'08 kfx450r verses '11 kfx450r: which one? - Kawasaki KFX450 Forum

hk_sg1 · 02-08-2011, 03:43 PM

Im going to buy a KFX with my tax return, but I have some questions for you experts out there before I pull the trigger on it.

I've found a new '08 for $5100 at a dealer not to far away. Im liking the price but Ive heard of some '08s having some issues. About an hour away I found an '11 model. I'm wanting a new bike because I'm tired of buying used and getting someone's problem quad. So I guess what I'm asking is are the '11 that much better than the '08s? And what are some of the problems that folks seem to have with them?

kawie450r · 02-08-2011, 04:56 PM

thee kfx has been unchanged since 08. im pretty sure the only real diffrence is the first early 08's had a "plug" looking thing on both sides of the frame rail under the side plastics.

hk_sg1 · 02-08-2011, 07:14 PM

Oh ok. I was just under the impression that the first years had some electrical problems. Didn't know if there was some voodoo put on the '11 to cure them or not, lol.
I know each brand was their "trademark" problem. (ie yamaha's bearings, 'zuki's gears, etc.) Seems that the KFX isn't as qwirky as the others. I've strongly considered the LTR and DS450 ( I have a DS650 now and love the bike ), and Ive always had awesome luck out of all my yamaha's - except for the yfz thats seized up in my garage at the moment. Honda's have never given me anything but stress, headaches and heartaches.

kawie450r · 02-08-2011, 08:31 PM

i love my kawi. i bought it in 08 and have never had any issues with it in any department. Ive heard alot of bad about the ltr trannys but cant speak for one myself. dont care to much about yammi and honda haha.

txkfx450 · 02-09-2011, 02:39 PM

The only thing that has changed on the kfx is the plastics. I haven't had any problems with my 08 since I bought it in June and have had it out every weekend since. Just keep up with maintenance and it will last for years. The only thing that was a must for me was to put a different steering stem a +1 so I wouldn't be hunched over on the whoops.

joe_82601 · 02-09-2011, 08:43 PM

i thought they changed to the aluminum frame, and some things with the EFI.

kawie450r · 02-09-2011, 10:21 PM

kfx has had a aluminum frame since day 1 and as far as i know efi is unchanged

joe_82601 · 02-10-2011, 08:36 AM

man, dealers just lie to make sales. that drives me nuts

hk_sg1 · 02-10-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_82601

man, dealers just lie to make sales. that drives me nuts

Exactly brother, that's the reason I came on here to find out.

kawie450r · 02-10-2011, 10:33 PM

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

02-08-2011, 03:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
hk_sg1 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8	'08 kfx450r verses '11 kfx450r: which one? Im going to buy a KFX with my tax return, but I have some questions for you experts out there before I pull the trigger on it. I've found a new '08 for $5100 at a dealer not to far away. Im liking the price but Ive heard of some '08s having some issues. About an hour away I found an '11 model. I'm wanting a new bike because I'm tired of buying used and getting someone's problem quad. So I guess what I'm asking is are the '11 that much better than the '08s? And what are some of the problems that folks seem to have with them?

02-08-2011, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
kawie450r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160	thee kfx has been unchanged since 08. im pretty sure the only real diffrence is the first early 08's had a "plug" looking thing on both sides of the frame rail under the side plastics. __________________

02-08-2011, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
kawie450r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160	i love my kawi. i bought it in 08 and have never had any issues with it in any department. Ive heard alot of bad about the ltr trannys but cant speak for one myself. dont care to much about yammi and honda haha. __________________

02-09-2011, 10:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
kawie450r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160	kfx has had a aluminum frame since day 1 and as far as i know efi is unchanged __________________

02-10-2011, 10:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
kawie450r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 160	wow a dealer actually told you they switched to aluminum frame? thats just down right dirty. __________________

02-08-2011, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
hk_sg1 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8	Oh ok. I was just under the impression that the first years had some electrical problems. Didn't know if there was some voodoo put on the '11 to cure them or not, lol. I know each brand was their "trademark" problem. (ie yamaha's bearings, 'zuki's gears, etc.) Seems that the KFX isn't as qwirky as the others. I've strongly considered the LTR and DS450 ( I have a DS650 now and love the bike ), and Ive always had awesome luck out of all my yamaha's - except for the yfz thats seized up in my garage at the moment. Honda's have never given me anything but stress, headaches and heartaches.

02-09-2011, 02:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
txkfx450 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: EL PASO TX Posts: 28	The only thing that has changed on the kfx is the plastics. I haven't had any problems with my 08 since I bought it in June and have had it out every weekend since. Just keep up with maintenance and it will last for years. The only thing that was a must for me was to put a different steering stem a +1 so I wouldn't be hunched over on the whoops.

02-09-2011, 08:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
joe_82601 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 30	i thought they changed to the aluminum frame, and some things with the EFI.

02-10-2011, 08:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
joe_82601 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 30	man, dealers just lie to make sales. that drives me nuts

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