by Bad Billy
Racer X Tested: 2012 Kawasaki KX450F
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 | 2:35 PM
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PrintYesterday we had the privilege of attending the U.S. press introduction of the 2012 KX450F at the legendary RedBud Track ‘N Trail in Buchanan, Michigan. Racer X photographer Andrew Fredrickson and I loaded up the Toyota Tundra, and we invited local privateer Shane Durham along to do the majority of the riding on the new bike. Shane is a local pro who has a pretty extensive background in testing as his father, Chris, owns PR2 Suspension, and Shane currently works full-time for Chad Sanner at Eleven10Mods. And aside from his mechanical knowledge, Shane can also ride pretty well—he’s scored a top five at Loretta Lynn’s in the 450 A class and rode two nationals last year earning national number 83 in the process. Unfortunately like so many other privateers today, he doesn’t have any backing from a particular manufacturer, which allowed him to offer his true, unbiased opinions of the bike.
This is what Villopoto will defend his AMA Supercross championship on in 2012.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F is pretty much all-new from the ground up and it appears that the main goal for this Kawasaki was rider adjustability. From the handlebars to the footpegs to the ignition mapping, you can tweak and tune this machine with relative ease.
One of the coolest features is the “Launch Control Mode” button—the first of its kind on a production MX bike—that is mounted on the handlebars adjacent to the kill switch. You activate the button prior to the gate drop and it alters the ignition timing in both first and second gear to help reduce wheel spin and increase traction off the start. Yesterday Shane did several starts using the Launch Control Mode and found that it works almost like a holeshot device. “I dumped the clutch and was wide open and the bike didn’t wheelie,” he said. However, this is the one feature that Shane said could hinder you. “At a lot of tracks, you could run second-gear all the way to the first turn. So with the power retarded by using this button, that can actually hurt you on a start, because this mode isn’t deactivated until you hit third gear. ” We both agreed that this is something you definitely wouldn’t be sure of until you utilize it in a racing situation.
It didn't take long for Shane to feel completely comfortable on the bike.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The next major change is Kawasaki’s Digital Fuel Injection system, which has the capability to be adjusted from one moto or track to the next. For any of you who race, you all know how much a track can change throughout the course of the day, so the KX450F comes with pre-programmed ignition maps which can be swapped without the use of a computer. All you do is change a small wire coupler located in front of the gas tank—which literally takes seconds—and you’re ready to go. Aside from the standard setting coupler, the 2012 KX450F comes with two extra couplers mapped for both hard and soft conditions. To take it a step farther, you can also purchase a KX FI Calibration Kit for your computer and program your own ignition in between updating your Facebook status.
Adjustability-wise, the new KX offers two footpeg positions to choose from, which is another first of its kind on a production motocross bike. Aside from stock, the other position moves the footpegs five millimeters lower for taller riders. (Too bad they didn’t have this when Larry Ward rode for the team.) The triple clamps also offer the ability to mount your handlebars in four different locations. The suspension got a few minor refinements, but they still offer the Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating on the fork tubes—the only OEM to offer that as standard equipment.
How light and nimble does the new KX450F feel? Well, here Shane drags a footpeg while scrubbing the RedBud finish line tabletop.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
I could ramble on about all the changes and refinements all day long, but what was the bike like on the track?
Former factory Kawasaki rider Jeff Emig was on hand, and he’s been aboard the KX450F since its inception, so I asked him what he thinks is the single, biggest improvement from the 2011 KX450F to 2012. “I’d say the lighter, slimmer feel of the chassis,” Jeff said without hesitation. “I know four millimeters doesn’t sound like much, but they shaved that much off the main frame and it makes a huge difference. This bike turns a lot better than last year’s bike, that’s for sure.”
Emig wasn’t the only rider who raved about the lighter, slimmer feel. I overhead a majority of the editors talking about the improved ergonomics.
Our test rider agreed with the handling, but also came away very impressed with the engine, as did I. In fact, I was able to jump the infamous LaRocco’s Leap a couple times on this bike—not too shabby for a washed-up A rider on a box-stock 450, eh?
