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To me the Kawasaki KX450 is improved for 2024 but the new green machine doesn’t have the compliance or bump absorption from the chassis like the 2023 version does. I appreciate the front wheel feel in corners compared to the 2023 but the new KX is missing a little comfort on initial bump contact and slap down landings so I went in search of Kawasaki’s optional top engine mounts. Yes, Kawasaki offers their own line of softer engine mounts. Yes, we could have tried an FCP or a WCL engine mount set up (and we still may) but we wanted to see what the Kawasaki OEM optional softer mount could do. I didn’t want to get all crazy and elaborate too much on this test as I just wanted to let you all know if it’s better or not.
The optional Kawasaki top engine mounts have a slightly different shape/thickness as well as 5mm hole drilled in the middle of the mounts compared to the stock mounts. The optional mounts also mount into the optional holes that the 2024 KX450 comes with. I used the stock torque settings that the Kawasaki owners manual recommends and went back to back with the stock KX450 mounts. The optional mounts give the KX450 a little more small bump compliance as well as a better feel when accelerating over square edge. The optional mounts give the KX450 a slightly looser feel (bike seems to move a little freer when under load) and to me it was a better direction on west coast type tracks. I feel like the rear wheel tracks better with the optional mounts as well as gives my current re-valved suspension spec more comfort on braking bumps (less harshness). The tracks I tested at were Glen Helen, a sand track in the dez and Cal City MX. Most of these tracks (besides the sand track) have square edges and small bump chatter with higher speeds. None of these tracks have deep soil or deep ruts). Usually when you go to a softer top mounts the bike can feel somewhat wallowy under heavy loads but these optional KX450 mounts didn’t give me that feel. There wasn’t a big negative for me besides with the optional mounts except for a small amount of front end traction loss under initial lean. Even with the optional mounts installed, I still feel like the KX450 still has more front end traction than the 2024 YZ450F.
The part number for these mounts are: 32190-0918 Upper Right Mount and 32190-0917 Upper Left Mount.
If you’re looking for a little more comfort from your new KX450 and don’t mind a little less initial front end bite these optional mounts are around a $100.00 a set so it’s not that much money to have in your arsenal of parts. The downside is I can’t find these part numbers on Rocky Mountain ATV/MC’s website so you might have to order these from your local Kawasaki dealership. Go old school and call the parts counter.
