The highly modified KX machine was sent to Trevor Pope Motorcycles in Gosport - an experienced Supermoto machine builder - who turned the lime green machine into a Supermoto special.
The standard cast Triple Clamps were replaced with an X Trig 16mm Offset Triple Clamp Front End Yoke Set to improve stability, turning and strength. It has a pair of slick Dunlop tyres and the front has been fitted with a Beringer oversize Front Brake Caliper to accept the 320mm oversize wavy Disc to cope with the extra, heavy braking required – there’s a wavy disc on the rear too. The standard clutch has been changed to a Sutter Slipper clutch too - which is essential to enable the rear wheel to break and gain traction. The machine has also received SAMCO Silicone Radiator Hoses - in green, of course, plus much more…
Leon Haslam said: “I can’t wait to get to have a play on it! Kawasaki have been kind enough to build me a full racing bike - I’ve seen the odd picture of the bike as it’s been built but to see it in the flesh now is awesome.
“I got into supermoto over the winter for training ahead of the British Superbike Championship. I train out in Spain with the Lowes twins - we ride pit bikes, motocross and supermoto - and was borrowing their bike, so I was keen to get one of my own. From my perspective, I’ll be using it mainly for training. There’s lots of good spots we go to in the UK too - we usually ride them on pit bikes so to attack them on a super KX450F will be good fun!”