KX450F VS YZ450F (2018) (EDIT KTM ON THE WAY??)

jessdr1
Profile picture for user jessdr1
Posts
42
Joined
3/16/2019
Location
CA
jessdr1
Edited Date/Time 5/10/2019 9:14pm
Hey what's going on guys, this is my first official thread.

I currently have a KX450f 2012 and I'm looking for an upgrade.

There's two good deals for leftovers KX450F and YZ 450F 2018 (same price). My question is : which one to choose?

I love Kawi but I had a sh&t load of problems with mine : piston issue, coolant issue, gearbox issue, clutch issue, drive chain destroyer, etc.

I know the YZ450f 2018 are the first gen of a new model and I heard some bad stories about starter and battery pack.

I wanna know your opinion Vitalmx ! Thanks in advance
|
Moto520
Profile picture for user Moto520
Posts
3529
Joined
2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
Moto520 5/8/2019 6:02pm
5/8/2019 6:02pm
Yamaha because the suspension is great. Less issues. 2019 kx450.....different story
3
Flip109
Profile picture for user Flip109
Posts
3460
Joined
6/15/2007
Location
TX US
Flip109 5/8/2019 8:50pm
5/8/2019 8:50pm
Rode a 2019 YZ450f Sunday. Great bike but feels like a bullet fast cow. If you don’t care about a bike feeling a little wide like I do. It does everything else great. I was cutting inside of people easily and straight whoops and breaking bumps are stable as hell. Engine is a rocket and you can completely tune it to your liking with the app. Hard to go wrong. I personally like the way the Kawi looks better but that Yamaha is no fat joke for a weekend warrior haha
4
1
omalley
Profile picture for user omalley
Posts
1528
Joined
7/27/2016
Location
Snohomish, WA US
omalley 5/8/2019 9:38pm
5/8/2019 9:38pm
Can’t speak for the Yamaha good or bad.

I had an 09, 11, and 13 KX450’s and currently an 18. Prior to 09 I rode Hondas.

My 18 KX450 is the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Light years better than my prior Kawis, and better than my 07 CRF450, which had a ton of stuff done and was easily my favorite bike.
There is one glaring caveat: worst forks ever. Pure shit. Remind me of my 1990 CR125, back when Honda might have well owned a patent on harshness while still managing to bottom.
The fixes are Ohlins inserts, A-Kit forks, spring conversions from FC, PC, Race Tech, etc, or swapping on earlier KYB spring forks. I went with Ohlins and the bike is great now. But other than the forks, it’s by far the most comfortable I’ve been on a bike.
4

The Shop

See All »
Permeance_Flux 5/8/2019 9:55pm
5/8/2019 9:55pm
omalley wrote:
Can’t speak for the Yamaha good or bad. I had an 09, 11, and 13 KX450’s and currently an 18. Prior to 09 I rode Hondas...
Can’t speak for the Yamaha good or bad.

I had an 09, 11, and 13 KX450’s and currently an 18. Prior to 09 I rode Hondas.

My 18 KX450 is the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Light years better than my prior Kawis, and better than my 07 CRF450, which had a ton of stuff done and was easily my favorite bike.
There is one glaring caveat: worst forks ever. Pure shit. Remind me of my 1990 CR125, back when Honda might have well owned a patent on harshness while still managing to bottom.
The fixes are Ohlins inserts, A-Kit forks, spring conversions from FC, PC, Race Tech, etc, or swapping on earlier KYB spring forks. I went with Ohlins and the bike is great now. But other than the forks, it’s by far the most comfortable I’ve been on a bike.
Would it be possible to bolt the 2019 forks on the 2018 kx?
Or would that take different axle, triple clamps, steering stem, etc?
cwtoyota
Profile picture for user cwtoyota
Posts
2142
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA US
cwtoyota 5/9/2019 1:01am
5/9/2019 1:01am
omalley wrote:
Can’t speak for the Yamaha good or bad. I had an 09, 11, and 13 KX450’s and currently an 18. Prior to 09 I rode Hondas...
Can’t speak for the Yamaha good or bad.

I had an 09, 11, and 13 KX450’s and currently an 18. Prior to 09 I rode Hondas.

