2016 KAWASAKI KX450F
FIRST RIDE
P68
Basically everything about the
KX450F is new, including the
aluminum frame. After experi-
menting with nearly 40 differ-
ent frame designs, Kawasaki
finally settled on one that is a
pound lighter, has revised rigidity
points, a new forged (rather than
extruded) head tube and is 6mm
narrower at the upper half of the
frame spars. Both the swingarm
and rear suspension linkages
are new, too.
As for the engine, you name it;
it's been changed, most of them
with the intentions of reducing
weight, while at least maintain-
ing reliability.
Kawasaki was so excited to
show off its latest creation that
it didn't want to do it just any-
where, so it chose High Point
Raceway in Mount Morris,
Pennsylvania, to let the moto
press loose on the all-new KX for
the first time. Here are my initial
thoughts:
>>CHASSIS
The second you sit on the bike
for the first time, you immediately
notice how much slimmer the
bike feels between your legs, es-
pecially around the upper half of
the frame rails, right about where
your knees make contact with
the spars, compared to the '15
KX. Combine that with a flatter
and slimmer seat, a lower more-
centralized 1.66-gallon fuel tank,
The KX's aluminum frame is
narrower and lighter.
The '16 KX450F
is truly and all-
new machine.
The big news
is that's it's 7.5
pounds lighter
than the previous
model.
