2012 Kawasaki KX450 F

Key Features All-new Launch Control Mode increases the chance of nailing the holeshot New pre-programmed ignition maps. interchangeable trackside. no PC required Upgraded engine with more top-end thrust and a wider powerband New adjustable bar and footpeg positions New slimmer frame and minimalist bodywork Upgraded transmission for easy. reliable shifting New pipe and silencer help centralize mass 50 mm AOS forks with DLC coated inner fork tubes Black Alumite coated rims Engine Overview 449 cc liquid-cooled. DOHC. 4-stroke single Works-based Bridged-box Bottom Piston has revised rigidity for improved high-rpm power Revised intake cam and all-new exhaust result in wider powerband A forward lean angle of 3° puts the engine in the ideal position for maximum traction Highly balanced crankshaft. on par with Villopoto’s factory racer. creates minimal vibration Maintenance-free automatic cam chain adjuster Large airbox flap helps prevent mud and water from entering Bridged-box Bottom Piston Thinner top ring and revised surface treatment of oil ring reduce friction Same design as used on our factory racers; offers optimum performance at all rpm Lighter and more durable than traditional piston designs Short piston skirt features low-friction coating to minimize mechanical losses Reinforced external ribs enhance strength and durability Cylinder Head Compact head is only 100 mm tall Intake camshaft profile revised to increase intake for better low- and mid-range power 36 mm titanium intake and 31 mm exhaust valves with aluminum spring retainers minimize reciprocating weight and cylinder height to help ensure reliable valve control at high rpm Double valve springs allow a short cylinder head height and help ensure stable valve operation Camshafts. lobes and tappet surfaces feature a soft-nitride treatment for long wear and high-rpm reliability Crankshaft Crankshaft with high inertial mass helps maximize rear wheel traction Wedge-shaped crank web provides enough offsetting moment for a 60% balance factor – and is similar to the crank balance in Kawasaki’s factory race engines Net result is reduced engine vibration. smoother power delivery and increased performance. with a noticeably snappier response at low rpm Crankshaft and connecting rod feature a special carburizing and quenching treatment to maximize rigidity Digital Fuel Injection Self-adjusts to atmospheric changes for easier starting. sharper throttle response and optimized power and stability when jumping / landing It is not necessary to re-tune. or change any jets to suit climatic conditions like on a carbureted model Ultra-fine atomizing injector with 12 holes sprays particles with a droplet size of 60µ for smooth power delivery and engine response throughout the throttle range 43 mm throttle body uses a progressive throttle linkage to deliver airflow in much the same way as an FCR carburetor Using two linked shafts. the throttle body opens more quickly after reaching the 3/8 open position Fast-idle knob on the throttle body allows riders to increase engine speed when starting a cold engine Fuel injector set at 45°. the optimum angle for mid-range power Launch Control Mode Factory-style launch control system increases chance of getting a good start by maximizing traction on a slippery surface Push-button activation of the Launch Control Mode retards ignition timing in 1st and 2nd gears. giving the greatest effect within the first few seconds of releasing the clutch Launch Control can be activated in neutral. 1st or 2nd gear Shifting into 3rd gear deactivates Launch Control Mode and returns the ignition to normal mapping System is designed to same specifications as factory Kawasaki AMA machines High Performance ECU New ECU programming offers three preprogrammed maps: Standard. Hard (conditions) and Soft (conditions) Maps are now easily selectable via DFI wire coupler caps. no computer necessary No battery needed; the engine can be started with only three rotations of the crankshaft using the electricity generated by a single kick of the starter The system delivers electricity to FI system in sequence: first the ECU. then the fuel pump. and finally the injector for quick. easy starting The compact. lightweight ECU. located on the front of the steering head behind the number plate. was designed specifically for motocross use; the fuel pump relay is integrated with the ECU to help cope with the shocks and vibrations of motocross riding Optional User ECU Setting Tool KX FI Calibration Kit allows racers to reprogram the ECU’s data maps for volume of fuel injected and ignition timing to alter engine characteristics to suit rider preference The tool can also be used as a data logger. recording up to 6 hours of data. including engine rpm. degree of throttle opening. engine boost. coolant temp. air temp. ignition timing. fuel adjustments. gear position and system voltage 2012 software program is updated for compatibility with 64-bit operating systems such as Windows 7 Easy Starting Revised shape of kickstart ratchet enables lever to return to start position more smoothly Strong output from the large ACG rotor provides enough electrical power for the battery-less FI system to enable true 1-kick starting without using a battery Equipped with an automatic compression release (ACR) system for quick and easy starting; the dual-weight centrifugal decompression system is fitted to the exhaust cam Compression release features 1 mm of valve lift. to minimize the required kicking power Lightweight Aluminum Fuel Pump Fuel pump now features a 1-piece filter cover and body. eliminating the need for fuel return tube from pressure regulator and contributing to weight reduction Features a plastic (formerly rubber) fuel filter cover that wraps around the inlet port and acts as a fuel trap to help ensure a stable fuel supply during vigorous motocross riding New 1. 