We are Baltimore's number one dealer for all types of motorcycles, watercraft, ATVs, and generators.We have 3 stores stocked full of accessories and repair technicians all trained and ready to help you.
Then there's the limited-production CRF450R Works Edition. The
RWE gets all the improvements of the CRF450R plus a special hand-ported
cylinder head, black DID DirtStar LT-X rims, a new, exclusive Yoshimura
exhaust system with titanium header, titanium nitride-coated lower fork
legs and shock shaft, an RK gold chain, special ECU settings, a
factory-spec gripper seat, and more.
Key Features
Next-Generation
Aluminum Frame: The CRF450R's Next-Gen twin spar aluminum frame
positions the rear shock's mounting point lower, opening up the airbox
area and contributing to a lower center of gravity for more holeshots.
The frame geometry also helps improve traction, feeling and steering
precision.
HRC Launch
Control: We're talking about a special ECU program here: push the button
to select the mode, hold the throttle open, release the clutch, and the
CRF450R will do the rest, launching you into the first turn with a big
advantage. It turns your bike into a holeshot-seeking machine!
Electric
Start: Kickstarting? Maybe if you're riding in the vintage class, but
not here. By ditching the kickstarter entirely, our engineers can make
the CRF450R lighter. Electric starters and lithium-ion batteries are so
light now and so good that putting them on a bike like this is a win/win
combination. And winning is what a CRF450R is all about.
Kawasaki just announced its entire 2016 model line of dirt bikes, and
the big news is a new KX450F. The engine might not look radically
different, but almost all of it is new, with a different angle on the
top end, a new head, piston, cam and throttle body. The frame has
changed as well, and Kawasaki is claiming a 7.5 pound weight reduction.
The 250 didn’t get as much attention, although Kawasaki is rolling out a
new handheld FI Calibration Kit that will make customization of the
fuel injection easier at the track. Here is some of Kawasaki’s
information on the new bikes.
2016 KAWASAKI KX450F
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE 2016 KAWASAKI KX450F
• NEW Among the lightest curb weights in class after a 7.5 lb overall weight reduction
• NEW Lighter, more powerful engine with new engine cases
• REVISED Bridged-Box bottom piston based on AMA factory race bikes
• REVISED Intake port improves performance in mid-to-high RPM range
• REVISED Intake valve shape increases air volume
• NEW Intake camshaft is lighter and has revised timing for low-mid RPM response
• NEW High-flow airbox with rear intake channels improve flow and reduce noise
• NEW Header with integrated resonator chamber for crisp throttle response
• NEW Mass-centralizing exhaust muffler to reduce sound and weight
• Plug & play DFI® couplers allow easy engine map changes
• NEW Slimmer, lighter perimeter frame and swingarm improve rider feel
• Launch control based on factory race bike system
• Industry-leading Showa SFF-Air TAC fork and Uni-Trak rear suspension
• NEW Aggressive factory styling and flatter seat for easier rider movement
• 4-way adjustable handlebar and 2-way adjustable footpegs fit a wide range of riders
ENGINE
Kawasaki’s already powerful flagship motocross bike is even stronger
for 2016, with the KX450F motorcycle boasting a more powerful and
lighter engine. The revisions are extensive and start with new engine
cases to save weight while optimizing the design to increase strength
and rigidity. The location of the oil scavenger pump was also changed,
swapping from the left case to the right case.
The cylinder head updates include revisions to the intake ports,
which are less curved than before, improving mid-high RPM performance
and over-rev. The intake port cores are also given a special coating
during the head casting process to make the ports smoother. The
extremely smooth surfaces and revised port shape increase the intake
efficiency and performance at all RPM.
The 36mm titanium intake valves have a revised head area. The new
design, with slimmer throat angle and reduced recess (similar to valves
on Kawasaki supersport engines) contributes to increased high-RPM
performance. Revised intake cam timing (advanced 2-degrees) contributes
to better low-RPM performance, while the camshaft is 0.5oz lighter than
before. A new intake camshaft sprocket is 0.7oz lighter.
