These competitive riders are purists who will accept nothing less than a manual transmission for maximizing engine acceleration, demand powerful braking performance and typically choose the fastest line through a turn. Kawasaki’s answer to this high-performance demand is the KFX®400 sport ATV.

The KFX400 ATV is powered by a 398cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine featuring double overhead cams and four valves atop a chrome composite-plated aluminum alloy cylinder. Fed by a new 37mm high-performance carburetor, it includes electric start and has a counter balancer to reduce vibration.

The KFX400 ATV engine utilizes a “dry sump” design, with the engine oil being carried in the tubes of the high-performance chassis instead of the traditional location beneath the engine. This design enabled engineers to shorten overall engine height so it can be placed lower in the chassis for enhanced stability while providing higher ground clearance. Transmitting power from the engine to the rear wheels is a high-performance five-speedplus-reverse manual transmission and efficient O-ring chain.

A high-performance powerband requires an equally advanced chassis, so the KFX400 ATV engine rides in a high-tensile steel frame and subframe. Suspension duties are handled by dual front A-arms with new fully adjustable shocks that provide 8.5 inches of travel, while an aluminum-alloy swingarm with fully adjustable shock provides 9.1 inches of travel on the rear.

Contributing to the KFX400’s low, 373-pound dry weight are competition-inspired aluminum-alloy wheels, and stopping power is provided by dual front disc brakes and a single rear disc brake.

As with all off-highway vehicle recreation, Kawasaki encourages ATV riders to ride

responsibly and to respect the environment. Kawasaki will pay first-time buyers of a new Kawasaki ATV $100 for completing an ATV rider safety course conducted by the ATV Safety Institute (ASI). Interested consumers can call ASI toll-free at 800-887-2887.

Twin air intakes on the front fenders provide extra cooling to the radiator

Dry-sump lubrication allows the engine to be kept low in the chassis for superior weight distribution and handling while providing higher ground clearance

New 37mm carburetor increase engine performance

Electric start makes competition holeshots a breeze

Five-speed manual transmission helps the rider keep the engine in the powerband; reverse gear makes backing up convenient and easy

Swingarm utilizes eccentric chain adjusters, making chain adjustment easier

Dual A-arm front suspension and rear swingarm help to soak up the bumps and jumps

New front shocks feature fully adjustable compression and rebound damping as well as adjustable preload or more suspension tuning options

Triple disc brakes provide exceptional stopping power

Dual halogen headlights brighten the path for nighttime riding

Serrated steel footpegs help to keep the rider’s feet from slipping in wet or muddy riding conditions

Available in Blazing Orange for 2005

Engine Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single cylinder with

DOHC and four-valves with dry-sump lubrication

system

Displacement 398cc

Carburetion Mikuni BSR37

Starting Electric

Transmission Five-speed-plus-reverse manual, multi-plate wet

clutch

Final drive #520 O-ring chain

Frame type High-tensile tubular steel alloy

Suspension, front/wheel travel Dual A-arms with coil-over-shock, adjustable

preload/8.3 in.

Suspension, rear/wheel travel Swingarm with preload-adjustable shock/9.1 in.

Tires, front 22 x 7-10 radial

Tires, rear 20 x 10-9 radial

Brakes, front/rear Dual hydraulic discus/Disc

Overall length 72.0 in.

Overall width 45.9 in.

Wheelbase 49.0 in.

Ground clearance 10.4 in.

Lighting Dual 30W halogen

Dry weight 373 lbs.

Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.

Footpegs Serrated steel

Color Blazing Orange, Kawasaki Lime Green