2008 Klx450r !!!

[MUDMAX]

Any of you folks have any information like weight and price on this new KLX450R that we can see in the 2008 Kawi line ?
Looks great to me ! Maybe it will be the time to switch to 4 strokes !?!
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=207

 

[SQUIRLEYMOFO]

Says 22 pounds more than the motocrosser...........

 

[dirt bike dave]

Considering it is adding e-start, only 22 lbs. more than the MX race bike is a nice accomplishment, especially if the X has an 18" rear wheel (the 18" tire is heavier than a 19").

 

[Green Hornet]

It looks nice, but a KTM300XCW would work better for me , I THINK ;)

 

[76GMC1500]

Another e-start bike...

 

[Timpo]

That's a plus for me.

Another e-start bike...

At 39 years old, I'm starting to have trouble kick starting my bikes, so the button is a must have.

T.

 

[2 strokes for life]

Green Hornet, and 4thGearAndPinned, the KTM 250XC and 300XC will have e start. Also, the KLX450R looks like it is a great bike. I would love to have one.

 

[KDX200Kev]

Dirtrider stated it is 278 pounds with fuel. Its only 30 pounds more then your KDX.

 

[MUDMAX]

Kawasaki finally updated their site, and they state its 253 lbs dry weight.

And its a beautiful machine...! I saw it at my Kawi dealer. I almost signed for one, but I surprisingly had a kind of excess of reason and left without it... still dont know what hapened... think I need a psychotherapy...

 

[2 strokes for life]

MUDMAX, i think you should get it. Just do it. You should be happy with the result.

 

[XRpredator]

Another e-start bike...

and your point is?

 

[Trailgage]

I rode the KLX450 at a dealer ride and it has an electric smooth motor and well balanced suspension. I could race the KLX450. Pretty nice bike.

 

[firffighter]

278 lbs! I am sure that is dry weight, and dry weight on the KDX is 229 lbs. The XR650 is only 20 lbs. more. That 30 lbs. makes a huge difference in the woods. As far as e-start goes, is anyone having that much difficulty starting their 200cc 2-stroke? I went for the hype on the new 4 strokes this last year and sold my KDX. Now my 4 stroke is 4 sale and I am looking for another KDX! But, I like to be old school and not follow the crowd. I just hope all of those guys I ride with on their new 4 strokes like the smell of premix.

 

[slowone]

I highly doubt that the dry weight is 278 lbs. I am curious why you are so sure of the dry weight firffighter? Do you have one, have you weighed it? :coocoo:

 

[Rich Rohrich]

I went for the hype on the new 4 strokes this last year and sold my KDX.

But, I like to be old school and not follow the crowd.

Yeah OK. :coocoo: :coocoo: :coocoo:

 

[ridejunky]

278 lbs! I am sure that is dry weight, and dry weight on the KDX is 229 lbs. The XR650 is only 20 lbs. more. That 30 lbs. makes a huge difference in the woods. As far as e-start goes, is anyone having that much difficulty starting their 200cc 2-stroke? I went for the hype on the new 4 strokes this last year and sold my KDX. Now my 4 stroke is 4 sale and I am looking for another KDX! But, I like to be old school and not follow the crowd. I just hope all of those guys I ride with on their new 4 strokes like the smell of premix.[/QUOTE

I can relate to being a army of one. Most everyone I ride with went 4T including my kids. I can't knock the 4T's, I just don't have as much fun when I'm riding them. I can actually ride faster on a 4 stroker but it doesn't feel as fast to me. I get a lot of pressure to convert from my cohorts as well but they can't out ride me yet so I'll stick with the 2t simplicity till I'm not having fun. Oh BTW Its harder for me to get in my truck than it is to kick start my bike, so I don't need the button yet either:)

 

[2 strokes for life]

ridejunky, see most KTM 200 to 300 2 stroek rides average an age of 38 years old. Most of them want to have the easy starting of a e start.

 

[ebeck]

Kawasaki factory claims the 2008 KLF450R Dry Weight of 253.5 lb.

I dunno, my Hybrid weighs 190 pounds. My friends KDX seems heavy to me now. My CRF230 was 238# and that was waaaay too heavy for my 40 year old body.

Weight is a top issue for me but I may be alone on that. 253 is too heavy for anything other than open desert Baja type riding. Like the XR600. Then it is awsome. Slow and go technical desert stuff with tons of 3 foot moguls that never end not so much so. At least for me.

I will say the weight is an improvment over the XR weight fthat it compets with for that kind of riding, and is likley superior bike.

If I wanted a Baja bike I'd look pretty hard at this one first.

 

[dirt bike dave]

I've owned 3 KDXs. I've ridden hybrids (KDX200 engine/KX125 frame) and many other KDX 200s, 220s and KLX 300's and (KLX/DRZ) 400's. Some of with tons of mods and dialed in by A level riders.

I've also ridden a KX450F with suspension mods in the tight woods. I'm talking 8,000' plus elevation, lots of trees, quads can't fit kind of trails. IMO, with the right set-up, the KX450 MX thumper will eat any KDX or KLX300 or 400 alive in the woods. IMO, '08 KLX450 is probably even better still. A little TLC with setup and I have no doubt that thing will beat up on the KDX anywhere, anytime.

250+ lbs is not a problem if it is carried well. You get all the guards, heavy tubes, etc... on a KDX200 and you are talking 235 lbs if your scale is honest. BTW, the KLX450 has got 15 years of technology and 250cc on the the beloved KDX200. That more than makes up for 15 - 20 lbs.

 

[2 strokes for life]

dirt bike dave, the KLX450 is brand new and has alot of technology behind it. If the KDX came back with an aluminum KX250F frame and new powerplant it might be able to keep with the KLX450, or beat it and be alot lighter, even with a starter.

 

[XRpredator]

. . . If the KDX came back with an aluminum KX250F frame and new powerplant it might be able to keep with the KLX450, or beat it and be alot lighter, even with a starter.

like that will ever happen :rotfl:

Kawasaki doesn't need to improve the KDX200/220 because the luddites who ride them love them just the way they are.

 

[jssport]

Dirt Rider has a review of the KLX-450R in the July 07 issue (just got mine yesterday), and everyone says it's a great off-road bike.

Their scales show it's weight at 278lbs with a full tank of gas (2.1 gal)

Yes, the Kaw factory says it weighs only 254 lbs dry, but it seems all the Jap factories fudge their numbers on the light light side. Perhaps dry means without the battery. motor oil, fork and shock oil or grease.

KTM is the only manufacture that seems to give out weight numbers that take all that into account.

Our local dealer says they it's title is in the grey area, it doesn't specify "Off-Road only" so most of us will be able to slide it by the registars office for a liscense plate.

 

[Green Hornet]

Luddites; one who is opposed to especially technological change.....
NOTTTTT

 

[ridejunky]

like that will ever happen :rotfl:

Kawasaki doesn't need to improve the KDX200/220 because the luddites who ride them love them just the way they are.

Luddites? HA HA thats good. All kidding aside, we like to differentiate ourselves from those who suffer from SELF EXPRESSIVE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR, we realize value when we see it, and let our skill as riders define us... Luddites :rotfl:

 

[Kwakasaki]

There was one at my local dealer this weekend. VERY NICE but I walked away with a YZ250. Passed the ole 220 down to my son. Old school I guess but just cant seem to want a 4 stroke yet.