Hi guys,
I've jumped ship! - from an '05 X to a '12 X.
All i can say is WOW! This bikes turns beutifully, i did an 85km ride today and still cant believe how well this thing handles!
All years of X are good but this is awesome!

Cheers Aussie.

Aussie CRFX Rider, on 22 April 2012 - 02:17 AM, said:

Good for you.  What did they change on yours.  Ours are the same we think?

Different trail geometry on the front forks/triple clamps, slightly improved mid-valve tuning on the forks.

does the bike need any mods out of the box like the earlier years? Is the power smooth?  How's the low end?  thanks

I pick up my '12 450x Tuesday morning. I'm not gonna even start it. Its going straight home and the head and suspension will be removed and shipped to AS Racing all in the same day. I hope the bike turns better than my '08 kx450.

n i c k, on 22 April 2012 - 09:07 AM, said:

Nick

I have both the '08KX and the CRF450X.
I put 20mm clamps on the KX and put 22mm clamps on my X ('05). Yours is already similar stock.

The X, while being noticeably heavier, turns better and is much more neutral in corners than the KX.
The X will accept coming into a corner too hot or too slow with little issue. You can back it in at will, and not get in trouble.
The KX requires careful cornering technique, or a nice big berm.
The X also has better power than the KX, as it starts sooner, and goes farther. Well, after an '02 R cam and port work.

The KX is fun, I believe, mostly because of it's weight, good power, and amazing but stiff suspension.
Handling wise it is pretty cumbersom and provides pretty bad feedback.  You have to be so friggin aggressive to get it to respond to input.

My KX is for sale.........

Krannie, on 22 April 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

My kx was ported and I ran a 13:1 piston. The thing was a monster in the power department. I'm hoping to get more out of the X with Pauls stage 3 port and polish and cam work than I was getting out of the kawi. Might even throw in a 13:1 piston as well.

Hi guys,
In reply to your questions
1. I would assume your US model is the same as the Australian except ours is plated!! All road going extras are added in Australia.

2. Steering geometry IS different to the 05, 06 and 07

3. Engine / pipe is the same.

4. Fuel tank is smaller.

5. Bike feels slightly lighter.

The verdict - this bike is extremely flickable and manuverable in tight enduro tracks. It turns in and changes direction with ease, the front tyre just seems to bite in beautifully, I can not believe the handling - its night and day different to the 05. It also seems quite stable at speed, the stock steering damper seems to work well.

Mods - Before even starting I changed/fitted - T4 pipe, 168main, NCVS needle, cut air box, 14 front sprocket, 51 stealth rear, bash guard, radiator guards, bark busters, HD tubes.
Power is the same - massive low and mid, top end good but does sign off a bit - better to short shift.

The bike rocks!
Cheers Aussie.

The 08 got the smaller tank and the fork changes. The 09 got bold new rear fender  and BNG to go with it.  I know the 08/09 feals better turning and also got a steering dampner. I had wondered if the 12 had got more fine tuning.

I don't think there are big changes to the 12. The 450X is a really great bike to start with and I kinda like the idea that there is no big changes as I know exactly what I'm getting. I'm not ready for injection yet, I want to give it a few more years of development. I am also not impressed by engines that sit at funny angles or sprockets in line with swing arm pivots. I also don't want to buy the first of the model again. I like the X because I know what I'm getting and have good access to spare parts.
The X is a very capable bike that does not try and blow you away with technology or bling.

Cheers Aussie.

rode my 12 in stock form about 3 times. very impressed with it. pulls hard. handles like a champ. but that has all changed now. i will post some pics sometime soon with the 2012 crf450r plastics on it.