Late last year, Chris Pomeroy had a chance to ride the all-new 2024 KX450, and while this fresh model features a plethora of new parts, it hasn’t lost the durability and easy-to-ride characteristics that the KX450 has been famous for. The last time the KX450 received a makeover was back in 2019, and since then this bike has won multiple 450 shootouts as the best all-around 450 on the track. This praise has been well earned, over the past several years while other OEM’s have tried going stiffer with their chassis set-up, and faster with their engine packages, Kawasaki has remained true to their easy-to-ride KX450 package. Since 2019, the KX450 has been a predictable motorcycle that can be trusted to not do anything that isn’t expect. Has it been the fastest 450 on the track? No! Has it been the best turning 450 on the track? Another no! But, late in the day on a rough track, the KX450 will handle the same as it did earlier in the day, or yesterday, or even a few weeks ago. This is what everyone has loved about this bike so, the big conundrum that Kawasaki had when it came to designing the 2024 model, was how to make it better, without making it worse. That is always the issue when it comes to any modern day 450 dirt bike. So, before we talk about how this new KX450 works on the track, let’s go over exactly what is new.
Engine:
For 2024, Kawasaki has gone with the same trusted and durable 449cc single cylinder engine that they’ve used for several years now. As I mentioned, this power plant doesn’t produce the most HP when compared to its competitors, but it is smooth and has very usable power. Kawasaki has made some major changes for 2024, including a new air intake system, a new throttle body layout to match the changes with the intake and exhaust ports. Also, the fuel pump pressure has been increased to 50kPa to enhance the fuel flow within the engine. Kawasaki has also made the intake valves 2mm smaller, and the intake camshaft was moved 7mm upward to make room for the new downdraft intake. While all of these changes add up to making the power smoother than ever before on the KX450, the biggest change has to be the all-new downdraft intake system that I mentioned. It’s completely different than anything Kawasaki has used in the past, and it even features an entirely new and easy-to-use air filter system. Another big change for 2024 is that Kawasaki has done away with their ECU mapping couplers and now this new KX450 features a handlebar mounted (clutch side) Power Mode Selection buttons. With a push of a button you can change the ECU setting, as well as engage the traction control setting. Also, map setting can be done on your smartphone with the new Kawasaki Rideology App. From this new app, you can as I said, pre-determine your ECU map settings, keep track of your KX450 maintenance schedule, get real-time data on how your engine is performing, all with your smartphone. It’s very cool and the design team is very proud that they were able to bring this ‘factory team’ technology to consumers.
Chassis:
The big part of the KX450’s allure has been its balanced and predictable handling over the years. The chassis has been the main reason for this bikes success, but to ‘modernize’ the handling characteristics Kawasaki needed to make a few changes for 2024. With the new intake system, as well as the header exhaust pipe being moved to the middle of the cylinder, some frame modifications had to be made to the 2024 KX450. Also, Kawasaki was determined to make this bike corner a little quicker, so a few changes were made here and there to add some rigidity to the frame. All of the changes are small as Kawasaki was also determined not to lose the ‘feel’ that everyone has come to love with the KX450 package, but they all add up to help make this new bike a little more point and shoot. Also, with the changes to the chassis comes new styling and ergonomics. The rad shrouds have been modified for 2024 so they not only look different, but they also won’t catch your boot anymore when leaning the bike over in turns. The rear fender is shorter to accommodate the shorter silencer, and the lime green coloured plastics from front to back make the new KX450 look very clean. The seat has a different feel to it, and as a result of the new frame, the area where your knees meet the rad shrouds has been narrowed for 2024.
Brakes And Suspension:
The biggest change for 2024 is with regard to the front brake system. For the first time in its history Kawasaki has gone to a Brembo Front Brake. This system uses a larger diameter 270mm front disc, and also new for this year is a thicker front brake lever. For the rear brake system, it is still a Nissin system, but what is new is smaller rear brake disc. Through the testing process Kawasaki found that a smaller 240mm rotor gave the best feel. Showa once again handles the suspension on both the front and rear of the 2024 KX450. The rear shock has a completely different look as the reservoir has been moved to the left hand side of the shock in order to make room for the new exhaust system. The rear shock has also been shorten by 32mm to accommodate the new air box and intake system. Although the shock is shorter, the stroke hasn’t changed from the 2023 model. Both the front forks and rear shock have received some major internal changes with regard to valving, to help improve handling. The internals used on these Showa’s are considered to be of A-Kit Suspension quality and both work extremely well. Finally, for 2024 Kawasaki has finally made a welcomed change when it comes to their stock grips. Gone are the hand destroying and impossible to removed black grips that have been used for years. For 2024, the KX450 now comes stock with ODI Lock-On medium compound grips. Trust us, this change brought a smile to every test rider last week.
Some of new features on the 2024 KX450:
*New downdraft-style intake
*New Power Mode Selection button (no more couplers)
*New KX Rideology engine tuning with smartphone access
*New redesigned chassis
*New Brembo Front Brake System
*New Ergonomics and styling
* New ODI Lock-On medium compound grips
*50th Anniversary Edition Available
How Does The 2024 KX450 Work On The Track
This is obviously the question that everyone has. With all of these changes to the new KX450, how does it actually feel once you get onto the race track. Well, I can tell you that the 2024 KX450 does everything the older model did, it just does it better. The handling is better and quicker, the engine is very similar to how it felt last year, it just has more meat through its range. The engine in stock form (without making any adjustments to the ECU maps) is more responsive coming out of corners, and revs longer as you get into the higher RPM’s. The best thing however with the power is that if you want to run a higher gear and be smooth with the throttle, the new KX450 continues to be very easy-to-ride. The new settings that Showa has come up with for 2024, along with the new chassis, help to make this KX450 corner much better than past models. Without losing any of its patented straight-line stability, the 2024 KX450 wants to turn now, instead of you having to make it turn. Also, at high speed, changing lines is not an issue now as you can point the front wheel where you want it to go and this new bike responds. It’s actually very impressive how Kawasaki has managed to improve the handling of this new model without losing any the attributes that made past models so well-liked. When you combine the new chassis, the increase in power, the new brakes which work great, the new ergonomics, and updated suspension settings, and of course the new ODI grips, I believe the 2024 KX450 will continue to be a rider favourite and will no doubt challenge for a few more shootout wins.
