VOL. 55 ISSUE 24 JUNE 19, 2018 P55
K
awasaki revealed its truly all-new
KX450F motocross for 2019.
The bike features many notable
changes. First of all, it gets electric start-
ing, powered by a "lightweight" lithium-ion
battery, and it now has a hydraulically
actuated clutch instead of cable.
Kawasaki says that the engine, which
now has a finger-follower valve train
design developed by its WorldSBK road
race engineers, is lighter and more
powerful, and it rides in a new and
slimmer frame. Other engine changes
include new aggressive cam profiles,
larger intake and exhaust valves, a lighter
bridged-box bottom piston, a thinner
air-cleaner element, new downdraft-
style intake routing, a longer exhaust
header pipe, larger 44mm throttle body,
lighter drum and shift fork, new big-end
connecting rod plain bearings and a
more compact fuel pump.
There's big news in the suspension
department, as well. The previous air
fork has been replaced by a new Showa
coil spring for with A-Kit technology.
The shock rides on new linkage with a
revised ratio. A new aluminum perimeter
frame uses the engine as a stressed
member for "rigidity balance."
Both brakes have been beefed up and
the footpegs are now wider.
Bodywork is all-new. The radiator
shrouds are now a single piece unit
as well as slimmer, and the fuel tank is
flatter and lower.
Kawasaki's claimed dry-weight
figure is 232.4 pounds.
Availability is now with a
$9299 MSRP.
Click here for more
information. CN
