These Mods Made My KFX450R WAY FASTER! (and louder)

These Mods Made My KFX450R WAY FASTER! (and louder)
Parts/Tools in The Video
Obor Tires - amzn.to/3k98tQs
Tusk Scissor Stand - bit.ly/3hsTu3p
39mm Carb - amzn.to/393uQlu
Light Bar - amzn.to/3EdbPLr
Light Bar Mounts - amzn.to/3lm5MeZ
Halo Lights - ebay.us/uVZidd
FCI Intake - ebay.us/Na7tSA
Fuel Petcock Plate - ebay.us/GmrsoM
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Exhaust - rossiereng.com/
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[@MichaelSabo]

I should have explained this in the video, but because I'm receiving so many comments asking why I converted from EFI to carb, here is a brief explanation. In the KFX450R, especially the early models, the fuel injection system was known to have issues with reliability, specifically with starting and off idle throttle response. There are many well tuned EFI systems that run AMAZING but it is not always the case. The carb conversion was something a lot of guys did and achieved better starting, better performance and reliability as well as ease of tuning. If you're interested in reading more into it, here is a forum thread with good info that convinced me to make the swap - www.kfx450hq.com/threads/green-monster-carb-swap-experiences.19363/

[@gabrielperez2937]

My procom ecu and a good valve adjustment seemed to fix my hard start issues. But I could see why you would choose to do a carb conversion. Looked like it ran real good. Awesome build!

[@nicholascaudill6185]

Got a set of ac nerfs that you like that are like new for a 08 kfx450... lmk if your interested in them. Quad sounds nasty.

[@MichaelSabo]

@@nicholascaudill6185 AC makes nice nerfs but I made custom big pegs for these and I love them. Thank you for the offer bro!

[@2089maca]

@@nicholascaudill6185 are they propeg with heal guard?

[@randyswartz7154]

I'm working on putting a carb on my why do you have to use a procom cdi

[@KARIM-db9uz]

I love when he stands with the microphone and reviews his project😂😂

[@ethanhudson938]

Honestly one of your best rebuilds in my opinion. This thing went from a basket bike to a bat out of hell! Love the KFX450r and the content you’ve been putting out, keep it up man.

[@MichaelSabo]

I appreciate that Ethan; thank you 🤘👊

[@davidblum_]

@@MichaelSabo I’d love to see you build the 400 making it a 440 and installing a 40mm fcr doing all the mods to make it faster and race it against the kfx

[@Punny1234]

That KFX450R is pure bad ass and I love how you provide the links to the tools and parts you use in your videos.

[@ononewheel7]

Love the led bars i have a dual row one for night rides and its super bright. Also with it being on the bars when your turning the light follows. Not bad for a kfx mike 🤣🤣

[@CJ-rc4lx]

i hope u know tha whole time i watched this i was so excited over it, i grew up as a huge kawasaki fan, had a lil toy quad since i was 5, not sure what model it was as i’m jus getting back into it, but this made my day

[@MichaelSabo]

Made my day hearing this man; if you ever see me out riding it, stop me and you can take her for a spin 👊

[@CJ-rc4lx]

@@MichaelSabo thank you so much!! means a lot to me :(!

[@Max-ik9qb]

When you port heads you want to smooth out the exhaust side but leave some ruffness to the intake side. You never want to polish intake runners smooth. This is so the gas droplets can bounce off the imperfections and atomize properly before hitting the valves. Especially important for carbed applications. What i was taught by old skool drag racers in my 1/4 mile head porting days.

[@josefrobbins8781]

Damn Mike, your KFX is slowly turning into Josh Creamer's Factory 2009 KFX! All you need is the Fox Floats, Kick starter conversion, and to paint your frame, wheels, and A-arms black. Glad you're continuing on the KFX, it's low key one of my favorite 4 stroke sport quads. They just have so much potential when you uncork them, and I wish more people recognized that.

