Kawasaki’s 2024 KX450 motocrosser has hit the market with new and improved ergonomics, electronics, performance and handling. We head to CityMX and check it out... Pics: DT/KMA

I recently attended the launch of the new Kawasaki KX450, which has gained a lot of updates for 2024. I’d been eagerly awaiting the launch, given that it was held at CityMX Ride Park, a a place where I happen to be one of the main people who prepares the track for public ride days!

Empire Kawasaki Racing Team and KMA hosted the 2024 KX450 press launch at CityMX, Melbourne.

My day started out nice and early, heading over to get the track in top shape before the day kicked off. One of the main advantages of testing out Kawasaki’s new weapon at CityMX is that I was able to prepare the track to suit the conditions and I knew that I would thoroughly enjoy the KX there, and hopefully so would everyone else. We definitely put the KX450 through its paces on a great day.

After completing the track prep, I joined Kawasaki and for the first time, got to lay eyes on the 2024 KX450 press bikes all lined up in front of the Kawasaki Empire Motorsports team truck. Once there we had an introduction to the Empire Motorsports Team, followed by a technical presentation and run through of all of the features and new additions to the 2024 KX450. After the presentation the time came to chuck some gear on and throw a leg over Kawasaki’s new big bore weapon! But more on that in a moment. First, let’s look at the upgrades…

Styling, ergonomics, engine performance, chassis tune, suspension upgrades and electronic updates feature.

Read our review of the Kawasaki KX250 here and the previous model KX450 here…

Straight away it is clear to see that Kawasaki have left no stone unturned with the KX450. Starting with the redesigned bodywork, this offers a smoother rider interface. The newly designed shrouds, side covers and rear fender now being firmer and eliminating hook points, allowing for easier and smoother rider movement.

The newly designed shrouds, side covers and rear fender now being firmer and eliminating hook points.

Then comes the redesigned lightweight aluminium perimeter frame. The redesigned frame accommodates the updates to the engine’s intake and exhaust system, while delivering a high level of nimble handling and composed character according to Kawasaki. Kawasaki have also changed the main ergonomics of the frame by moving the motor forward, giving the KX450 increased corner performance in a wider range of conditions.

There is also an extra option that Kawasaki offers on the 2024 KX450 to swap out the engine mounts, which you can see on the side of the frame under the petrol tank. This is to change the handling and overall feel from either rigid/firm or to allow more flex/feel depending on the rider preferences. You can purchase the different mounts through Kawasaki. A fantastic idea…

The new KX450 also comes equipped with factory-style 49mm inverted coil-spring front forks and New UniTrak rear suspension, which provide a race-ready performance with adjustability, to let riders fine-tune their settings to suit the conditions presented. Kawasaki have also revised the braking components, with a 270mm drilled petal Braking/Sunstar front disc paired with a Brembo caliper and master-cylinder up front, and a 240mm drilled petal Braking/Sunstar rear disc paired with a Nissin caliper and master-cylinder.

With the 2024 KX450, Kawasaki has finally addressed the only area to ever really let them down, that being their grips. Now coming with grey medium-compound ODI lock-on grips offering excellent grip feel. With the screw type fastening system the ODI grips offer a very easy swap out option.

The 2024 Kawasaki KX450 comes powered by a heavily revised fuel injected 449cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder motor. The new 20º steeper downdraft intake layout and symmetrically aligned intake and exhaust are tuned to give the motor a strong overrun and smooth low rpm torque.

The redesigned intake offers a straighter route for the air/fuel mix to enter the cylinder, while a centrally positioned exhaust port lines up with the intake for high flow efficiency, both of which contribute to increased performance say Kwaka.

Heavily revised 449cc DOHC engine with rev ceiling of 11,700rpm.

The KX450’s valve train was designed in collaboration with Kawasaki’s World Superbike engineers. Finger-follower valve actuation enables the use of large-diameter valves and aggressive cam profiles, allowing a high rpm ceiling of 11,700rpm. Complementing the aggressive cams, intake and exhaust valves with high lift flow a high volume of air contribute to high-rpm power.

