2019 KAWASAKI KX450
FIRST TEST
P102
KXs are easy to love if you fell in
love with them once before. This
comfortable feel is great, but it
can also make a Kawasaki feel
dated or old-fashioned if you're
not riding one consistently.
The 2019 Kawasaki KX450 retains just enough
of the old-school charm, but infuses large doses
of new-school updates. Gone are the air-sprung
forks in favor of new, initially impressive A-Kit-
technology coil-spring forks. Kawasaki shoppers
can also feel good about electric starting, much
larger and more powerful brakes and a new hy-
draulic clutch. These aren't coincidental updates
in our view. These are directly pointed at, and
possibly a response to, KTM and Husqvarna's
original equipment offerings. Customers are
now expecting bikes to come equipped as such.
Kawasaki is finally on board.
While updates on paper are one thing, updates
on a track are another.
We enlisted pro-caliber tester Derek Kelley to give
the bike a thorough shakedown alongside the likes
of Jeremy McGrath and Axell Hodges on Pala's main
track. For the mortal outlook, I rode the bike on the
Vet track after a couple laps of not being awesome
on the main track. It's important to know your place.
(Above) Looks
can be deceiving.
This is a changed
motorcycle.
(Right) New
bodywork
makes body
repositioning a
little easier.
