THE NEXT LEADER OF THE LEGACY.
2020 Kawasaki KX450:
For decades, Kawasaki KX motorcycles have established a legacy of building champions. Keeping with this legacy is the KX450. Equipped with a powerful engine, race-ready suspension, and electric start, the all-new KX450 is built for the top of the podium.
2020 Kawasaki KX450 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
With 2020 Kawasaki KX™450 motorcycles, the top step of the podium is within your grasp. KX450 motorcycles are infused with cutting-edge technology derived from Kawasaki factory race teams. Feel the difference of the powerful 449cc engine and lean chassis as you lead the competition. From the gate to the checkered flag, the KX450 is built to win.
- Powerful 449cc 4-stroke engine
- 49mm Showa coil spring front fork with A-KIT Technology
- Uni-Trak® rear suspension
- Hydraulic clutch
- Electric start
- ERGO-FIT® technology
- Lightweight frame and swingarm
- Launch Control Mode
POWERFUL ENGINE
Built to Win
Delivering strong, responsive power, the engine of the KX™450 motorcycle features a finger-follower valve train. Crafted with the same design used by Kawasaki factory race teams, the 449cc engine produces broad torque and strong power across the entire rev range.
SUSPENSION
Race-Ready Suspension
49mm Showa Coil Spring Front Fork combined with A-KIT Technology deliver superb suspension and handling. Large-diameter inner tubes allow the use of large damping pistons for race-winning performance while a large-diameter front axle improves front-wheel traction. The Uni-Trak® rear suspension system ensures optimal rear-wheel traction.
BRAKES
Advanced Stopping Power
The most advanced KX™450 motorcycle yet features stopping power to match its incredible acceleration capability. Up front, an oversized 270mm Braking® petal disc with dual-piston caliper offers sharp response and a strong, consistent feel. In the rear, a large-diameter 250mm Braking® petal disc complements the front for race-ready performance.
ERGO-FIT® & ERGONOMICS
Perfect Fit
Find your best performance with the Kawasaki ERGO-FIT® advantage. Four handlebar positions and two footpeg positions allow you to tailor the KX™450 motorcycle to your body size, riding style and preference. Wide footpegs ensure excellent grip for optimum comfort and control.
ELECTRIC START AND HYDRAULIC CLUTCH
Reliable Starting
Conserve energy and ride smarter with an electric start and hydraulic clutch. A lithium-ion battery ensures strong and reliable starting performance, eliminating the need for a backup kickstarter. The hydraulic clutch offers a direct feel and consistent actuation even as engine temperatures rise while also offering a light pull at the lever.
2020 Kawasaki KX450 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
Completely redesigned from the ground up last year, the KX™450 motorcycle returns for 2020 as the flagship model in the Kawasaki KX™ lineup. Tuned to best suit race-experienced riders, the 449cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine, slim aluminum perimeter frame, Showa A-KIT technology suspension, hydraulic clutch and electric start are the ultimate combination of a championship winning package.
The KX450 is built with race-winning components to help Kawasaki riders get to the top step of the podium. From the showroom to the racetrack, the performance of Kawasaki’s KX™ family of motorcycles is proof of its engineering pedigree. It truly is the Bike that Builds Champions.
ENGINE
The four-stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, water-cooled 449cc lightweight engine package utilizes input derived directly from the factory race team, producing peak power and a torque curve that makes it easy to get on the gas early. The potent KX450 engine features an electric start, which is activated by the push of a button and powered by a compact Li-ion battery.
Kawasaki brought top-level road racing technology to the KX450 valve train, using designs from Kawasaki World Superbike engineers. It uses finger-follower valve actuation, enabling larger-diameter valves and more aggressive cam profiles. The intake and exhaust valves are formed from lightwight titanium, while a bridged-box piston uses the same design as the Monster Energy® Kawasaki race team’s factory motorcycles.
A close-ratio five speed transmission features lightweight gears and shafts to keep weight down, yet retain strength, while contributing to the motorcycle’s winning performance. The transmision is paired with a hydraulic clutch that is designed to provide a consistent feeling through minimal change in play as the clutch heats up during heavy use.
CHASSIS
An industry-leading slim aluminum perimeter frame provides pecise cornering through excellent front-end feel and the ultimate agility when riding at high speeds. The frame’s lightweight construction is composed of forged, extruded and cast parts, while the engine is used as a stressed member and adds to the frames rigidity balance. A lightweight alloy swingarm is constructed of a cast front section and twin tapered hydro-formed spars in a raw aluminum finish, complementing the frame. Engineers carefully placed the dimension of the swingarm pivot, output sprocket and rear axle locations, helping to focus on center of gravity and balanced handling.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
High-performance Showa 49 mm coil spring front forks with A-KIT technology can be found up front, featuring large diameter inner tubes that are the same size as those found on Kawasaki’s factory racing team’s machines. The forks enable the use of large damping pistons for smooth action and firm damping.
On the rear, a Kawasaki Uni-Trak® linkage system is designed to work in conjunction with the Showa shock, aluminum frame and swingarm. The linkage, which is mounted below the swingarm, allows for a longer rear suspension stroke and more precise rear suspension tuning. The Showa Compact Design rear shock boasts A-KIT technology with bigger diameter compression adjuster, improving on the high frequency movements found on today’s motocross tracks.
An oversized 270 mm, petal-shaped front brake rotor from the renowned manufacturer, Braking®, is fitted to keep up with the powerful engine of the KX450. The rear is equipped with a 250 mm petal-shaped Braking rotor that matches the large front disc.
