Helping the power get to the ground is an ultratough clutch with smooth engagement and all-but-effortless shifting. I hadn't gone 50 feet into the 200 miles before I realized that this Kawasaki has extremely plush suspension. As the group crossed the first rocks-and I didn't feel them-I was thinking the KLX was a very good off-road bike. As the days got long and the rocks became more extreme, I began to feel them more but was pretty confident I felt them less than most of the other riders did. We didn't hit many whoops, but the KLX handled the ones we encountered just fine-and every surprise G-out and washout as well. No flats or dinged rims, either.
No doubt the supple fork action is a large part of the trait, but the steering is exceptionally accurate on firm dirt-whether it is wet, dry or even partially rock. In sand, you need to pay a bit more attention to ensure clean turns with the front end.
Like the KX450F, this off-road version is a bit cramped for riders taller than six feet (like myself). Shorter riders will find the plush seat makes eating up the miles easy. The other details are all there as well. The simple speedo is easy to read, the odometer reliable and the brakes powerful but progressive.
Kawasaki had the benefit of having the other brands on the market to shoot for, and its aim was good. I could have used a bit more room in the riding position, but the KLX didn't short me one bit in any other area of performance and comfort.
After my 200 miles, I met Jimmy "Night Owl" Lewis in the middle of the Mojave Desert to give him a shake at the new Kawasaki. He did some loops in between six-hour stints on other test bikes.
I was skeptical about the performance of the just-off-the-showroom-floor KLX. But it didn't take but one minute on the bike to realize Kawasaki nailed it. The big KLX's manners are strikingly aggressive, from the snappy, quick, perfectly carbureted power spread to the bike's light and agile feeling. In fact, it feels lighter than the KX-F, the exact opposite of what I was expecting for a bike with a battery, lights and a larger-capacity gas tank. It feels fast, gets great traction and handles like a moto-inspired trailbike. It would be an easy choice for racing use as well. About the only thing I did was lighten up the compression on the fork a bit, and I want to try riding with a little more rear spring preload to get more of the steering in the front wheel as opposed to the rear-a picky personal preference. I never felt the need to change anything on the motor, even the restrictive muffler. Just gas and go. Our 450 enduro comparison story is coming soon, but even if you jump the gun and buy one of these, you'll be stoked.
There it is, our editors' first impressions of the newest off-road bike to date: the 2008 Kawasaki KLX450R. If you're itching to see how green stands up to the other colors out there, don't worry, we're already pounding out the miles in a 450 enduro comparison that will hit the pages of DR soon. It's so on.
MSRP: $7299Claimed dry weight: 254 lbActual weight (ready to ride, tank full): 278 lbSeat height: 34.5 in.Seat-to-footpeg distance: 19.5 in.
What's HotSound, or lack thereofSmooth power and plenty of boostPlush suspension action
What's Not Headlight weak at bestAdd your own hand guardsChain guide pad wears out fast