VOL. 53 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 20, 2016 P151
T
he 2016 Kawasaki KX450F
was a completely rede-
signed model in hopes of
regaining the top spot in the
class, a spot it once held for
many years. While the redesign
was successful, it didn't earn
the KX450F the shootout win
in 2016; that, instead, went to
the YZ450F. The KX450F lost
even more ground in our 2017
shootout and blame goes to the
all-new Honda CRF450R and an
improved Husqvarna FC 450.
Both jumped up in the final rank-
ings, pushing the KX450F back
to its fifth place position.
The KX450F powerplant is
strong and smooth. It is very
responsive and snappy with
good bottom and a very strong
and broad midrange. Depend-
ing on the track and conditions,
many riders preferred to use the
black coupler, mellowing out the
ultra snappy off-idle response. It
doesn't hurt overall output; it just
rolls on a bit smoother, offering
better control through the cor-
ners. Once out of the midrange
the top-end pull isn't as strong
5
th
PLACE
KAWASAKI
KX450F
