the kfx450r
Apr 17, 2007 | 01:14 AM
#62
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 917
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From: North Carolina
the kfx450r
Originally posted by: racin1
Gotta hand it to ya there junior, you did give us a good run on that one good holeshot you did, and had you not ended up on the grab bar by the top of first gear, you might have tied the yfz. Although, when your 15 year old cousin rode that kfx for you, it did only get beat by the yfz by about 2 quads and less than 6 by the raptor. It was a good ride though, we had fun, and we never even complained about waiting up for you in the woods. My 10 year old son racing you on his ktm 65 sx dirt bike was pretty funny though, you beat him by what, 4 quads? :-) Just keepin ya straight buddy. lol
We actually all did go riding on our new rides last weekend. Josh on his new KFX, me on my new raptor 700, and chase on his new yfz. I gotta tell ya, after riding a heavily modified banshee for the last 11 years which I ran hare scrambles with for years, these new machines are amazing. As for drag race testing, we did NUMEROUS drag races as well as dozens of 1 lap races around an oval section at the start of an old hare scrambles track my uncle owns. In the straight on drag races, the yfz and the rap are very close. It basically ends up with who got the best traction or wholeshot. The raptor will pull slightly on the top over the yfz but not by much. The KFX with a highly skilled rider was barely behind the yfz. In the oval races the yfz was the clear cut winner due to a lower stance and better suspension vs. the raptor needing better front shocks (fixed by this weekend) to help it to not lean as bad in the corners. The KFX I would say definitely handled better than the raptor but was really up to rider level to see what is faster. The SE raptors which come with the same front shocks as the yfz DEFINITELY handle better than the base model. Another factor was tires. The stock tires on the YFZ are actually really good. The raptor tires are good for basic cruising but get to really riding hard and they will leave you wanting. I will try a new set of supergrip stingers which should cure that. Guys, these quads are all really good units. My thing, if you wanted the best motorcross quad, I would say get the yfz. If you run hare scrambles are just want brute torque, get the raptor. If you want to do both and need reverse, get the KFX.
Can't wait to see ya get that thing back junior, did a little tweakin on mine, lets see if I can open that gap from 6 lengths to about 10............................:-)
Originally posted by: Flostang11
if i may throw in some insight... recently my brother in law purchased a YZR 450 ( 06).. at the same time my uncle purchased his Raptor 700 (07).. and just this past saturday i bought my KFX 450... we took them all out.. and they all run relatively equal.. i was not pushin mine too much, so i never opened full throttle, however, on the whole shot, i had both other quads beat ( both of the other guys are more experienced riders as well).. the KFX is much better in the turns as well, the raptor tends to lean towards the front too much, and the YFZ, althogh a very good quad, seems very stiff to me...
On another note, the KFX does potentially have an issue.. later that day while riding.. the chain on my KFX came off as i was shifting into second gear.. now whether this was an issue with the dealership i bought it from not having the chain adjusted correctly, the chain then rotated thru ( motsly bc i had thought i accidentally went to neutral) and in doing so, it pushed the shift lever through the bottom of the case ( comepletely cracking the case)... my quad is now at sportland ( dealer in champaign, il) and although it will be covered by the warranty, kawasaki is sending someone from japan to look into the issue of a potential flaw in the model... ill keep posted on any new findings when they inform me more...
other than that, i could not be happier with my KFX, and to squash any potential rumors, or therein.. it WILL beat a raptor in a str8 race..
if i may throw in some insight... recently my brother in law purchased a YZR 450 ( 06).. at the same time my uncle purchased his Raptor 700 (07).. and just this past saturday i bought my KFX 450... we took them all out.. and they all run relatively equal.. i was not pushin mine too much, so i never opened full throttle, however, on the whole shot, i had both other quads beat ( both of the other guys are more experienced riders as well).. the KFX is much better in the turns as well, the raptor tends to lean towards the front too much, and the YFZ, althogh a very good quad, seems very stiff to me...
On another note, the KFX does potentially have an issue.. later that day while riding.. the chain on my KFX came off as i was shifting into second gear.. now whether this was an issue with the dealership i bought it from not having the chain adjusted correctly, the chain then rotated thru ( motsly bc i had thought i accidentally went to neutral) and in doing so, it pushed the shift lever through the bottom of the case ( comepletely cracking the case)... my quad is now at sportland ( dealer in champaign, il) and although it will be covered by the warranty, kawasaki is sending someone from japan to look into the issue of a potential flaw in the model... ill keep posted on any new findings when they inform me more...
other than that, i could not be happier with my KFX, and to squash any potential rumors, or therein.. it WILL beat a raptor in a str8 race..
