2026 Kawasaki KX450 Review

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s Kawasaki’s philosophy behind the 2026 Kawasaki KX450, as the KX450 returns for the 2026 model year with no major changes except for new blue graphics. In 2024, the green machine entered a completely new generation and has seen only minor updates since then, the most notable being a new air filter design introduced in 2025.

Although unchanged, Team Green’s flagship motocross model remains a strong platform. A 449cc four-stroke engine features a center-port exhaust and is accompanied by a handlebar-mounted mapping switch with two modes and two levels of traction control, and you can fine-tune the modes via Kawasaki’s Rideology KX smartphone app. A quick-release side cover provides tool-less access to the air filter, and the KX once again features the brand’s Ergo-Fit system with different configurations for the handlebar and footpeg mounts. Showa handles the suspension with 12 inches of travel front and rear. A Brembo front brake, Nissin hydraulic clutch, and ODI Lock-On grips all come standard on the KX450. With a full 1.64-gallon fuel tank, the bike weighs 248.2 pounds.

The cockpit is instantly comfortable. It’s a classic Japanese motocrosser with a long, flat seat and wide footpegs. The plastics are slim and flow evenly throughout the rider triangle, making it easy to move forward or backward on the bike. The ODI grips offer great feel and are a far cry from the old, vulcanized grips on the 2019-23 Kawis. My only complaint about the cockpit is the mismatched controls, a Brembo lever for the brake and a Nissin lever for the clutch. It feels like you broke a lever during practice and were forced to grab a spare from the toolbox. No performance drawback, just a first impression with the green machine.

When the new-gen KX450 was introduced in 2024, we were a little disappointed with its power. It was less exciting to ride than the previous model, and it felt the most controlled during any shootout test. While the motor is untouched for 2026, the technical engineers have allotted more wiggle room inside their Rideology app and opened up the parameters for more engine tuning. They gave us a map developed by Kawasaki’s test rider, Broc Tickle, and it instantly changed the motor’s feel. By increasing the fueling and ignition values, it added more bottom end to our KX and improved torque. Instead of feeling slow and lethargic, the bike now felt snappy and responsive. The pull from the bottom to mid woke up the Kawasaki and put it on par with any of the other bikes in the 450 class. This is singlehandedly the biggest improvement I’ve felt from Team Green since the bike was redone back in 2024.

While this map definitely changes the character of the engine package, it is still not the full-blown KX450SR. The special racer is available again in 2026 and features a Pro Circuit full exhaust system, a re-mapped ECU and polished intake ports.

The suspension is comfortable but on the softer side for riders looking to push this bike. With the spicy map, we were able to charge harder into jump faces and felt the fork pushing deep into the stroke. The rear end felt good in terms of comfort and traction with the recommended 105mm of sag, but we have already stiffened the fork by a few clicks. We know from years past that lowering the forks in the clamps and adding oil can aid in overall front-end holdup.

At 248 pounds, the Kawasaki is one of the heavier machines in its class: it tied the Honda CRF450R as the heaviest bike in our 2025 450cc shootout. On track, however, the bike feels planted underneath you. It’s not as maneuverable as the lighter-weight Triumph TF 450, but the Kawi does feel stable while riding. This grounded or heavier feeling allows the bike to track straight in rough sections and be predictable as you line it up in a rut. The bike has a top-heavy feel when leaned over, especially during flat turns with no rut or berm to bank off. In a rut, though, the extra weight helps keep the bike glued to the ground, and the smooth power actually comes in handy.

The Brembo front brake is arguably the best in class, giving the Kawasaki an extra edge over other Japanese manufacturers, as it is normally only available on European models. Plus, the dial adjuster lets the rider fine-tune the feel and throw of the front brake lever.

Another point to address regarding the 2026 Kawasakis is the fix that caused their stop-sale recall earlier in the year. A standard quality-control check revealed that the coating on the crankshafts was not to specification, forcing the manufacturer to replace these parts on the KX450, KX450X and KX450SR models. The precautionary recall has since been resolved, and all 2026 models now feature the updated coatings.

With no seemingly significant changes for 2026, a second look reveals several updates from the previous generation. Lock-on grips, tool-less air filter access, and programmable maps all bring the Kawasaki up to par or ahead of the competition (Honda offers three map options but no tunability). With a wider range of adjustments in the new Rideology KX smartphone app, you can maximize your KX450 even better in 2026.CN

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2026 Kawasaki KX450 Specifications

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