KX 450F Lowering Links

[RH67]

I picked up a new 2013 KX 450F at a good price, main reason for the purchase was the price and to give my 2013 KTM 450 Factory Replica a little break. I find the KTM to be one of the best handling bikes that i have ever rode, the KX on the other hand feels sort of for a better word old school, heavy feeling, pushes the front end and wants to stand up in turns, nothing bad but far short of the  KTM. My question, do the lowering links such as the Ride Engineering improve the handling on the 2013`s? or are they even needed on the 2013`s? i do not want to waste money on something that does not improve the bike. I ride desert no track, any suggestions for this bike would be great. Thanks.

[jBernard]

i'd call up Ride engineering and ask them if there is a difference from stock, i figure there is else they wouldnt call them 'lowering' links if they didnt in fact lower the rear of the bike.
i know on my '09 the link is 2mm longer center to center on the bolts. this lowers the rear around 1/4" i think.
i *THINK* i heard that the later years they addressed this to an extent. so the lowering link may not be as dramatic of a change on your '13. Best bet is to call Ride and ask, i'm surprised they told me how much longer their unit was vs stock to be honest.

[RH67]

I will give them a call but i wanted to get a non biased opinion first. I noticed that there is an option link offered from Kawasaki for less than half the price. Lowering the bike a little would be cool but that is not my purpose for the link most of what i have read is that they improve the handling and balance the bike and that is what i`m after, just not sure if this applies to the 2013.

[Podium Werx]

Hi you can put a 4mm spacer in the shock above the valve block , you can do the same on the forks, it's cheaper then buying links, it lowers it by 1"

[RH67]

Hi you can put a 4mm spacer in the shock above the valve block , you can do the same on the forks, it's cheaper then buying links, it lowers it by 1"

Doing this would limit travel. I`m just trying to improve the overall handling the lowering would just be a side benefit. I have read that they improve previous years i was just curious if they help the 2013 years.

[cor300mx]

I know this thread is a little old, but I'll give a ride report as soon as I get out there! I have a 2010 and just bought the OEM 136 link from Chapparral. It's only $80 compared to $200 from Ride Eng or Pro Circuit. You find it in the 2012 OEM list. It will fit my bike.

[cmotodad]

My son and I had KX450,s. Mine a 10. his a 12. The link improves the ratio to help keep the bike up higher in the stroke thus no letting the forks chopper out. It mad a huge difference on my 10 and I really liked it on the 12 too. Just the benefit from the ratio made the bike easier to ride. JMO