Just picked up my new kxf. Havent had a kawasaki since about 2000 and never had a 450 before.

First ride yesterday, and against other bikes today. I was riding against friends who are also Intermediated riders, normally we would be about even speed wise when I was on my ktm 250F an them on yz 250 2 strokes. Today it was almost like cheating. The kxf just turns and grips under power like nothing i've ridden before!

Anyway. I've about 3 hours on it now and ran it in according to the manual.
1hr break in period. first 20mins up to 1/2 throttle, allow cool completely. Ride for 40 mins up to 3/4 throttle. Drop oil and filter, replace and bob's ur uncle.

However even after this and a good hour today if its left idle for a few secs and then given a quick rev, its pumping out a bit of smoke as if its burning oil!
Can't tell yet if its actually using any.

Any one else have a kxf thats smokey?

Yep,you screwed up your top end.I did the same thing on my bike,babying it on break in.Bike burned oil and puffed blue smoke when revved.Put a wiseco in it dry,hard break in with mineral oil and no blue smoke.

I would tear the topend apart and put new rings on it and do the break in the proper way,I had heavy carbon buildup at only 3h on the hourmeter.

hi robin we have just aded a kxf 250 08 to the garage collection,only about 1 hrs use and it does exactly the same,usually after break in time this should stop?its good to hear your pleased with the kawi 450, i know the 250 kawi doesant come close to my 07 250 sxs ktm,and ive just sold my 07 ktm 450 and was thinking about the kawi 450,but if the 250 is anything to go by ill have to go back to the orange bikes?did you deal with norman watt or ccm,

I dealt with Norman. Nice guy.
In regard to what mcl said. Within the first 45 mins of riding the bike got a few short wide open runs in 3rd an 4th gear. I've heard the pros an cons to a hard break in and i'd agree with a hard break in.
Did the exact same with my KTM and it was perfect for 100 hours of riding!

my 250 smoked right from the first time i started it,it wasnt exactly babyed in break in,and its still smokey when first started, but it does stop after about 1 min,seems to be only when cold,i would think this a valve stem oil seal thing which should sort itself out after a few hrs use,robin have you tried an 08 ktm 450??was just wondering how they would compare.

Shine a light done the spark plug hole and see if there is excess carbon build up on the piston.

check the plug and let us know what it looks like as well.

I just picked my 08 up Friday and mine smoked at the dealership and after I rode it this weekend.. It does appear to go away after its warmed up..

My 07 450 when started cold and let idle while putting my gloves on will puff a little white smoke when I first wack the throttle. After wacking the throttle once it is gone and has never used oil. My spark plug has always looked good and no excessing carbon buildup in the cylinder. I now have 42 hrs on the bike.

Muggie I haven't ridden any other 08 bikes yet I'm afraid.
Would have been tempted by the KTM 450 this year but to be honest I just didnt have the extra 1000 to buy one so I didn't even try to get a spin on it in case I really wanted it!!

I couldnt see any smoke coming out of it on the track when it was hot an someone else was having a spin on it. Maybe its a fueling thing when its cold causing because it doesnt seem to be using any oil.

Over all though it feels so plush in the suspension dept. compared to the KTM, it really is smooth!

(robinwatson)

Robin,

The first day out on my '08 it smoked and coughed and carried on during the first ride. I went back to the truck and drained the float bowl. When I did, I discovered black residue inside. After draining the carb, I turned the fuel on and let it run for about 15 seconds before puting the plug back in the bottom of the carb. After that no more smoke and it ran fine.

If it continues to smoke get the bore honed and reasemble running it in with mineral oil for at least an hour. Not a big problem really. You may have put synthetic oil in it from new thinking that would be best

I've been racing and riding for years, I take it easy for the first hour, and buy take it easy I mean short shift, ride it hard just don't bounce it off the rev limiter. after that I ride'em like I stole it. Never have had a hick-up, I also dump oil and filter every other ride.

After about 6 hours riding it appears to be ok.
A tiny bit of smoke when cold or if left to idle for a long time an then revved.
Its so little that i can't notice the oil level changing due to the amount being burnt.
What a bike though, it really is good!

hey guys just joined TT today. I bought a 08 kx450f 2 weeks ago and im having a horrible time with shifting, hitting neutral or a false neutral between 2 and 3 any one else get that with the 08? once or twice in a day i could live with ied even blam it on me but 20 plus times come on ive only rode the thing 2 times. if you guys have any help i would greatly appreciate it!

upshift or down shift?

I missed a couple of up shifts. I lowered the lever one spline and my shifts are perfect. The shift throw is a little long and the higher lever position made it hard complete.

down shifts, thats why i can tell some things up. Pretty hard to mess up a down shift about 2 dozen times in 1 day. checked that detent bolt and it was fine now i dont know what to look for.

If your top end is screwed, make the dealer fix it. you should have a 1 month warranty with the bike from the factory. But I think it will go away. I've had tons of new bikes and they all seem to do that when they are new. Ride as hard as you possible can for a day and see if it quits.