Anyone heard or have any idea if the kawasaki will ever dual sport the klx 450R for us lucky USA citizens?

 

Brotha... I wish they would!

 

It's surprising that it isn't platable in the US really.

I mean, if they did it for the relatively small Aus market, what more needs to be done.

It would kill sales here if it wasn't road ready as Suzuki are finding out.

 

Maybe emissions and lack of market. While I agree I might get one in a DS version, most of the Japanese companies don't seem to think there's a big enough market for the U.S. I don't know how/where they get their data, but something tells them "no". Frankly, I don't think there's much real history for them to make this assessment, because Japanese companies haven't really done one here...have they? By a real, capable, DS bike, I'm talking about a slightly detuned and more reliable version of one of their race models. One might say XR's fit this type, but I don't really think they qualified. And in reality, the current WR250R may be the closest...but still off the mark a tiny bit. The KLX450 may be the best candidate compared to any of the bikes in the other 3 Japanese lineups.

Neil...do the street legal KLX450's in Aus have any emission stuff on them?

 

Us Kiwis would like to have it road legal too!

 

Some folks have plated it. But with it not being street legal off the dealer floor, it's hit or miss depending on state, and even within a state, which DMV office you go to. So it's not impossible, just not guaranteed.

 

In the state of Washington I believe if the bikes VIN plate says off road use only, then it doesnt matter how many lights or turn signals and horns you have. You cant liscense the bike, BUT if you have out of state plates on the bike, then they allow the bike. SO I could buy a KLX450R in Idaho and ride all over washington with the plate. BUT I could never get a washington plate for the bike. If I am wrong about this please correct me, also if I am wrong, I will line up at the end of the street to have eggs thrown at me.

 

dont quote me, but i talked to a forest ranger at a local mountain, and he said they where testing a dual sported klx450 there. seams like the place too, kawi's super cross test rack is about 10 mins from one of the entrances. if they do produce it, im saying late next year at best.

 

Yep. Not sure it's a strict as yours.
Everybody does the hatchet job on the emissions stuff no matter what bike they buy.
In fact, the dealer will nearly always do it for you as part of the deal if you ask.

If KTM can do it, then there's seems no logical reason why Kawasaki couldn't do it.
Must come down to $$ in the end.
Usually does.

 

Think I could get a 450F motor in my frame?