Gotta hand it to ya there junior, you did give us a good run on that one good holeshot you did, and had you not ended up on the grab bar by the top of first gear, you might have tied the yfz. Although, when your 15 year old cousin rode that kfx for you, it did only get beat by the yfz by about 2 quads and less than 6 by the raptor. It was a good ride though, we had fun, and we never even complained about waiting up for you in the woods. My 10 year old son racing you on his ktm 65 sx dirt bike was pretty funny though, you beat him by what, 4 quads? :-) Just keepin ya straight buddy. lol
We actually all did go riding on our new rides last weekend. Josh on his new KFX, me on my new raptor 700, and chase on his new yfz. I gotta tell ya, after riding a heavily modified banshee for the last 11 years which I ran hare scrambles with for years, these new machines are amazing. As for drag race testing, we did NUMEROUS drag races as well as dozens of 1 lap races around an oval section at the start of an old hare scrambles track my uncle owns. In the straight on drag races, the yfz and the rap are very close. It basically ends up with who got the best traction or wholeshot. The raptor will pull slightly on the top over the yfz but not by much. The KFX with a highly skilled rider was barely behind the yfz. In the oval races the yfz was the clear cut winner due to a lower stance and better suspension vs. the raptor needing better front shocks (fixed by this weekend) to help it to not lean as bad in the corners. The KFX I would say definitely handled better than the raptor but was really up to rider level to see what is faster. The SE raptors which come with the same front shocks as the yfz DEFINITELY handle better than the base model. Another factor was tires. The stock tires on the YFZ are actually really good. The raptor tires are good for basic cruising but get to really riding hard and they will leave you wanting. I will try a new set of supergrip stingers which should cure that. Guys, these quads are all really good units. My thing, if you wanted the best motorcross quad, I would say get the yfz. If you run hare scrambles are just want brute torque, get the raptor. If you want to do both and need reverse, get the KFX.
Can't wait to see ya get that thing back junior, did a little tweakin on mine, lets see if I can open that gap from 6 lengths to about 10............................:-)
I have to totally agree with you on the Yamaha's too, though I don't know the first thing about the Kawi.
I've never ridden the 700, but it will pull away from me on long straight runs.
But I DEFINATELY need to chat at you dude... Concerning the YFZ and Raptor 700R specifically.
I want to know what made you decide to go with the 700R?
I ride track, trail, and tight woods... and the YFZ is king of track and trail, but in modified form, too wide for tight woods.
The power and the handling are great, but it can beat you up on a good ride.
And 1st gear work/crawling is no fun when you have to do it because it stalls easy.
And it doesn't seem like it could afford re-gearing (dropping a tooth).
I was thinking about a 700R GYTR kept in sock width form.
So how do you think that would measure up, and how do you feel the 700R compares to the YFZ?
I'm talking characteristics other than pure speed.
Like ride quality differences, gearing differences, crawling around power differences, occasional 2-up riding differences, and handling differences.... as well as any thoughts you have on the EFI aspects too????
I appreciate it a lot...
