2019 KAWASAKI KX450
FIRST TEST
P108
predictable, especially if you have the good
fortune of hitting a rut. In a rut, the 2019
Kawasaki KX450 is at home. Simply get
it in there and use the throttle to slingshot
through the corner. The bike flies through
ruts with confidence and had us searching
for more every lap. It was equally stable on
flat-track turns or off-cambers. It's a very
planted, cornering machine so far.
We did chase the front end a bit on cor-
ner exit under power and while flip-flopping
through some chicane-style turns on both
tracks. Since it felt incredibly stable at
speed and everywhere else, we opted to
drop the fork in the triple clamp a few mm.
It was an improvement. We also opened up
the riding position by moving the footpeg
brackets down one position. The KX has
some nice ergonomic options and this
change also made it more comfortable for
6'-plus Derek and 5'10" Jesse.
Speaking of ergonomics, the new seat-
to-tank transition is really clean and makes
So far we're
impressed with the
new KX450. Now it is
time to live with it for
a while and see what
we learn. We will have
more on the new KX
in a future issue.