The
single cylinder is offset (8.5mm forward) to reduce mechanical loss
through friction from the piston movement, enabling more efficient power
generation. This necessitated a revised crankshaft shape, corresponding
to the revised crankshaft housing. The crankshaft balancer shape was
also changed – reducing its size and lightening it by 1.9oz. Further
updates were made to the crankshaft balancer drive gear and driven gear,
resulting in a combined reduction of 1.4oz.
A new crown design for the Bridged-Box bottom piston is based on the
AMA factory race bikes and matches the new intake valve shape as well as
contributing to the 12.8:1 compression ratio.
Another addition for 2016 is the redesigned air box, which does away
with any steel parts, resulting in a weight savings of 8.8oz. It also
utilizes new underseat intakes at the back of the seat. These and the
revise shape of the air box help to ensure clean airflow, improving
engine response and reducing intake sound to meet local market
requirements.
Changes were made to the throttle to reduce vibration. This resulted
in a new compact fuel injector being used. The outer part of the fuel
pump was also revised, changing the flange position in order to lower
the fuel tank position, contributing to the motorcycle’s overall lower
center of gravity.
Further
upgrades include a new exhaust system. It starts with a new header
design that features a resonator to improve low RPM power and help
reduce the sound level.
The result of these changes to the powerplant mean increased power.
And when combined with a lighter overall curb weight, the 2016 Kawasaki
KX450F motorcycle has an improved power-to-weight ratio that provides
improved acceleration response.
Another weight saving measure saw 9.2oz trimmed from the transmission
gears and shafts, which retain their overall strength while
contributing to the motorcycle’s dynamic performance. Finally, the shape
of the kickstarter has altered, resulting in a saving of 2.6oz.
ELECTRONICS
With all these engine changes, the revolutionary and popular DFI®
couplers are again available for the Digital Fuel Injection system.
Three are supplied with each motorcycle and allow the riders to quickly
change the fuel injection mapping to suit any riding condition. The
four-pin DFI couplers are designed for standard, hard or soft terrain
settings. The rider simply connects the appropriate coupler cap to suit
the track conditions and the DFI couplers immediately activate an
ignition mode to match.
The KX450F motorcycle’s Launch Control System is another popular
feature that helps obtain holeshot supremacy for the amateur and pro
rider alike. The push-button activation retards ignition timing in first
and second gears, helping to maximize traction off the line. Once the
rider shifts into third, normal ignition mapping is resumed and full
power returns.
As a further benefit of owning a KX450F motorcycle, the engine ECU
remains fully programmable thanks to the new handheld Kawasaki Accessory
KX FI Calibration Kit. This portable device allows custom maps to be
created giving riders precise adjustment of fuel and ignition settings.
This new handheld module eliminates the need for a trackside laptop
computer. It can store up to seven preset maps and is PC-compatible.
CHASSIS
Kawasaki’s engineers worked tirelessly to improve handling and
chassis feedback with a new aluminum perimeter frame. The perimeter
spars are 6mm slimmer than the previous frame, allowing easier rider
movement. It is also lighter by 1 lb, while the subframe (seat rails)
has thicker walls for increased strength. Overall rigidity has been
improved with a new swingarm (while losing 7.8oz in the process),
helping rear-wheel traction and rider feel.
The alloy swingarm has a cast front section and twin tapered
hydro-formed spars in a raw aluminum finish.Forged chain adjusters are
also fitted with a self-locking rear axle nut. The axle nut holds the 80
lb-ft torque setting without the need of a cotter pin for ease of
maintenance at the track.
The original goal was to create the lightest motorcycle in its class,
increasing the bike’s agility and helping to reduce rider fatigue,
making the KX450F more potent than ever before. Following extensive
engine andchassis revisions, the 2016 Kawasaki KX450F motorcycle has
seen a significant 7.5 lb reduction in curb weight (including fluids),
giving it a total weight of 239.6 lb.
