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2013 Kawasaki KFX450R
– 2013 Kawasaki KFX450R Review
2013 Kawasaki KFX450R
Track-ready Sport ATV Dominates On the Trail
Whether you’re competing for a trophy or just bragging rights with your buddies, the KFX®450R is the sport ATV to put you on top. Its nimble chassis and long A-arm front suspension are complemented by a powerful engine with digital fuel injection (DFI®) and a compact electric starter, for precise throttle response and easy starting.
Featuring a rigid and lightweight aluminum chassis, and a potent powerplant based on the championship winning KX™450F motocrosser, the KFX450R ATV is race ready. A highly responsive 32-bit digital fuel injection system automatically compensates for temperature and altitude. DFI translates the KFX’s four-stroke power into incredible thrust, with great torque in the low- and medium-rpm ranges.
The fast and reliable KFX450R also includes a lightweight reverse gear system integrated with its five-speed manual transmission. The KFX450R’s reverse gear allows riders to quickly and easily extricate themselves from first turn chaos, trail bottlenecks or any other on-track incident, using the normal shift lever, plus a convenient handlebar mounted lock-out lever.
Built to handle tough trail conditions and win races, the KFX450R’s lightweight all-aluminum frame has both incredible stiffness and significant strength. The high-tech chassis also provides a low center of gravity to minimize weight transfer during cornering, for higher corner speeds and race-level handling.
The front suspension design utilizes long lower A-arms mounted to a single box-section lower frame tube, paired with dual-rate front springs for excellent rough-terrain handling. In the rear, an adjustable shock with low- and high-speed compression and rebound damping adjustability is mated to a cast aluminum swingarm that offers the ideal balance of flexibility and rigidity. Regardless of track surfaces or conditions, this race-oriented chassis makes the KFX450R a potent weapon.
The KFX450R is easy to work on, so owners can spend more time in the dirt than in the garage. The two-piece front and rear “lapped” fenders make it easier to customize the size of the fenders or quickly replace damaged sections. Even the headlight assembly is quickly detachable for closed-course races – this ATV looks just as aggressive with or without headlights. These features leave little doubt that the KFX450R was designed to be on the track and winning races as quickly as possible.
Owners can customize their KFX450R using a full line of Genuine Kawasaki Accessories from their local authorized Kawasaki dealer.
Want to go racing? Then take the short cut to the circuit with the KFX450R. Extensive modifications are unnecessary to get this
ATV race-ready because Kawasaki has already done the job for you. Out of the crate, the KFX450R comes equipped with the race winning performance to make your entry into racing easier and more successful.
2013 Kawasaki KFX450R Key Features
– The front suspension features reservoir shocks with dual-rate springs. The A-arm design supports longstroke suspension for
superior road holding performance.
– Slim rider position with contoured seat
– All-aluminum lightweight frame’s high rigidity (especially its torsional rigidity) makes the KFX extremely stable through corners and allows the suspension to be easily set up to suit course conditions.
– Equipped with the highly acclaimed fuel injected KX450F engine.
– Specially designed aluminum rear wheels feature rims with reinforcing plates.
– 5-speed manual transmission with reverse allows riders to quickly and easily get out of difficult situations.
– Kawasaki Automatic Compression Release (KACR).
2013 Kawasaki KFX450R Features and Benefits
• 449cc DOHC engine provides a broad torque curve and optimized power delivery for quick acceleration without excessive wheelspin
• Digital fuel injection promotes crisp engine response
• Lightweight reverse gear system is easy to use, perfect for getting out of tight situations
• Electric starting facilitates quicker stall recovery and lowers rider fatigue
• The aluminum frame’s rigidity enhances stability in corners and allows the suspension to be easily tuned to suit course conditions
• Dual-rate front springs and adjustable rear shock provide excellent rough-terrain handling
• Hydraulic disc brakes offer strong, consistent stopping performance
449cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Four-valve, Four-stroke Single
• Lightweight forged piston reduces reciprocating weight
• Triple piston rings and a 21mm diameter piston pin help increase durability and reduce necessary maintenance
• Lightweight titanium valves and aluminum valve spring retainers reduce reciprocating weight and boost high-rpm reliability
• Asymmetrical high-acceleration cams yield high intake efficiency
• Electric starting facilitates quicker stall recovery and lowers rider fatigue
• Large-volume airbox contributes to both intake efficiency and sharp engine response. An air duct fashioned from polyethylene resists deformation caused by intake pulses and helps ensure stable engine performance
• Advanced engine tuning provides a broad torque curve and an optimized power delivery for quick acceleration without excessive wheelspin
Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®)
• 32-bit digital fuel injection system with a 42mm throttle body
• System measures coolant temperature, air intake temperature, air intake pressure, engine speed and throttle position, then automatically delivers the ideal amount of fuel to optimize power delivery
• Crisp engine response is especially advantageous for instant acceleration after landing from jumps
• Promotes trouble-free starting – a great benefit in races with engine off starts
• Fuel injection allows the use of a lighter throttle return spring, which reduces rider fatigue
Transmission
• Five-speed (one-down, four-up) manual transmission locates reverse below first gear
• Actuating the reverse-lock release lever when in first gear allows rider to shift “down” into reverse
• Compact reverse-lock release lever can be activated with the right thumb, allowing the reverse gear to be engaged while still keeping the front brake lever depressed
