2024 Kawasaki KX450 | First Impressions

The 2024 Kawasaki KX450 is all new and there's a lot to talk about here. Dive in and throw some questions in the comment section and we'll get to them.
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[@simonsteadman3276]

Michael along with Keefer are for me by far the best test riders out there.As always a fantastic in depth honest and valuable review👏👏👍💪

[@luislozada6445]

Best review as always thanks Michael 👍👍

[@peanutjellyman]

Everyone likes the hit and excitement of a fast feeling bike till they try and corner efficiently. Till they're like a see saw rocking back n forth trying feed power in around corner vs a smooth linear (boring) power that gets you round the corner fast.

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

So true

[@adamsaban]

Its almost like throttle control is a thing

[@Pixie-lw6sq]

Ya who cares tho I love having the most powerful bike in the group when we would ride. Took a little to get use too but I love the kawi over power on some models . It sounds like this is not the year about power tho so I’m not interested at all and the no black coating on the forks is a deal breaker ? Like why go backwards on the 😂 on this once perfect bike.

[@bradpowell843]

Why don’t they just offer a smooth map and another one that has some bark?

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

Best review of the KX I've seen yet.

[@ADBAnt1]

Great test guys, always cool to get your take

[@chrisvozza6530]

Awesome review 👍👍

[@swampfox899]

great honest review thanks

[@user-pl2pc4xc5w]

very good review

[@leadhead7338]

Team Green ALWAYS! What a beautiful bike.

[@oldguy1960]

All doesn't sound good to me. Sounds like i should stick with the SR.

[@davidciesielski8251]

This review is more positive than any of the other 4 I have watched.... I think you are correct... I was really hoping this bike was going to be great...

[@h20mxracer222]

I really like my '21. Everyone is saying this new one is a tad slower but easy to ride. Looking forward seeing how it does in the shootout.

[@NectarHeadz]

Love my 21 don't really need anything else

[@Timmo2fiddy]

Even after removing the big black grommet in the Airbox, would it be a advisable to modify the top section of the Airbox by adding some extra holes?

[@markswartmx56]

@ML you are the second tester I've heard say the power reminds them of a 350. Does that include corner entry/handling or just overall power output?

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

No way this hog feels like a 350. Completely different engines. I've never ever felt any 450 even remotely similar to the 3 350s I've owned/own

[@OtisFlint]

The new engine makes the think the 450X is going to be fantastic in the woods.

[@hondaman3317]

Why all these top end 450s? Low to mid, with a little overrev is a great package. Love my 21. Riding yesterday i thought i couldnt have a better bike. Do like the look of the new bike, some of the hardware is awesome

[@jonathandeemer257]

Thinking about going from a 21 YZ250F To this bike. Vet C rider. 205lbs. Had a 21 YZ450F and it was to much for me. Opinions?

[@vitalmx]

Much mellower than a YZ450F, however it still has "450" weight.

[@caydenthompson126]

Bike also gained 5 lbs

[@bradpowell843]

That’s a big negative no matter how you shake it.

[@marcusbarnes5929]

Is the 2024 ktm 450 a better bike?

[@thedirtdevils2591]

Since I’m also a pretty heavy rear-end steering guy, I’m pretty concerned for the future, with all the manufactures changing the frames to a more balanced bike/feeling. So my question would be, what’s the best bike in 2024 for a rear end steering guy? Sounds like it’s still good but I really like the “choppered out“ feeling

[@Jdon684]

Dude I’m in the same boat! Every time I ride a KTM or any of the Austrian brands, I feel like I’m riding a unicycle over the front tire… I can never get used to their ergo’s

[@caydenthompson126]

Probably Kawi still

[@thedirtdevils2591]

@@Jdon684 But only the new generation… I had a 2017 Husky FC 350, loved that bike ran a sag 110 & 40-45 and even made the choppered feeling more extreme with high bars! Sounds weird I know but I love that style. More like RV back in the day! That’s why I tested every bike last year and came up with 23 kawi, since it was the last real rear end steering bike so to say

[@lotharluder2743]

What is choppered feeling?

[@caydenthompson126]

@@lotharluder2743 front end high, back end low

[@daviddubus1946]

I'm fan Mr Malcolm Stewart team husqvarna too good Rider and title for 2024 Sx US 450 4tps Yes

[@Stinky_sack]

Bike gained 5lbs. Looks like ML has gained some as well. On that Cooper Webb program

[@vitalmx]

Im down 25 lbs 😂 look at test videos from the past 12 months, we’re heading the right direction. - ML

[@chestercalloway3812]

@@vitalmxthat guy is a douche. Keep it up ML.

[@Factory132z]

bro I was about to say you're looking fit man! keep it up. @@vitalmx

[@TheMXrider367]

Does anyone know if Kawasaki will be offering the SR in 24?

[@stevesmith756]

They need to ride another track like Perris or LACR. Nobody’s bike feels good at Glen Helen. Never can find a good setting there

[@vitalmx]

Chassis was pretty amazing at GH.

[@stevesmith756]

@@vitalmx 👍cool to hear, I struggle there

[@ObsidianFrog]

" consumers " is a contemptible term for customers.

[@dekancaine]

Isn’t it bkw the most expensive Japanese bike now?

[@sdb92]

Looks bulky and heavy. And, still same fugly front number plate and fender..?

[@aydenrich262]

Well, there’s a reason they kept it so it must be good

[@sdb92]

@@aydenrich262 😂🙄Oh, K.! That is why Team Kawasaki is kicking ass, right? Well, AC and el Hombre suck, too.

[@C.Sivo55]

@@sdb92yeah right bc the style of front fender totally determines how the bike will perform😂

[@sdb92]

@@C.Sivo55 🤣Yeah, you’re definitely just too dumb to get the point…

[@kc4412]

Is this really the 350 we have being waiting for from Kawi?

[@TheSiliconeslick]

You look like Josh Allen

[@123bbm]

He's riding in deep heavy mud and claiming it needs more power compared to some other bike he did not ride back to back. That's just stupid! This is why you can't believe anything most of these tester say, it's mostly BullShit!.

[@danoa8859]

It’s 5hp down on the other manufacturers. What do you expect.

[@123bbm]

Where is the dyno test on that? Or the back to back hole shot or lap times against the other bikes? Who can use all the power of a 450 anything? Did you watch any Pro MX? Masterpool got top 3 holeshots all year on a stock KX that they also said was slow. FeBreve won 5 of the last 6 MXGPs and the last moto on the 24 KX , also had faster laps than Jett at the MXdN on it. These testers are squids and just talk, this guy rode around most the track with his feet off the pegs like some beginner.@@danoa8859

[@vitalmx]

@@123bbmfebvre’s bike has a completely different airbox, fully built engine and is up at least 8 hp over this bike. Our engine comments are made off of 1 1/2 hours of riding before it rain, when the track was dry. It rained at 11pm and we started shortly after 9.

[@123bbm]

So you've tested FeBreve's bike and dynoed both of then back to back? More conjuncture BS, and you can't use the HP of that 450 with your feet like outriggers around most of the track. @@vitalmx

[@matthewtoes6433]

There has to be a better place to test than Glen Helen what about washougal, fox raceway bad choice for test venue America needs a brand New national track or even start a national beach racing season

[@moto3463]

Looks very heavy and no race parts..idk who would buy one

[@James-xb8dd]

$11,000 , heavy, slow, less HP than a KTM 350, however its got great grips 😂😂😅

[@rickywoods3101]

About the same HP but ktm has less torque and a more linear curve. But I rather have the ktm 350