At 2.1 gallons, the gas tank is not huge, but compared with those seen on its competitors, it's right in there. Another boosted capacity compartment is the radiators. A catch tank/reservoir bottle under the left sidepanel keeps the boilover monsters at bay. And the stock, sealed O-ring chain rounds out a solid off-road package.
This philosophy is further evident in other neat features. The airbox is a quick-access type with a removable door on the left side; the rear tire is an off-road-standard 18-inch unit; and both sidepanels are plugged up to keep water and dirt out of the airbox as much as possible. Engine and frame protection is covered by an aluminum skid plate and engine guards on both sides. Plus, the bike has a sidestand (kickstand for those of us who kick 'em) and a simple yet effective digital instrument cluster featuring a speedometer, clock, dual tripmeter and odometer. Obviously, we need a headlight, and the KLX comes with a very lightweight 35-watt unit and a nifty in-the-fender LED tail lamp.
Throughout my days testing, I absorbed all of this newness and came away very surprised. I was really expecting a motocrosser with a headlight. But I got a sweet off-road bike. Sure, it misses on a couple spots, and here are my biggest beefs: I don't like a nonadjustable headlight that shines more light to the sides of the front tire than in front of the fender. And during my night ride trying to keep Nathan Woods in sight, this is exactly what I had to deal with. Also, the instrument cluster doesn't illuminate, but I shouldn't really be looking at it while riding in the dark anyway. I can update a headlight, but it would be nice to have a great functioning unit come stock. Big complaints, huh?
After the introduction, I hightailed it west and met up with DR ber-editor Karel Kramer on the freeway as he headed to an epic trail ride. I handed him the bike and told him to enjoy, and the following, my dirt-bike loving friends, is what he discovered in his first experience with the new KLX450R.
I was lucky enough to get invited to the Best in the Desert/Harden Offroad Nevada 200 Trail Ride at the same time I was to put the first testing miles on the KLX. The bike was totally stock except for a heavy-duty tube in the front and Acerbis Uniko hand guards.
The area around Caliente, Nevada, where the Nevada 200 is held, has virtually all types of terrain, from rocky, sandy and silty desert soil to snow at 9000 feet. In between, we splashed through standing water and twisted around miles of cedar woods. Connecting the various terrain types were rude tracks and power-sapping sand washes. Some of the trail had me longing for a sixth gear, and other sections had me wishing for lower gearing for first and second gear. That made Caliente a perfect test, because these days a majority of serious riders choose modern 450cc off-road models as the do-it-all bike of choice.
The KLX is super quiet. In fact, you hear the starter more than the motor, really, because it is reluctant to wake up cold and doesn't stay running until fully warmed up. Once the engine reaches operating temperature, it responds cleanly with no hiccups or hesitations. The power delivery is smooth and tractable. At low rpm, throttle control is effortless in low-traction sections or when picking your way over or between rocks. Dial in more throttle and the bike squirts forward energetically. It takes a very slippery surface or a heavy hand on the clutch to generate unwanted wheelspin. Despite the control available, the KLX has plenty of boost for most people and conditions. Deep uphill sand washes let you feel the space between gears more than you want, and the power is soft at 9000 feet or above, but what bike's isn't?