[@MichaelSabo]

Dude that's a huge compliment; thank you. I think it was Dirt wheels that said the Kawi had the most potential out of all of the 450s once modded. Kicker mod is in the near future!

[@greasemonkeygarage1896]

Shoot you should be in dirt wheels if it’s still around

[@05cateye96]

@@greasemonkeygarage1896 yea dirt wheels is still a thing I have a monthly subscription and get a magazine in the mail every month it’s sick lol

[@venturemonkey]

Good to see some KFX 450'S still out there. Been a long time since I've been on mine. It's moded also. Little Sahara Utah is my home playground. I live in the SxS world now. 😄

[@chadcaudill509]

Idk maybe it's just me but anything with a Steering wheel isn't riding!

[@MichaelSabo]

Can't argue with you there man, SXS are mad fun too

[@Sanguine_Addiction]

This machine was RIDICULOUSLY fun to ride, especially in the dunes. I know most OEMs focused primarily on SXS which squashed sport ATVs, but I really wish Team Green would of kept this machine in their lineup, like Yamaha still has the 700 and YFZ450

[@bbcala9719]

I had FMF full header exhaust n titanium exhaust muffler. Excellent sounding n great on the track and everyday riding. My buddies riding behind me said they could feel my exhaust 10 feet behind me. Love FMF, never failed me. Won many trophies

[@_WatsoBrii94_]

Only sport quad I’ve ever wanted that was four stroke sorry Honda’s lol like you guys to but team green always . She barks 🔥 and looks like she tracks up well in the lower gears high throttle

[@theirishaxe9405]

A fun quad is the Kawasaki kvf 700 twin. Fun rig👍

[@Hubbard_Randall69]

Keep coming back to this video every time I wanna rebuild my KFX.

[@BrewerOffroad]

So sick! This makes me want a KFX 🤣

[@ttatvoffroad2632]

haha

[@MichaelSabo]

I have a rear caliper for you 😊

[@BrewerOffroad]

@@MichaelSabo easter egg? Lol

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

I remember Team Green's KFX's back in the day, they looked sweet. Especially the years where they had the black frames, made the green really pop. Why not stick with fuel injection, though? Just get a Power Commander.

[@MichaelSabo]

I always loved the factory Kawis too; just something about the lime green. From what I read on KFX forums, the carb swap is pretty common especially amongst people who race. I think the EFI system can be improved too but I was convinced from other peoples results; I would have loved to dyno before and after to see actual results.

[@greasemonkeygarage1896]

Some even did it on the ltr 450s too

[@billycheek4220]

the injector was holding them back, when i got to upper 50,s hp it was a issue.

[@gregmorgan8103]

Man that thing came a long way! Looks great and sounds even better!

[@rubenechezabal6397]

Hell yeah brother!!!! Way to pay homage to the old polaris....

[@CountryFreshChameleon]

Definitely diggin this kfx build! Carb swap is awesome for us that have had nothing but trouble with FI

[@careysoutherland8291]

i was a fan of your kfx 450 before but now im in love with it. you are the man, keep up the great vids

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for that Carey 👊

[@Soulvenger69]

Gotta love the looks of the KFX450R!!!

[@aaronbrunelle6604]

I've been waiting for this video that exhaust sounds fricken amazing Mike!

[@Peedarb]

I run a 178 main jet in my 06 YFZ 450 it runs amazing I can probably pop it up to 180 or more

[@johnnysprockets9545]

Very nice.. and at one time you told me you were thinking about selling it awhile back lol

[@MichaelSabo]

Joooohnnnnnnyyyyy. Haha, at this point I don't think I will sell it for a long time

[@4bearsi678]

Best video yet! The kfx450 has been my favorite outta owning or at least riding about every make and model quad you can throw a leg over.. That exhaust is sick! Been wanting one or maybe a Empire… I’ve got a all original Kfx450 that I’ve bought all the parts do do a carb conversion but haven’t pulled the trigger yet! I think this video may make me get it done!

