[KFX450HQ]

http://www.atvillustrated.com/FeaturedStor...spx?storyid=175

We’ve been hearing rumors about a new 450 racer from Kawasaki for the past two years. Well, we can finally confirm that the rumors are true: Kawasaki is preparing to release a new high-performance model to dealers very soon! Our sources inside Kawasaki sent us this latest batch of spy photos, which give a little more insight as to what we can expect from Team Green. We already mentioned that the new KFX450 would come with an all-aluminum chassis, new 450cc engine (strikingly similar to Kawasaki’s dirt bike motors), Electronic Fuel Injection, electric start and reverse. These new photos give a better look at the aluminum frame and reinforced aluminum subframe. We also noticed the following features:
* Front shocks that come with a single dual-rate spring and reservoirs for better shock oil cooling and longer performance without fading
* Renthal handlebars
* Race-style plastic fenders with integrated front number plate
* The rear disc brake rotor is a drilled wave-style for faster brake cooling
* Aggressive Dunlop Radial Tires with reinforced rear sidewalls in sizes 22x7x10 up front and 20x10x9 in the rear
* Rear wheels that come with reinforcement rings on the inside of the rim for better protection against rock damage to the bead.

From what little information we have so far, we’d hazard a guess that this machine is geared toward the cross-country racer, aggressive trail rider or sand duner looking for a high-speed thrill. With a few tweaks here and there it should also be a competitive motocrosser. We’re curious as to how many pounds Kawasaki was able to shave off using the aluminum chassis (and we’re working on finding that out, too). Our sources tell us this machine could be in dealerships as early as September.

There’ll be more information coming our way about this new quad. We’ll keep you posted.
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[supramanx]

From the looks of it im going to get this quad asap . It looks great also .

 

[quad_runner]

Sweet... Cant wait for this to hit the showrooms.

 

[placeholder-3]

Sweet... Cant wait for this to hit the showrooms.
[/b]

looks sweet

 

[SQUEAK]

FREAKIN SWELL .. CANT WAIT ONLY HOPE THE ALUM FRAME WILL HOLD UP

 

[ernie]

<_<

I don't like to be manipulated like this. Spy photos my ass!!!
Hey, kawasaki! stop playing on our emotions, this is so stupid- just post decent photos, okay?

I mean- how long did they unload the quad. Couldn't the photographer take a better pose for the shot? And the editing of the pictures- atvillustrated decided that they show too little in the first version and they zoomed a litle in the second version of the pic. So lame- just post the hires version!

It looks exactly like my next atv, just stop playing with me and honestly show me what I'm saving for!!!

 

[KFX450HQ]

Yeah exactly haha, it says in the article that it could be out as early as September, but I doubt that.

 

[ernie]

Yeah exactly haha, it says in the article that it could be out as early as September, but I doubt that.
[/b]

:lmao: It got edited, too:
"Our sources tell us this machine could be in dealerships as early as September."
is now:
"Our spies . . . er, sources tell us this machine is still in the prototype stage but should be in dealerships for the '07 season, possibly as early as March."

But I still don't feel like we could rely on their spies..... er, sources

 

[ernie]

:banana:
This spy is selling better resolution photos on the street! And I bought one for you along with x-ray glasses (they are broken since I got slapped pretty badly when I tried to test them B)


Anyways- here:
[attachmentid=37]

 

[quad_runner]

:banana:
This spy is selling better resolution photos on the street! And I bought one for you along with x-ray glasses (they are broken since I got slapped pretty badly when I tried to test them B)
Anyways- here:
[attachmentid=37]
[/b]

That is a sweet ride. I love the Lime Green, 450 power, EFI and reverse. I just need to get used to the Johnny 5 look from the front. :barfspin:

 

[QuadOwner]

definatly more appealing then the suzuki to me. check out the inner bead locks on the rear

 

[mistrmix]

My local dealer had no clue this is coming. He dismissed what I told him as heresay...he wouldn't tell me directly but I could hear it in his voice. He also didn't believe me when I told him that there was no '07 KFX400. (WOW! I thought he would be the one to know this :huh: ) He said that Kawasaki had already released their 2007s and that a hi-perf 450 was not in the cards.

I emailed him the URL for this site as well as the spy photos, and haven't heard from him since.

I think this will finally be the one to end my quad drought. I got a 1990 Mojave when I was 10 years old, kept it for awhile and it ended up getting sold. I've been waiting for just the right time (and just the right quad) to take the plunge. I knew the sport/hi-perf quad drought of the '90s wasn't the time...(Plus I couldn't afford it at that time either <_< ). The stilff competition in this realm nowadays is only better for us. This has all the makings so far of exactly what I want.

Here's to hoping it's all that's advertised.

:cheers:

Aaron

 

[Talon]

That engine sure looks high up in the frame. Suzuki developed the LT-R450 engine with a low center of gravity in mind, and look how low the Suzuki's engine sits in the frame, especially compared to the Kawasaki. It could just be the lack of decent pictures, but so far to me the new KFX450 is looking pretty portly!

 

[Byte]

Go Team Green!

This bike looks HOT!

 

[ernie]

That engine sure looks high up in the frame. Suzuki developed the LT-R450 engine with a low center of gravity in mind, and look how low the Suzuki's engine sits in the frame, especially compared to the Kawasaki. It could just be the lack of decent pictures, but so far to me the new KFX450 is looking pretty portly!
[/b]

:shocker: ??? What? A word of criticism, Talon??? Aren't we supposed to be more and more excited??

Now when you said that- it starts to look bad for me, too... but left cover of the engine is smaller - it may look placed higher because of that.
Did you noticed that the fuel tank is probably above the rear axle?? (big black thing with a warning sticker) so it will probably lower the center of gravity.... but .... geez, it has the fuel tank above the rear axle!

 

[boosh71]

It can't be, it still has a gas cap in front of the seat. Maybe that warning label is just one of many they put on all quads, they just put in under the seat?

 

[ernie]

It can't be, it still has a gas cap in front of the seat. Maybe that warning label is just one of many they put on all quads, they just put in under the seat?
[/b]

They could just lead a pipe..... I checked with a KX bike pictures and I'm sure I was wrong- it's just a big airbox, not a gas tank.

 

[boosh71]

I can't wait to see some tests of the new KFX450! And the new Outlaw with the KTM 525 engine!

 

[kawie450rider]

:shocker: ??? What? A word of criticism, Talon??? Aren't we supposed to be more and more excited??

Now when you said that- it starts to look bad for me, too... but left cover of the engine is smaller - it may look placed higher because of that.
Did you noticed that the fuel tank is probably above the rear axle?? (big black thing with a warning sticker) so it will probably lower the center of gravity.... but .... geez, it has the fuel tank above the rear axle!
[/b]

The gas tank is in front of the seat. You can clearly see the cap in front of the seat.

 

[placeholder-3]

They could just lead a pipe..... I checked with a KX bike pictures and I'm sure I was wrong- it's just a big airbox, not a gas tank.
[/b]

Yehhh my kx has a huge airbox