My 18 KX450 is the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Light years better than my prior Kawis, and better than my 07 CRF450, which had a ton of stuff done and was easily my favorite bike.
There is one glaring caveat: worst forks ever. Pure shit. Remind me of my 1990 CR125, back when Honda might have well owned a patent on harshness while still managing to bottom.
The fixes are Ohlins inserts, A-Kit forks, spring conversions from FC, PC, Race Tech, etc, or swapping on earlier KYB spring forks. I went with Ohlins and the bike is great now. But other than the forks, it’s by far the most comfortable I’ve been on a bike.
Permeance_Flux wrote:
Would it be possible to bolt the 2019 forks on the 2018 kx?
Or would that take different axle, triple clamps, steering stem, etc?
You can get the forks from the 2009 to 2012 model KX450F and run those. They're KYB AOSS spring forks with nearly identical internals to a Yamaha from the same years.

A buddy of mine just put a set of 2011 forks on his 2016 KX450F and it was a decent improvement.

I have to agree about the Showa TAC fork. I've ridden the 2016 and 2017 model KX450F and it was one of the two worst forks I've ridden in a long time, but both had been re-valved. One was super harsh, the other was a bit harsh.
Freedom Mx
Profile picture for user Freedom Mx
Posts
92
Joined
7/20/2016
Location
Highlands, TX US
Freedom Mx 5/9/2019 6:30am
5/9/2019 6:30am
jessdr1 wrote:
Hey what's going on guys, this is my first official thread. I currently have a KX450f 2012 and I'm looking for an upgrade. There's two good...
Hey what's going on guys, this is my first official thread.

I currently have a KX450f 2012 and I'm looking for an upgrade.

There's two good deals for leftovers KX450F and YZ 450F 2018 (same price). My question is : which one to choose?

I love Kawi but I had a sh&t load of problems with mine : piston issue, coolant issue, gearbox issue, clutch issue, drive chain destroyer, etc.

I know the YZ450f 2018 are the first gen of a new model and I heard some bad stories about starter and battery pack.

I wanna know your opinion Vitalmx ! Thanks in advance
Love my Yamaha, no issues at all so far. Suspension is so nice ?
jessdr1
Profile picture for user jessdr1
Posts
42
Joined
3/16/2019
Location
CA
jessdr1 5/9/2019 5:33pm
5/9/2019 5:33pm
Hey guys thanks for the replies,

I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said above.

The only thing I feel bad about is wideness of the YZ and the weight. I thought with years they would make bikes more slim and lighter... The YZ450f 2018 is about the same weight as my Kawi 2012 Huh Anyway I went to the dealer today and should conclude the deal tomorrow. Gonna post some pics when I get it !! Thanks again
7
bw56
Profile picture for user bw56
Posts
33
Joined
8/21/2018
Location
La Verne, CA US
bw56 5/9/2019 5:53pm
5/9/2019 5:53pm
jessdr1 wrote:
Hey guys thanks for the replies, I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said...
Hey guys thanks for the replies,

I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said above.

The only thing I feel bad about is wideness of the YZ and the weight. I thought with years they would make bikes more slim and lighter... The YZ450f 2018 is about the same weight as my Kawi 2012 Huh Anyway I went to the dealer today and should conclude the deal tomorrow. Gonna post some pics when I get it !! Thanks again
I had the 2018 CRF450R, now I have the 2019 YX450F. The Yamaha is the best bike I’ve ever owned. I adjusted to the width quickly. I’m 6’1”, the distance between the pegs, and handle bar feels more cramped than my Honda. It’s not as flickable in the air, but the extra weight makes it feel more planted, and stable on the ground. Weight isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And yeah, the motor is amazing. I’m 200lbs so I went up a spring rate in front and rear, no need to change the valving. Also all the minor wear parts last a long time. I’ve had the bike since August, and have never had an issue with the battery, or starter, though it seems like some have. I blow the water away w an air compressor, and spray those areas w contact cleaner after a wash, maybe that’s why... Good luck on your purchase.
3
Freedom Mx
Profile picture for user Freedom Mx
Posts
92
Joined
7/20/2016
Location
Highlands, TX US
Freedom Mx 5/9/2019 5:55pm
5/9/2019 5:55pm
jessdr1 wrote:
Hey guys thanks for the replies, I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said...
Hey guys thanks for the replies,

I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said above.

