KAWASAKI'S KX450F is all new in design and all new on the eye.

Take a look at the 2012 KX and you will quickly notice major changes from front to back, bottom to top.

After taking Championships with its previous model and race win after race win many were left asking, 'how do you make a great bike even better?'

Chassis and suspension:
The main focus of the Kawasaki crew was clearly within this department.
A completely new chassis and all new KYB suspension settings along with a sleek new look headline the 2012 improvements. Beginning with the externals, the 'eye candy' if you will, the KX450F gets all new plastics and graphics to give the green machine a modern new image.

Next up, an all new chassis changes the feel once you’re on the bike, with the slimmer, narrower chassis giving the rider more room to move which we found in turn gives a more nimble, lighter feeling when you’re on the track. Changes were also aimed at making the Kawasaki more manoeuvrable through the turns, making things easier and more predictable for the rider when the ruts and bumps start to get nasty. The KYB suspension settings got upgraded to suit the characteristics of the new chassis, the updated valving works well and the KX handles great on the track.

Adjustability was a target for the Kawasaki engineers. Changes were made to the top triple clamp and handlebar clamp system which give the rider up to four choices on where they would like to position their handlebars. The footpeg mounts are also now adjustable, with a high and low height setting. Renthal handlebars come standard and are a winner. A nice comfortable bend and top quality product only add to the beauty of the new Kawasaki.

Engine:
Kawasaki has always been known for its strong motors. The 2012 edition of the KX450F holds true to that reputation as the new green machine absolutely rips. Kawasaki engineers didn’t have to start over, as the 2011 motor was already a winner, instead they worked towards making further refinements on what they already had and pursued the ultimate goal of improved ride-ability.
A new exhaust system, new cams, new ECU mapping, revised gearbox, slimmer radiators, improved clutch, and a refined fuel pump are the headline acts on the 2012 KX450F. All items are aimed at improving the long-term durability as well as making performance improvements for the rider in need.

For those of us who take a look at the handlebars and are left with the question. 'why on earth there are two buttons that both look like kill switches?' We have the answer – Launch Control Mode. Kawasaki came up with a setting for the EFI/Ignition control, where the rider activates a different EFI/Ignition Map for the start of the race. The launch control map gives the rider a different curve off the start, which simply allows the rider to hold the throttle flat out and click gears once the gate has dropped, while the engine minimises wheelspin and maximises grip. Once you click third gear the map is deactivated and the bike returns to the normal race map. Perfect for those tricky starts where grip can be hard to come by.

On the Track:
Once the press release and media caper was finished it was time to hit the dirt. You immediately notice the new KX feels slimmer and more nimble than ever before. The power is exactly as you would expect from a modern day EFI 450; strong and plentiful, but very controllable and easy to use. The Kawasaki doesn’t lack anywhere on the track. The power comes on strong whenever you need it, especially out of tighter turns and will keep on surging forward until you don’t have the guts to twist it anymore. The bottom-mid range power may not be as aggressive as some of its competition but smooth and rideable power takes the win every time after a few laps of swinging off a 450 motocrosser.
We found the launch control works well, giving strong starts time after time.
The handlebar and footpeg adjustment is a nice touch. We played around with different heights and settings but always seemed to land back in the standard position. For the real short or tall rider it’s a great option, but for most of us it’s a feature that probably won’t be used. The brakes work well, and all the levers are nice and comfortable, which adds to rider comfort and makes you feel more at home. The KYB suspension does a great job and offers great tuneability. We came up with a really good setting on the day showing the standard suspension will be fine for most people. On the race track the KX changes direction easily and makes turns with minimal effort.

Verdict:
The 2012 KX450F is a certainly a winner. We loved the 2011 model and are even more impressed with the 2012. The new chassis makes the world of difference and really gives the Kawasaki a new feel without losing those Kawasaki characteristics you become used to. Last year the motor was great and 2012 is nothing different, the upgrades are noticeable and really make the bike easier to ride. Going racing on a new KX450F would be great fun, it’s a really fun package that needs minimal work right off the showroom floor. It’s competitive and easy to ride which always makes the KX an attractive buy, especially at only $11,999.