Kawasaki KX450 Specs, Horsepower & Performance Review
TL;DR
- The 2026 Kawasaki KX450 runs a 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC single that puts 53.1 hp and 33.1 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheel on an independent dyno test.
- Curb weight comes in around 248 to 250 lb wet depending on whether you go by Kawasaki’s spec sheet or an independent scale reading.
- Seat height is 37.8 inches, with 305mm of front fork travel and 307mm of rear shock travel.
- MSRP is $10,499 for the sole Lime Green colorway, and the bike carries no mechanical changes for 2026 beyond blue radiator shroud graphics.
- Early 2026 production units were caught in a crankshaft coating recall that Kawasaki has since resolved.
What Are the 2026 Kawasaki KX450’s Key Specs?
credit: https://www.cyclenews.com/
The KX450 is Kawasaki’s flagship 450cc motocross bike, built around a 449cc fuel-injected DOHC single-cylinder engine in an aluminum perimeter frame. For 2026, the platform carries over unchanged from 2025, meaning the frame, engine internals, suspension, and electronics package are identical to the previous two model years.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC single, 4-valve |
| Horsepower (rear wheel) | 53.1 hp @ dyno test |
| Torque (rear wheel) | 33.1 lb-ft @ dyno test |
| Transmission | 5-speed, wet multi-disc clutch |
| Front suspension | 49mm Showa inverted fork, 305mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Uni-Trak Showa shock, 307mm travel |
| Seat height | 37.8 in |
| Curb weight | 250 lb (wet, Dirt Rider scale) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.64 gal |
| Front/rear brakes | 270mm Brembo / 240mm Nissin |
| Gearing | 13/50 |
| MSRP | $10,499 |
The only visual change for 2026 is blue accenting in the radiator shroud graphics, which is the quickest way to spot a current-year bike in the pits.
How Much Horsepower Does the KX450 Make?
Dirt Rider’s in-house dyno measured 53.1 hp and 33.1 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel on the 2026 KX450, a gain of 1.2 hp and 0.5 lb-ft over the 2023 model’s peak figures (Dirt Rider, 2025). That’s the most reliable number available since it’s measured at the wheel, not claimed at the crank.
Motocross Action Magazine cites a 58 hp figure for the same bike, which is closer to a claimed or crank rating rather than a rear-wheel dyno pull (Motocross Action, 2025). The gap between the two numbers is typical for motocross bikes, where drivetrain loss between crank and rear wheel usually runs 10 to 15 percent.
Dirt Rider’s test riders note the power delivery is smooth and strong on paper but lacks the exciting, aggressive character of the pre-2024 KX450 engine. The bike posts good lap times because the power is easy to manage, not because it feels thrilling from the saddle.
What Is the KX450’s Suspension and Brake Setup?
The KX450 uses a 49mm Showa inverted fork up front with 305mm of travel, offering 21-way compression and 22-way rebound adjustment. The rear gets a Uni-Trak-linked Showa shock with 307mm of travel, and Kawasaki lists spring rates at 5.0 Nm front and 54 Nm rear as the stock baseline.
Braking comes from a Brembo dual-piston caliper on a 270mm front petal disc paired with a Nissin single-piston caliper on a 240mm rear disc. Kawasaki and TM are the only two motocross brands that mix caliper brands front to rear rather than sourcing both from the same supplier.
Tires are Dunlop Geomax MX34s, a spec Kawasaki pioneered on the KX450 back in 2024 and still the only Japanese 450 running that rubber in 2026. The bike also carries a Nissin hydraulic clutch, a feature shared only with Honda and Yamaha in the 450 class this year.
How Much Does the KX450 Weigh and What’s the Seat Height?
An independent scale reading puts the 2026 KX450 at 250 lb wet, which includes a full 1.64-gallon tank and all fluids. Kawasaki’s own spec sheet lists a slightly lower 248.2 lb curb weight, a gap that’s common when a manufacturer’s claimed figure and an independent scale reading don’t match exactly.
Seat height sits at 37.8 inches, tall enough that shorter riders will want to check the KX450’s Ergo-Fit seat and bar mount options before buying. Ground clearance is 13.6 inches. For riders who find the standard bike too tall, the KX450X cross-country variant runs a slightly lower 37.4-inch seat height with different suspension settings.
What Electronics Does the KX450 Come With?
The KX450 ships with Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Launch Control Mode, and multiple selectable power maps, all controlled through switches on the left side of the Renthal Fatbar handlebar. KTRC offers two levels of intervention plus an off setting, letting a rider dial in as much or as little wheel-spin control as the track surface calls for.
Launch Control Mode retards ignition timing slightly off the start to tame the engine’s torque hit and reduce wheel spin at the gate, a system built to the same spec Kawasaki’s factory Supercross and Motocross racers use. Riders fine-tune all of this through the Rideology the App KX smartphone app, which also handles maintenance tracking and connects over Bluetooth. Electric start has been standard on the KX450 since 2019, so there’s no kickstart backup to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the horsepower of the 2026 Kawasaki KX450?
An independent dyno test measured 53.1 hp and 33.1 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel. Motocross Action cites a 58 hp claimed figure, which reflects crank output rather than rear-wheel output.
How much does the Kawasaki KX450 weigh?
Dirt Rider’s scale reading is 250 lb wet with a full tank. Kawasaki’s own listed curb weight is 248.2 lb.
What is the seat height on the KX450?
Seat height is 37.8 inches. The KX450X cross-country variant sits slightly lower at 37.4 inches.
How much does the 2026 Kawasaki KX450 cost?
MSRP is $10,499 for the standard KX450, available only in Lime Green for 2026.
What changed on the 2026 Kawasaki KX450?
Nothing mechanical. The 2026 model carries the same engine, frame, and suspension as 2025, with blue radiator shroud graphics as the only visual update.
Was there a recall on the 2026 KX450?
Yes. Kawasaki issued a stop-sale recall on 2026 KX450, KX450X, and KX450SR models over out-of-spec crankshaft coating, and the issue has since been resolved with updated parts.
