Kawasaki’s KX series of motorbikes holds almost legendary status in motocross history. In fact, Kawasaki calls the KX450 “the bike that builds champions.” When the bike came into production, it lived up to its motocross heritage and included a powerful 449 cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder engine.
Since this is one of Kawasaki’s flagship bikes, the company keeps upgrading its features. In fact, 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the KX series, and Kawasaki has an anniversary edition 450 to celebrate — it features some engine upgrades and a redesigned cylinder head, among other changes. While being a flagship, the KX450 is comparable to other major dirt bike brands price-wise, costing around $10,500.
Comfortable riding is important, and Kawasaki knows it. They’ve designed the bike so you can move around easily. The bike’s frame is also made of aluminum, which means it’s light but very sturdy. When it comes to tech, Kawasaki’s Traction Control (KTRC) system and handlebar-selectable power modes allow riders to adapt the bike’s performance to track conditions and preferences. There’s an app for your phone that lets you fine-tune engine maps and access a suite of diagnostic and maintenance tools, but it sits at 1.9 stars on the Play Store and is generally disliked by users.
All that being said, if you’re looking for a hardcore dirt bike, then this bike might not be it. Users report that the stock suspension is too soft at high speeds and that the fork guards aren’t very durable, either.
