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2008 Kawasaki KLX450R Photo Gallery
2008 Kawasaki KLX450RI've not even completed my first lap on the smaller of two rocky loops and already I'm in love with this romping beast. So familiar, and yet a whole new sensation - a real off-road Kawasaki. Check out what we thought about our
2008 Kawasaki KLX450R First Ride
2008 Kawasaki KLX450R
Like this cactus, the KLX450R gives a middle finger to the rest of existing 450 enduro competition.
Technical downhills were easy with nimble handling and predictable suspension.
This is exactly where 12.6 inches of ground clearance comes in handy.
KX450F-based suspension is well-suited to off-road use with the softer settings provided by Kawasaki. A lack of DLC on the lower forks is a major bummer, however.
Low-end torque got the Kawi up and over every obstacle we came across.
There were plenty of cacti to keep us focused on the trail.
Jumping into this sand wash no problem with the stable chassis of the KLX.
JC enjoys his 0.6 second in front of Fredette. At least the dust cleared quickly.
Catching air time was the one thing we didn’t find out in the Arizona desert. Once we get a KLX to bring home we’ll find some drop-offs and hop some logs to test suspension on.
The Kawi will ride like a bucking bronco if you want it to.
Hilde spotted this photo op, but Fredette couldn’t hold back and laid the first tracks – selfish bastard.
Steering with the rear wheel is perfectly acceptable and the amount of power on tap makes it pretty easy.
JC thought the KLX was plenty stable, but others liked to drop the forks a few millimeters, especially in the shifty sand washes.
The bike’s slim layout makes it easy to control things with your legs. Hilde demonstrates.
Powering out of deep sand was possible even when running a gear high. The new cams and exhaust and revised jetting give the bike tons of low-end grunt.
Any time you get a chance to lead Jeff Fredette on single track, be sure to throw in a wheelie just for good measure. Chances are you won’t get another chance – ever.
This attractive headlight assembly puts out 35 watts with its halogen bulb, but Kawasaki needs to figure out how make it point downwards.
The KLX has this bright LED taillight, but it isn’t connected to the brake. All you dual-sport visionaries will have to remedy that yourselves.
With the sun rising over Kawi’s new off-roader, it may be setting on some of the competition.
Kawasaki’s take on what a 450 enduro bike should be is right in line with what we were hoping for.
Notice something missing? Holes in the upper shroud shouldn’t be necessary on the KLX like they are for motocross versions.
The off-road bike has this quick-access airbox which is definitely nice.