Speaking of LaRocco’s Leap, here’s some Kawasaki Flash Trivia. We all heard the story of how LaRocco’s Leap first got its name—Mike LaRocco was the first to clear the massive jump on a Kawasaki KX125—but when? Email the year to [email protected] and we’ll hook one lucky winner up with a Racer X swag pack as well as a Ryan Villopoto die cast collectable toy courtesy of NewRay toys. Good luck!
What impressed our test rider Shane Durham the most? Everything. “I really can’t believe how good this bike is in stock form,” he said. “Within a few laps I was jumping everything on the track. On the third lap I jumped LaRocco’s Leap. I felt super comfortable almost immediately.”
Shane also played around testing all three ignition mapping couplers and found a noticeable difference in each that he feels can really benefit riders of all skill levels. When you get to a track, in practice you may see deep, soft loam but by the end of the day you’re dealing with rough, choppy hard-pack. You may see an instance where you’re using all three couplers in one day.
Suspension-wise, we had to play with the clickers a little bit and drop the forks down, but that’s all it took for Shane to feel fast and comfortable. “The DLC coating helps the forks a lot. That’s a pretty important thing and it’s cool that Kawasaki offers it stock.”
Bad Billy was most impressed by the handling of the new Kawasaki.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
This bike will be available in a couple weeks, so get to your local Kawasaki dealership to reserve yours today. And be sure to check out our Racer X Films from the intro.
2012 Kawasaki KX450F Specifications
- Displacement: 449cc
- Transmission: Five-speed
- Front suspension: 48mm inverted, Kayabe AOS with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment/12.4 in.
- Rear suspension: UNI-TRAK linkage system and Kayaba shock with 50mm piston, 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression dampening, 22-position rebound dampening and full adjustable spring preload/12.4 in.
- Curb weight: 249.1 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 1.64 gal.
- MSRP: $8,399
Did you like this article?
Check out TEAM HONDA AT DAWN
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
The life of a privateer, get poor Shane a new jersey.
http://motocross.transworld.net/1000112358/features/first-ride-2012-kawasaki-kx450f/
why is racer x always a few days behind..site is starting to slip...
this was on last nite on transworld and last week on another site??
Darryn and Shane Durham deserve some factory support, step up team managers and teams..Mitch give Darryn Josh Hansen's outdoor ride, DD is def deserving and Shane Durham should be on that Suzuki City team he has dominated little Malcolm Stewart throughout the amateur ranks !
bike looks sick ,, next month honda's are due cant wait to see them
folife221, dude, how could it have been up on another site last week? It says in the intro the press intro didn't take place until yesterday. A review up the next day aint' too shabby, maybe you should pull TWMX's nuts out of your mouth?
Turbo Dog
here it is you moron.. may 27, 2011 vital mx
http://www.vitalmx.com/videos/member/2012-KX-450F-First-Look-with-Jeff-Emig,3216/bturman,20779
so u can suck on deez nutz
@folife221, Kawasaki did the press introduction and ride day of this bike yesterday. Transworld may have rushed and got their review up last night, but Racer X is not days behind. Maybe you didnt know that the intro was just done yesterday, but cut them a little slack.
And is it just me, or are these bike getting ridiculously expensive? Yeah, the ignition mapping coupler thing and launch control is cool, but couldnt they leave crap like that off too save costs. If they want to sell bikes, try making them a little more affordable to the average folk.
@folife221, that video from vital is a Kawasaki promotional video, that is not from the press introduction that took place yesterday. Take notice to the track that Emig is riding on, you will notice that it is not Red Bud.
