First Impression Of The 2019 Kawasaki KX 450

For the most part, Japanese manufacturers stick to a three-year plan with each generation motocross bike. Year one for an all-new or significantly changed model is normally followed up by two years of refinements and small improvements. Based on that pattern, we expected the 2019 Kawasaki KX450 to be an all-new model as the previous generation 450 was debuted in 2016. Back in April, we took a trip to Kumamoto, Japan, to check out the action and machinery at the All Japan National MX Championship series opener. And just as we had expected, the factory Kawasaki team had two all-new machines under the factory tent; piloted by Yoshitaka Arai and Makoto Ogata. Equipped with all-new chassis and bodywork, the SR450Fs that we saw in Japan also boasted electric start, hydraulic clutch systems, and engines that were outwardly different than the current powerplant. Lo and behold, our sources in Japan proved correct when the new model information about the 2019 KX450 (the "F" designation was dropped for 2019, as there is no reason to identify the motocross line as four-stroke since there are no more two-strokes) dropped, and everything about the machines we saw being raced in Japan trickled down to the new production bike.