MXA TEAM TESTED: TWISTED DEVELOPMENT KX450 VORTEX ECU

WHAT IS IT? Vortex is the market leader in aftermarket ECUs, and they owe a big nod to Jamie Ellis of Twisted Development who sells these like hot cakes. The $1000-plus price from Twisted Development buys you a new Vortex X10 ECU that comes loaded with 10 of Twisted Development’s custom-programmed maps based on your bike’s setup and needs. 

WHAT’S IT COST? $1059.99 (new Vortex ECU plus custom mapping), $400.00 (re-map Vortex ECU).

CONTACT? www.td-racing.com or (951) 698-7222. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Twisted Development-tuned Vortex ECU for the 2024–2025 Kawasaki KX450.

(1) KX450. The 2019–2023 Kawasaki KX450 engine wasn’t known for impressive horsepower numbers, but it always had great throttle response that made the bike feel faster than it was. For 2024–2025, Kawasaki flipped the script. The new bike makes respectable horsepower on the dyno (58.01), but it feels slow on the track. Our test riders called it a Japanese 350. The 2025 engine is extremely mellow and lacking in excitement. Also new for 2024–’25 is the Kawasaki Rideology smartphone app for adjusting maps; however, the parameters are very limited on the app, which makes it hard to make noticeable gains with the mapping. 

(2) Vortex tuning. The Vortex X10 ECU offers extensive parameters allowing for a fine-tuning of fuel and ignition timing. The X10 dial allows you to navigate through 10 different maps, and it allows adjustment of the Lo, Mid and Hi fuel trim. These fuel-trim clickers allow you to modify the fuel supplied to the engine through the EFI system, adding or taking away 2.5 percent of fuel per click. The Lo adjuster is like a pilot jet on a carburetor. It adjusts the throttle character from 5 to 25 percent. The Mid adjuster is like a needle jet, adjusting 33 to 66 percent, and Hi is like a main jet, adjusting 75- to 100-percent throttle. 

(3) Twisted Performance. Our testers loved the Twisted-tuned Vortex ECU on our KX450. One tester’s initial feedback was, “Well, third gear is back in the party.” Second gear is fairly long on the KX450, which is crucial, because this bike struggles to pull third in the corners. Thanks to the Vortex, third gear is available in the corners, even with the stock gearing; however, we did elect to add one tooth, bumping it to a 51-tooth rear sprocket to make it even easier to ride third in the corners. With the stock exhaust, we leaned the Vortex out to two all the way across, but then went to four all the way across to make the fuel richer when we installed the Pro Circuit Ti-6 exhaust system. We used map number six, which is what Twisted recommended, to work with the Pro Circuit exhaust. It’s best if you specify which exhaust you’re using when you order. 

On the track, the Vortex power increase was most noticeable off the crack of the throttle and at the bottom end. But, overall, it gave the KX450 20-percent more power. Once we combined the Pro Circuit exhaust with the Vortex ECU, the KX450 engine character was closer to that of the stock KTM 450SXF. It’s still easy to ride and not so powerful that it wants to rip out of your hands. The mapping is also cleaner through the rpm, and there’s less vibration with the ECU and the Pro Circuit exhaust.

(4) Value. You can save money by having Twisted remap your stock ECU, but the parameters for adjusting the power are tighter, and then it’s harder to take that investment to another bike. In most cases, once you buy a Vortex ECU, you can remap that same unit for different models and different manufacturers—one exception is Yamaha, which requires a special Vortex model.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? The only caveat is that you can’t change maps while you’re riding with the Vortex ECU; however, the stock handlebar switch will flash to let you know which map you’re in. Because we used map six, it flashed six times. 

MXA RATING: By itself, the Vortex is the best $1000 you could spend to upgrade your KX450 engine. Compared to an aftermarket exhaust, it boosts more power, and it doesn’t require maintenance. Plus, you can carry it to next year’s model, or even to another brand if you decide to switch, and pay just $400 to re-map it.