2012 Kawasaki KX450F Specifications

Name: 2012 Kawasaki KX450F
Brand: Kawasaki

Cross / motocross • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2012 Kawasaki KX450F Overview

Kawasaki KX450F is a cross / motocross motorcycle, displacing 449 cc. Power comes from a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine running DOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 96 x 62.1 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 59.40 Nm @ 4500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2012 KX450F tips the scales at 113 kg, carries a 6.21-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 955 mm and spans a 1,481 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 14.4 kg heavier than the average cross / motocross motorcycle in our database. The full 2012 Kawasaki KX450F spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2012 KX450F - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.

Considerations

Tall seat height: At 955 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Modest fuel capacity: Range between stops is limited by the 6.21-litre tank - plan fuel stops accordingly on longer routes.
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the KX450F needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.

Valve clearance checks

With DOHC valve gear, the KX450F needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from Single disc - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The KX450F's suspension runs 48mm inverted, Kayaba AOS with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment at the front. The rear uses Uni-Trak linkage system and Kayaba shock with 50mm piston, 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression damping, 22-position rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The KX450F uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Aluminum perimeter, the KX450F's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

Low-speed handling

113 kg keeps the KX450F easy to move around in tight spaces, car parks and on the stand alike.

KX450F - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2012 Kawasaki KX450F, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy KX450F should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a KX450F's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the KX450F needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

Valve clearance service

Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used KX450F since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.

2012 Kawasaki KX450F - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F have?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F uses a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine with 449 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F weigh?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F weighs 113 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F make?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F produces 59.40 Nm @ 4500 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F has a 6.21-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 103-124 km between stops.

Is the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F suitable for shorter riders?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F has a seat height of 955 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.

What brakes does the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F have?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F uses Single disc at the front and Single disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F use?

The 2012 Kawasaki KX450F runs 25/8-12 front and 25/10-12 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

Kawasaki KX450F Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki KX450F was produced across 13 model years (2006-2018). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Wet Weight	-	-	-	112.1 kg / 247.1 lbs	113.6 kg / 250.4 lbs	113.4 kg / 249.9 lbs	113.0 kg / 249.1 lbs	112.5 kg / 248.0 lbs	112.5 kg / 248.0 lbs	112.5 kg / 248.0 lbs	108.7 kg / 239.6 lbs	108.8 kg / 239.9 lbs	108.8 kg / 239.8 lbs
Dry Weight	99.8 kg / 220.0 lbs	99.8 kg / 220.0 lbs	99.8 kg / 220.0 lbs	-	-	-	275 kg / 606.3 lbs	-	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Type	Single cylinder	Single cylinder	Single cylinder	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke	Single cylinder, four-stroke
Seat Height	965 mm / 38.0 in.	965 mm / 38.0 in.	965 mm / 38.0 in.	965 mm / 38.0 in.	965 mm / 38.0 in.	960 mm / 37.8 in.	955 mm / 37.6 in.	955 mm / 37.6 in.	955 mm / 37.6 in.	955 mm / 37.6 in.	955 mm / 37.6 in.	950 mm / 37.4 in.	950 mm / 37.4 in.
Fuel Capacity	7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons	7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons	7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons	7.00 litres / 1.85 gallons	7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons	7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons	6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons
Ground Clearance (mm)	345 mm	345 mm	345 mm	340 mm	340 mm	335 mm	330 mm	330 mm	330 mm	330 mm	330 mm	335 mm	335 mm
Ground Clearance (in.)	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	13.4 inches	13.4 inches	13.2 inches	13.0 inches	13.0 inches	13.0 inches	13.0 inches	13.0 inches	13.2 inches	13.2 inches
Fuel Control	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)	Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)	Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)	Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)

Key Specifications

Engine

Single cylinder, four-stroke

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

59.40 Nm (6.1 kgf-m or 43.8 ft.lbs) @ 4500 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

113.0 kg / 249.1 lbs

Fuel Capacity

6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons

Full 2012 Kawasaki KX450F Specifications

Colours Lime Green

Warranty 6 months

Ground Clearance (mm) 330 mm

Ground Clearance (in.) 13.0 inches

Seat Height 955 mm / 37.6 in.

Wheelbase 1,481 mm / 58.3 in.

Height 1,275 mm / 50.2 in.

Length 2,179 mm / 85.8 in.

Width 820 mm / 32.3 in.

Dry Weight 275 kg / 606.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity 6.21 litres / 1.64 gallons

Wet Weight 113.0 kg / 249.1 lbs

Max Torque 59.40 Nm (6.1 kgf-m or 43.8 ft.lbs) @ 4500 Revolutions

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.1809 HP/kg

Fuel Control DOHC

Engine Type Single cylinder, four-stroke

Displacement (ci) 27.40 cubic inches

Displacement (cc) 449.00 cc

Bore x Stroke (mm) 96.0 x 62.1 mm

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.8 x 2.4 inches

Engine Detail 90 degree V-twin

Fuel System Injection. DFI with 43mm Keihin throttle body

Compression Ratio 12.5:1

Ignition Digital DC-CDI

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Automatic

Final Drive Chain

Gearbox 5-speed

Primary Drive Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, shaft

Frame Type Aluminum perimeter

Suspension - Front 48mm inverted, Kayaba AOS with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment / 12.4 in.

Suspension - Rear Uni-Trak linkage system and Kayaba shock with 50mm piston, 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression damping, 22-position rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload / 12.4 in.

Rake 26.9°

Wheel Travel - Front 171 mm / 6.7 in.

Wheel Travel - Rear 200 mm / 7.9 in.

Instrumentation Speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, engine temp, clock, hour meter and 2WD/4WD icon, plus indicators for neutral, reverse, belt, and oil pressure.

Lighting system 35W headlights, 5W taillight, 21W stoplight

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 9.8 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 250 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 9.4 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 240 mm

Brakes - Front Single disc

Brakes - Rear Single disc

Tyres - Front 25/8-12

Tyres - Rear 25/10-12

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.