Kawi KX450F as a Dual Sport?

Bedlam~Do you plan on plating this bike as well then. And will you be riding at night I ask because I'm not sure what you state requires to plate it and my other thought was well you do much night riding that would help determine what kind of lights you want to run. Also you my want to re-gear it for as you said highway speeds my bike has stock gears tops out at 80 be holding it at say 65 for a long time it sounds like she's going to blow !

Check out the link you'll need to sign up go to the dual sport guys the can share with you their set ups.


district37ama.org

https://thumpertalk.com/

About 25 percent single track NW trails, 25 percent desert UTV tracks, 25 percent fire/lumber roads, 25 percent street (up to one hour of highway speeds) and once or twice a year open sand. The 650 and larger adventure bikes feel a little porky for the riding I like and the 350-500cc feels about right.

I've plated an 04 CRF 450 R it cost me about $300 bucks. I don't hit the pavement much with it but if I want to hit a dirt road I'm legal to do so and a great once and awhile I cuz it to the beach to check out the waves. What kind of riding do you plan on doing with it.

https://www.motosport.com/trail-tech-high-output-lighting-stator-system

I can get it street plated with a conversion, but it looks like a $500 kit due to stator swap as posted. It sounds like this bike will not have enough trail manners to make to conversion worth it. I have ridden the 80’s XT250 and XL250 bikes and like their low speed handling but want a little more top end. I figured I might get my first bike that is EFI so it handles sea level and mountains better which is why this 450 caught my eye.

Bedlam wrote:
I have a chance to pick up a 2013 KX 450F so I am wondering if a light kit is supported and how this would handle as a dual sport?

Any input on this bike?

Look at Baja Designs to see about the light kit. It might need a stator rewind to power the lights. IMHO, it is useable but not best choice, 5 speed trans, it is a track bike so it won't be suited for low speed trails, or high speed roads. Does you state allow conversions of an off road only bike to get a plate, many don't?

It doesn't have enough stator to run halogens. It has enough output to power a Rigid Dually pod on the front, bit that's about it. A friend had a fuel injected kx450. I rode it in the mountains, it sucked; out of its element. Stiff suspension, tired of kicking it.

As for the bike itself, it will be just like any other 450. Maintenance is the hard part. You will get more life out of it trail riding, but it won't live as long as a bike with a more mild tune. We took a crf450r to Moab, what a handful, and that was on Kane Creek Trail. Unless you are riding a lot of sand and climbing a lot of hills, I'd hunt for something else.

I'm old school... I ride an XR650L. Maintenance is stupid easy, it does better in the tight stuff than my XR400 did. Electric start is the greatest thing ever. My riding buddy and I both used to do motocross and desert races a good amount, we are in our early 30s now, he got a DR650 last year and we are having an absolute blast on the old technology. We can outride the bikes in the desert; wishing for more power and better suspension tuning, but having more fun just exploring.

What type of riding do you plan on doing?