India Kawasaki
Motors has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the 2019 KX250,
KX450 and KLX450R. The track-only motorcycles have arrived in the country via
the CBU route, and thus they command a premium price tag. The 2019 Kawasaki
KX250 has been priced at INR 7,43,000; the KX450 is available for INR 7,79,000
while the most premium model among the three, the KLX450R will set you back by
INR 8,49,000 (all prices are ex-showroom, Delhi).
The MY19 KX450 gets
a new 449cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuel-injected
engine, mounted in its leanest chassis to date. The feature list on the model
includes finger-follower valve actuation, electric start and a hydraulic
clutch, all firsts for a Kawasaki motocrosser. Except for the front fender and
number plate, the bodywork gets a new design to facilitate rider movement.
Suspension duties
on the KX450 are performed by ø49 mm inverted telescopic fork (305 mm travel)
with adjustable compression and rebound damping at the front. At the rear is a
Uni-Trak (307 mm travel) with adjustable dual-range (high/low-speed)
compression damping, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable preload.
The MY19 KX450R
also uses a 449cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine but
instead of fuel injection, it gets the Keihin FCR-MX40 Carburettor. Extra
equipment on the R badge model includes a digital instrument console, a
headlight and a LED tail lamp. The digital instrumentation comprises a
speedometer, twin trip meters, odometer and clock.
Suspension duties
on the KX450R are performed by 48 mm inverted AOS type telescopic fork (310 mm
travel) with 22-way compression and 18-way rebound damping at the front. The
rear features Uni-Trak (315 mm travel) with 22-way low-speed, 2 turns or more
high-speed compression damping, 22-way rebound damping and adjustable spring
preload.
Lastly, the KX250
uses a 249cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuel-injected
engine. All three motorcycles employ a five-speed gearbox. The new motocross
trio from Kawasaki will compete against the Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 in
India. Suzuki had launched the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 in India at INR 7.1 lakh and
INR 8.31 lakh respectively (both, ex-showroom Delhi).
