2009 Kawasaki KX450F
Kawasaki is forging ahead with dramatic changes to its KX450F and KX250F for the 2009 model year.
The 450F gets Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) operating without the weight of a battery. The 43mm throttle body springs to life with the electricity generated through the kick starter. Kawasaki claims single-kick starting, because the ECU is powered at the initial movement of the kickstarter.
The engine is essentially all-new in the 450F. It is smaller and lighter, with revised intake and exhaust ports. The compression ratio has gone from 12.0 to 12.5:1, and exhaust exits through a new titanium pipe.
The frame is also new, 1.8 pounds lighter, slimmer and with a new rigidity balance intended to improve handling. A new swingarm has a new pivot point 3mm higher this year. Suspension changes include friction-reducing coatings on fork tubes and the inside surface of the shock reservoir. Fork offset is reduced 1mm to improve front wheel traction. The 2009 KX450F is pictured above, and here are its specifications (look below for a photo and specs of the 2009 KX250F):
2009 Kawasaki KX™450F Specifications*
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single with DOHC and four valve cylinder head
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
- Compression ratio: 12.5:1
- Fuel Injection: 43mm Keihin Throttle body
- Ignition: Digital DC-CDI
- Transmission: Five-speed
- Rake / trail: 26.7 degrees / 4.6 in.
- Front suspension / wheel travel: 48mm inverted, Kayaba AOS with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment / 12.4 in.
- Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK® linkage system and Kayaba shock with 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression dampening, 22-position rebound dampening and fully adjustable spring preload / 12.4 in.
- Front tire: 90/100-21
- Rear tire: 120/80-19
- Front brake: Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc with dual piston caliper
- Rear brake: Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
- Overall length: 86.0 in.
- Overall width: 32.3 in.
- Overall height: 50.4 in.
- Wheelbase: 58.3 in.
- Ground clearance: 13.4 in.
- Seat height: 38.0 in.
- Curb weight: 247.2 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 1.8 gal.
- Color: Lime Green
- MSRP: $7,549
- Wholesale distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 770-0400
www.kawasaki.com
*Specifications are subject to change.
2009 Kawasaki KX250F
The 2009 Kawasaki KX250F (pictured immediately above) also received dramatic changes. The engine gets a new cylinder head with revised intake port and stronger titanium valves. A more carefully balanced crank shaft and a new, tapered titanium exhaust are also part of the package. Engine cooling capacity has increased with larger radiators and other changes to the cooling system.
To reduce weight and mechanical loss, engine oil volume was lowered but a crankcase oil filter was added to maintain reliability. Transmission durability is improved with stronger gears, and both the clutch and generator covers are stronger. Other transmission changes improved shift quality and reliability.
A new, lighter frame provides slimmer ergonomics and improved rigidity balance. The new swingarm pivots from a higher location on the frame and is lighter in weight. A new rear Showa shock has a larger 50mm piston diameter and new damping characteristics. The Showa fork has coated tubes for reduced stiction. Like the 450F, the 250F has a 1mm reduction in fork off-set
New, slimmer plastic and wider 50mm footpegs improve ergonomics on the new KX250F. Here are the specifications for the 2009 Kawasaki KX250F:
2009 KAWASAKI KX™250F Specifications*
- Engine: Four-stroke single with DOHC and four valves
- Displacement: 249cc
- Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 53.6mm
- Cooling: Liquid
- Carburetion: Keihin FCR37 and hot start circuit
- Compression ratio: 13.2:1
- Ignition: Digital CDI with K-TRIC throttle position sensor
- Transmission: Five-speed with wet multi-disc manual clutch
- Final drive: Chain
- Frame: Aluminum perimeter
- Rake / trail: 27.7 degrees / 4.8 in.
- Front suspension / wheel travel: 47mm inverted Showa twin-chamber telescopic fork with 16-way compression and rebound damping / 12.4 in.
- Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK® linkage system and Showa shock with 13-way low-speed and stepless high-speed compression damping, 17-way rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload / 12.2 in.
- Front tire: 80/100-21
- Rear tire: 100/90-19
- Front brake: Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc with dual piston caliper
- Rear brake: Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
- Overall length: 85.4 in.
- Overall width: 32.3 in.
- Overall height: 50.0 in.
- Wheelbase: 57.9 in.
- Ground clearance: 13.4 in.
- Seat height: 37.6 in.
- Curb weight: 229.9 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 2.1 gal.
- Color: Lime Green
- MSRP: TBD
- Wholesale distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 770-0400
www.kawasaki.com
*Specifications are subject to change.