ADJUSTABILITY
Kawasaki continues its umatched commitment towards providing riders with class-leading ERGO-FIT™ comfort thanks its adjustable handlebar mounting system and footpegs to fit a variety of riders and riding styles. The handlebars feature four-way adjustable mounts. The multi-positition handlebars offer two mounting holes with 35 mm of adjustability, and the 180-degree offset clamps boast four individual settings to suit different size riders. The footpegs feature dual-position mounting points, with a lower position that reduces the standard setting by an additional 5 mm. The lower position effectively lowers the center of gravity when standing, and reduces knee angle when tallers riders are seated.
BODYWORK & SEAT
Complementing the championship proven technology, the 2020 KX450 features aggressive styling along with in-mold graphics on the radiator shrouds that result in an ultra-smooth surface and racy look needed to finish at the top of its class. The sleek bodywork has been molded to mach the V-mounted radiators and narrow chassis design. Each piece of the bodywork has been designed to help facilitate riders movement with long, smooth surfaces tha make it easy to slide back and forth.
2020 Kawasaki KX450 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $9299 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $10499 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £7599 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
Power
Engine
4-stroke, 1-cylinder, DOHC, water-cooled
Displacement
449cc
Bore x Stroke
96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Fuel System
DFI® with 44mm Keihin throttle body
Ignition
Digital CDI with electric start
Transmission
5-speed, return shift
Final Drive
Chain
Performance
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel
49mm inverted coil-spring telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping/12.0 in
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel
New Uni-Trak® with adjustable dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable preload/12.1 in
Front Tire
80/100-21
Rear Tire
120/80-19
Front Brakes
Single semi-floating 270mm Braking® petal disc with dual-piston caliper
Rear Brakes
Single 250mm Braking® petal disc with single-piston caliper
Details
Frame Type
Aluminum perimeter
Rake/Trail
27.6°/4.8 in
Overall Length
86.0 in
Overall Width
32.7 in
Overall Height
50.2 in
Ground Clearance
13.4 in
Seat Height
37.6 in
Curb Weight
232.3 lb without fuel / 242.4 lb**
Fuel Capacity
1.64 gal
Wheelbase
58.5 in
Color Choices
Lime Green
Warranty
Not Available
Kawasaki Protection Plus™ (optional)
Not Available
2020 Kawasaki KX450 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Engine
| Displacement | 449cc |
| Type | 4-stroke, Single |
| Bore and stroke | 96.0 x 62.1 mm |
| Cooling | Liquid |
| Compression ratio | 12.8:1 |
| Valve system | DOHC, 4 valves |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection (44 x 1) |
| Ignition | Digital DC-CDI |
| Lubrication | Forced lubrication (semi-dry sump) |
| Starting | Electric |
Brakes
| Front: type | Single semi-floating 270 mm petal disk |
| Front: calipers | Dual-piston caliper |
| Rear: type | Single 250 mm petal disc |
| Rear: calipers | Single-piston caliper |
Dimensions
| Overall length | 2,195 mm |
| Overall width | 830 mm |
| Overall height | 1,275 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,485 mm |
| Ground clearance | 340 mm |
| Seat height | 955 mm |
| Curb mass** | 105.4 kg (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.2 litres |
Drivetrain
| Transmission | 5-speed, return |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Primary reduction ratio | 2.727 (60/22) |
| Gear ratio: 1st | 1.750 (28/16) |
| Gear ratio: 2nd | 1.412 (24/17) |
| Gear ratio: 3rd | 1.188 (19/16) |
| Gear ratio: 4th | 1.000 (19/19) |
| Gear ratio: 5th | 0.875 (21/24) |
| Final reduction ratio | 3.846 (50/13) |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual |
Frame
| Type | Perimeter, Aluminum |
| Wheel travel: front | 305 mm |
| Tire: front | 80/100-21 51M |
| Wheel travel: rear | 307 mm |
| Tire: rear | 120/80-19 63M |
| Caster (rake) | 28° |
| Trail | 122 mm |
| Steering angle (left/right) | 42°/42° |
Suspension
| Suspension, front | ø49 mm inverted telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping |
| Suspension, rear | New Uni-Trak with adjustable dual-range (high/low speed) compression damping, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable preload |
2020 Kawasaki KX450 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Engine
Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Single
Displacement
449 cm³
Bore x stroke
96 x 62.1 mm
Compression ratio
12.5:1
Valve system
DOHC, 4 valves
Fuel system
Fuel injection: Ø 44 mm x 1
Ignition
Digital DC-CDI
Starting System
Electric
Lubrication
Forced lubrication, semi‑dry sump
Transmission
Transmission
5-speed
Final drive
Chain
Primary Reduction Ratio
2.727 (60/22)
Gear Ratios 1st
1.750 (28/16)
Gear Ratios 2nd
1.412 (24/17)
Gear Ratios 3rd
1.188 (19/16)
Gear Ratios 4th
1.000 (19/19)
Gear Ratios 5th
0.875 (21/24)
Final reduction ratio
3.846 (50/13)
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Brakes & Suspension
Brakes, front
Single semi-floating 270 mm petal disc. Caliper: Dual-piston
Brakes, rear
Single 250 mm petal disc. Caliper: Single-piston
Suspension, front
49 mm inverted telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping.
Suspension, rear
New Uni-Trak with adjustable dual-range (high/lowspeed) compression damping, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable preload.
Frame & Dimensions
Frame type
Perimeter, aluminium
Trail
122 mm
Wheel travel front
305 mm
Wheel travel rear
307 mm
Tyre, front
80/100-21 51M
Tyre, rear
120/80-19 63M
Steering angle, left / right
42° / 42°
L x W x H
2,185 x 830 x 1,275 mm
Wheelbase
1,485 mm
Ground clearance
340 mm
Fuel capacity
6.2 litres
Seat height
955 mm
Curb mass
110.0 kg
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