Guys, sorry we didn't get this up earlier but we actually left straight from the intro yesterday and headed home b/c it's a really busy week here at the office with High Point coming up on Saturday. I know testing bikes really isn't our shtick, but we try to do the best we could. Shane Durham did an awesome job and busted LaRocco's Leap on only his third lap on the bike. I think you'll guys dig the video of the bike, too. We're posting that this afternoon.
vargus21
thanks for the insight, didnt realize one was presser and other was kawi promo, my bad.
ya agreed over $8g's for a new bike is crazy
And the factories tell the riders the contracts are down and cant sign or pay them what they use to.. but have no problem charging us more and more each yr
vargus21
thanks for the insight, didnt realize one was presser and other was kawi promo, my bad.
ya agreed over $8g's for a new bike is crazy
And the factories tell the riders the contracts are down and cant sign or pay them what they use to.. but have no problem charging us more and more each yr
Racer X had that Emig link up last week too, it was not the same ride intro that took place yesterday, MORON. They are less than a day behind everyone else and seriously how many times can you read the same review on the same product?
bad billy
sounds good .. sry for the oversite on my part
both those durham guys fly .. i dont knw why no one gives them rides - lots of chatter out there bout darryn goin to geico or valli but nothing yet
his brother shane deserves some kind of support to- saw the kid last year @ the last 2 rounds and he did awesome
cant wait for HP
2012 Honda's are going to be BNG (Bold New Graphics).
Kawasaki is the only manufacturer to do major updates. Going to be a lot of these KX450's sold.
@folife221:
I agree on both Durhams flying, but it seems like they just can't catch a break. Shane is racing High Point, so hopefully he can turn some heads there. I'm going to interview him for a Privateer Profile here this week, as well. Hopefully we can drum up some support. It's crazy he didn't even have new gear yet! He says that he's getting some fresh Answer threads for this weekend, though. I used to think if you earned a national number, you were set. Not the case these days, unfortunately.
nothing to add...
2012 kawi hmmmmakeup on a pig.
Practice get fit and dial in your suspension...an 08 CRF 450 is still competitive for christ sake..
the worst thing to happen to MX are these POS...
traction control...its called your right wrist...
hard to get excited , when the thing is * 8 grand , what a shame , Moto. is getting out of hand with thes prices ..Why are they trying to kill the grassroots of this sport ... REVOLT , and dont buy one
Please tell me those aren't 7/8" bars mounted to those nice adjustable bar mounts...
This is definitely a sweet ride. I'm still on an 07 CR250 which I’ll keep till I die. But I have to admit, the 4T is a sweet machine to ride also when I geet the chance. If you can have the best of both worlds and have the extra dough, whey not have both. BTW, I can't afford a new 4T yet lol
I think the new technology is really sweet, but I think it's getting a little over done these days. Yeah, traction control is a sweet idea, but whats wrong with just leaving it up to the racer? Another fifteen years, a race bike will be twenty grand, and it will run off of gps to navigate the terrain the rider points it at, and all the racer will do is steer and hang on. Things are getting crazy.
And another thing.... If weight is increasing with these bikes, and all the technology they have, why in the world haven't they come up with a one cable throttle set up? I can't imagine thats a ton of weight, but two cables just seem really primitive, and cumbersome. Surely that could be something they re- design as an area to shave weight.
the return cable is the lawyer cable. man 8g,i think a new chevy car is 9g around here.yeah its the little turd but still.im trying to figure out why 4 st exhaust cost so much? one good point was made,we decide how much they cost. dont buy them and price drops with demand.always has always will.
i am liking the ability to change numerous aspects of the bike. the footpeg is really nice along with 4 way bar mounts.
Guys, bike looks pretty cool but, do we really need traction control and ignition maps in our dirt bikes?
Isn't the sport about skill, ability and control?
I think the worst thing to ever happen to MX now we have electronic fuel injection is not making illegal ANY switchable ignition related product. Not yet but in the future......
If you think forward a few years the guy who gets the holeshot is the guy who spends the most time and money mapping his "start map" to the nth degree for the soil conditions.
It will be full throttle, drop the clutch and leave on 100% throttle till the corner-
Sorry that is not MX to me. That is formula 1 and motogp (for beter or worse...)
Formula 1 outlawed traction control and it is a very debatable subject in Moto GP nowadays too.
Do we really want to head in that direction?
BAN switchable ignitions, especially start maps before it is too late!!!
