2019 Kawasaki KX 450 Bike Review
Just when we thought the KX450 couldn’t get any better…
Every aspect of the KX450 is new for 2019, including the name: no longer called the KXF, the 2019 Kawasaki KX 450 continues the trend of innovation that sets this flagship machine apart from the rest.
Aesthetics
The 2019 Kawasaki KX 450 looks visually lighter than its predecessor. The distinctive Kawi Green is carried through the thin plastics and sculpted seat, accompanied by white number plates at the front and sides. This design draws more attention to the frame by means of notches in the side fairings. Overall, the bodywork lacks the angles and hard edges of the outgoing model, opting for more progressive transitions throughout the design.
Gone are the silver forks, too. The newest generation Kawasaki KX450 sports light gold Showa fork tubes that add a touch of distinction and class – not that they won’t be covered in dirt almost immediately.
Drivetrain
As the flagship Kawasaki dirt bike, the KX450 has always carried the latest in dirt bike innovations. 2006 saw the introduction of a fifth gear, 2009 brought fuel injection, and in 2012 the KX450 boasted the first Launch Control system ever offered on a stock motocross bike. Now Kawasaki have added a hydraulic clutch, electric start, and beefy 49mm Showa forks to the mix, making the 2019 KX 450 easier to start, shift, ride, and thrash.
The redesigned engine provides more low-end grunt than before, allowing extra freedom in gear selection through straights, corners, and launches alike. This new engine feels more responsive throughout the entire rev range, offering noticeable power gains at high RPMs and a midrange that’s imperceptively punchier than before.
Performance
The 2019 Kawasaki KX450 has familiar gearing and shifting that’s easier on the hand. A revamped transmission backs the all-new hydraulic clutch – an industry first among Japanese flagship dirt bikes. The new engine’s rev-happy nature means riders can utilise third gear in what might otherwise be a second-gear corner, and occasionally the same will be true for first. The reshaped clutch lever is lighter and smaller to the touch, providing a tactile complement to the KX450’s easier shifting.
Handling has improved as well. The 2019 Kawasaki KX 450 now comes with 49mm Showa coil-spring forks, besting the outgoing model’s Showa TAC (Triple Air Chamber) front end across the board. Adjustability is expectedly generous, lending to confident braking, grippier cornering, and more comfortable jumping. A plethora of chassis improvements round out the KX450’s light and eager feel.
All-Improved
The Kawasaki KX 450 was already a venerated motocross machine all around. These new improvements have touched on virtually every aspect of its design and rideability, creating a green machine that’s forgiving to ride, robust in the corners, and dominant on the straights. Though it’s strange to see a KX450 without a kick start lever, we’re sure to grow accustomed to it as this new model begins popping up at motocross events in the coming months.
AS3 Performance is currently working on a wide range of new parts for the 2019 Kawasaki KX 450. In the meantime, check out our parts for the previous KXF 450 models like chain guides, axle blocks, holeshot devices, silicone radiator hoses, and anodized levers.
