 350

[fuzzy]

....and.....that's if it makes it to overhaul time without destroying a $500 head and all the little expensive pieces inside it.

[KDXer]

Anyone else seen the KLX headers ?? WTF was Kawa thinking ?? Those things are gonna last all of ONE stack. They stick out level with the footpeg FFS. One would hope the KX-F headers will work or after market companies like FMF, etc are gonna clean up. Also the carbs choke etc is all hidden behind the fuel tap and impossible to get to without pointy-nosed pliers basically. What a bloody disappointment Kawasaki......