Kawasaki Launches Its Flagship MX Bike In India

Kawasaki has finally introduced its flagship MX bike, the MY 22L KLX450R, in India. The Japanese bikemaker had launched the 2022 iterations of the KX250 and the KX450 in our market earlier this year, and the updates to the 450R are similar to what we have seen on the other bikes.

What's Its Price? Who Are Its Rivals?

The Kawasaki KLX450R at Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be delivered to customers by the end of January 2022. This is a bump of Rs 50,000 over the previous model. While the KLX450R doesn’t have a direct rival in our market, at a similar price you could buy the Kawasaki Z900, the Ducati Scrambler 800 or the Honda CB650R.

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What's New?

The most obvious change in the 2022 Kawasaki KLX450R is the introduction of the new livery on the iconic Kawasaki Lime Green colour. Other changes to the bike include revisions to the engine tune for better low-end torque.

 What's Unchanged?

Apart from this, the motorcycle remains largely unchanged. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX450R comes with the same aluminum perimeter frame suspended onto a 48mm USD fork and monoshock, offering 305mm and 315mm of travel respectively. For braking, Kawasaki has used a 250mm petal disc at the front and a 240mm petal disc at the rear.

The 2022 Kawasaki KLX450R continues to use the same 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Though performance numbers aren’t known, with a kerb weight of just 126kg, the power-to-weight ratio of this bike can easily scare the living daylights out of anyone.

ZigSays

The Kawasaki KLX450R arrives in India via the CBU route, which results in the steep price. However, with the Suzuki RM-Z450 not on sale in our market anymore, you are limited to the Kawasaki if you are looking for an MX motorcycle to pursue the sport.