[@shiftinggearsandpassingque1094]

For me being a Honda person that’s a nice KFX450R man!!!!👍👌

[@gabrielperez2937]

Looks sick!! Love my KFX450r too! The aluminum frame is really confidence inspiring in the air.

[@logansf1508]

Mike this video just makes me wanna send you my kfx 700 so you can do a build series on it cuz I don’t have the time anymore. Would be bad when your done with it. Love the videos and can’t wait to see more

[@MichaelSabo]

I appreciate you having the confidence in me for that! I'd love to do a KFX700 at some point

[@travisjesperson500]

funny to hear ya laughing when you get on the throttle like a kid!! been growing thru your videos great attention to detail, these are like movies. nice work

[@lypheEddie]

That is such a killer build man!! You did an amazing job as usual!

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you bro!

[@fiji8686]

I know you posted this video a while ago but I’ve been to the little Sahara so many times and it’s so much fun I went over near years

[@user-lx1zg2qo3c]

Awesome go work can't wait till you go to the dunes 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤟🏼

[@wiggie7420]

Best looking quad in your fleet! Well, the 250R is my favorite but the KFX definitely is the runner up. All your builds are 🔝 notch. Well done Mike!

[@gaucker398]

Awesome transformation! I can definitely relate to the nerves you must've been feeling in that basin. Reminds me of the sketchy test hit spots i used to go to in my drift car 🤣.

[@sambutcher5531]

I’m pretty sure that when you port an engine your supposed to leave the intake ports slightly rough textured so that the fuel atomizes. And just smooth out the exhaust port real smooth

[@s.a.f.r.a6403]

Only on the intake side exhaust can look like mirror

[@MichaelSabo]

That is correct

[@matthewalbone4975]

That rossier exhaust is TRICK

[@skeetlybeet2584]

Nice looking Kawi. Might put that light bar on my Honda 450

[@thebikefiles4654]

I am 14 and my first manual atv i rode was my dads 2005 kfx400 when i was 13 and they are fast i loved it short shift from first to second let her eat and second it would pull the front wheels and ride it out to third it was so much fun and i love the videos man keep up the hard worm

[@resk1130]

She’s a ripper!!! Makes me miss my old kfx.

[@Thewatson77]

Such a sweet quad now man! Love it! You’re really hitting you’re groove with the porting 👌🏼

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Jon 🤘

[@Peedarb]

I put fci on my yfz450 and dang! Best mod ever 10 years late, I should have done that first

[@Z24300hp]

Beautiful bike! I have 09'monster edition. Love the kfx!

[@derekhunton3293]

I’m brand new to your channel. This is the first video I’ve seen. Definitely won’t be the last! So much knowledge and badass parts and a super nice quad! Love it. New sub!

[@joeypooschke7914]

Have fun be safe out there. I’d love for you to tune and port my YFZ450 head one day. I wanna have a MS port job.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you man; this is something I plan to offer in the near future; I want to make sure I have my skills honed before I start offering this to customers

[@royhenson3379]

You have enough light to throw a party in the dunes with that light bar.. Sic AF

[@benzo8364]

Yeah man that bike came out pretty good great job on the lights man

[@chasenorman7827]

Michael always coming through with absolutely awesome builds....love the videos man please keep them coming 🙏👍

[@THEDUKELOVER]

I love how you branded the cylinder awesome

[@NothingTooCrazy]

Thanks for Making KFX450rs Great Again!

[@BobSmith-cb5xr]

They never were great.

[@NothingTooCrazy]

@@BobSmith-cb5xr fuck off Bob. What do you ride?

[@jefferybye2169]

Shes sick dude, another fine build Mike..🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Jeff! 🤘

[@Javy019]

Sick Been waiting 🔥🤘🏼

[@rigocastro8067]

Bike looks good brotha I'm a Honda 450 guy but sounds awsome and that carb swap you can tell made all the difference in the world. Have fun keeping that front wheel down in the sand........ cool video and very educational thanks. Ride safe.....

