BIKES: 2013 Kawasaki KX450F First Ride

New Models

BIKES: 2013 Kawasaki KX450F First Ride

MotoUSA put the 2013 Kawasaki KX450F to the test at Zaca Station Motocross track. Find out what we thought about it in our first ride review.

MotorcycleUSA.com Staff | http://www.motorcycle-usa.com | Posted January 10, 2013 Eugene, OR

We tested the 2013 Kawasaki KX450F at one of our favorite tracks, Zaca Station Motocross track. (Photo: MotorcycleUSA.com)

After revealing an all-new KX450F for 2012, Kawasaki returned for 2013 with significant updates to its 450 motocross mount. Along with some minor chassis and brake updates, the biggest change for the new year is the KYB Pneumatic Spring Fork (PSF) the functionality of which is further explained in our 2013 Kawasaki KX450F First Look. MotoUSA was invited to Buellton, California to get a taste of the new machine at one of our favorite tracks, Zaca Station.

At first glance, the biggest noticeable cosmetic change to the bike is the all-new styling of the front number plate and fender, as well as the white back fender. The new styling lines deliver a factory race team look. Also new in the cosmetic department are updates to the engine appearance. The clutch and generator cover color has switched from black to silver for 2013 to reduce visual impact of wear due to rubbing of the boots when braking and shifting. At the end of two days of non-stop riding and a quick wash of the bike, the engine covers still looked brand new.

Along with its styling changes the 449cc liquid-cooled Single benefits from performance updates in 2013. Last year we found the 450 engine to be hard hitting with extremely aggressive power output, which made the bike hard to ride at times. This year, new ECU settings make the power delivery smoother from low to high rpm. Tuning settings, including a new piston and intake cams, do a good job leveling out the power but still offer the large amounts of horsepower we’ve grown accustomed to aboard the Kawasaki. Three different mapping couplers are offered again this year including the standard unit, a hard terrain coupler, and a soft terrain coupler which can be switched out in a matter of seconds depending on track conditions and terrain.

“Last year’s bike hit really hard and was almost difficult to ride at times,” explains Pro-level test rider Scott Simon. “The changes that Kawasaki made to the bike this year were definitely for the better. Now you can ride the thing, grab a handful of throttle anywhere you’d like and the bike isn’t trying to jump out from underneath you anymore, such a huge improvement.”

Although it may not seem major with only a new fork and revised swingarm, the KX450F’s handling updates are immediately noticeable and made an extreme difference. In just one lap we instantly found the added rigidity, due to the additional bracing to the swingarm, greatly enriched the KX handling. When entering corners and ruts the bike felt more planted and stable as it flexed less and tracked better than the previous year’s model. Overall the change provides more feedback to the rider in terms of confidence and feel on the bike.

For the rest of this article including specs and more photos visit MotorcycleUSA.com

Watch the Kawasaki KX450F in action at the Monster Energy Supercross race LIVE on SPEED from Phoenix this Saturday t 9:30p ET