'08 kfx450r verses '11 kfx450r: which one?

[joe_82601]

Originally Posted by kawie450r

wow a dealer actually told you they switched to aluminum frame? thats just down right dirty.

yeah they told me the fixed problems with the EFI, they were having problems with the previous years with getting the wiring wet, so they covered that up better and fixed that problem with whatever. And yeah the aluminum frame is "new".

[kawie450r]

Yea they are bullshitting you hardcore. Main problem with the kfx is the stock mitsubishi crap ECU. Procom makes a fully adjustable ecu for the kfx for $280.....fyi i have a 08 and have had 0 issues with anything elctrical. I've only heard about the ecu problems and the 11 model has the same ecu. If you do get a kfx get some di-electric grease and put it in all the electrical connections. Hope this helps with your decision.

[tsaiguy19]

the KFX is pretty much unchanged from 2008 till now. i have a 2008 and havent had a problem with it. and fyi i bought my 2008 kfx 450 last summer as a brand new left over model and paid $3900 so if your paying more for a used model i think you should definitely talk them down in price or just go for the 2011 if its close in price.

[bigdaddy]

I bought my '08 limited edition in Oct of 2007. I wanted it so bad (aluminum frame, fuel injection and reverse!) but I was a little leery being it was a first year and just coming off of a Banshee. It did not disappoint! It was quick and has NEVER given me ANY issues. I just put an HMF Performance series slip on and the HMF optimizer. Man it woke that thing up. It would definitely give my old Banshee a run for it's money. The only issue I ever had was not tightening all of the screws and bolts to the plastics when I brought it home from the dealership but that was an easy fix. Valuable lesson= never trust that a dealership cares about the assembly of your new bike.

[ayovan]

Originally Posted by kawie450r

Yea they are bullshitting you hardcore. Main problem with the kfx is the stock mitsubishi crap ECU. Procom makes a fully adjustable ecu for the kfx for $280.....fyi i have a 08 and have had 0 issues with anything elctrical. I've only heard about the ecu problems and the 11 model has the same ecu. If you do get a kfx get some di-electric grease and put it in all the electrical connections. Hope this helps with your decision.

^^^^^^ +1 on the di-electric grease. First thing I did to my '08 when I got it home, and after 3 years of riding the piss outa it, have never had any electrical problems (not even so much as a blown fuse). The Procom ecu has seemed to be the fix for those that have had ecu problems though. There were a couple small changes in the frame from the early '08 models. Later '08 and on do not have the plug in the side of the frame, and if I recall correctly, the lower a-arm mounts were changed slightly. Other than that there is no difference, except colors of the plastics. If you opt for the '08 leftover, I would lowball the dealer, and see if they will come down some. $5100 seems a little high. I've seen guys picking up '08 leftovers for under $4500. GL

[genesis0225]

+1 on the reinforced frame for 2009+ models. Also the seat is slightly softer, albeit still pretty firm on the 2009+ models, and the wiring is insulated better. You said you know where an '08 and an '11 model are, so go look and compare. On the same token, most any problem you could have with the quad has already been addressed, mostly by the racers on these forums, for relatively low cost. Procom ECU, Dielectric grease, Quadtech seat... it's all out there, and likely for much cheaper than the price jump for the '11.

I got my '09 left over for $4300 before tax in late December.

[kawirider33]

not anything major changed the only problems i heard of with the 08 is fuses blowing out alot and the fan sensor switches usually need replaceing