kfx450 on trails?

Paul69camaro · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2009, 10:44 PM

I am a very new rider and have a stock 08 kfx450r, I need some advice,

1. What can I do to my seat so it ain't like riding a 2 by 6 wood plank?

2. I have bought a 13t front sprocket to give it less high gear in 1st, it still is in stall mod, what options do i have, the trails around here are tight, the 400ex works well, and the 200 blaster is fine, but when I am on my 450r it stalls all the time. Or I have to ride the clutch and it's a real pain. any advice?
BTW I have pro armor full frfame skid and swing arm-- the only mods on it.

3. with my pro armor swing arm skid I have lost at least an inch of ground clearance, can i go to a bigger rear tire, and if I do, how big,, and will I make my problem In question #2 worse?

please help, thanks.

Slaytanic454 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2009, 10:55 PM

Holy... Where to start.

1) It's a race quad. It either performs, or it's comfortable. High performance street cars ride like they have bricks for suspension, whereas an old Caddy will ride like a lazyboy, but perform like the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile. Get a QuadTech seat with extra padding, or take your stocker to an upholstery shop if you want a bit more cushion.

2) Most people complain that these things are geared far too low stock, and add a 15 tooth front sprocket to get it up a little. The trails around here are about as tight as it gets, and I don't have a problem with my 15 tooth front and stock tires... Maybe get a Rekluse automatic clutch? ...Get an automatic 4WD quad?

3) I also run into ground clearance issues, and I was thinking about going to a 22 inch tire in the back. You can get some tires in 22-11-9 (Stock is 20-10-9, and 11 inch wide rears mount fine on the 10 inch rims), but it will compound the problem you mentioned in #2.

Edit: Don't mean to sound like a jerk, heh I just find your issues surprising. Do you have a '69 Camaro?

nkeen07 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2009, 11:53 PM

Quad Tech or an upholstery shop is the way to go on the seat. A local uph. shop should be able to add an inch of foam for cheap.

The gearing...450's take a while to adapt to coming from other quads. You can carry much more speed in tight sections once you learn the friction zone of your clutch and really how to use the DOHC type power. These aren't long stroke thumpers like the 400ex that you can just lug, or top it out screamers like the little Blaster. Give it time...stock gearing will get you there once you get used to it (on a stock machine).

Tires...going to a 22" rear is one way to gain clearance, but it will hurt your stalling. I was running a Pro Armor skid, but I'm going to switch to PRM as it has more clearance (I was having the same problem). 22" rear tires on this 450 just don't seem like they'd be the answer for me. It'd be taking the handling away from a great handling quad, even with the proper rake adjustments in the suspension.

kfx450r#490 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:07 AM

ive had 2 of them and the more time you get on the bikes the less you will stall for 2 reasons: 1 you will learn you will need to clutch more (it becomes 2nd nature) and 2 i found with bolth of my bikes after you get the whole break in thing done it will push you around in 1st grear and as far as the seat goes ive had my current kfx since may and my seat is just as soft as a z400's so just get more time on the bike is my only advice

Paul69camaro · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 01:21 AM

Thanks, for the feedback,, my brother in-law said he read that putting a pipe on it might help, anyone have any idea's about that, good or bad. if good what pipe, and i'll look into getting some seat foam. I am 6'3" and 225, I like the quad, but it has been a challenge for me, and Yes i got a 69 z-28 Hugger orange.

6789olds · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 01:32 AM

the big 3 should help out with extra power full exhaust , new intake not just the filter so get like a fci intake or fuel atv intake . and you will need a fuel controller with these mods power comander is the best but a dobeck will do just has limited tuning .

nkeen07 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 02:45 AM

A pipe will help. I went w/the Jardine RT99 from KB. It makes just as much power as any others @$350. An intake and PCIII or PCV will make all the difference though.

250ftabyss · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 11:52 AM

The clutch on this machine just takes some getting used to is all.

cousinit · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:11 PM

Had the same issue with tight trails, went to a 13 tooth front and it helped... I ride woods trails with steep narrow hill climbs, and lots of rocks and downed trees.. It's all personal preference, but you don't need an automatic.. It's a race and trail quad, so mod it for you and your riding...Stock, a 13 tooth is a cheap mod, till you get any of the big 3, or used to the clutch... I love it for trails and jumping, so give it time...
I also got used to the seat and bending back my skid plate, every few rides...

Paul69camaro · #10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 02:47 AM

Thanks, alot for all the good feedback, I am thinking about going with the big 3 and a seat upgrade,, I already have a 13t so i will try that as well.
Has anyone found a better deal than this one, Kawasaki KFX450 Jardine RT99 Full Exhaust Performance Package
it looks pretty good ,but I'd like some opinions before I move forward, any other options or combo's,, looking forward to your thoughts, thanks.