2008 Kawasaki KFX450R Photo Gallery

MotoUSA turns some motos on double the wheels with this review of the 2008 Kawasaki KFX450R ATV. Check out the 2008 Kawasaki KFX450R ATV Test

2008 Kawasaki KFX450R

Other than a slightly hard seat, comfort was up to all day rides with a well-placed bar and decent peg placement.

Kawasaki claims that with the use of aluminum, titanium and other lightweight materials in other parts of the vehicle negates the weight penalty from conveniences like reverse and an electric starter.

The engine isn't perfectly suited to life on the track. Relatively mellow power down low makes it sluggish at times, and it doesn't have the top-end squirt needed out of corners to bump it over the next big jump.

Features like a reverse gear add to the KFX's do-all appeal.

The power curve which dishes out the ponies to the midrange, spreading the torque over a wide range of engine speeds to get it to hook-up, but this sacrifices top-end power as a result

The transmission of the KFX is a slick-shifting beast, with well-proportioned ratios through all the gears, but the real news for off-roaders and cross-country racers is the inclusion of reverse.

The KFX's front end does a good job of handling abuse from jumps or stumps, but we did notice some deflection and vibration stransmitted to the rider.

We had no qualms with taking it to the sand for some serious play time.

The narrow yet stable front end provides long-travel suspension without a super-wide stance.

the KFX has jumped into the sport-quad market kicking and spitting all over the established competition.

Clearly the trickest component on the KFX450R is the chassis.

Even though it's based off the carbureted KX450F motor, Kawi engineers equipped the 450R with fuel injection to ensure smooth fuel consumption all day, every day no matter the conditions.