[@nickolasvaughn667]

Yep Honda and Yamaha I like Yamaha for 2-stroke Honda for four stroke I got the trx 700x also got a 84 cm450 got an 85 ascot vt500 and an 82 silverwing 500 and an 88 goldwing 1500 working on getting a CR125 2 stroke dirt bike that'll be my first time on a Honda two-stroke

[@darrellfolk5284]

Mike you did a Awesome job on this Build it's everything I would want in a Dune Quad!! And I thought going Carb instead of EFI was a smart decision knowing that it could fault... because we know from the past it doesn't make for a good time breaking out in the middle of the Dunes. I love the Quad!!

[@OdysseyOffroad]

Love this machine. I Want to add a 450 to my stable to go with my raptor and renegade but dont want to get a yfz or a honda since they are the most popular. (I like to be different) lol. This kfx is really. A nice machine, id like to try out a canam da 450 also. Great video, i enjoyed the series.

[@Lupis1437]

Hey Mike, nice upgrades! Love the sound and looks of it. So I would recommend a couple things before you head to Little Sahara: 1) install a voltage meter to watch your power. I installed one after I added some lights and it helped me keep an eye on how fast I was sucking power. 2) bring a spare voltage regulator. It's a pretty cheap part like $35 on Amazon. I would have gotten another day of night riding on a trip if I had it. You might be alright now that you eliminated the fuel pump, but the electronics in these bikes can be a show stopper as you know.

[@MichaelSabo]

Great advice man! I ran the battery out just having the lights on for 15 minutes to adjust them lol; the battery is so small on this bike. I'd really like to do the kick start mod for reliability

[@S4NORICE]

Would love to see a ds650 build. A great, mostly forgotten about quad that can found cheap, and can surely make great power. (Found mine road side for 400bucks, got it running half hour later).

[@sniglib1]

Good joob mike im yamaha at heart but u made me ❤ a kawasaki today

[@MichaelSabo]

Haha, I'm happy to hear that

[@trumpfancardanostakepool4737]

What a transformation. This quad was so manky to begin with. That sludge in the engine was a shocker.

[@foreverangelicdemon]

The Ass Dyno skit killed me LMAO

[@jhawk1985]

Looks sick with the paddles 🤤👍

[@forresttaylor6849]

Looks and sounds awesome! Love them kawis! I’ve only been working on dirtbikes and “country” 4wheelers but I see something like this in my future. 🤟😎

[@maddmavic]

I got the same light bars. Works great

[@ericsilverware4561]

You always deliver on the content mike keep it up nice quad my dude!

[@dannydepino3874]

Cool modz she's gonna ripp in the sand lovin it Mike keep the videos coming..

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Danny!

[@royalracingtechroyalracing6128]

Sabo built all day love your energy brother much love from upstate new York southern tier

[@timbrougher5078]

This thing is sick! I'm not really a Kawasaki guy but this ones got my vote!👍

[@ryananderson3856]

Videos just keep getting better! Great job

[@RocksNRuts4]

good job man. nice ride

[@danielpeaire1615]

Your vids are the best , I like seeing how you upgrade them .. and the “Ass Dyno” is priceless 🤣

[@Gladiatorguy1998]

Badass build bro!

[@Elmiki007]

Man i wish you could turn my blaster into the little engine that could

[@MichaelSabo]

You can do it man 🤘

[@perezan2010]

Release the kraken!!!🔥🔥…Good job bro!

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Andy 🤘

[@noahwells3180]

Night rides at Waynoka are awesome!

[@pcostyle11]

Damn that sound really good !

[@HillKillerFranklin]

We have to do a collaboration. Maybe next time you head to the dunes reach out to me!!