A change to ø38 mm intake valves helps optimise the power feel of the new engine. The intake cam is 7mm higher, while the new valves are Titanium, and the piston ring is now thicker. The engine is just 3º from upright, for better weight distribution, while the cylinder is 8º offset for reduced friction. The new conrod is 5mm longer, and the cylinder 5mm taller, while the big-end bearing is larger.

The 450 is equipped with a new Power Mode selection button. Riders can select between Normal (full power) and Mild response to suit conditions or preferences. Mild response is perfect for riders still familiarising themselves with brutal the 450 power. Any of the maps can be fine-tuned using Kawasaki’s ‘RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX’ via smartphone connectivity. Next to the Power Mode button the KX450 also comes with KTRC traction control. With the option to easily select from two levels (Weak and Strong) of traction control to suit conditions and preference.

Then there is the launch control. With a simple and easy to activate Launch Control Mode. It is easy to get in gear and get ahead of your competition. Launch Control Mode uses dedicated KTRC, ignition and fuel maps to provide optimal control to maximise tyre grip, providing the support to help riders get strong race starts. All of the maps set to each mode can be adjusted using ‘RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX’. Riders are able to access and adjust their bikes’ engine maps with the options to adjust fuel and ignition timing to make the power curve suit the desired feel.

Check out the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 50th Anniversary Edition below, details here…

The Ride
Seeing all the KX450’s lined up, the only thought going through my head is, ‘Which one am I riding?’ After the presentation, it’s time to throw my riding gear on and jump on the 2024 KX450. Before we get moving, I set up the controls to suit how I ride to my preferences. Straight away, one of the first things I notice sitting on the bike is that the KX450 has a very comfortable and slimline riding position.

“The mid-range to high rpm part of the powerband feels amazing and endless, making any obstacle easy to tackle.”

“With the motor pushed forward in the frame, the KX450 handles extremely well”…

Hitting the starter button and hearing the roar of the KX450 with the new exhaust system, it sounds amazing. As soon as I get moving I’m amazed at the torque delivery, given that the bike felt very smooth and tame off the line. I feel that the KX450 is on the Mild power map, only to find out that it is how the KX450 has been tuned.

After speaking to the Kawasaki team, I find out that this can be adjusted using the smartphone connectivity app to give a much sharper torque delivery. Even though off the line in the bottom-end the KX450 feels a little sluggish to an ex racer, the mid-range to high rpm part of the powerband feels amazing and endless, making any obstacle easy to tackle, it’s got lots of top-end go for sure.

“The factory-style suspension offers a smooth and comfortable ride that makes negotiating the track seem effortless to me as I cut laps.”

The hydraulic clutch action is smooth in take-up and light enough, with good feel, while the five-speed gearbox shifts well with no missed gears and nice close ratios, with overall gearing a good compromise for a variety of tracks and riding conditions. Overall throttle feel is smooth and there is a good connection to the rear tyre to gain optimum traction and acceleration.

“With the frame being slimmer and giving a comfy rider triangle, the KX is good ergonomically, and easy to maneuver.”

Once riding around and in the groove it was clear to where Kawasaki had made the changes to the frame. With the motor pushed forward in the frame, the KX450 handles extremely well, whether it be on a tight loamy corner or a wide open sweeping corner. With the new frame being slimmer and giving a comfy rider triangle, the KX450 is very good ergonomically, and easy to maneuver.

“Whether I want to set the suspension up to make large jumps feel like nothing, or change the handling to suit the track conditions in some way, the KX450 suspension responds accordingly.”

“Throughout the day I try a couple of different settings, all of which are very easy to dial in and made big impacts on the feel of the bike.”

The factory-style suspension offers a smooth and comfortable ride that makes negotiating the track seem effortless to me as I cut laps. Throughout the day I try a couple of different settings, all of which are very easy to dial in and made big impacts on the feel of the bike, indicating quality suspension. Whether I want to set the suspension up to make large jumps feel like nothing, or change the handling to suit the track conditions in some way, the KX450 suspension responds accordingly.

