WHAT IS IT? FCP Racing’s engine mounts are made from aircraft-grade aluminum to improve handling, cornering, traction and feel. The Kawasaki KX450 was all new for 2024, and MXA has been doing ongoing testing to figure out which mods are needed and which aren’t.  

WHAT’S IT COST? $449.00

CONTACT? www.fcpracing.com or [email protected]. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the FCP Racing engine mounts for the 2024 Kawasaki KX450. 

(1) Stock mount position. The 2024 Kawasaki KX450 is the first bike to come with interchangeable head-stay mounting points. We tested the stock position (forward) and optional position (rearward) with our test riders before installing FCP’s head stays and front mounts. With the mounts in the stock position, the new KX450 has been great in corners. The head angle is 1 degree steeper for 2024, which helps with tip-in comfort coming into turns. However, the “long” feel of the previous chassis is gone. The wheelbase feels shorter now and some stability was sacrificed. We’ve found the front end to be prone to some oversteer while being busy in high-speed areas.

Visible from this side are the Pro Circuit ignition cover, FCP head stays, P3 carbon fiber skid plate, Pro Circuit shift lever and vented airbox cover.

(2) Optional mounts. The “rearward” position of the KX450 head stay is slightly different from the stock position, but the most noticeable difference is the mounting location and the 5mm hole drilled in the middle. Unfortunately, it didn’t affect handling as much as we’d expect. The most noticeable change was reduced handlebar vibration, while straight-line stability and cornering stayed very close to the same. One note: Kawasaki’s recommended torque specs for their head stays are 30 N/m on the two 8mm bolts and 50 N/m on the 10mm bolt. 

(3) FCP mounts. The FCP head stays are CNC-machined from aluminum, while the front engine mounts are CNC-machined titanium. On the track they cut vibration down and improved lean-angle traction, allowing you to cut in and out of ruts even easier than the stock bike with more precision. The FCP mounts on the KX450 gave it a plusher feel in the bumps. MXA test rider Josh Fout  said, “Out of all the bikes I’ve tested the FCP mounts on, the KX450 improved the most. The torque settings are important to  set correctly, because a different torque setting on the bolts will affect the feel. If I wanted to make three easy changes to the 2024 KX450, I would go with the FCP mounts, 51-tooth rear sprocket with a longer chain (four extra links to lengthen the wheelbase), and a Twisted Development remapped Vortex ECU.”

(4) Details. Aftermarket engine mounts and head stays are AMA-legal to use on your bike in the 450 B and C stock classes. They also fit the 2024 Kawasaki KX450X cross-country machine, which has the same chassis with softer suspension settings and an 18-inch rear wheel.

We ran the FCP head stays in the forward mounting position.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Our only complaint is that the FCP head stays are expensive.

MXA RATING: If you want to squeeze every bit of comfort and performance out of your 2024–2025 Kawasaki KX450, this is the final piece of the puzzle.