It’s all the time thrilling when a brand new era mannequin comes out. In fact, all of us marvel the way it will evaluate to the earlier era and the way it will compete with the remainder of the category. This 12 months, Kawasaki went all in on redesigning the KX450 platform, giving it a brand new motor and chassis design. We additionally see upgraded electronics and new parts within the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 combine. I’ve clocked over 10 hours of trip time and examined the KX450 on varied tracks in lots of sorts of grime, so let’s discuss what I found.
- Kawasaki lastly makes a motocross bike that desires to show. Historically, the KX fashions provided a secure, upright dealing with fashion, making it more durable to regulate within the turns. I’ve all the time had a love/hate relationship with the KX chassis. I beloved the high-speed stability, however all the time struggled within the turns. I’m blissful to report that the all-new 2024 Kawasaki KX450 chassis is totally redesigned to supply extra aggressive turn-in whereas sustaining high-speed stability.
- The brand new chassis design differs drastically from earlier KX fashions, because the entrance finish is now very nimble. Though I just like the change, it does include some sacrifice. Whereas the brand new chassis maintains high-speed stability, there might be noticeably extra head shake in tough circumstances, and it virtually desires to oversteer within the corners. As a result of newly nimble dealing with and easy-to-turn entrance finish of the brand new KX450, the rider must make using fashion changes.
- I’ve some options to enhance the front-end habits. I set my sag at 102mm and lowered the fork top from the manufacturing facility place by 1mm. Initially, I set the KX450’s sag at 105mm, however that was an excessive amount of for me, because the rear finish felt heavy and sluggish. Setting the sag at 102mm labored completely. I additionally stiffened the fork compression by a couple of clicks to forestall the entrance finish from dipping an excessive amount of within the corners. Collectively, these modifications added extra front-end stability, particularly in tough circumstances. Whereas your settings might differ, you get the thought—all of it is dependent upon your weight, top, pace, and monitor circumstances. These minor changes had been made trackside, and I encourage riders to check new settings. Even minor changes could make an enormous distinction in dealing with, and the fitting ones can dramatically improve rideability.
- The consolation and rideability can be because of the new Showa suspension system. The massive-diameter internal tubes are the identical measurement as discovered on the Monster Power Kawasaki manufacturing facility racing workforce, enabling using massive 25mm damping pistons to ship clean motion and agency damping. The brand new fork’s inner valving, adjusters, and oil ranges had been fine-tuned to supply optimized settings for the 2024 KX450. The free piston was shortened to extend responsiveness, and a brand new O-ring materials reduces friction by a claimed 80 p.c. Much less friction superior fork motion.
- The Showa shock needed to be redesigned to accommodate the downdraft consumption system. The brand new Showa shock is 32mm shorter than final 12 months whereas sustaining the identical stroke. Additionally, the shock reservoir is moved to the left facet of the motorbike. Though the reservoir is hidden behind the rear left-side plastic, it could simply be accessed with a instrument for adjusting high-speed and low-speed compression damping.
- Shifting on to the facility bundle, the brand new KX450 motor is a subject for debate. I’m positive there will probably be lovers and haters on this new motor bundle. Why? As a result of the facility supply is so clean and linear that it deceivingly feels sluggish. Nonetheless, I guarantee you it isn’t sluggish. It’s a 450, and there’s nothing sluggish a few 450. Sure, the 2024 KX450’s output above 7k or so is down a couple of horses in comparison with many of the competitors. Whereas Consultants and Execs would possibly be capable to inform the distinction between 56 and 53 horsepower when the motor is spun up over 9k, the remainder of us normally aren’t working the engine in that rpm vary.
- I can trip the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 very like a 250. The facility is so linear and controllable that I might be aggressive on the throttle and by no means really feel intimidated or uncontrolled. I can maintain the throttle extensive open on the 2024 KX450 as I exit the corners like I might on a 250, but really feel in whole management. That’s due in equal components to the sleek energy output and the secure chassis.
- Kawasaki has developed a brand new smartphone app referred to as Rideology The App for personalised tuning. A brand new communication unit mounted on the left rear body rail allows riders to wirelessly join the app to the KX450. Utility options embrace FI Calibration, Engine Monitoring, Upkeep Log, and Setup Log. Utilizing the app’s six-by-six grid interface, gas quantity and ignition timing of the bike’s two authentic maps might be fine-tuned to swimsuit the circumstances and rider preferences.
- Engine monitoring is a cool Rideology characteristic. Whereas the engine is working and the app is related to the bike, the engine rpm, throttle place, engine consumption strain, coolant temperature, air temperature, and ignition offset might be seen in real-time. For these do-it-yourselfers, Rideology features a upkeep log the place memo-style upkeep logs might be recorded to maintain monitor of your upkeep intervals.
