KAWASAKI'S 2019 KX450F
GOES ELECTRIC
Just making it into this issue is news
of Kawasaki's 2019 KX450F. Unveiled
at Fieldays, the new Kawi gets some
big updates for this coming season
– something that both you and us have
been waiting for. After last year's cosmetic
updates, this is a heavily revised machine.
First and foremost, the almost all-new
machine finally gets electric start, and the
kickstart and shaft have been removed,
presumably to offset the weight of the
new starter motor.
This model gets a new engine with a
larger inlet and exhaust valves, finger-
follower valve train, more aggressive
cams and a larger 44mm throttle body,
giving 3.4hp more at the top-end. There's
a slight reduction in mid-range, so it'll be
a more revvy motor with a bit less punch
in the mid – which might make it easier
to ride off the corners. The clutch is now
a hydraulic unit, which should give better
feel and a lighter action. New fuel-injection
couplers now facilitate adjustments to the
fuel-injection while the engine is running,
something that wasn't possible before.
The chassis has seen big updates with
a new frame and swing arm to give a
different handling feel/rigidity balance.
And bucking the current air suspension
trend, Kawasaki has swapped out the
Showa 49mm SFF-Air TAC forks in favour
of a set of Showa’s A-KIT coil spring forks,
as well as a different linkage ratio for the
rear shock.
There are improvements to the braking
with the front and rear brakes both
getting some love. At the rear the disc is
bigger, now 250mm, and the brake master
cylinder has been changed. The front brake
gets a new cylinder too.
There are a heap of little changes including
lighter and wider footpegs, redesigned
bodywork, a flatter and lower fuel tank,
slimmer single-piece radiator shrouds,
smoother engine covers and more. The
new bike is now 110kg fully fuelled, some
3kg lighter.
KIWI RIDER 17