SHOOTOUT
P60
2014 450-CLASS MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
COUNTDOWN
1ST PLACE
KAWASAKI KX450F
W
hat can we say? The 2014
Kawasaki KX450F is the
best of the best for the
third year running. Our testers
felt that the Kawasaki still has
the number-one motor, chassis
and suspension in its class. The
Yamaha is close to the Kawasaki
in the suspension department,
as is the KTM and Suzuki in the
motor department, but the Kawasaki inspired more confidence
overall, especially on the rough
tracks, than any other bike. The
bumps just seem to disappear
when you're on the Kawasaki,
and the motor works in harmony
with the chassis. Throw in things
like adjustable footpegs, four-way
adjustable handlebars, Launch
Control Mode, easy-to-change
mapping couplers and a chassis
that you can actually grip with your
legs, and you have a shootout
winner. What didn't we like about
the KX? There were a few things,
like the short grips, scratchable
black rims, ratty sounding muffler
and chain sliders that wear out
in seemingly minutes. But none
of these shortcomings can take
away from what is a marvelous
package that couldn't be beat for
another year.