Hey, it's a 2008 crf450 with FI!
250 POUNDS?!? Okay, it's a nice bike, handles good, engine rips...but 250 POUNDS?!?
Damn, that's a crying shame. I've ridden a 191 pound two stroke 250, and believe me, every 10 pounds is MAJOR! Unfortunately, a four stroke that weighs 200 pounds would have all the reliability of a Pringles potato chip in a rock crusher.
Riding a 250 pound bike would be like having a 250 pound girlfriend. NOT COOL.
jairtime: Yea man! right on! I am totally feeling the same way about the weight of these modern bikes. The bike companies are making these things super expensive to buy, maintain, and weigh a ton. And us stupid americans are eating the shit up and begging for seconds. It is ridiculous. Could you imagine how good, and emission friendly these machines would be if they put half of this r&d into developement on a 2 smoke? I can only imagine how good a 2 stroke would be if it had fuel injection. If us dumb americans wanted a gnarly heavy bike, they should have just brought the two stroke five hundred back, fly wheel weight it a bit, and put a modern chassis in it. That would be way cheaper to maintain, and would run circles around any fuel injected four fifty. Mx is in a sad state of affairs...
I agree w/ jairtime, 250lbs for a 450 is too much. That's a lot to bench press much less manhandle around a track, talk about hang on and pray........don't bother wondering why everyone gets hurt nowadays......and no, making tracks smoother to lessen the risk is putting the cart before the horse.
A fully loaded Desert sled shouldn't even weigh that much!
Anybody miss two-strokes yet?
As far as electronics go, for me, that's a slippery slope. We have to pay so much, why shouldn't we have the latest technology available? If I have to lug 250lbs. around the track / trail / whatever, I expect every bell & whistle to be on there. I'm still waiting for the electric nut chiller.
If we limit technology on race bikes, doesn't that make us vintage / retro MXers?
If we limit technology on race bikes, doesn't that make us NASCARish which, everybody seems to hate?
If we limit technology on race bikes, does that mean we can have "works" bikes again?
D.I. (direct injection) technology is not far away (technically, not economically), do we limit that as well? The tree huggers want that implemented and don't we all serve them anyways? It's not as important the cost as long as everybody does their part to save the planet at the end of the day and four stokes have certainly done that.........haven't they???????
250lbs and over 8k..hahahah
June of 2010 I picked up a slightly used 2006 kx 250 for $2k. The bike has plently of power and I pass 450's all day at the pala vet track.
Yes I know its only the vet track but my point is that majority of those folks buying bikes are average joes like me. If your not going pro save some money and buy a 2t. You will find that its more rider then bike. Brraaap!
*NOTE: Just did my top end for $250 bucks.
I have built CR250's with FULL Ti and every possible lightweight part possible and they still don't weight anywhere near 191@jair. Was the KAW450 weighed with oil and fuel? I also still really like 250 2 strokes but that 450 will eat one alive. I have been on both and a modified (pipe porting pinched head and race gas at least)2 stroke will make some power but the 4stroke 450 does it easily and with proper valve train care a normal guy (95% won't dead rev the snot out of it) will have no reliability problems. Now a 490 Maico style power (don't say the honda or kaw 500 2 stroke makes that kind of power cause they don't) in a modern frame would be a treat. I think the new bike looks great and probably works really good. As long as it FEELS light riding it ,the only time the weight would bother me is picking it up. They are NOT bringing back 2 strokes ,sorry.