Weight savings from the engine group (including intake and exhaust
systems) amounted to approximately4.4 lb, with savings from chassis
components totalling approximately 3.1 lb. Some of the major
contributing component weight savings include:
crankcases (left/right) – 13oz
transmission – 9.2oz
air filter – 8.8oz
frame – 14.1oz
suspension (front/rear) – 10.9oz
swingarm – 7.8oz
BODYWORK & SEAT
The 2016 KX450F motorcycle receives all-new bodywork with aggressive
styling to suit its heightened performance. The minimalist bodywork is
light and features angular styling for the new number plates, shrouds,
fenders, skid plate and water pump guard. The new bodywork unifies the
radiator shroud and side covers for a smoother, seamless rider interface
that is 1.2” slimmer at the widest point, and allows unimpaired
movement around the motorcycle. The radiator was reshaped in order to
achieve this, creating a vee-shapeand allowing the shrouds to be
slimmer.
The top of the fuel tank is lower than before, allowing easier
progression from the seat to the tank. The flatter design gives the
rider greater freedom of movement when changing riding position, while
also allowingthe rider to sit further forward.
Aggressive styling for the new front fender adds to the motorcycle’s
overall racy appearance and alsosaves 1.8oz in weight overall the
previous model year.
The appearance is further highlighted by green engine plugs, oil cap
and generator cover plugs, as well as green alumite suspension adjusters
and black alumite wheels. Another neat detail is the embossing on
the clutch cover, which was designed to gradually appear as contact
from the rider’s boots wears away the paint.A new generator cover has
also been incorporated to fit the new crankcase.
To protect the 2016 Kawasaki KX450F motorcycle from general wear and
tear encountered during a typical day at the track, a large synthetic
skid plate offers great protection with minimum weight. The revised
designhas oval holes that facilitates easy mud removal and reduces the
weight further.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
With Kawasaki engineers creating a lighter motorcycle, its agility
was increased, allowing the suspension and brakes to work more
efficiently and effectively. This is especially true of its
state-of-the-art Showa SFF-Air TAC (Separate Function front Fork, Triple
Air Chamber) fork technology, which separates the damping and shock
absorption duties into the individual fork legs. The left fork tube
contains the damping assembly and the right fork tube contains the air
spring. Instead of the steel coil springs found in conventional forks,
the SFF-Air TAC’s right fork tube has three chambers filled with
pressurized air that act as a “spring”. Eliminating the steel coil
springs reduces friction by approximately 20% and creates an extremely
smooth action throughout the fork’s stroke. This has the added benefit
of greatly reducing weight and allowing a larger damper piston to be
used, providing smoother action. New low-friction fork seals and revised
valve settings for reduced damping deliver easier fork movement,
matching the pitching characteristics to the lighter chassis.
This works-replica fork is derived from Kawasaki’s factory race bike.
It is lightweight and rigid, contributing to superior riding stability
and front-end feel. The low friction design contributes to an extremely
smooth fork action, while precise settings are possible merely by
changing air pressure.
The fork has traditional 22-position compression and 20-position
rebound damping adjustment.Furthermore, the rider can adjust the
internal air pressure with the Kawasaki Genuine Accessories 0-300psi
Digital Air Pump that is supplied with the KX450F motorcycle. Changing
the air pressure covers a range of settings offered by optional springs
in a standard fork, including quick changes of ride height, without
needing to disassemble the fork tubes. The pump’s digital display offers
precise air pressure setting, and its casing stores the engine’s DFI
couplers for the fuel injection system, allowing better organization on
practice or race days.
New linkage ratios for the Kawasaki Uni-Trak® suspension system were
designed to suit the new aluminum frame and swingarm. Mounting the link
below the swingarm allows a longer rear suspension stroke, while
maintaining a low seat height. Dual compression adjustability from the
Showa shock allows high-speed and low-speed damping rates to be set
separately. The shock reservoir has a friction-reducing internal Kashima
Coat for improved suspension action. This race-oriented suspension
offers class-leading action and adjustability on par with the Showa
SFF-Air TAC fork. The fully adjustable unit allows for precise settings
to help keep the rear wheel planted and the rider out front.
