KX450XC Hitting the dirt on the flagship 450XC , right off idle this bike really wants to get up and go . The mapping changes have relieved some of the initial snap from the bottom end when cracking the throttle open , compared to the 450 MX ’ er ... and I really like that . The pull down low from the 2021 version of the 449cc , fuel-injected , DOHC engine is great at coming out of turns and getting up to speed . Even on the slippery surface of Moto Central . The power to the ground is excellent , so long as you have a good bit of throttle control . Because even the Dunlop AT81 off-road tyres have nothing for a fist full of 450XC . What tops off the engine package for me is not how fast it can go , but how slow it can go without stalling . Lugging around in a taller gear made the bike so much more usable around the trail . I could select third gear and almost go on auto pilot .
Kawasaki chose Showa suspension for the 450 and list it as A-Kit stuff . What A-Kit actually means is unclear , but the forks are spring ( thank goodness ) and come with the DLC coating to help with stiction . Even with one spring rate softer both front and rear , the feedback seemed a little harsher than I would like . The track was rock hard which didn ’ t help , but it felt like the front would hold up a bit and push through the corners . The back end feels more planted but also a little high . Straight line stability is good and for a 450 you can nail the twisty sections with relative ease .
SECOND OPINION - LIAM CALLEY First thought on the 450 was that the extra weight was quite noticeable at a standstill . But out on the track it gave the bike a low centre of gravity , and paired with the suspension feeling nice and plush the bike was a lot of fun being
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