If you have a 2024-2026 Kawasaki KX450 you already know the clutch isn’t that great. It fades during minimal abuse and the lever engagement also can change while you’re riding, not to mention that after only several hours, it can start slipping. I have been on the hunt for something with better engagement when riding, longer life and a little less of a vague feel through corners. I called up Hinson to see if they had anything other than their Billetproof Complete Clutch that they offer. To my surprise, Ron Hinson told me “yes” they do!
Enter the Small Diameter Clutch Kit for the KX450. This isn’t anything new rather it’s the old style clutch (pre 2024) when it came with a five spring (not the single spring like it comes now). The small diameter clutch is just that: a smaller diameter clutch kit over the current Hinson offering. I have ran the Hinson Billetproof Complete Clutch last year and although it helped with lifespan and slippage, it didn’t help engagement and vague feel under average abuse.
The two biggest differences is that it is smaller in diameter and converts the clutch back to a coil spring clutch using plates and five springs that are historically some of our Hinson’s best performers/sellers. Beyond that the hard parts do everything all Hinson’s Billetproof complete clutches do with precision, & better oiling to provide clutch performance that is smooth, positive, and resists heat fade.
The big advantage for me with the “Small Diameter” version is that I had a more positive lever experience throughout my motos. No longer did the KX clutch feel flat or vague and I could tell there was a little more pressure to the lever when pulling it in, which is a GOOD THING! I had more bite/engagemnt and I could feel when the clutch was engaging and disengaging. It also make the KX450 feel a little lighter out of corners with more “pop” out of the clutch engagement. This gave me more low end or rpm response feel over the stock clutch. Another added benefit to me was that the lever engagement didn’t move at all under heavy abuse. I purposely rode some deeper sand tracks as well as Glen Helen to see if I could get the “Small Diameter” clutch to fade or feel inconsistent and it didn’t. I have never been a big fan of single spring clutches (unless it’s a KTM) as they tend to not be consistent over the course of a longer moto.
For $1224.99, it is an investment towards your KX450 but if you plan on riding it for longer than 20 minutes at a time and ride in deeper dirt, this Hinson kit is a MUST have. It has made my life so much better when riding the KX that it has been one of the bike’s I have gravitated towards in 2026. That Hinson part number is HC663-2102.
