TMW - 9-19-2008 at 04:53 PM
Little by little the dirt bikes are becoming fuel injected. Here is a Cycle News report on the Kawasaki KX450.
MOTOCROSS - First Impression: 2009 Kawasaki KX450F
By Jean Turner
Photo By Mark Kariya (Photo © Cycle News, Inc. 2008)
Refinement 9/18/2008
We recently got to take Kawasaki's new KX450F for a spin. Read on for our first impression.
Just yesterday we got our first chance to ride the all-new 2009 Kawasaki KX450F. Kawasaki invited media and riders out to Blountville, Tennessee to
Muddy Creek Raceway to sample the fuel-injected all-over refined open-class four-stroke.
Kawasaki didn't set out to re-invent the wheel with the '09 KX450F - just refine it. And that's a good thing since we didn't think our '08 450cc
shootout winner needed much changing. But the changes they made are definitely positive ones. We left Tennessee thinking that we're in for an
interesting shootout this year.
We had our first look at the 2009 green machines earlier this summer, but the activities in Tennessee started with a more detailed look at the KX450F.
Along with the refinements come a lot of additional features, such as the bountiful data logging capabilities you get with the fuel-injection package.
With super-sharp throttle response, the KX450F delivers big power but a smooth delivery keeps it easy to use.
Kawasaki will have an available FI calibration tool with software programming that lets you alter the ignition to seven different maps, even creating
your own custom map. You can log data on multiple channels tracking engine rpm, throttle angle, gear position, air temperature and manifold pressure,
just to name a few.
While we didn't get to play with these features just yet, Kawasaki has definitely piqued our interest in the calibration tool, which we will most
definitely fiddle with and report on as soon as we can get our hands on one.
What we can tell you about is our first impression of the all-new KX450F. With refinements everywhere from engine and frame to suspension and styling,
the big KX is all-over different, but not radically. Still, it gives a distinct feel from the '08.
While the '09 KX450F is definitely a beefcake, it's surprisingly easy to ride.
The fuel-injection system is batteryless, courtesy of a larger diameter generator. In one kick, the ECU, fuel pump and injector get a charge of
electricity (in that order) and lights up the 450. One thing Kawasaki emphasized was the easy starting - which we can attest to. Especially when it's
hot, the KX450F started consistently on the first kick.
The fuel pump sits inside the tank and is surrounded by a rubber boot that keeps the pump primed, feeding into a fuel injector straight off the '07
Ninja ZX-10R. Another thing Kawasaki emphasized is the razor-sharp throttle response. And that is definitely the "wow" factor of this bike!
The throttle response is ultra-crisp and strong, but not in a scary way. Along with the sharp response is a much more linear power delivery. There's
no big arm-yanking hit anywhere, just smooth, big power that gets to the ground.
The suspension package remains KYB. With new valving on the AOS fork and a beefier shock with a 50mm piston makes it a little more aggressive than its
predecessor (we found ourselves softening it up all day). But we were very happy with the progressive action of the suspension especially on the big
hits.
The all-over refined 2009 Kawasaki KX450F retails for $7549 and is also available in a Monster Energy Edition for $200 more.
On the chassis side of things, Kawasaki always knew they had the straight-line stability thing nailed. This year's frame revision was focused on
making the KX easier to get turned over. That resulted in a thinner, lighter frame with weight centered lower. They struck a very good balance because
the resulting KX450F still has great straight-line stability, but is easier to maneuver as well as move around on.
New styling is also a big part of the new Kawi and yes, we're fans. Also available from Kawi will be an all-black Monster Kawasaki edition complete
with green hubs. The MSRP for the '09 KX450F will be $7549 while the Monster Energy Edition will go for a few bills more at $7749.
There's lots more to talk about with the new KX450F. Look for our full test feature in the pages of Cycle News.
BajaWarrior - 9-19-2008 at 05:24 PM
Pretty interesting about the starting method. This bike sounds fast!