First Look: 2008 Kawasaki KX450F
Features and Benefits
Engine
– 449cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke single with lightweight, oxidized membrane treated titanium valves
– High-acceleration cams help the engine rev quickly
– Revised piston-cooling oil jet
– Fifth bolt added to oil pump cover for improved sealing
– Dual overhead, lightweight camshafts feature a soft-nitride surface treatment for long wear and high-rpm reliability
– Special coating on the intake ports improve intake efficiency at all rpm
– Titanium 36mm intake and 31mm exhaust valves with aluminum spring retainers and dual, progressive valve springs reduce reciprocating weight and cylinder height and help ensure reliable valve control at high rpm
– Maintenance free screw-type automatic cam chain adjuster
– Low-friction coating on piston skirt
Bottom End
– New connecting rod material has a harder surface for reduced friction
– New wedge-shaped crank web combined and a new heavier flywheel to reduce engine vibration and increased low-end performance
– Oil pump has a revised gear ratio and 2mm larger rotor to increase oil flow
– Unique crankcase breather system vents through the balancer shaft located in the crankcase, permitting the engine to rev more freely
Starting
– Features highly reliable auto-decompression system; the dual-weight centrifugal decompression system fitted to the exhaust cam eases starting, and its simple construction helps to ensure reliability
– Hot start system provides easier starts when the engine is hot, and the hot start lever is unitized with the clutch lever
Exhaust
– New muffler joint bracket and thicker baffle plate help increase reliability
– Large 41mm titanium exhaust header for increased power
– Light weight, tapered head pipe with titanium heat shield helps increase exhaust efficiency over a broad rpm range
– Silencer uses long-fiber packing for lower maintenance
Cooling
– High-capacity Denso radiators deliver superior cooling efficiency
– Slim radiators feature tightly packed cores and fins designed to enhanced heat dispersion
Shifting
– The five-speed transmission received a new cam shape and a wider track (5.0mm to 6.5mm) on the shift drum to permit easier and more consistent gear selection
Brakes
– Front and rear petal disc brakes help reduce unsprung weight
– Disc shape helps clean the brake pads for more efficient braking performance
Frame
– New engine mounts moved 10mm farther from the engine for a slight decrease in torsional frame rigidity to quicken turning and increase rear wheel traction
– All-aluminum perimeter frame is a composite structure comprising forged, extruded and cast components
– The slim profile of the KX450F frame, two-piece radiator shrouds that leave the upper frame spars exposed, and careful design of the remaining bodywork make the KX450F feel light and narrow beneath the rider
– Works-style aluminum skid plate and plastic engine guards
Front Suspension
– Kayaba AOS (Air-Oil-Separate) fork keeps oil and air in separate chambers for stable damping performance during long motos
– New friction-reducing Kashima Coat treatment added on the inside surface of outer fork tube
– DLC (Diamond Like Coating) on the fork sliders reduces stiction
Rear Suspension
– UNI-TRAK? rear suspension system features revised shock valving to maximize traction for better front/rear balance, acceleration and enhanced controllability
– The shock now features dual compression adjustability, for separate high- and low-speed damping tuning
– A single, large port into the adjuster improves rider feel and adjustability over previous twin adjusters
– New friction-reducing Kashima Coat treatment added on the inside of shock reservoir
– Alloy swingarm uses cast front section, tapered hydroformed spars and forged chain pullers; the tapered spars are shaped to provide a balance of flex and rigidity required of the aluminum frame.
– Sprocket style chain roller reduces drive lash
Wheels
– 32-spoke rear wheel for reduced unsprung weight
– Lighter and stronger rear hub for increased durability and less unsprung weight
– New black alumite-coated rims for a factory appearance
Weight Savings
– Aluminum parts used instead of steel, including clutch cable elbow, clutch cable fitting nuts, fuel tank fitting nuts, seat mounting brackets, front brake hose clamp and igniter stay bracket
From the Cockpit
– Renthal aluminum handlebars are standard
– Lightweight short-length grips feature a special pattern to reduce vibration transmitted from the bars to the rider
– Seat uses a slip-resistant top surface for good grip when seated and smooth sides for excellent rider mobility
Options
– Different weight magneto rotors (+/-1 kg.cm2)
– Handlebar Holder for a 1 1/8 in. bar (STD: 7/8 in.)
– Aluminum and Steel Rear Sprockets (+/-2T)
– Solid Petal Brake Rotors for wet races
– Optional Rate Fork and Shock Springs
– 20″ Front Wheel
– Manual Decompression Lever & Cable
—————————————
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single with DOHC and four valve cylinder head
Displacement: 449cc
Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Carburetion: Keihin FCR40
Ignition: Multi-map digital CDI with throttle position sensor (K-TRIC)
Transmission: Five-speed
Rake / trail: 27.1 degrees / 4.6 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 48mm inverted, Kayaba AOS with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment / 12.4 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK? linkage system and Kayaba shock with 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression dampening, 22-position rebound dampening and fully adjustable spring preload / 12.4 in.
Front tire: 90/100-21
Rear tire: 120/80-19
Front brake: Semi-floating 250mm petal disc
Rear brake: 240mm petal disc
Overall length: 86.0 in.
Overall width: 32.3 in.
Overall height: 50.4 in.
Wheelbase: 58.5 in.
Ground clearance: 13.6 in.
Seat height: 38.0 in.
Dry weight: 220 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 1.9 gal.
Color: Lime Green
MSRP: $6,999
Wholesale distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 770-0400
Comments are closed.