FIRST LOOK! ALL-NEW 2024 KAWASAKI KX450

The Kawasaki KX450 received no updates for the 2023 model year, unless you think adding in-mold radiator shroud graphics is breaking new technological barriers. In truth, it was a four-year-old bike that wasn’t all that different from the 2019–2022 KX450. Yet, the 2023 KX450 managed to win several 450 shootouts with a workman-like package. It wasn’t light. It wasn’t powerful. It wasn’t well suspended. It wasn’t blessed with an advanced electronics package, and it wasn’t blessed with abundant horsepower.

It finished fourth in the “2023 MXA 450 Shootout,” with the MXA test riders summing it up this way: “The 2023 Kawasaki KX450 is a nice, pleasant and fun-to-race bike, but by no stretch of the imagination is this the best 450 motocross bike of 2023. If Kawasaki really wanted the KX450 to be the 450 of the year, it would need better forks, advanced electronics, improved durability, a stronger chain roller, improved plastic, a better-modulated rear brake, a larger and easier-to-access airbox, and more actual horsepower for 2024.”

VOILA! ENTER THE ALL-NEW 2024 KAWASAKI KX450

All hail the Kawasaki engineers! The KX450 they have wrought for 2024 remedies the vast majority of MXA’s complaints. Follow along, please…

ENGINE: For 2024, Kawasaki changed the layout of the entire drivetrain system—from the valve angles to the symmetrical intake and exhaust ports that produce straighter airflow. As a result, power is improved across all areas at any throttle position or engine rpm (hopefully making up the almost 4-horsepower gap with the 2023 shootout winners).

The cylinder head now has a center port exhaust design with a new exhaust system that contributes to both peak power and controllability while allowing for slimmer bodywork. The pipe’s muffler was moved forward as well, improving mass centralization, and has stronger mounts.

BRAKES: Hold on to your hats, folks, because the 2024 KX450 comes with a class-leading Brembo front brake, master cylinder, caliper and lever (getting rid of 2023’s awkwardly shaped brake lever). A Nissin caliper remains on the rear wheel, but the rear rotor has been reduced from its touchy 250mm in 2023 to 240mm in 2024. 

ERGONOMICS: The 2024 KX450 will feature all-new bodywork that is much sleeker. The shrouds, side covers and rear fender are all redesigned. Plus, a new quick-release design will be featured on the airbox cover to provide tool-less access to the air filter, which means the 8mm bolt that strips out so easily on the cover is gone for 2024. 

Additionally, ODI Lock-On grips will come standard on the KX450 with green accents on the rubber tips and mounting hardware. 

ELECTRONICS PACKAGE: Kawasaki previously offered a $700 KX FI Calibration kit and plug-in couplers to make mapping changes. There were no easy-to-use push-button map switches on the handlebars. For 2024, Kawasaki has developed a Bluetooth-connected smartphone app called Rideology that enables riders to access and change fuel and ignition maps with a handlebar-mounted controller, eliminating the old-fashioned plug-in couplers. Two different maps are available to manage Kawasaki’s traction control settings—standard and mild. For 2024, riders will be able to choose their level of traction control, adjust between two power modes, and activate launch control at the push of a button. 

CHASSIS: There is an all-new, lightweight, aluminum perimeter frame that features optimized stiffness and frame geometry that is claimed to improve the front-end feel.

2024 KAWASAKI KX250: Since the KX250 was all new in 2023, the only changes it gets for 2024 are new radiator shroud graphics and a solid green seat cover.

SUGGESTED MSRP: The $10,399 retail price for the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 is $800 more than last year’s $9599 MSRP.