All this talk about price, has anyone looked around at what everything else costs? Not buying isn't going to lower prices one little bit. AT best, we can hope that prices don't rise from one year to the next, but a drop? Keep dreaming. For the past 25 years, prices have gone up a few hundred bucks every year. In 1990, I wondered if it was going to continue like this forever, and here we are 20 years later and $8,500 MX bikes. What kills me is no one wants to buy a YZ 250 (2T) with "5 year old technology" while they complain about the prices. Soon Yamaha will drop the model, not the prices. Reminds me of a caller to a sports talk radio show once who said "we need to sign Alex Rodriguez no matter what it costs......and what is up with these ticket prices, parking, and concession prices......it's out of control!" People will complain when a bike is BNG, and then complain about prices when it is an all new model. I'll take a '96 CR 250 with BNG's please. I'll use skill and fitness to make up that 2.0 seconds a lap the new bikes are worth. In fact, I'd like to see a test back to back of a good rider on a 10 year old bike and a new bike with lap times to see just how big a difference there is. It probably works out to a few thousand $$ per second.
in aus we will pay round 12000 for that. 8300 aint so bad. 8300 might get you a new yz125
tonewall, not to bust your chops or anything but, KTM just (re)invested in their 2012 two stroke lineup so, not only are they NOT not bringing two strokes back, they never went away. Amatuer MX still allows them and curiously enough, is not subject to the whims of corporate structure, they actually do what their customers want. As strange as it sounds......
KTM could build a 350-450cc D.I. two stroke and put it in an XC or Enduro chassis so as to avoid class structure or heavens forbid, in an ATV chassis and sell every one they made and be back ordered.....and the obvious answer to the obvious rebuttal (then why haven't they?) is economy.
Also, Dirt Rider (I think) did an article recently (6 months ish) on a sub-200lb. 250 2 stroke and did not resort to insane weight shaving practices.
Just rode my KX 250 (no "f") yesterday at Oak Hill, 97 degrees, several pros racing high point were there.
They were faster, but I had a blast on my 2 stroke, and at least I felt like I was hauling it!
Will never own a 4 stroke in my life........................I take that back, my lawnmower and tractor are both 4 strokes. lol
@carlsbad ..no offense taken. I would love to see the sub 200 lbs bike and see what they did. i'm talking building FULL ti bikes (axles ,swingaxle Link bolts EVERY nut and bolt including ALL motor nuts and bolts) Mag hubs etc.drilling and lightening every part possible and they aren't that light , Suzuki rm 250 04 207lbs dry. KTMS 2 strokes are very nice (its basically the same thing the've had for a long time )but they are going to go away and the other companys are not going to bring them back..its a bummer but it just a matter of time . don't get me wrong if I had to pick one bike ,it had to run forever with no parts i'd have a 250 2 stroke (probably a yz or ktm300) just from my experience with them and there longevity.
Pro AMA motocross has stacked the deck for 4$ and the bike 4 stopped investing in the 2 stroke. However, many companies still produce and invest in two strokes. Two strokes are raced at the local amateur level and are even used as practice bikes at the Pro AMA privateer level. 2 strokes are heavily raced in enduro racing.
I just want to remind the general public that only watches motocross on tv that 2 strokes never left so put your bud light down and go support your local racing instead and you will see that they are alive and doing vey very well.
Man, almost every one of you dudes needs to quit joining the feeding frenzy on four-stroke hatin! Dude I love both 2 and 4-strokes. I wish so bad that we still had all the same 2-strokes available loaded with all the r and d that the 4-strokes have gotten in the past ten years etc.. But dudes!!! So many of us begged for so long years ago, magazine editors included[hopefully Jody Weisel reads this!!], for the "Big Four" to give us some competitive full-moto 4-strokes! So everyone needs to chill out on being so harsh toward the manufacturers for the balance having shifted toward the 4-strokes being the preferred engine for moto for the time being. Until someone makes a 2-stroke with a power spread as truly thick and useable as the current 4-strokes, we all need to just relax and enjoy what we currently have. But, yeah the traction-control is kinda wack!
its a good bike, but kawasaki makes these things so expensive, and they react like a flying pig. they are the heaviest bike i have ever been on. I have an 04 cr250 and it weighs 212 pounds the thing is like a Russian gymnast it turns and whips so quick. Kawasaki maked a good bike, but the beast needs to go on a diet.
i love the usability of the 4 strokes though. they are like trucks. you can do anything with them. i just wish big bikes were light again.
check the specs on a kx 500...not that much weight difference, nothing a good bm after rotten ronnies might take care of
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php?topic=4816.0