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When the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 arrived, I was excited! However, when I rode it, I was a little shocked as it wasn’t the same engine character as I remember from the 2023 version. It was smoother (that is putting it nicely) and felt underpowered compared to other 450s in its class. We quickly found out that removing the snorkel from the airbox (the 2025 KX450 doesn’t come with snorkel anymore) helped a lot as well as some airbox mods (AKA, cutting out some of the airbox). After those FREE mods were completed a couple simple things like a Pro Circuit Ti-6 muffler, a “CHA” map installed from the Kawasaki Rideology app and we had a 450 that was more responsive as well as easy to ride. As we put more time on the 2024 KX450 the comment “the KX450 is like having a faster 350” started circulating around the industry. I was guilty of saying this statement early on in the new green bike’s life as well but after spending some time on a 2025 KTM 350 SX-F, I wanted to really deep dive these two bikes to see if that comment is a valid one. Below is a comparison between the two and what it’s like to ride each. Lookout for a full video breakdown over on my Youtube channel soon!
Comparing Engine Characters:
So why the hell would anyone say the KX450 is like the KTM 350 SX-F? That statement has been floating around because of how smooth/linear and easy to ride the KX450 is. After a couple of those aforementioned mods, this green bike was one of my favorite bikes to ride/race locally. I couldn’t say that back in 2023. The KTM 350 SX-F has one of the most fun engine packages because it has low end excitement (rpm response) but it doesn’t rip your arms off like a traditional 450cc engine can do. If I were to compare the green 450 to the orange 350 in stock form (KX 450 snorkel in, stock muffler) I will say the KTM 350 SX-F has more low end excitement out of the box. Yes! That’s right the orange bike has more low end hit than the KX450. However, with the mods that most will do to their 24/25 KX450s (removing snorkel muffler, airbox mod and CHA map) the KX450 has more torque feel out of corners. The low end RPM response comes to life and the bike gets lighter feeling, but more on that later. Even with those mods done to the KX450, the KTM 350 SX-F still beats the KX450 in low end RPM response/excitement feel. Snapping out of a hooked rut, the KTM 350 SX-F gets you out of that hook in a quicker manner over the KX450. The green bike still feels a little lazy in tight hooks (corners). Once out of the corner and you begin to open the throttle on the KX450, the green bike beats the orange bike more than I thought it would (with those small mods mentioned). “Beats” as in gets the power down to the ground better and drives forward in a quicker manner. What is crazy is that both machines have a crazy long second gear pulling power. I have to retrain my brain to use second gear more on the KTM 350 SX-F as well as the KX450. Both of these bikes LOVE second gear in corners. Unlike a YZ450F where you can use third gear, these bikes will not reward you when using third gear through corners. So they do have second gear in common. As far as top end goes, the KX450 still feels faster in third and fourth gears (not shocking as it has 100 more cc’s).
Weight Feeling: The KTM 350 SX-F just feels lighter and more nimble than the KX450. This also isn’t huge news as there is less rotating mass as well as it’s just plain lighter on paper than the KX450. Once those small mods are done to the KX450 the green bike does feel 10 pounds lighter compared to itself in stock form. If you want to spend more money, get the Vortex ECU mapped by XPR or Twisted Development and get a lighter green chassis feel along with more power everywhere. What is also great about a Vortex is that it will not change that linear hatcher of the KX450 engine but will give you more recovery as well as pulling power in each gear. Not to mention that it has great resale value. The KTM 350 SX-F chassis feels 10 pounds lighter than it’s bigger orange brother as well as the KX450 so getting in and out of corners is just easier with the orange 350.
Chassis: The KX450 definitely has a more planted front tire feel than the KTM 350 SX-F but the KX450 for sure has more of a front wheel biased feel than the KTM 350 SX-F. The green and orange bikes are equally as stable on throttle (straight line) but to me the KTM 350 SX-F can get a little more deflection on the edge of tire. Even though the Kawasaki’s chassis is stiffer feeling than the older generation chassis, it still feels more compliant than the new get KTM’s chassis when the track gets hard pack and edgy. Both of these manufacturers have gone to a stiffer natured feel in hopes to gain more cornering prowess but with some of that they have sacraficed bump comfort. Both of these chassis’ accept aftermarket triple clamps as well as engine mounts well.
Vibration: Both of these machines equally vibrate more than others. The green bike vibrates more though the footpegs and the orange bike vibrates more through the handlebars. I am very sensitive to vibration so to some of you this may be a mute point. However, it needs to be addressed. In 2023 the KX450 didn’t have much vibration but since the frame change, the Kawasaki has more of a “dated” feel through the pegs. The KTM can get a little better when going to an aftermarket handlebar but if you come off of any other Japanese bike, these two bikes are on the upper end of vibration to me.
Overall Opinion: So what did we learn here? Which one is better? Should I take back the KX450 is like a KTM 350 SX-F comments? I would say “yes”, I should take back some of those comparisons because at the end of the day both have different characters to each. The KX450 feels like a 450, but just is more linear and smoother than other 450s. The inertia and crank mass feel of the KX450, still feels like a 450 engine character. The 350 has a much peppier hit with a lightweight crank feel. Those two things feel very different on the track so the comparison between the two is more of a gap than initially thought by myself and others . If you like a linear 450 feel but still must have a 450cc sized machine then the Kawasaki is a very capable bike to make you happy. If you want a lightweight feeling bike yet has plenty of excitement with less torque feel, the 350 is one of those bikes that can please a wide audience. I really like riding both bikes and depending on the day, I could go with one or the other.
If you have any questions about any of these bikes, please feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com. Hopefully this article has guided you a little more on which bike to choose but if I made you more confused, we are here to help.
