2009 Kawasaki KFX450R Test Review

[@DirtObseXXion]

With Kawasaki re-releasing the KLR650.. Would you guys say a Mojave 650 as direct competition to the Raptor 700 is a realistic possibility?

[@knightimusprime25]

they need to bring back more models as ive said before their lineup is dismal at best

[@nanomckomsncom]

No way ! I just saw that. I never thought they would but there it is ! fuel injected and all. Perhaps a new quad is in the works too.

[@ATVonDemand]

YES!!!

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Dare to dream

[@benbabcock3818]

Bring back sport quads!!!

[@ATVonDemand]

YES!

[@lukegrady5357]

Raptor is all you need !!!

[@benbabcock3818]

Never selling my KFX450

[@dellstudio10]

Agreed!

[@447Film]

I actually like the sport quads with irs like the Polaris and the Honda 700xx

[@jonathancartersr2763]

Loving all these retro ATV reviews man

[@ATVonDemand]

Really happy to hear it!

[@davidrendell6009]

I've got a built 08' I have raced xc and beach races on a kfx450r for over 7 years... great quads and very underrated. I'll never sell it.

[@ATVonDemand]

We agree. Very underrated. We certainly enjoyed our time on them.

[@Lracer61]

My favorite 450, wish they still made these

[@ATVonDemand]

As do we.

[@Davido50]

It was awesome i shoulda bought one! I have a YFZ450X tho an love it. Get a new Yamaha sport quad. They are incredible. Last of good sport quads . Im prob gonna grab '21 Raptor 700R so no regrets.

[@aaronr7389]

I need this is my life! I still have my kfx400 from new back in 2006. Wish I bought the kfx450 over my yfz, most of the kfx450s are beat to hell now!

[@ATVonDemand]

Don't short sell that KFX400! You have the model with reservoir equipped front shocks right? Freaking awesome trail machine.

[@aaronr7389]

@@ATVonDemand absolutely I do, I'm not selling it short, still my favorite atv I have ever owned to date!

[@Adamc0607]

Thanks for the review! Just picked up a 2009 kfx450r and love it!

[@cbr600rrturbo]

Love these old school sport quad vids! You guys know what we need next!!

[@ATVonDemand]

We hope to but requests are welcome.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

@@ATVonDemand anything TRX

[@ATVonDemand]

@@cbr600rrturbo We've almost considered buying one to review but the prices right now are in line with new machines if they're mint.

[@SteenslandMedia]

Love mine I’ve had a couple mx built ones since 2010 I still have one!

[@ATVonDemand]

We wish we had the one we built back in 2010 or 2011. It was one of the nicest looking and easiest to ride race builds we've ridden.

[@SteenslandMedia]

@@ATVonDemand that was one of my favorites! I wish I could post a picture of my new mx build project it will be one great looking kfx450!

[@APartidaC10]

I know we must all sound like a broken record but BRING THE SPORT QUADS BACK. I currently own an 08 kfx but I would go buy a new one in a heartbeat

[@doc_teamwaxoffroad]

Lil Man bought a new one.. Can't remember what year.. Sweet machine... 👍👍👍 #teamwaxoffroad #makeatcsgreatagain #savesportquads

[@ATVonDemand]

Kind of under rated. The KFX might have been one of the best 450s for trail riding. Agile with lots of torque. Not all jittery off the bottom like most 450s.

[@447Film]

I miss these days

[@ATVonDemand]

We do too

[@Team2Gils]

Kawasaki is offering some new models lately, maybe one day...

[@ATVonDemand]

Kinda got pissed when we saw the KLR come back fuel injected. Now they've got a fuel injected 300 and 650 and yet they wont build a sport model even though used machines from 10 years ago are selling for what they did brand new. It is obviously no longer a lack of demand from consumers.

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

I'll soon be in the market for one of these. I already have a number of 450s, the LTR, YFZ, and KTM. They all have their personalities, so to speak, that's what makes riding fun. Still need the KFX and TRX. I see it as an investment since they are no longer making them. Look at how much 250Rs go for these days.

