I had my local Kawi dealer check the hours on it before I rebuilt the motor. It was an honest 495 running hours on the bike. About halfway through the snow season I was just waiting for it to go, but it never did. I guess I got a good one. They guys at the dealership couldn't believe it when I told them I thought there were over 400 hours on the stock motor.
4 stroke reliability-let's hear what's going on with your bikes
- Thread starter Andrewcoutavas
- Start date
I had my local Kawi dealer check the hours on it before I rebuilt the motor. It was an honest 495 running hours on the bike. About halfway through the snow season I was just waiting for it to go, but it never did. I guess I got a good one. They guys at the dealership couldn't believe it when I told them I thought there were over 400 hours on the stock motor.
From what I hear and have seen on some dyno charts, on 4 strokes with stock cams they make their peak power from 8k-9k. Yes they can be revved up to 11k-12k but they flatten out and in a sense loose power there. I've always been one to ride lower in the rpms and never in the over rev but we all have our different riding styles.
On the dirt I always short shift that bike more so even now that its a 520. I like to keep it in the meaty part of the power band, but on the snow I just seemed to need to rev it out quite a bit more. Its still an awesome bike so its staying on its wheels.
M5
M5
Had my 12' Kawi go down yesterday. $170 for a top end kit and she will be ready to go again. Anyone else had a piston crack?
I've had plenty of pistons crack, but it usually results in piston parts flying all through the motor and destroying everything. I'd say you got lucky there.
Lucky! How did you catch that before it grenaded? Loose compression or start making noise?
Lost enough compression the engine wouldn't fire.
You got super lucky there, that easily could have been a complete motor. Time for the lotto ticket.
M5
M5
I had a wr450 that went down, wrist pin connecting rod bearing went, I guess that year had an oiling problem, no big deal it happens. Put it back together rode it a day and it dropped a valve. Sold it, bought a kx500 2 smoke and never looked at a 4 stroke again. 3rd year on the piston and rings I put in it January of 2012 with the stock nik-sil bore, still has 150+ psi compression, planning on riding it this year too! two smokes are made to be held WFO, so are snowbikes, its like a match made in heaven
I've been in the snow since 2008 on my 08 CRF450R. Around 150 hours I figured I should replace things cause surely it was worn out.
Spent $700ish (can't remember exact $$) on new crank, crank bearings, piston, valves, etc.
Took engine apart and the piston still looked NEW!!! Kept all old parts cause they were fine.
Put all the new parts in and have adjusted the steel valves once since then. I'm at 245 hours right now. Stock clutch, stock clutch plates. Still going strong.
PS - I'm not nice to my motor in the snow... look my up on youtube I'd say since we're not playing in dirt - and dirt causes friction and wears things out - that bikes may actually last longer in the snow???
Spent $700ish (can't remember exact $$) on new crank, crank bearings, piston, valves, etc.
Took engine apart and the piston still looked NEW!!! Kept all old parts cause they were fine.
Put all the new parts in and have adjusted the steel valves once since then. I'm at 245 hours right now. Stock clutch, stock clutch plates. Still going strong.
PS - I'm not nice to my motor in the snow... look my up on youtube I'd say since we're not playing in dirt - and dirt causes friction and wears things out - that bikes may actually last longer in the snow???
He should be arrested for the abuse