Apr 17, 2007 | 01:32 AM
#63
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
I personnaly have always been 90% trails, 10% track. I ran Hare Scrambles for years on a Banshee. I did a lot of research before buying and my basis for the raptor was pretty clear. It rides great, the seat is a lot softer than the yfz but yet not too much. Reverse, if you have ever run a scramble, after 2 or 3 hours of hard trail riding, the last thing I wanna do is get off and pull my 400lb quad backwards cuz some idiot nailed a tree in front of me. Torque, The yfz and kfx both pull amazing on the top end but are geared a little high for me and have a lot less torque off idle. I can now idle up hills that used to make me nervous on the banshee. Again, after 3 hours of hard racing, not having to tug on the bars to lighten the front end to get over a log or rut is worth it's weight in gold. There is also a ton of power left to be had with the raptor. The dual exhaust kits out there add 15 horse to a 40hp base quad. That is 30% with exhaust, filter and tuner. The EFI is also really nice and amazingly responsive. Definitley try to get an se or gytr model as they come with the better front shocks which I am kicking myself for not getting. Now don't get me wrong guys, if you wanna run motorcross, those 450's are amazing handling machines and on an open track, the off idle torque isn't as important as top end power. Now the Raptor still has a killer top end and after you unplug the speed sensor, it will hit just over 80mph vs. the mid 70's before. When yamaha went to the drawing board, they had 2 boards. One had guys making a motorcross champ and the other had a group making a hare scrambles quad. out came the yfz and the raptor. I am not saying a raptor can't win a motorcross race nor am I saying the 450 will not be competitive in a hare scramble, in the end it will come down to the rider. I just helps to start with the quad that more suits what you want to do with it. my $.02
Apr 17, 2007 | 02:09 AM
#64
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
the kfx450r
Originally posted by: racin1
I personnaly have always been 90% trails, 10% track. I ran Hare Scrambles for years on a Banshee. I did a lot of research before buying and my basis for the raptor was pretty clear. It rides great, the seat is a lot softer than the yfz but yet not too much. Reverse, if you have ever run a scramble, after 2 or 3 hours of hard trail riding, the last thing I wanna do is get off and pull my 400lb quad backwards cuz some idiot nailed a tree in front of me. Torque, The yfz and kfx both pull amazing on the top end but are geared a little high for me and have a lot less torque off idle. I can now idle up hills that used to make me nervous on the banshee. Again, after 3 hours of hard racing, not having to tug on the bars to lighten the front end to get over a log or rut is worth it's weight in gold. There is also a ton of power left to be had with the raptor. The dual exhaust kits out there add 15 horse to a 40hp base quad. That is 30% with exhaust, filter and tuner. The EFI is also really nice and amazingly responsive. Definitley try to get an se or gytr model as they come with the better front shocks which I am kicking myself for not getting. Now don't get me wrong guys, if you wanna run motorcross, those 450's are amazing handling machines and on an open track, the off idle torque isn't as important as top end power. Now the Raptor still has a killer top end and after you unplug the speed sensor, it will hit just over 80mph vs. the mid 70's before. When yamaha went to the drawing board, they had 2 boards. One had guys making a motorcross champ and the other had a group making a hare scrambles quad. out came the yfz and the raptor. I am not saying a raptor can't win a motorcross race nor am I saying the 450 will not be competitive in a hare scramble, in the end it will come down to the rider. I just helps to start with the quad that more suits what you want to do with it. my $.02
I personnaly have always been 90% trails, 10% track. I ran Hare Scrambles for years on a Banshee. I did a lot of research before buying and my basis for the raptor was pretty clear. It rides great, the seat is a lot softer than the yfz but yet not too much. Reverse, if you have ever run a scramble, after 2 or 3 hours of hard trail riding, the last thing I wanna do is get off and pull my 400lb quad backwards cuz some idiot nailed a tree in front of me. Torque, The yfz and kfx both pull amazing on the top end but are geared a little high for me and have a lot less torque off idle. I can now idle up hills that used to make me nervous on the banshee. Again, after 3 hours of hard racing, not having to tug on the bars to lighten the front end to get over a log or rut is worth it's weight in gold. There is also a ton of power left to be had with the raptor. The dual exhaust kits out there add 15 horse to a 40hp base quad. That is 30% with exhaust, filter and tuner. The EFI is also really nice and amazingly responsive. Definitley try to get an se or gytr model as they come with the better front shocks which I am kicking myself for not getting. Now don't get me wrong guys, if you wanna run motorcross, those 450's are amazing handling machines and on an open track, the off idle torque isn't as important as top end power. Now the Raptor still has a killer top end and after you unplug the speed sensor, it will hit just over 80mph vs. the mid 70's before. When yamaha went to the drawing board, they had 2 boards. One had guys making a motorcross champ and the other had a group making a hare scrambles quad. out came the yfz and the raptor. I am not saying a raptor can't win a motorcross race nor am I saying the 450 will not be competitive in a hare scramble, in the end it will come down to the rider. I just helps to start with the quad that more suits what you want to do with it. my $.02
I take nothing away from the YFZ, but I went the wrong way there.
Maybe I would have been happier at stock width...
But I would never be happy with the bottom end.
Not without loosing too much off the top end for the open runs.
