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Finally a great 450!

Intermediate rider.

Weight: 205. Height: 6'2".

The 2009 KX 450 is a great bike. The motor performs well, and with the new FI, has insane throttle response. With this bike you can lug it around if you want to, or let it rev out. Either way, it hooks up great and doesn't sign off too soon! The ...ergonomics fit me better than any bike has in quite some time. The suspension is the only area that I think needs some work. The initial stroke on the bike is extremely harsh, but the final stroke is in the ball park. So when you hit breaking bumps or slow speed bumps/square edge holes, the bike is wickedly harsh. But overjumping big jumps are soaked up effortlessly. Going all the way soft didn't seem to offer much help, as the problem seems to lie in the spring rate. This is a very minor and easily correctable issue. I have ridden all the 2009 models except for the Suzuki, and this is hands down the best 450 for 2009. Read Full Review

Awesome Bike

I have about 18 hours on it at this point and all I can say is WOW. This bike is amazing! Everything about it is perfect, I'm going to to AFM supermoto soon but it is great in it's stock dirt trim. The above post must have gotten a lemon because I have had no issues whatsoever with this bike. I...f if were to purchase again I would surely make the same decision. Read Full Review

KX 450F

I have owned a 2006, 2007, and 2008 kawi 450. Performance wise, these bikes are at the top of the class. However, the Achilles heal for this bike is reliability. I have cracked engine cases multiple times, usually only after 30hrs of riding, stock pistions crack within 10 hours of riding because... they are casted not forged, and this year for the first time i had to replace a crank in a 450, not once or twice but three times. Other riders or race for the same shop as me has similar problems. This bike runs as fast as it falls apart. I am on the fence on whether to go green for the '09 season. If anyone has some insight on the reliability for '09 please share. Thanks! Read Full Review