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/1540127
P112 QUICKSPIN I 2026 Kawasaki KX450 The suspension is comfort- able but on the softer side for riders looking to push this bike. With the spicy map, we were able to charge harder into jump faces and felt the fork push - ing deep into the stroke. The rear end felt good in terms of comfort and traction with the reccommended 105mm of sag, but we have already stiff - ened the fork by a few clicks. We know from years past that lowering the forks in the clamps and adding oil can aid in overall front-end holdup. At 248 pounds, the Kawasaki is one of the heavier machines in its class: it tied the Honda CRF450R as the heaviest bike in our 2025 450cc shootout. On track, however, the bike feels planted underneath you. It's not as maneuverable as the lighter- weight Triumph TF 450, but the Kawi does feel stable while riding. This grounded or heavier feeling allows the bike to track straight in rough sections and be predictable as you line it up in a rut. The bike has a top-heavy feel when leaned over, especially during flat turns with no rut or berm to bank off. In a rut, though, the extra weight helps keep the bike glued to the ground, and the smooth power actually comes in handy. The Brembo front brake is arguably the best in class, giving the Kawasaki an extra edge over other Japanese manufacturers, as it is normally only available on European models. Plus, the dial adjuster lets the rider fine- tune the feel and throw of the front brake lever. Another point to address regarding the 2026 Kawasakis is the fix that caused their stop- sale recall earlier in the year. A standard quality-control check revealed that the coating on the crankshafts was not to specifi - cation, forcing the manufacturer to replace these parts on the KX450, KX450X and KX450SR models. The precautionary recall has since been resolved, and all 2026 models now fea - ture the updated coatings. With no seemingly significant changes for 2026, a second look reveals several updates from the previous generation. Lock-on grips, tool-less air filter access, and programmable maps all bring the Kawasaki up to par or ahead of the competi - tion (Honda offers three map options but no tunability). With a wider range of adjustments in the new Rideology KX smart - phone app, you can maximize your KX450 even better in 2026. Ryan Nitzen 2026 KAWASAKI KX450 ($10,499) ENGINE 4-stroke, single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled DISPLACEMENT 449cc FUEL INJECTION DFI w/ 44mm Keihin throttle body BORE X STROKE 96.0 x 62.1mm STARTING Electric TRANSMISSION 5-speed CLUTCH Nissin, wet multi-disc manual clutch w/ hydraulic actuation FRONT SUSPENSION 49mm Showa inverted telescopic coil-spring fork REAR SUSPENSION Uni-Trak gas- charged shock w/ piggyback reservoir FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.0 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.1 in. FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 Dunlop MX34 REAR TIRE 120/80-19 Dunlop MX34 FRONT BRAKE 270mm, Brembo REAR BRAKE 240mm GROUND CLEARANCE 13.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT 37.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.64 gal. WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED) 248.2 lbs.