2008 Kawasaki KFX 450 - Help A Fool Upgrade

[jaysun 10]

I only started riding a few months ago. I'm very late to the game and have almost no experience riding, besides growing up on utility quads that I never had to work on and never left the ground with. I also have almost zero mechanical knowledge. But I'm willing to learn and my google-fu is strong. I also have a buddy that's willing to help me out with installation of new gear (even though he's just learning himself).

After nearly two decades from the last time I rode, I decided to pick up a couple quads for the family. I wanted a sport quad for myself, so I got the KFX 450.

I took it on a few trail rides before I got the balls to take it out to the motocross track. Out there, though, I'm finding that stock just isn't enough. Well, it's not completely stock. It has a steering stabilizer on it (whatever that does), and a few other small, non-performance based aftermarket parts. Oh, and I'm also running a 37 tooth rear sprocket. But it just doesn't seem to have enough power to hit the ramps at nearly the speeds that others are hitting them. Especially when I'm coming out of a turn followed shortly by another jump (admittedly, though, I'm sure some of that has to do with me being a bit of a sissy out there. This track is pretty scary. I don't have any small practice tracks near me, so I have no choice but do ride the big boy track).

I guess what I'm looking for is this: The bike has a high top-end speed (like 75). I don't care about top speed. I rarely, if ever, need to break 45. I need a way to get the bike going much faster off the starting line. I'm extremely willing to put in the research and the work, I just need a good starting point from people that are much more experienced than I in these matters.

I have money to spend, but not much at this very moment (I just dropped $1,500 on a new PC). Right now, I could probably drop $200-$300. If need be, I could probably afford $400-$500 a month in parts. I'm not saying I want to do that, but if I needed to save a bit to get parts, it's doable. I'm just trying to let you know my budget.

What I'm looking for are suggestions on parts to get this bike faster off the line. Remember, I don't know anything about engines, so I apologize for the fact that you'll have to talk to me like a child. To be honest, I usually blindly follow knowledgeable forum users in these situations, but I'm very rarely let down. If I can find some suggestions on parts, I can buy them and work out the details later, the same as I do for many other things.

I appreciate any advice you guys are willing to give. Thanks.

[hangingon 11]

I would start with a manual not the owners manual but a manual for working on the quad It will help you and be your best friend somethings you need speciality tools for some jobs. The sprocket may be a good start but also comming out of a turn and into a jump are you down shifting to a lower gear to get that bottom end power you need for the jump. A kfx 450 should have good power. Do you know if it's a stock exhuast pipe. Changing the pipe can help with getting more power, If you have a carb & not fuel injection you will need to rejett the carb along with a pipe change also an air filter change can help by using a performance filter as well. What has been done to the quad that you know of any boltons etc. There is so much that can be done to a quad you need to get an ideal of what you want out of the quad as performance goes. A steering stabilizer on the quad keeps it from jerking the bars out of your hands when the front tires hit tree roots, rocks , bumps & landing off jumps other words be happy you have it it makes for happy hands & arms after a day of riding. It does sound like you have the power you need but just not where you want it I would wait for other replys & ask others at the track what sprocket size they use as well.

[marioweldinginc 10]

At this point I would get used to riding the kfx. Its a fast quad and plenty fast for an mx track. Before you get your go fast goodies get your riding gear in check. Get riding boots not work boots. Get your body armor also especially at an mx track.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

[oxidized_black 78]

i would start with a programmer and muffler ... then maybe a clutch kit

heres a programmer ... JD Jetting Dirt Bike Fuel Control | MotoSport Canada

heres a slip-on muffler ... HMF Dirt Bike 4 Stroke Spark Arrestors | MotoSport Canada

heres a clutch kit ... Driven Industries Dirt Bike Clutch Kits | MotoSport Canada

these are just a random selection. you can shop for better and less expensive

heres a good review of your bike ... 2008 Kawasaki KFX450R Review

[hangingon 11]

Here is my thinking when we buy a used quad we don't know what has been changed. We do know people tend to setup their quad for the style of riding they do. So there could be a chance of a sprocket change or not. I would find out what it came with from the factory and check to see if yours has been changed for more top end performance if it's not been changed I would put in more riding time because the performance should be there and just be a matter of learning to use it like mario & I said riding skill is needed knowing when to shift gears & use the clutch & gears to your advantage. If your riding at a track and your quad seems slow compared to other quads talk to those guy's ask ?'s they may race at that track and have years of experience. If you have more power & torque you still have to know how to ride to use it and to be safe. Your riding skill needs too match the quads performance or be above it is even better. There is nothing wrong with being a wimp at the track but more performance isn't going to help that. It will change in time with riding. When you get to where your riding and using every bit of the quads performance or as your skills start growing then look at taking the quad too the next level it's not all about power you need to think about suspension upgrades as well better handling makes for faster track times. Look at it like this if you put a 800 hp race motor in a stock street car your not going to be able to use the full 800 hp. until you build the rest of the car too handle it. I know you may not want to build a race quad but the ones you say are faster at the track could be far from stock that your comparing yours too!