MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 2022 KAWASAKI KX450SR—GOOD TO GO FOR 2023

Thanks to some major add-ons, a little bit of cylinder work and a swap from the stock Showa suspension to Kayaba components, Kawasaki’s KX450SR (Special Racer) version of the Factory Edition, Rockstar Edition, Works Edition and Justin Barcia Edition is a lot more that just a blinged-out KX450. It is a better KX450—better suspension, better power, better mapping, better triple clamps and better exhaust system. However, there are some downsides, first and foremost is the $12,400 price tag. That is a big price jump from the $9599 stock KX450. We see where they money went, but have to wonder why Kawasaki’s engineers didn’t fix the existing flaws on the production KX450 while they were at it. We would have liked a higher pressure radiator cap, front fork guards that don’t shatter in roost, push-button maps instead of plug-in couplers, matched clutch and brake levers, more durable lower chain roller and T-plate inserts that don’t fall out of the rear fender. We hate that Kawasaki wants you to spend $2800 more than the cost of the stock 2022 KX450 for the Special Racer, but didn’t take time to fix the most obvious flaws. However, on the track we loved the Special Racer—warts and all.