It's about a perfect MX/Open CC/track quad though.
I was leaning to the 400's... but the 700R is definately on the list now.
I want a more practical woods bike, and I want to be able to crawl over and through things when needed and take off easier on hills without working so hard to avoid stalling. Sounds like the 700R fits and would have the grunt to taxi a passenger a little too.
One thing I meant to ask though... does it feel 'tippy' at all v/s the YFZ?
It looks taller, but I think it's an optical illusion maybe from the tank shape or backbone lines.
Apr 17, 2007 | 03:48 PM
#65
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
The raptor does feel a little tippy but that is mainly due to the back tires and not having the SE front shocks. I will have my other yfz shocks on this weekend and let you know the difference. As for torque, I had no trouble pulling junior's kfx through the trails and up the hills to the trailer. The 400's are good quads but if you are over 150 lbs, I would definitely go with the 700 if you can afford it. Bone stock it has enough torque to do ANYTHING you could possibly need on a trail ride.
Apr 25, 2007 | 08:51 PM
#66
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
Yea bought one about a month ago cause i work at a dealership.. The quad is sick.... I cut down a micron pipe off a street bike and threw it on there and it sounds awsome.. I raced my buddy with an Ltr450 that had a cherry bomb and the baffle taken out and got him by a tire length. The quad definatly has *****. only got one problem with it and its that it got a really winning noise to it when i was ridin for a while but it might have been cause i was almost over heating it cause when it cooled down it stopped. but it also might be cause i hydralocked it the day b4 and had to change the oil but i dont know. Quad is definatly a good buy..
Apr 27, 2007 | 03:51 PM
#67
Trailblazer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Nanticoke, Pa
the kfx450r
I went riding this last weekend and i have a kfx 400 my freind got the 450r kfx and my other freind has a yfz 450 and the two 450's drag raced and the kfx blew its doors in and we keep switching the riders the kfx is a amazing machine!
Jul 4, 2007 | 02:42 PM
#68
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
I've owned my KFX450r since the bugger first came into the dealership back in March if I remember correctly. Did a half-*** break in so I could ride it full throttle down in Oklahoma sand dunes. Rides so god damn smooth and is so top light you don't feel like you're gonna roll it when sliding. And this thing can go through mud too, me and two buddies went to Black Forest River in Wisconsin on their huge trail system and we just plowed through ****. But this thing out of the hole shot walked my buddies 06 Honda 450 by atleast a hole tires length. He's got a yoshi exhaust and carb kit and mine still bone stock. I had him till 3rd gear which by then he was just about a 1/4 a tire behind my front bumper when I went to upshift and got my shoelace caught so I backed off and got sprayed with rocks when he shifted again. He has to start in second gear to keep his front down while I had mine about 3/4 ops open when I dumped it in first and took off. He smoked my our buddies 06 YFZ450 with just the baffle moved so I'm confident I could smoke him easily. This was just on a packed gravel road. And any idiot who's running their mouth that it's gonna get it's *** beat by the BRP 450 and then the KTM 450, your idiots because it better be a little better. Thats the only advantage of coming out late in the game
Oh yeah hands down best part about this quad is the cost to replace the plastic and the brackets. You're looking about 45 bucks retail for the fender tips, the rear metal aluminum fender holder is like 15 the main parts of the cowling is only like a 140ish. I mean they made this thing so if you roll the thing it won't cost you an arm and a leg to replace the damaged stuff.
Oh yeah hands down best part about this quad is the cost to replace the plastic and the brackets. You're looking about 45 bucks retail for the fender tips, the rear metal aluminum fender holder is like 15 the main parts of the cowling is only like a 140ish. I mean they made this thing so if you roll the thing it won't cost you an arm and a leg to replace the damaged stuff.
Jul 11, 2007 | 05:52 PM
#69
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
Hi, i saw in your post where you were talking about a 15 tooth front sprocket for your kfx450r. ive been looking around and cant seem to find one. i need to get one so if you could help me out i would appreciate very much .
Thanks,
GMCZ
Thanks,
GMCZ
Jul 11, 2007 | 08:35 PM
#70
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
the kfx450r
The 15t is the same as the 450 dirt bike any Kawi dealer should have one..
or here Sprocket Specialists
& welcome to the forums [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
or here Sprocket Specialists
& welcome to the forums [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
