2016 KAWASAKI KX450F
FIRST RIDE
P72
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
2016 KAWASAKI KX450F
MSRP: ........................................... $8,799
ENGINE TYPE: ...........449cc liquid-cooled
DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valves
BORE X STROKE: ............. 96.0 x 62.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: .....................12.8:1
FUEL DELIVERY: .. DFI with 43mm Keihin
throttle body
IGNITION: ........................... Digital DC-CDI
TRANSMISSION: ..... 5-speed; multi-plate
wet clutch
FINAL DRIVE: .....................................Chain
FRONT SUSPENSION: ..................... 49mm
Showa SFF-AIR TAC separate function
fork, DLC lower tubes, 12.2-in travel
REAR SUSPENSION: ..... Uni-Trak linkage,
Showa rear shock, 12.4-in. travel
FRONT BRAKE: ............... 270mm Braking
pedal-style disc w/two-piston caliper
REAR BRAKE: ................. 240mm Braking
pedal-style disc w/single-piston caliper
FRONT TIRE: .. 80/100-21 Bridgestone 402
REAR TIRE: ......120/80-19 Bridgestone 404
SEAT HEIGHT: ................................37.8 in.
WHEELBASE: ................................. 58.9 in.
GROUND CLEARANCE: ................... 13.6 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: ..........................1.66 gal.
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: ...........239.6 lbs.
COLOR: ................................... Lime Green
Cornering prowess is
greatly improved.
with it. My first impression is
that it's better on all levels. The
reduction of weight is a big deal.
The '16 is more nimble on every
part of the track, from corners to
jumps and especially in the more
technical sections. The suspen-
sion performed well, too, but,
like I said, we need to get this
bike on a more real-world rough
track. The KX is also noticeably
narrower in the upper half of the
frame and shroud area, which
helps you move around the bike
easier. And power delivery is
probably the best I've ever felt
with the KX450F.
Yes, without question, the
KX450F is a much-improved ma-
chine, and we're looking forward
to see how it stacks up against
the all-new KTM 450 SX-F and
Husqvarna FC 450, and the
already established Yamaha
YZ450F, Suzuki RM-Z450 and
Honda CRF450R in our upcom-
ing 450 MX Shootout. Should
be interesting. CN
