Todd Kelly amps up his Kawasaki KLX 450R
Like many drivers in the V8 Supercar field, Kelly loves his dirt bikes, and growing up near Mildura in country Victoria, has a long history of riding off-road for training and relaxation.
"As a child, I had a small capacity 3 wheeler that I started riding on," Todd said. "This is where my interest for motorcycles and more particularly off-road motorcycles began. We had the luxury of being able to get home after school and jump on the off-road bikes and this is what we looked forward to most when we were young. We did this through our entire childhood."
Todd's passion for off-road riding continued through to adulthood. "I've had a few KLX450R's through the years which I would add bits and pieces to, but nothing has been modified to the extent of the one I have right now.
"Bryan Hands from Hands-On Kawasaki helped out with the modifications and Kawasaki Motors Australia provided me with the bike. This time we had a good crack at making it look unique."
Based in Lilydale, Victoria, Hands-On Kawasaki took to the task with enthusiasm. Hands-On's owner and dealer principal, Bryan Hands, declared this KLX450R to be one of the more unique projects he has managed.
"This is a really special KLX450R. We stripped a new 2015 KLX450 down to its bare frame and then we had Nissan Motorsport apply 2pac enamel black paint to the swing arm and frame. The Nissan Motorsports graphics department assisted with incorporating Nissan imagery and Tod Kelly's race number onto the sticker kit".
Hands reassembled the bike with the following additions:
- Topline Custom Seat Cover
- KX-F Oversize Front Brakes with Acerbis Disc Cover
- Black Rims
- Vortex Black Rear Sprocket
- Zeta one-piece bar clamp with rubber eliminators
- Emig Grips
- Zeta CNC machined clutch and brake levers covered by Cycra MX Style Hand Guards
- ODI oversize Handle Bars
- Custom Hands-On Kawasaki / Nissan Motorsport Graphic Kit
- KX-F Front & Rear Guards
- Pro-Circuit Exhaust System
- Suspension set to TK's weight
A genuine Kawasaki bash plate was the last addition. "Since the photos were taken, I have put a genuine Kawasaki bash plate on the bike which I polished up," Todd explained.
"It is so shiny it looks like chrome and it makes the bike look so unique. The bash plate against the black frame stands out the most, and the black rims and swingarm make it look unreal, but I can't wait to take it out and put it through its paces!"
Todd spends any spare time he can get riding through trails in rural Victoria and putting his KLX 450R to the test. One of Todd's most memorable rides was through Warburton last year on his previous KLX 450R.
"In Warburton we rode 8 hours for two days last year and camped out overnight. I can't wait to do that again on my KLX 450R. Spending time in the bush and in the trails is great to unwind. Nothing beats a camp fire and story or two with the group at the end of the day, knowing you get to do it all again the next day," Todd concluded.
Presently driving for the Jack Daniels-sponsored Nissan Motorsport team in V8 Supercars (V8SC), Todd Kelly is a former Bathurst 1000 champion, has won 19 V8SC races, scored 28 other podium finishes and clocked up his 200th V8SC race start last year.
Find out more about Kawasaki's KLX range at:kawasaki.com.auand Hands-On Kawasaki athands-onkawasaki.com.au
