First Ride on the 2023 Kawasaki KX450 SR!

Presented by O'Neal
Special edition models are officially rolling off of the assembly line, as we recently took delivery of the 2023 Kawasaki KX450 SR. The model enters its second year of production with some chassis changes, as it is now equipped with Showa suspension components. Swapmoto Live's Donn Maeda and Bell Helmet's Kyle Vara spent a day on the green machine before giving us their first thoughts, check it out!

[@leadhead7338]

Team Green ALWAYS!

[@Kawiboy]

Rode/Raced our buddies 22 and it was amazing. Smooth as silk over the small chop and just a perfect motor for anyone above a beginner .. Appreciate it fellas 👏👊✌️😉

[@steverichardson9133]

I'm sure the bike is much easier to ride also when dudes don't land on you. Glad Kyle wasn't injured. The bike looks awesome. Great stuff as always.

[@dennis.oosthuizen]

Cannot wait to get one!!!!

[@stevesmith756]

I wish they kept KYBs. Now I’ll have to get the YZ450

[@herbcanter2114]

Stock 2023 YZ450F is better anyway , much much cheaper , more power , better suspension , superior engine mapping system etc...

[@cjhudson419]

I absolutely love my sr ❤️

[@drtschker3072]

Come on man!!!! LOTW weekly post!!! Let's F'ing GOOO!!! Where's Frappy Mike?!!

[@fabriziograziani2765]

Kawasaki forever 🏆

[@Davido50]

I WANT ONE! -Ohio

[@h20mxracer222]

That's the bike for me!! Im an older vet guy that rides a '21 KX450. I love my bike but would love to try that Factory Edition. Don't think I could afford double the price though.

[@Davido50]

Me too looking at one now. 51yrs young. -Ohio

[@Davido50]

Clean up ur '21..New plastics or whatever & trade in on ur dream bike .

[@sdb92]

“Let the Good Times Roll…” 👍🏻

[@torr-michaelbennetta9785]

Too bad they moved away from the KYB, but I may still want to get one. The power character sounds great.

[@American_Enigma]

I haven't ridden a Kawi since 2018 but the love it's been getting the last 3 years has me wanting to throw my leg over one to see what it's all about. The last KX450 I rode was underwhelming to say the least. The components felt cheap and the guy I knew with the bike had nothing but problems. I'm a converted Yamaha guy (didn't start that way) but it just seems to me the YZ450 is a better value. Stronger engine, generally speaking better reliability, superior suspension (I was stoked last year when Kawi's SR used KYB suspension) and unbeatable mapping customization that makes many aftermarket engine upgrades unnecessary for 99% of riders. I still can't believe Kawi has stuck with the coupler system. That being said, I'm open minded to the idea of it being better than I remember any previous green machine I've ridden. I still want to know how the SR's reliability stacks up to the stock bike long term? This has always been Kawi's downside to me.

[@BikesandBlickeys]

Everything iv seen makes it sound like the suspension is not kit suspension. Just stock stuff with coatings and maybe different springs/valving

[@hunterhill1013]

What do yoh think that A kit suspension is?

[@hunterhill1013]

Its just stock stuff with coatings and different valving and springs...

[@KICKERMAN124]

@@hunterhill1013negative, a kit by definition is titanium components in a oversized body cartridges or shock bodies. Most of the time 52-53mm in diameter over the most time standard 48mm body

[@aliciacaldera3175]

@@KICKERMAN124so in your opinion is this A kit as good as yz kyb

[@kjohns236]

You guys make me wanna get a Kawi now lol

[@mxracer158]

For $13K I hope they at least matched up the Clutch and Brake levers. A kit suspension and only a $13K price tag? I'm having a hard time believing that.

[@mxracer158]

@DB316 wow. Here in Colorado I saw it for $13K

[@mxracer158]

@DB316 ouch.

[@craigkosters716]

Its 14-over 15 on 5 different dealership quotes

[@mxracer158]

@@craigkosters716 got a local dealer here in Denver, $12600!before taxes

[@craigkosters716]

They say 12,500 but after checking 5 dealerships its out the door at 14k to over 15 thousand on the quotes.

[@andrewjck1]

If kawi knows the motor work better with these port changes why wouldn’t every bike have that….

[@fartblast5058]

I am the top rider for the fart-gas factory caffeine energy drink yoshi-murdaaa research and development practice racing team

[@fartblast5058]

Developed 🤤🤤🤤

[@stevencoyne2526]

They ruined this bike with Showa smh who’s the genius behind that dumb idea?

[@sdb92]

I know right? I was so bummed they switched to Showa as I was considering getting one…

[@stevencoyne2526]

These people have no idea what there doing got novice guys markeing a pro bike?

[@blakegarner3719]

Always like watching your reviews. Thank you for them!!! Motor to motor...how does this compare to the 2019 CRF 450 RWE?I remember you guys talking about how great that motor was. Thanks again!

[@KICKERMAN124]

I just got the 23 sr my 22 crf450r was faster for sure

[@cme982]

@@KICKERMAN124 How do you compare both? I am on the fence, whether to purchase a new SR or a 24' CRF WE?