VOL. 55 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 P101
There are no guarantees in the
450cc class. It's com petitive.
Scratch that, it's cutthroat. Time
and again, manufacturers have
unveiled all-new models covered
in the trickest parts available, only
to be beaten to the finish line by
the existing com petition. Case in
point, the 2019 Kawasaki KX450.
Team Green left no detail of
the KX untouched in its redesign,
starting with an all-new aluminum
perimeter frame and swingarm,
then working its way up. The
DOHC engine was a focus, most
notably receiving im provements
derived from Kawasaki's fac-
tory racing efforts, including a
finger-follower-type valve train
and more aggressive camshaft
profiles.
And finally, the big-bore Ka-
wasaki gets an electric starter,
Kawasaki
KX450
PROS
•Broad powerband
•New (to it) electric starting
•Good suspension performance
CONS
•Soft stock suspension setting
•Dated mapping coupler system
•Fit and finish could be better
in areas
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Actual weight (full fuel):
245 lbs.
MSRP: $9299
leaving the Suzuki as the only
450cc motocrosser without such
technology. Suspension on the
KX is also brand new, highlighted
by 49mm Showa coil-spring
forks with A-kit technology out
front. You can see why the green
team's expectations were high.
Even if the KX doesn't come
away as the 450cc shootout
victor, Kawasaki can take pride in
being called "the most improved
motorcycle from last year" by
several test riders. Part of what
excites testers about the KX450
is the all-around performance of
its redesigned engine. The KX isn't
as torquey as its predecessor, but
2
nd
Place
