My concerns with the frame - Kawasaki KFX450 Forum

PeeWee · 10-19-2006, 01:06 PM

For anyone who really knows what to feel for when they ride, they know why a frame is designed to flex. My issue is this....Cannondales aluminum frames were EXTREMELY rigid, while this did'nt bother the everday trail riders...us racers had complaints, the "lack" of flex on the Dales made them harder to control through choppy corners, G-outs, deep and long whoops, and woods riders had the same ill effects. You don't notice it until you have rode a quad that has the desired amount of flex in the chassis. I'm hoping this chassis is'nt as rigid as the Dales, to much rigidity can hamper handling just as to much flex can hamper handling....it a fine line to stay on.

yfz450psycho · 10-19-2006, 10:01 PM

Good points i wonder how it would hold up to extream xc/mx races

teamsq · 10-19-2006, 10:20 PM

Hmm, it's a little less beefy looking then the 'dale, yet still way more so then any other quad, so this would be an interesting thing to find out...man can't wait to test one out!

muff · 10-22-2006, 06:49 PM

It looks like it should hold up pretty decent. One of the things I noticed first was how the lower a-arms bolt onto the frame. Its something different for sure but I'm not a big fan of the design, we'll have to see how that holds up. From what I can tell from the pictures the sleeve that runs through the lower a-arm gets bolted onto the frame rail from the side.

yfz450psycho · 10-22-2006, 08:14 PM

The alluminum frame would look kool polished tho FOR THE DUNEANATICS LOL

thomas81 · 10-24-2006, 11:16 PM

The bottom of the frame in the front looks a little skinny.

black z400 · 10-26-2006, 06:58 PM

QUOTE (thomas81 @ Oct 24 2006, 11:17 PM)

Quote:

The bottom of the frame in the front looks a little skinny.

Don't take my word for it, but apparently that is a good thing. Hence the Laeger's narrow frame hybrid. Supposedly the longer a-arm allows for a smoother ride in some way or another. I do agree thought that by hitting a tree or something it would tweak much easier.

thomas81 · 10-27-2006, 10:25 AM

Thats what i was thinking to you know when you hit something it just dont look very strong.

tersejr · 01-29-2007, 01:10 AM

That single tube lower frame will reduce bump steer as the tie rods and arms will be closer in over all length. This is a great thing in a frame. However you guys nailed it.... when hitting "anything" with the front of the quad ... the question becomes how strong is that lower single tube frame rail.

speeddemon619 · 03-19-2007, 11:53 PM

i dont think that there will be many issues wit hitting stuff, if your hitting something fast enough to bend the frame then there is gonna be other parts broken too

10-19-2006, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
PeeWee Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WVa Posts: 50	For anyone who really knows what to feel for when they ride, they know why a frame is designed to flex. My issue is this....Cannondales aluminum frames were EXTREMELY rigid, while this did'nt bother the everday trail riders...us racers had complaints, the "lack" of flex on the Dales made them harder to control through choppy corners, G-outs, deep and long whoops, and woods riders had the same ill effects. You don't notice it until you have rode a quad that has the desired amount of flex in the chassis. I'm hoping this chassis is'nt as rigid as the Dales, to much rigidity can hamper handling just as to much flex can hamper handling....it a fine line to stay on. __________________ 03 KFX 08 KFX 450R "I backed out!" 02 Cannondale Cannibal 468....you don't want any of it!!!! lol The Central network rules!!!

10-19-2006, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
yfz450psycho Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: planet earth Posts: 191	Good points i wonder how it would hold up to extream xc/mx races __________________ 04 yfz se plastics cam mod gytr pipe and header gytr full skid plates & frame guards itp HD tires gytr jet kit & gytr fuel screw gytr k&n filter and adaptor gytr complete clutch kit gytr bumper and grab bars gytr shifter and brake pedal fasst flexx bars with spider grips lsr brake and sproket hubs x factor nerfs gibson steering damper galfer rear wave rotor galfer front and rear brake lines yz450f rear master cylinder conversion soon to have a kfx450

10-19-2006, 10:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
teamsq Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yavapai, AZ Posts: 17	Hmm, it's a little less beefy looking then the 'dale, yet still way more so then any other quad, so this would be an interesting thing to find out...man can't wait to test one out! __________________ '04 Z400 (White/Black)

10-22-2006, 06:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
muff Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 47	It looks like it should hold up pretty decent. One of the things I noticed first was how the lower a-arms bolt onto the frame. Its something different for sure but I'm not a big fan of the design, we'll have to see how that holds up. From what I can tell from the pictures the sleeve that runs through the lower a-arm gets bolted onto the frame rail from the side. __________________

10-22-2006, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
yfz450psycho Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: planet earth Posts: 191	The alluminum frame would look kool polished tho FOR THE DUNEANATICS LOL __________________ 04 yfz se plastics cam mod gytr pipe and header gytr full skid plates & frame guards itp HD tires gytr jet kit & gytr fuel screw gytr k&n filter and adaptor gytr complete clutch kit gytr bumper and grab bars gytr shifter and brake pedal fasst flexx bars with spider grips lsr brake and sproket hubs x factor nerfs gibson steering damper galfer rear wave rotor galfer front and rear brake lines yz450f rear master cylinder conversion soon to have a kfx450

10-24-2006, 11:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
thomas81 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fl Posts: 16	The bottom of the frame in the front looks a little skinny. __________________ "Running high,wide and handsome"

10-27-2006, 10:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
thomas81 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fl Posts: 16	Thats what i was thinking to you know when you hit something it just dont look very strong. __________________ "Running high,wide and handsome"

01-29-2007, 01:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
tersejr Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	That single tube lower frame will reduce bump steer as the tie rods and arms will be closer in over all length. This is a great thing in a frame. However you guys nailed it.... when hitting "anything" with the front of the quad ... the question becomes how strong is that lower single tube frame rail. __________________ wish I had room for a KFX450

03-19-2007, 11:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
speeddemon619 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 28	i dont think that there will be many issues wit hitting stuff, if your hitting something fast enough to bend the frame then there is gonna be other parts broken too

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