“The stopping power is more than adequate, whether I wanted to slow down nice and early for a corner or go in as fast as I dare and brake late to keep as much momentum into the corner as possible.”

With the brakes came a very important reminder, to bed brake pads in before going hard on the track! I am lucky enough to catch myself before entering the track, as I notice they felt a little slippy. But after putting 10-15 minutes into bedding in the brake pads, the full potential of the brakes comes out. With the 270mm disc and Brembo front caliper paired with the rear 240mm disc and Nissin caliper rear brake, the stopping power is more than adequate, whether I wanted to slow down nice and early for a corner or go in as fast as I dare and brake late to keep as much momentum into the corner as possible.

Throughout the day I put the different Ride Modes to the test. My favourite by far is the Full Power Mode, because as an experienced rider I feel the Mild Mode is just that little bit too tame. I prefer the Full Power Mode as I know the power is there when I need it, such as on exiting a corner and using the power to get the drive. To me this is where the power of a 450 is second to none.

“My favourite by far is the Full Power Mode, because as an experienced rider I feel the Mild Mode is just a bit too tame”.

As well as changing the Map Modes I try the KTRC traction control and Kawsaki Launch Control. Traction control I feel would be very useful in really muddy and wet conditions, although as we don’t have these conditions on the day, I feel that they don’t do too much due to the smooth torque delivery of the motor. Then there is the launch control, now that is fun! Lining up on a straight run makes me feel like I am back at the races and waiting for the gates to drop. The launch control helps assist in keeping the KX450 in a straight line with minimal wheelspin to get me down the straight as quickly as possible.

“The 2024 KX450 offers amazing handling, stopping power, and rider comfort, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran”…

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed ripping it up at CityMX on the 2024 KX450, and I know you will too. With a very smooth torque delivery that even a first time 450 rider would enjoy, to its mid-to-high rpm power making it easy to tackle any large jumps or fast straights you might encounter on a motocross track, it does it all easily and smoothly.

And with the new forward-riding ergonomics of the redesigned frame, paired with the factory-style suspension and powerful Brembo front and Nissin rear brakes, the 2024 KX450 offers amazing handling, stopping power, and rider comfort, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran. For those more into Cross Country, there is also the KX450X with an 18in rear wheel and different suspension tuning, as well as a sidestand, which you can check out here.

2024 Kawasaki KX450 Specifications

kawasaki.com.au/en-au

Price: $13,352 std, $13,602 50th Anniversary, ex Sydney (Click here and enter your postcode for R/A Price). There is a current $1000 Cash Back Deal on until May 31 2024.
Warranty: N/A
Colours: Lime Green or 50th Anniversary
Claimed Power: N/A
Claimed Torque: N/A
Wet Weight: 108.1kg (no fuel) 112.6kg (with fuel)
Fuel capacity: 6.2L
Fuel Consumption Claimed: N/A
Fuel Consumption (measured): N/A

Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, 96 x 62.1mm bore x stroke, 449cc, 12.5:1 compression, semi-dry sump, 44mm throttle-body EFI, 12-hole fine atomising injector, electric start, DC-CDI ignition, five-speed gearbox, hydraulic clutch actuation, 13/50 final gearing.

Chassis: Frame: Perimeter Aluminium
Rake: 26.6 degrees Trail: 115mm Steering Angle: 42º/42º
Suspension: 49mm inverted fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping, 305mm travel (f) New Uni Trak with adjustable dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable spring preload, 307mm travel (r).
Brakes: Semi-floating 270mm Braking petal disc, two-piston Brembo caliper, Brembo master-cylinder (f), 240mm Braking petal disc, single piston Nissin caliper (r),
Wheels & Tyres: 21in/19in alloy, 80/100 – 21in Dunlop MX33F (f), 120/80 – 19in Dunlop MX34 (r).

Dimensions:
Seat height: 960mm
Ground clearance: 345mm
Overall width: 820mm
Overall Length: 2180mm
Overall height: 1270mm
Wheelbase: 1480mm

Instruments & Electronics: N/A instruments, Launch Control, KTRC Traction Control, Ride Modes

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