2021 KAWASAKI KX250X & KX450X
R I D E R E V I E W
P112
(Top right) For
protection, you'll find
a skid plate, an engine
guard and a rear disc
brake guard on the
KX-Xs, but, what, no
handguards!? (Left)
The Xs also get the
same suspension
components as
their KX motocross
counterparts but
tuned slightly softer
and more compliant
for off-road riding.
between, have been left alone com-
pared to the Xs' motocross counterparts.
The Xs even come with the exact three
black (Soft), green (Standard) and white
(Hard) engine-mapping couplers as the
motocrossers, but the Xs come from the
factory with the least aggressive black
couplers installed; the KX motocrossers,
the Standard green couplers.
The Xs also borrow Kawasaki's Launch
Control Mode system from the KXs.
Like the KX motocrossers, the 250X
is fitted with the same KYB suspen-
sion components as the KX250, and
the 450X the same Showa suspension
components as the KX450, but both
are re-tuned for off-roading. Both forks
(48mm for the 250X and 49mm for the
450X) use coil springs but are rated
slightly softer than the motocross KX
springs. The 450X's fork, which features
Showa's A-Kit Technology, comes with
a 4.8N/mm spring, and the shock a 52
N/mm spring; both fork and shock have
updated valving. The shock still rides on
the same linkage as the motocrosser.
The 250X's KYB fork uses a softer
4.7N/mm spring but the same shock
spring as the KX250 motocrosser. Damp-
ing front and rear have been re-tuned.
The shock also rides on the same linkage
as the KX250.
Both Xs are fitted
with 18-inch rear
wheels and handy
side stands.