The only thing I feel bad about is wideness of the YZ and the weight. I thought with years they would make bikes more slim and lighter... The YZ450f 2018 is about the same weight as my Kawi 2012 Huh Anyway I went to the dealer today and should conclude the deal tomorrow. Gonna post some pics when I get it !! Thanks again
Congrats ! You will love it, bike doesn’t feel heavy to me, very balanced. Order the 19’ front wheel spacers.
2
Goon126
Profile picture for user Goon126
Posts
356
Joined
1/18/2019
Location
CA US
Goon126 5/10/2019 12:44am
5/10/2019 12:44am Edited Date/Time 5/10/2019 5:48am
jessdr1 wrote:
Hey guys thanks for the replies, I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said...
Hey guys thanks for the replies,

I'm going with the YZ450f. The principal reason is the air forks of the kawi looks trash, as people said above.

The only thing I feel bad about is wideness of the YZ and the weight. I thought with years they would make bikes more slim and lighter... The YZ450f 2018 is about the same weight as my Kawi 2012 Huh Anyway I went to the dealer today and should conclude the deal tomorrow. Gonna post some pics when I get it !! Thanks again
Welcome to BluCru! First two things I got for my 18 yz450f was a skid plate and radiator braces. Dont forget to register your bike on blucru as you will get I believe $45 credit to spend in the Blucru online store. I already know you are going to love the bike but let us know what you think! Oh yea and run the TP 2.0 map
jessdr1
Profile picture for user jessdr1
Posts
42
Joined
3/16/2019
Location
CA
jessdr1 5/10/2019 7:37pm
5/10/2019 7:37pm
OK guys big big turn around !!! Shocked

To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a wayyy better price than Y (1200$ less). Since Y is a very big dealer and after I told them that, they offered me a very good deal on a KTM SX-F 450 2019 ( only 500$ more then the YZ and for a 2019 vs 2018).

SO I'm really really sorry for the Blucru guys out there, I was really digging the YZ but damn who wouldn't pick a bike 11lbs lighter for 500$ more?? (YES I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WEIGHT MATTERS Evil )
2
T-Fish
Profile picture for user T-Fish
Posts
3132
Joined
12/14/2009
Location
Sparta, WI US
Fantasy
775th
T-Fish 5/10/2019 8:22pm
5/10/2019 8:22pm
jessdr1 wrote:
OK guys big big turn around !!! :ohmy: To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a...
OK guys big big turn around !!! Shocked

To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a wayyy better price than Y (1200$ less). Since Y is a very big dealer and after I told them that, they offered me a very good deal on a KTM SX-F 450 2019 ( only 500$ more then the YZ and for a 2019 vs 2018).

SO I'm really really sorry for the Blucru guys out there, I was really digging the YZ but damn who wouldn't pick a bike 11lbs lighter for 500$ more?? (YES I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WEIGHT MATTERS Evil )
Should’ve gotten a 350!
1
Freedom Mx
Profile picture for user Freedom Mx
Posts
92
Joined
7/20/2016
Location
Highlands, TX US
Freedom Mx 5/10/2019 8:46pm
5/10/2019 8:46pm
jessdr1 wrote:
OK guys big big turn around !!! :ohmy: To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a...
OK guys big big turn around !!! Shocked

To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a wayyy better price than Y (1200$ less). Since Y is a very big dealer and after I told them that, they offered me a very good deal on a KTM SX-F 450 2019 ( only 500$ more then the YZ and for a 2019 vs 2018).

SO I'm really really sorry for the Blucru guys out there, I was really digging the YZ but damn who wouldn't pick a bike 11lbs lighter for 500$ more?? (YES I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WEIGHT MATTERS Evil )
I got my YZF for $7,600 otd, but you got yourself a Killer Bike, you will love it ! congrats ?
1
Goon126
Profile picture for user Goon126
Posts
356
Joined
1/18/2019
Location
CA US
Goon126 5/10/2019 9:14pm
5/10/2019 9:14pm
jessdr1 wrote:
OK guys big big turn around !!! :ohmy: To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a...
OK guys big big turn around !!! Shocked

To make the story short, I contacted two dealers for a YZ450F 2018 and X was getting a wayyy better price than Y (1200$ less). Since Y is a very big dealer and after I told them that, they offered me a very good deal on a KTM SX-F 450 2019 ( only 500$ more then the YZ and for a 2019 vs 2018).

SO I'm really really sorry for the Blucru guys out there, I was really digging the YZ but damn who wouldn't pick a bike 11lbs lighter for 500$ more?? (YES I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WEIGHT MATTERS Evil )
I don't blame you there. Have fun!
1

Post a reply to: KX450F VS YZ450F (2018) (EDIT KTM ON THE WAY??)