6 gal. fuel tank is formed using a blow molding process Efficient Cooling High-capacity Denso radiators feature tightly packed cores and a fin design that deliver superior cooling efficiency Changed left side radiator upper pipe angle for new shroud design New shroud shape features a slimmer profile and larger cooling outlet hole Radiator louvers feature 4 small blades set at a shallow angle for minimum overlap and maximum air flow Strong and Durable Clutch Clutch assembly provides a direct feel and superb control Heavier clutch springs give a more positive feel to the rider Excellent oil drainage contributes to more direct feel Friction plates with substantial friction material contribute to a direct feel New clutch case cover features embossed logo. designed to be revealed as rider’s boot wears away black paint Close-ratio 5-speed Transmission 5-speed transmission and low-rpm engine response combination offers riders more gear options for traversing rough sections or getting into the rhythm of a course easily so they can focus more on racing Revised number of gear dogs (3 dogs / 3 holes to 4 dogs / 4 holes) improve shift feel Thicker first gear offers greater durability for launching off the line Shorter shift fork (5. 3 mm to 4. 4 mm) reduces the shift force necessary to change gears New shift lever moves the pedal 3 mm farther from the footpeg and offers greater durability New polyurethane resin drive chain roller reduces weight Exhaust New tapered header pipe is shorter in length and features a smaller overall diameter Tapered mid-piece is new for 2012 KX450F New silencer is 60 mm shorter. but thanks to a new cross-section. features same overall volume as 2011 model to help meet current 94 dB noise regulations Powerful Disc Brakes New front disc features an aggressive petal design Powerful twin piston hydraulic front caliper squeezes 250 mm rotor Lightweight rigid-mounted front disc reduces unsprung weight by 80 g Single piston hydraulic rear caliper squeezes lightweight 240 mm petal-type rotor Light. Slim Chassis New main frame spars are 4 mm slimmer to help reduce overall width at the rider’s knees Increased rigidity in the swingarm bracket area helps increase rear wheel traction and provide a more solid feel when landing jumps Aluminum Swingarm Cross-section design contributes to light handling Tapered “D” shape swingarm provides ideal rigidity for excellent stability. and is lighter than a comparable box-section unit Alloy swingarm features a cast front section. tapered hydro-formed spars and forged chain adjusters Uni-Trak® rear suspension linkage altered for improved traction. utilizing a revised tie-rod unit which is less rigid Suspension arm is mounted below the swingarm to allow a longer rear suspension stroke and more precise tuning New optional linkage tie rod is 1mm shorter. creating a 6 mm reduction in seat height for shorter riders AOS Front Fork Race-oriented suspension settings offer maximum overall performance Revised lower triple clamp locates the clamp opening in the rear as opposed to the side for increased rigidity and improved fork action Kayaba Air-Oil-Separate (AOS) fork keeps oil and air in separate chambers for stable damping performance during long motos; low-friction fork seals contribute to smooth action Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating on the outer surface of the inner fork tubes offers minimum stiction when the fork is exposed to lateral forces that would usually hamper slide action; the result is improved fork response. especially during cornering Friction-reducing Kashima Coat on the inside of the fork’s outer tubes contributes to smooth suspension action (especially at the initial part of the stroke) and a superb ride feel Wrap-around fork tube guards offer effective protection for the sliders Rear Shock Rear suspension settings and linkage ratios derived from extensive rider testing Kayaba rear shock features a large 50 mm piston Rear shock features dual compression adjustability. allowing high-speed and low-speed damping to be tuned separately Also features Kashima Coat treatment on the cylinder for reduced friction and smoother suspension action Easy adjuster access for track-side suspension tuning Rider Interface and Styling Dual injected 2-tone. 1-piece plastic shrouds and side number plates minimized for mass centralization and rider comfort Upgrades bodywork features more flush seams for easier rider movement Lower-capacity fuel tank is shorter and narrower. creating a straighter line from the seat Black plastic covers. triple clamps. engine covers. and black alumite-coated rims – just like Kawasaki’s factory teams Blue alumite finish on suspension adjusters and engine plugs match new graphics accents Wide 50 mm footpegs can be adjusted to alternate position. 5 mm lower than stock Frame is wider at the ankles to offer optimum grip. narrows below the seat to allow a slim riding position Slim seat design uses new urethane foam designed to retain its original shape longer Additional Features Skid plate made of resin material offers great protection without excess weight Clutch cable boot features a large quick adjuster. making it easy for riders to adjust play in the clutch cable on the fly Rear caliper guard helps protect the caliper from damage Ribless rear hub and butted spokes offer light weight and excellent durability