[@thelevelupcommunity]

I have a kfx 450 and I’m still unbeaten, it’s speed is absolutely insane!

[@shaunnicholson3854]

Please do another shoot out with the yfz,ktm,Honda,kfx, can am, Polaris and Suzuki

[@e5m956]

I just picked a nice 2010 a week ago, it runs like a bandit but wish I could of got a brand new one. I wanted the KFX over a new Yamaha for the narrower width and reverse.

[@utahwanderlust700]

Still one bad ass quad. Wish I had one.

[@ATVonDemand]

Kawi should update it and bring it back but...

[@Davido50]

Miss this excellent sport quad! It was very good. They all were. What a lose there's no Kawi, Honda, Can Am , Suzuki! Thankfully we have the king! YFZ450R & Raptor 700R. Support Yamaha so they don't give up!

[@ATVonDemand]

We agree on all levels.

[@PNWSV]

Bought one of these new in late 08' and wasn't impressed with the power... did Yoshi full exhaust, power commander and modquad intake. Woke that bike right up and walked most 450's with similar mods.

[@ATVonDemand]

It runs much better with the Big 3 mods that's for sure and it still enjoys the smooth off idle performance and power delivery of a super pumped up 400.

[@erichemmelgarn4623]

Since there utility atv and sxs market is lacking compared to other manufacturers, Kawasaki needs to release new sport quads and just focus on the race segment. Same with suzuki. I’d love for Honda to but I don’t think they will….

[@ATVonDemand]

But they won't. Like all the others, they are getting high off the smoke from the money Polaris burns.

[@justsomeguy17199]

Saw the picture got excited, read the title got sad

[@ATVonDemand]

LOL 2008 to 2009 ruined it for you? Sorry, need to change the thumbnail.

[@mauriciorevillaa.7181]

And the TRX????

[@ATVonDemand]

The last TRX450R press ride and bit deal was made in 2006 prior to our publication's launch. As the editor for ATV Scene at the time I attended the 2006 intro but don't have the footage or the test footage. We'd love to do a test video on the TRX450R.

[@TylerEarling]

And how reliable are these?

[@TylerEarling]

Are these fuel injected?

[@rickyhernandez995]

Do ltr 450

[@ATVonDemand]

Perhaps one day. That would require trying to recover some old footage.

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

Side-by-sides have taken over the market. Not sure if or when the 450 sport quads will come back. I know the Yamaha 450s sell out quickly. It seems to be a cyclic market. First the 1980s, then 2000s. It's been roughly 10 years, so hopefully Honda and the others will come out with new models.

[@ATVonDemand]

100%.

[@al.g.123]

Red doesn’t sit right with me. Too used to seeing that Kawasaki green. I actually have an 08 with all green plastics and white hood. Is that a rare color combo for 08 or are they just aftermarket? I know that the majority of the 08’s were green plastics with the black fender plastics so that’s why I’m wondering.

[@wraith.273]

Top speed ?

[@ATVonDemand]

As fast as you want. Change the gearing.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I want one to take the pressure off my 250r

[@justinm6110]

This is the only guy that i have seen say that the kfx suspension is to soft, everyone clicks the shocks all the way out and still think its kinda stiff.

[@ATVonDemand]

Well, it can be both at the same time. Some riders might feel that the shocks don't do well at eating up small square edge bumps like roots or braking bumps making them want to soften up the ride. At the same time, a heavier rider could blow through the travel and bottom the shocks. The Kawasaki's stock shocks weren't the best in the class although it had a ton off potential. The front-end has very little caster. When the front end squats under braking then starts hitting braking bumps the steering gets a little nervous feeling. Adding spring preload to keep the front shocks riding high in the travel is a Band-Aid. There's a few things going on with the KFX.

[@jaydenmcguire8397]

First

[@ATVonDemand]

Congrats

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Who gives a shit? Get a life, its NOT. An accomplishment.