- In fact, with all the flamboyant electronics, Kawasaki introduces a map choice swap mounted on the left facet of the handlebars. Say goodbye to the snap-in couplers to vary maps. The rider can simply choose between two maps by urgent the map swap. When you see a blue gentle, you’re working the mellow map; if no gentle is displaying, the KX450 is utilizing the usual map. Whenever you fine-tune the unique maps inside Rideology, map 1 (gentle off) will all the time be the extra aggressive map, whereas map 2 (blue gentle on) will all the time be the mellower setting.
- I experimented with each the maps and traction management. The usual map with traction management off is a wonderful setting for the sleek monitor and ideal grime situation days. The mellow map works when the motocross monitor is tough and beat up. Glen Helen Raceway will get extraordinarily dry and sandy within the afternoon when the solar has baked the grime. It could actually additionally get hard-packed beneath the unfastened sand, inflicting a number of wheel spin. The traction management works fantastically in these circumstances—particularly on the uphills. I haven’t had the possibility to trip the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 in slick, muddy circumstances; ought to that occur, I guarantee you I will probably be on Map 2 (mellow) with traction management on.
- The Brembo entrance brake system and the Nissin rear brake system pair properly. Though I wish to see an identical brake set only for feng shui functions, the brakes felt fairly good. The Brembo brake lever requires extra pull to discover a good stopping really feel, one thing I’ve all the time discovered true with Kawasaki entrance brakes. The entrance brake feels mushy on the preliminary pull of the lever, and it’s a must to pull laborious to get good stopping energy. The rear Nissin braking system has good really feel and extra preliminary stopping energy.
- The 2024 Kawasaki KX450’s all-new bodywork is practical and trendy. It’s Purposeful as a result of Kawasaki eradicated a number of hook factors all through the bodywork by including floor space and smoothing transitions. The shrouds are exceptionally slender and easily transition from again to entrance. Additionally, should you study the plastics intently, you’ll uncover that the perimeters are beveled to get rid of any possibilities of snagging your using gear. The added floor space can be nice for added grip on the motorbike. Extra grip between your legs means extra total management. I additionally say trendy as a result of it simply appears good! The general clean and even bodywork simply appears sharp, and who doesn’t like a nice-looking motorbike?
- So what class do I fall into, Lover or Hater? Okay, hate is a robust phrase. I don’t assume anybody can hate on a KX450, and I’m a lover. Kawasaki R&D determined to place out a 450 that appeals to all rider ranges, with a concentrate on the typical rider. The brand new KX450 is a really controllable 450. It has loads of energy and easily delivered low-rpm torque. Energy develops linearly by the midrange, and retains pulling strongly by the overrev. Mix that energy supply with a secure chassis and plush suspension, and you’ve got a recipe for a cushty trip. So, should you’re a rider in search of the enjoyable issue and total controllability, the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 platform is the bike for you.
Motion images by Don Williams
Static images by Will Embree/SMX Footage
RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Arai VX-Pro4 Resolute Yellow
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake
Pants + jersey: Just1 J-Flex 2.0
Gloves: Just1 J-Flex 2.0
Chest protector: Alpinestars Bionic Motion V2
Compression shorts: Ethika
Knee braces: Alpinestars Bionic-10 Carbon
Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10
2024 Kawasaki KX450 Specs
ENGINE
- Sort: Single-cylinder four-stroke
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
- Beginning: Electrical
- Fueling: EFI w/ 44mm Keihin throttle physique w/ twin injectors
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Hydraulically actuated moist multidisc w/ coned-disc spring
- Remaining drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Aluminum perimeter
- Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar
- Entrance suspension; journey: Compression- and rebound-damping adjustable Showa 49mm inverted fork; 12.0 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Linkage-assisted totally adjustable Showa piggyback reservoir shock; 12.1 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Geomax MX34
- Entrance tire: 80/100 x 21
- Rear tire: 120/90 x 19
- Entrance brake: 270mm Braking disc w/ Brembo caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm Sunstar disc w/ Nissin caliper
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.3 inches
- Rake: 26.6 levels
- Path: 4.5 inches
- Seat top: 37.8 inches
- Floor clearance: 13.6 inches
- Gas Capability: 1.64 gallons
- Moist weight: 248 kilos
- Shade: Lime Inexperienced
2024 Kawasaki KX450 Worth: $10,499 MSRP
2024 Kawasaki KX450 Prolonged Check Photograph Gallery
