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