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/1512191
QUICKSPIN I 2024 KAWASAKI KX450 P82 The rider cockpit is on point and comfort- able from the get-go. It still has a square-edge seat, and the footpegs feel larger than some OEM offerings. The Renthal Fatbar has a nice, neutral bend and gels well with the overall rider triangle. Pair that with the new ODI grips, and the Kawi feels right at home from the get-go. My only complaint is the mismatched clutch and front brake levers. I got used to it, but it reminded me of the days when you'd slap on an old random lever from the toolbox so as not to forfeit your day at the track. The KX450 feels agile despite gaining approxi - mately five pounds (I am told). The bike seems shorter than the previous generation, which aids in its nimble character yet doesn't seem to take away from the higher-speed stability. The front end allows the rider to point and shoot at different lines on the track, while the rear end feels planted and glued to the ground. Side-to-side motion also required minimal effort when shifting weight or leaning the bike over in a turn. The new Brembo front brake is the icing on the cake in the handling department. Its pro - gressive power and precise feel are a positive update for the Kawi. Suspension seemed as sweet as ever, but Glen Helen's soft and wet track conditions on this day weren't ideal for putting the fork and shock to the test. As a result, all I can say is, so far, so good. The KX450's suspension had the day off, but we will put it to work soon and will let you know. From what I can tell so far, though, overall, the new KX450 is a solid platform. A smooth engine inside a stable chassis is every rider's dream, especially a vet rider's, and the new KX450 delivers. Kawasaki engineers addressed several issues from last year's bike, like grips, levers (well, at least 50%), and electronics, and made the bike even more rideable with the new en- gine. Other features like the easy-access airbox and phone app make it even easier to live with. If you're looking for one of the smoothest and most controllable engines in the 450 class, you should keep your eyes on the 2024 KX450. CN 2024 KAWASAKI KX450 ($10,499) ENGINE TYPE: 4-stroke, single VALVETRAIN: DOHC, 4-valve COOLING SYSTEM: Water-cooled, DISPLACEMENT: 449.9 cc BORE X STROKE: 96.0 x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.5:1 STARTING SYSTEM: Electric FUELING: DFI with 44mm Keihin throttle body TRANSMISSION: 5-speed, w/ hydraulic Nissin clutch FRAME: Aluminum perimeter HANDLEBAR: Renthal Fatbar FRONT SUSPENSION: Showa 49mm inverted telescopic coil-spring fork REAR SUSPENSION: Uni-Trak gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 12 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 12.1 in. FRONT WHEEL: 21 in. REAR WHEEL: 19 in. FRONT BRAKE: 270mm, Brembo Caliper REAR BRAKE: 240mm, Nissin caliper RAKE/TRAIL: 26.6°/4.5 in SEAT HEIGHT: 37.8 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: 13.6 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 1.64 gal. WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED): 248.2 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S