• The combined weight of the reverse gear system and the lightweight aluminum chassis is no heavier than a steel frame without reverse
Aluminum Chassis
• Highly rigid frame contributes to the KFX’s excellent handling and traction
• The aluminum frame’s high torsional rigidity enhances stability in corners and allows the suspension to be easily set up to suit course conditions
• Designed for high corner speeds, the KFX450R sits low to the ground, helping to reduce weight transfer
• Mounting the battery and coolant tank ahead of the engine lowers the center of gravity, and helps weight the front wheels for increased traction
• Single box-tube lower frame contains the front A-arm attachment points. This narrower design enables the use of longer lower A-arms
Advanced Suspension Design
• Dual-rate front springs deliver progressive suspension travel for excellent rough-terrain handling
• Extra-long lower front A-arms minimize camber variations through the suspension stroke, maximize front wheel traction and boost stability
• Rear shock features both low and high-speed compression adjustability and adjustable rebound damping
• The curved lines and rounded edges of the cast aluminum rear swingarm help disperse stress, which along with its varied wall thicknesses equal a design that is both light and strong
• The swingarm’s high torsional rigidity contributes to excellent rear wheel traction
• The rear axle is tapered for less unsprung weight
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
• Dual front hydraulic disc brakes offer strong, consistent stopping performance
• Petal-type rear brake rotors reduce unsprung weight and help clean the brake pads for more efficient braking performance
• Integrated rear parking brake is designed to be easily engaged and released while wearing gloves. When engaged, the parking brake lever also prevents the clutch lever from being actuated
Improved Water Resistance on Wiring Harness
• Resin-molded lead branch points
• PVC cover over the connectors for regulator and TPS
• Longer colgate tube for tail light leads
Additional Features
• Two-tone seat features a smooth top surface for excellent rider mobility and slip-resistant sides for good grip when hanging off in corners
• Seat, tank and side covers are shaped to allow excellent rider mobility and to provide support when hanging off in corners
• Reinforced mounting on rear side of fuel tank
• Tapered Renthal® Fatbar offers both strength and light weight
• Handlebar mount is designed to accommodate other MX-type handlebars, enabling riders to select from numerous after-market styles
• Specially designed rear wheels feature reinforcing plates for the rims. Located on the axle side of the rims, these plates reinforce the rims where strength is most needed while minimizing weight
• Wide front bumper can be gripped with two hands to push/pull the ATV
• Two-piece “lapped” front and rear fenders can be replaced separately in the event they are damaged
• Detachable front headlight assembly can easily be removed for racing
• Optional kick-start system is available for MX-style (GNC) races where light weight is a priority
2013 Kawasaki KFX450R – Unitied States of America Specifications / Technical Details
USA MSRP: $8,299 USD
Engine Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single
Displacement 449cc
Bore x Stroke 96 x 62.1mm
Fuel System 32-bit digital, with 42mm Keihin throttle body
Ignition Digital AC-CDI
Starting System Electric
Transmission Five-speed with reverse
Final drive Two-wheel drive, chain
Frame type Aluminum double cradle, racing type
Front suspension / wheel travel Dual A-arms, coil-over shocks / 8.5 in
Rear suspension / wheel travel Swingarm with piggy-back reservoir shock, dual-rate spring / 10.0 in
Front Tire Size AT21x7-10
Rear Tire Size AT20x10-9
Front brakes Dual 163mm discs with two-piston calipers
Rear Brakes 200mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper
Overall length 71.1 in
Overall width 46.1 in
Overall height 41.9 in
Seat height 30.9 in
Wheelbase 49.4 in
Ground clearance 4.3 in
Lighting Dual removable 30w headlights / LED taillight / brake light
Curb weight 392.5 lb
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal
Footpegs Sport-style serrated
Color Choices Lime Green
Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months
Warranty 12 Months
2013 Kawasaki KFX450R – Canada Specifications / Technical Details
Canadian MSRP: $8,999 CDN
ENGINE
Type 4-stroke, single cylinder
Displacement 449 cc
Bore and Stroke 96.0 x 62.1 mm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Valve System DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System Fuel injection: ø42 mm x 1, Keihin
Ignition Digital AC-CDI
Cooling Liquid
Lubrication Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 5-speed, return shift, reverse
Final Drive 2 wheel drive, chain
Primary Reduction Ratio 2.952 (62/21)
Gear Ratios: 1st 2.230 (29/13)
2nd 1.800 (27/15)
3rd 1.529 (26/17)
4th 1.278 (23/18)
5th 1.048 (22/21)
Final Reduction Ratio 2.714 (38/14)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, cable operation
FRAME
Type Double cradle, aluminum
Suspension: Front Dual A-arms with piggy-back reservoir gas shocks
Rear Uni-Trak swingarm with piggy-back reservoir gas shock
Wheel Travel: Front 215 mm
Rear 254 mm
Tires: Front AT 21 x 7-10
Rear AT 20 x 10-9
Tread (Front/Rear) 972 mm / 899 mm
BRAKES
Front Brakes: Type Dual, 163mm drilled discs
Caliper Twin piston, pin slide
Rear Brakes: Type Single 200mm, petal style drilled disc
Caliper Single-piston, pin slide
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length 1,806 mm
Overall Width 1,170 mm
Overall Height 1,064 mm
Wheelbase 1,255 mm
Seat Height 786 mm
Curb Mass** 178 kg (392.4 lbs)
Fuel Capacity 10 litres
** Includes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90% of capacity) and tool kit (if supplied)
DETAILS
Warranty 12 months warranty
ADDITIONAL COST OPTIONS
Good Times Protection Plan 24 or 36 months (Kawasaki GTPP coverage begins after the standard limited warranty expires)
MSRP*
Lime Green
KSF450BDF $8,999
Specifications, appearance, and price of product are subject to change without notice.
