2019 Kawasaki KX450 First Look | 10 Fast Facts

June 12, 2018

2019 Kawasaki KX450 First Look Preview, Specs, Photos

The Kawasaki KX450 is a dominate player across the Supercross and Motocross Championships.

Eli Tomac claimed the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross title aboard the KX450 in 2017, and has won the opening three rounds of 2018 MX.

For 2019, the Kawasaki KX450 (formerly the KX450F) gets many updates that up the performance levels of this already well-to-do motocrosser.

Following are the fast facts about what’s new for the 2019 Kawasaki KX450.

1. Designed with input from riders like Tomac, the 2019 KX450 gets a more powerful 449cc engine with the following new enhancements:

Finger-follower valve train designed by Kawasaki’s World Superbike engineers
Aggressive cam profiles
Larger intake and exhaust valves
Higher Rev Limiter
Lightweight bridged-box piston
Thinner air cleaner element
Downdraft-style intake routing
Longer exhaust header pipe
Larger 44 mm throttle body
Plain bearings for the connecting rod big-end
Compact fuel pump

2. The KX450 is the first Kawasaki motocross bike to arrive with electric start – something the other manufacturers have been offering for years. The KX450 arrives with a lightweight compact Lithium-ion battery.

3. Also something new for a Kawasaki MX bike is a hydraulic clutch. Kawasaki says the new KX450’s clutch will have a “more direct feel and easier pull for lighter lever action.”

4. Due to new Digital Fuel Injection couplers, riders can now adjust engine mapping while the engine is running – something not available on the 2018 model.

5. The five-speed transmission was also updated, and now features a new change drum and shift fork that further reduces weight.

6. Speaking of weight, the 2019 Kawasaki KX450 weights 232.4 pounds dry – nearly eight pounds lighter than the 2018 model. Kawasaki totally overhauled the KX450’s suspension, which is highlighted by the all-new 49mm Showa Coil Spring Fork with A-KIT Technology.

7. Besides a new engine, Kawasaki also updated the chassis and suspension with the following:

Slimmer aluminum perimeter frame
Engine used as a stressed member for rigidity balance
Swingarm with revised rigidity to match the main frame
Showa 49 mm coil spring fork with A-KIT technology
Revised linkage ratios
Rear shock layout and Uni-Trak rear suspension

8. Performance also got stronger in the braking department, the 2019 Kawasaki KX450 updated with:

New front brake master cylinder
Larger 250 mm rear disc
New rear brake master cylinder and hose
Larger-diameter 22 mm front axle

9. Other updates include:

Lighter and wider footpegs
Redesigned bodywork
Flatter and lower fuel tank
Slimmer single-piece radiator shrouds
Smoother engine covers.

10. These changes arrive with an increase in price from $8,849 to $9,299. From first look, it appears the changes are definitely worth the extra $450. We’ll be able to tell you more after our first ride on the all-new 2019 Kawasaki KX450; stay clicked to Ultimate Motorcycling for additional info. For now, here’s a 2018 Kawasaki KX450F review.

2019 Kawasaki KX450 Specs

Engine

Type: Single-cylinder four-stroke
Displacement: 449cc
Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
EFI w/ 44mm Keihin throttle body
Ignition: Digital CDI with electric start
Transmission: 5-speed, return shift
Final drive: Chain

Chassis

Frame: Aluminum perimeter
Front suspension; travel: 49mm inverted coil-spring telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping; 12.0 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable shock; 12.1 inches
Front tire: 80/100-21
Rear tire: 120/80-19
Front brake: Semi-floating 270mm Braking petal disc w/ dual-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 250mm Braking petal disc w/ single-piston caliper

Dimensions & Capacities