Every aspect of the
2006 KX450F, from its ultra-powerful four-stroke engine to the trick
aluminum frame and suspension, reflects its purpose as a
championship-winning race bike.
Kawasaki engineers
stressed every detail on the new, liquid-cooled, 449cc four-stroke engine
to ensure that its provides maximum power and traction. Featuring double
overhead cams, four valves and a Keihin FCR40 carburetor, it combines
amazing acceleration with smooth over-rev capability so the rider can use
very ounce of its incredible power on the racetrack.
Hand-finished intake
ports maximize intake efficiency, while lightweight titanium valves and
aluminum valve retainers reduce reciprocating weight for reliable valve
control at high rpm. Plus, double valve springs provide stable operation
under intense racing conditions. To ensure quick and easy starting, the
KX450F features both an automatic compression release and hot start
system.
The KX450F utilizes
newly designed, high-capacity Denso radiators, which provide superior
cooling under racing conditions. With its tightly packed radiator cores
and new fin design, the new radiators improve heat dispersion for
consistent engine power characteristics and dependability.
The KX450F comes
equipped with a tapered titanium exhaust pipe that expands in diameter
from 38 to 41mm, contributing to its broad powerband, and the silencer
features new, long-fiber packing.
Kawasaki engineers
have matched the high-tech engine to a new four-speed transmission.
Combined with a manual, multi-disc wet clutch, the four-speed transmission
enables the rider to take advantage of the engine's inherently broad
powerband on the racetrack. And to protect the underside of the engine and
transmission, the KX450F comes with a lightweight aluminum skid place.
The KX450F chassis
has been designed to help the rider put the engine's power to the ground.
To do this, Kawasaki engineers combined their experience designing steel
perimeter KX frames and techniques used to construct the Ninja ZX™-10R
sport bike chassis to create an all-new aluminum perimeter frame.
Comprised of forged, extruded and cast aluminum parts, the strong
twin-spar design gives the KX450F optimum balance of torsional and
longitudinal rigidity.
The frame was
designed so that the center of gravity and key chassis dimensions would
work together to enhance the rear tire's ability to drive the KX450F
forward instead of squatting under acceleration. Additionally, the
four-stroke engine sits in an upright position within the new frame to
further aid overall traction.
Kawasaki then added
complementary front and rear suspension to the KX450F. A Kayaba AOS
(Air-Oil-Separate) fork keeps oil and air in separate chambers for stable
damping performance during long motos. On the rear, the UNI-TRAK® rear
suspension system features an alloy swingarm with tapered spars and
linkage ratios to maximize traction under acceleration.
Front and rear petal
disc brakes provide stopping power for the KX450F. This design not only
helps to reduce unsprung weight, but the petal shape of the discs helps to
clean the brake pads for more efficient braking performance.
The slim profile of
the KX450F frame, two-piece radiator shrouds that leave the upper frame
spars exposed, and design of the remaining bodywork make the KX450F feel
light and narrow beneath the rider.
The KX450F comes
with a Renthal aluminum handlebar, while the seat uses a slip-resistant
top surface for good grip when seated and smooth sides for enhanced rider
mobility. The KX450F also features titanium footpegs and footpeg brackets
for reduced overall weight.
Complementing the
KX450F's ultra-high-performance design is aggressive bodywork and
graphics.
Kawasaki offers a
number of optional parts for the KX450F, including a top mounting clamp
for an oversized handlebar, aluminum and steel rear sprockets, solid petal
disc brake rotors for wet racing conditions, optional springs for the
front fork and rear shock, and a 20-inch front wheel.
FEATURES
Engine
- 449cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single
- Wide powerband extends into the over-rev
Top End
- High-acceleration cams help the engine rev more quickly
- Camshaft lobes and tappets feature soft-nitriding surface treatment for
long wear and
high-rpm reliability
- Hand-finished surfaces of the polished intake ports improve intake
efficiency at all
rpm
- Lightweight titanium 36mm intake and 31mm exhaust valves and aluminum
valve
retainers reduce reciprocating weight for reliable valve
control at high rpm
- Double valve springs help ensure stable valve operation
- Screw-type cam chain tensioner adjuster with pressure spring functions
automatically
- Low-friction coating on piston skirt
Bottom End
- Crankshaft, rotor mass centralization, oil circulation, and ignition
timing have been
carefully examined to help ensure ideal engine braking
characteristics
- Crankshaft and connecting rod are sintered for additional rigidity
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 gives quick starts when the engine is hot, and the hot
start lever is
unitized with the clutch lever
- The plunger actuating the hot starter has a U-packing seal to prevent
water from
getting into the carburetion system
Exhaust
- Tapered all-titanium exhaust pipe expands in diameter from 38 to 41mm,
contributing to both low- and high-rpm performance
- Titanium exhaust pipe heat shield
- Silencer uses new, long-fiber packing
Cooling
- Newly designed, high-capacity Denso radiators deliver superior cooling
efficiency
- Slim new radiators feature more tightly packed cores and a new fin
design for
enhanced heat dispersion
Shifting
- Four-speed transmission features new shift drum cam to minimize shift
lever play
Frame
- All-aluminum perimeter frame is 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
- Titanium footpegs and footpeg brackets
- Aluminum skid plate
Front Suspension
- Kayaba AOS (Air-Oil-Separate) fork keeps oil and air in separate
chambers for
stable damping performance during long motos
- Low-friction fork seals contribute to smooth action
- Plastic liners inside the fork sliders allow secondary tuning
Rear Suspension
- rear suspension system features linkage ratios to suit the new frame and
swingarm - New UNI-TRAK
- Alloy swingarm uses cast front section, tapered hydroformed spars and
forged chain
pullers; the tapered spars are shaped to match the balance of
flex and rigidity
required of the aluminum frame, and allow additional clearance
for the rear brake
caliper when the rear suspension is fully compressed
Brakes
- Front and rear petal disc brakes help reduce unsprung weight
- Petal shapes of the discs help clean the brake pads for more efficient
braking
performance
Wheels
- 32-spoke rear wheel for reduced unsprung weight
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
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
Options
- Optional cable set-up allows manual operation of the decompressor via a
lever on the
right handle grip
- Top mounting clamp for an oversized handlebar
- Aluminum and steel rear sprockets with optional tooth sizes
- Solid petal brake rotors for wet racing conditions
- Optional springs for the front fork and rear shock
- 20-inch front wheel
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single with DOHC and four valves
Displacement: 449cc
Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Carburetion: Keihin FCR40
Ignition: Digital AC-CDI
Starting: Kick
Transmission: Four-speed with manual multi-disc wet clutch
Final drive: Chain
Frame: Aluminum perimeter
Rake / trail: 27 degrees / 4.6 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 48mm inverted AOS-type telescopic fork
with 22-way compression damping and 20-way rebound damping / 12.4 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK® linkage system with 22-way
compression and rebound damping, and fully adjustable spring preload /
12.4 in.
Front tire: 80/100-21 51M
Rear tire: 100/90-19 57M
Front brake: Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc with dual-piston
caliper
Rear brake: Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length: TBA
Overall width: TBA
Overall height: TBA
Wheelbase: TBA
Ground clearance: TBA
Seat height: TBA
Dry weight: TBA
Fuel capacity: TBA
Color: Kawasaki Lime Green / Black
MSRP: TBA
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