[@diegodollaz686]

Yup understand bout the efi probs. I have one with a crf carb with the swivel gas line inlet. If you use the yfz450 carb or any fcr without the swivel gas line inlet on the side it's gonna be on the frame. To me the power is 👌🏿 and starting is 👌🏿. Converted 2 Ltr's to carb also and the one that was dynoed made more power than the efi🤷🏿‍♂️. Carb equals simplicity too

[@csve1mu]

I did wonder how your hands were so jackd but all the pushing explanes it :D

[@asap_nappy]

you might as well have brought a trx if you wanted a carbureted quad it’s a nice build don’t get me wrong but that’s the whole point of fuel injecting and playing with the ecu

[@christianxzowner2958]

When you put the silicone on the plate for the petcock install how that holded

[@specgoos]

You need a taillight too at Little Sahara.

[@MichaelSabo]

It has one; good idea

[@specgoos]

@@MichaelSabo kinda figured it did. But they WILL NOT let you in without one. Lol

[@humpday2267]

The carb swap is cool and all but I’ve never had a faster carb 450 bike compared to a fuel injected 450. I think you might’ve had better success if you got the kfx ecu re mapped. Just a thought.

[@skinnyslide]

carbs are way cheaper and easier to tune

[@MichaelSabo]

I think FI is great but for these early KFX450R from what I gathered, its wasn't a great system and its not all uncommon that people swap to carburetors and get more power and easier starts.

[@noelnarrier2283]

Killa quad bro

[@joeloyd56]

I appreciate the content.

[@sethfricke616]

That thing looks bad ass

[@joeyflores4524]

Aweman mine is a 2008. I would love to mod mine like yours. It's my main atv and hated reading about how the kfx450r never really had top end power or the power band would drop off early.

[@OldGuy70s]

My Friend neXt Door had the 700... I see a Smaller 450 going around here too... Buddy liked that 700 he had though... I dont see too many.......

[@dustinrichards8401]

RP pipes are really sweet

[@h450rpower]

Damn do you work for RP youre so fucking annoying 🤦‍♂️

[@DoubleTap702]

Curious to see what kind of power you gained with your porting

[@nateboy-pd3jt]

Where did them headlights come from trying to find a set of hellos for mine.

[@humpday2267]

Hey mike would you reccomend the m12 rotary tool? I’ve got Milwaukee m12 and m18 stuff but just wondering if you’ve been happy with the tool. Thanks

[@jonnyking6672]

Just saying when you port and polish leave the intake rough for better mixing and polish exhaust

[@DusterMtnEX]

You are correct. This tech used on quads is the same as the old throttle body injection on early 80's cars. You don't read anything about how great that was on performance cars and that is also the reason cars swiftly progressed to better EFI tech. Also, out in the dirt, water and mud, this is not the ideal application. I do have a devil in the details question for you though. Why this particular carb? Why 39mm? Curious what the thought process was on selecting the specific carb linked in the description. I do realize 39mm flat slide will flow more than 42mm butterfly carb. I am just looking for what the thoughts were that went into this decision.

[@ashtonbell4937]

I'm going to little sahara to oct. 1st and 2nd I can't wait to meet you.

[@MichaelSabo]

Looking forward to it man!

[@cranedaddy678]

That turned out nice man.

[@c0munguyforcaz]

cool video Mike! love the mods

[@chazwuest4557]

Great episode Mike! 👏

[@chuckfrisoli1170]

Why do you need to the mass air sensor if you converted to a carb?

[@skinnyslide]

wondering this aswell my guess is the ecu is still using it for timing advance?

[@chuckfrisoli1170]

@@skinnyslide yeah, it must have something to do with ignition. That’s the only thing left.

[@MichaelSabo]

I'm not entirely sure It's necessary to run since I converted to carb but incase it gives feedbackto the ECU I would rather just run it.

[@brennaniannone3224]

100k coming soon mike 🤘🏻

[@johnk7093]

any update on the sand with this one..... love the look, sounds nice.

[@TootCommons]

Would like to see you get into a KFX700!

[@loganfrogs956]

What sprockets are you using??😂