The long-Anticipated 2024 Kawasaki KX450
There aren’t a lot of new 450 motocrossers for 2024, that is until now!! With only a few upgrades since 2019, except for a new clutch and piston coatings, after five years, Kawasaki has pulled the trigger with an All-New KX450. Rumors of this bike have been floating around for a few years and images of test mules and full MXGP race machines have been popping up all over the Internet for almost a year. Well, it’s here, real and production based.
The 2024 is more than a revision, this steed is new. From first glance it seems to have taken notes from some other manufacturers with its new downdraft intake system, center port exhaust with higher split cradle frame, no-tool air filter access (thanks Jody for beating that dead horse), traction control, and a phone app that allows you to adjust fuel injection and ignition timing via mobile phone.
All of these mods are very-much appreciated, and some say overdue for Team Green. Despite the fact the KX is a five-year-old design, it’s never really held the bike back and it still topped several shootouts in 2023. We still think the current KX450 is right there with the field.
So did Kawasaki try to build a better bike or a completely different machine? It’s going to take until the fall of 2023 to find out. One true fact, the economy has caught up with the KX450 as well, the 2024 has a suggested list price of $10,399.
Bullet Points:
• NEW Engine tuning
• NEW Cylinder head
• NEW Straight exhaust port and center exhaust
• NEW Smartphone connectivity
• NEW Handlebar-mounted traction control switch
• NEW Brembo brake system
• NEW Lightweight aluminium perimeter frame
• NEW ODI Lock-On grips
• NEW Easy-to-remove side cover
• NEW Slim ergonomic bodywork
• NEW KTRC and riding modes
Kawasaki released a press release with most of the details but not all of the details such as weight, information on suspension, and even what brand suspension, yet the Kawasaki website does mention the are indeed 49mm Showa. None of the changes at first glance surprised us, or did they? Brembo brakes—could this be the first Japanese production motocross bike to come with Brembo brakes?
First off, the chassis looks new but Kawasaki claims to have improved but not totally changed what has worked so well for so long. New split cradle down tube, new lower shock tower mount to allow for the over-the-top downdraft intake, and new subframe mounts. Also notice the shock reservoir is now located on the opposite side. Also notice the engine mounts have four mounting holes, we anticipate the two lower mounts are for the 2025 KX250.
The engine cases appear to be the same as the current model and there is no information regarding any changes. Yet the top-end is all new. The head design, intake system, and center-port exhaust. These are all items other manufacturers have had pretty solid success with and we bet the KX will benefit from this as well. Kawasaki claims. “…power is improved across all areas at any throttle position or engine rpm.”
It is nice to see totally new electronics on the KX including traction control settings and multiple maps. Kawasaki says, “Riders will be able to choose their level of KTRC assistance (strong, weak, or off), adjust between power modes (normal or mild response), and activate launch control at the push of a button.” The smartphone app will now allow Kawasaki to keep up with the Joneses.
Suspension,Showa 49mm setup. Note, photos indicate they no longer come with black DLC coatings, just chrome now, cost savings? The shock is obviously all new but no specs have been given. The shock has a lower mounting position, and we believe it’s a shorter shock with a new linkage curve to match the shaft length. The mounting position also appears lower on the frame and lower on the bike to make up for the upper shock tower mounting position.
It’s going to be amazing to get the feel of a Brembo front brake on the new KX chassis with new ergonomics and plastic. Other cool niceties include ODI Lock-On grips, another possible new addition to the Japanese playbook.
In addition, Kawasaki also updated the KX450X for 2024. This off-road race bike is much like the moto machine yet with an off-road flare. Off-road suspension settings, 18-inch rear wheel, shorter gear ratios and a host of off-road tuning.
The 2024 Kawasaki KX450 is a very anticipated machine and we will all be waiting with bated breath to get a chance to ride this new 450.
On paper this has the potential to be an amazing racer considering the competition has very few changes going into 2024. Imagine a KX450 that is 10%-20% improved.
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