Riders looking for an extra edge over the competition can use the
optional Kawasaki rear suspension tie rod. It is 1mm longer than stock
and can be used to reduce seat height by 4mm to give the rider greater
control and adjustment.
Being able to enter every corner at the desired speed is critical to
fast lap times. The 2016 KawasakiKX450F motorcycle uses an oversized
270mm, petal-shaped front brake rotor (largest in class) from the
renowned manufacturer, Braking. It helps provide powerful stopping
forces, good lever feel and consistency in all conditions. It is paired
with a 240mm petal-shaped Braking rotor on the rear.
ADJUSTABILITY
Kawasaki’s commitment to the rider continues with an adjustable
handlebar and footpegs to fit various sizes and riding styles. The
footpegs feature dual-position mounting points, with a lower position,
which reduces the height from the standard position by an additional
5mm. The lower position effectively lowers the center of gravity when
standing, and reduces knee angle when seated.
The handlebars offer 4-way adjustable mounts. With 35mm of range, the
multi-position handlebars feature two mounting holes, and the
180-degree offset clamps provide four individual settings to suit
different sizeriders.
Equipped with a flat seat, adjustable footpegs and handlebar as well
as fully adjustable suspension, the 2016 Kawasaki KX450F motorcycle can
be tailored to suit a large range of riders. This perfectly complements
the wide range of damping settings as well as the DFI couplers and
optional handheld Kawasaki AccessoryKX FI Calibration Kit, allowing the
rider to find the ideal engine characteristics to suit a particular
track or conditions. So while the base settings on the KX450F motorcycle
are based on extensive testing, including racing, the motorcycle
provides a huge range of technology and adjustment to help ensure every
rider can fully exploit the incredible ability of this extremely capable
motocross bike.
Who doesn't want to get better at riding on the dirt? John Stein of Cycle World has recently provided a nice cheat sheet for improving your skills. He also says that riding on the dirt can be extremely helpful to street riders, since the main fear of street riders is losing traction. Well, for dirt riders, losing traction and loosening up the back wheel is the fun part. It goes without saying that not only do you need to have good skills, you need to have the right equipment. Pete’s Cycles can take care of that.
But in terms of improving, Stein offers the following advice:
Choosing your line: Unlike the road, when you ride on the dirt you have to choose the best line. It is like skiing in the trees. If you only look directly before you, you are going to hit a tree eventually. Finding the right line means you are not only aware of what is in front of you but also aware of what is coming. The art of glancing ahead can be tricky, but expert riders do it without thinking. The best is to do it when the immediate trail does not need your whole attention.
Practice: Get a bunch of stuff lying around the house—cans, buckets, etc—and throw them into an empty parking lot. Set yourself a course and ride through them sitting down and standing up. Perceive how comfortable you feel when making turns standing up and sitting down.
Play around: Of course, we all do this, but Stein wants us to take it seriously. Find a patch of open trail and give it some throttle, and then hit the breaks. Feel out the bike. Learn to test the limits without going past them. The more you feel comfortable when the bike is at its limit the better you will be.
Stay alert: Epstein says it best when he writes, “While it’s easy to zone out while tooling down the highway, in the dirt, even a few moments of inattention can send you to ground.” It is easy for your brain to wander when you are at work, but when you are riding at 30 mph down a trail this can have serious consequences. This is a hard skill to master, and the best way is to be mindful of when you are getting tired from a long day of riding and slow down if needed.
And, of course, stop by one of Pete's Cycles three convenient locations--Bel Air, Severna Park, Baltimore--for all your riding needs.
We are Baltimore's number one dealer for all types of motorcycles, watercraft, ATVs, and generators. We have 3 stores stocked full of accessories and repair technicians all trained and ready to help you. In addition to the most knowledgeable sales reps, we have been the recipient of the Maryland Kawasaki Top Silver Dealer Award for the past 8 years.
