Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1178480
P102 2020 450 MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT SHOOTOUT turns without having to worry about stability." Even with its exceptional cor- nering prowess, the KX remains a rear-wheel-steering bike with what feels like a longer wheelbase. This translates into good straight-line sta- bility, as well, striking a great balance with its agile nature. The well-rounded stability comes thanks to the Showa suspension package. The 49mm coil-spring fork with A-Kit technology, includ- ing super-hard titanium coating on the lower fork tubes, is plush and consistent. While our pros needed to do a little stiffening up before they could really push the KX without any diving or bottoming, the stock settings proved to be very adaptable among our test group. (Since no pro PROS •SMOOTH, LINEAR POWER •VERSATILE A-KIT SUSPENSION •EXCELLENT CORNERING ABILIT Y CONS •UNCHANGED FROM 2019 •FIT AND FINISH COULD BE IMPROVED •HANDLEBAR A BIT TALL BY THE NUMBERS ACTUAL WEIGHT (FULL FUEL): 245 LBS. MSRP: $9299 KAWASAKI KX450 rider runs stock suspension, this is a smart choice by Kawi.) Our vet- expert and novice testers were fans of the KX450 suspension, calling it stable and predictable. It all amounts to a very confidence-inspiring mount that beckons you to push harder and ride longer. And with versatility for added points, that's pure magic. So why isn't it in our top-three? It's come down to brass tacks here. While the Kawi is great just about everywhere, we didn't find it the best anywhere. In a four-way dogfight for supremacy, it was held back by a few trivial points. The fit and finish leave a little to be desired. The hydraulic clutch is nice, as is the beefy 270mm front brake. But the levers feel very thin, "like a school pencil" as one tester put it. Also, Kawasaki is the only manufac- turer to still run the 7/8" bar rather than a tapered aluminum handlebar. Speaking of the bar, several testers commented that the Kawi's feels taller than others and that the KX would be a good choice for taller riders. Indeed, our smallest tester, at 5'9", felt the bar was too tall and wasn't as comfortable. Despite our nitpicking, the Ka- wasaki has everything it needs to be a top contender in the category: electric start, a strong motor, a ver- satile platform, outstanding chassis, and A-Kit suspension. It's hard to go wrong with that combination. And here's another fun fact, the KX450 is the only bike of this bunch not to see a price hike in 2020. 4 th Place