ride engineering kx450f 21.5mm offset triple clamp

Products_pg118-134:Layout 1
3/27/12
4:30 PM
Page 6
MXA TEAM TESTED
RIDE ENGINEERING KX450F 21.5MM OFFSET TRIPLE CLAMP
WHAT IS IT? A new weapon in the battle to solve
front-end understeer on the Kawasaki KX450F.
WHAT’S IT COST? $449.90.
CONTACT? www.ride-engineering.com or
(800) 805-1516.
WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that
stand out with the Ride Engineering KX450F 21.5mm
offset triple clamp.
(1) Offset. For many years, the MXA wrecking crew
has tinkered with different triple-clamp offsets for the
Kawasaki KX450F—and for good reason. With a front end
that habitually understeers from center-out in corners, the
Kawasaki begs for greater turning precision. Knowing
that there was an issue, Kawasaki has made a special
effort to target triple-clamp offset. The 2012 KX450F
comes equipped with 23mm offset clamps. Although
better than on previous models, the steering still left a
lot to be desired. We’ve had excellent luck with
aftermarket 22mm offset clamps, but we were interested
in trying out Ride Engineering’s 21.5mm clamp.
(2) Installation. The Ride Engineering clamp comes
with the bottom bearing already pressed in, which
makes installation a cinch. We were pleased to discover
that the Ride clamp accepts the stock bar mounts and
cones. Having said that, we opted for the one-piece bar
mount ($89.95 for 7/8-inch bars; add $10 for oversize
bars). The mount offers 3mm of adjustability front to rear
and also reduces the chance of the handlebars twisting
in the event of a crash. The Ride clamp requires the
stock triple-clamp pinch bolts.
(3) Performance. We thought that 22mm was the
magic number for the KX450F. Guess again. After riding
124 www.motocrossactionmag.com
with the 21.5mm offset clamp, we were elated with the
cornering performance of our KX450F. The bike turned
better than it did with the 22mm offset clamp. The front
end held a consistent and precise line through every
conceivable type of corner, including deep ruts and sand.
We experienced a bit of head shake at high speeds, but
remedied the problem by dropping the fork legs flush
in the triple clamp. On tighter tracks, where speed
wobbles weren’t an issue, we raised the fork legs to
further improve cornering.
(4) Options. Ride offers the KX450F triple clamp in
traditional silver, as well as black or green anodizing.
And, should you find it necessary to run a steering
damper, the clamp accepts a Showa HPSD. (Ride also
sells the damper for $225.) A $49.95 bracket is required.
Testers felt that the 21.5mm offset clamps didn’t require
the damper. We solved any stability problems by
adjusting fork-leg height. Ride Engineering also sells
20mm offset triple clamps for those really looking to
sharpen the handling (at the expense of some other
handling niceties). This might be the right choice for
Supercross and Arenacross riders, but for the all-around
rider this seting is too extreme.
WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? We wish that the triple clamp
had a built-in post to house the front brake line guide.
M X A
R A T I N G
If you own a late-model Kawasaki KX450F and
feel that the front end understeers in corners,
then the Ride Engineering 21.5mm offset
clamp is the solution.