The Kawasaki KX 85 motorcycle is a motocross bike

the Kawasaki KX 85 motocross motorcycle

produced from 2001 to the present. This model is sports equipment for learning motocross for children and teenagers. The Kawasaki KX 85 features a steel frame, a powerful 2-stroke engine, KIPS (Integrated Power Valve System) and long-travel sports suspensions. An important advantage of this motorcycle is the price, which allows you to get an excellent device for gaining initial motocross skills for little money.

Main modifications:

• Kawasaki KX 85-I
  - the modification is distinguished by 17′ (front) and 14′ (rear) wheels.
• Kawasaki KX 85-II
  - the modification is distinguished by 19′ (front) and 16′ (rear) wheels.

The main feature of the Kawasaki KX 85 is a 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with a capacity of 84 cc. see, producing 28.5 hp. power and 17.2 Nm of torque. The presence of the KIPS power valve system allows you to obtain a variable engine compression ratio, which depends on the operating speed. All this significantly smoothes the power curve and increases traction at low revs.

In 2014, the model undergoes a slight restyling, receiving updated suspension settings, engine settings (KIPS settings), overall dimensions, braking system (petal discs of increased diameter), fuel tank (became smaller by 0.5 liters) and new plastic elements.

The “older” brother of the model is the Kawasaki KX 125.

The main competitors of the Kawasaki KX 85 in the class:

• Honda CR 85
• Suzuki RM 85
• Yamaha YZ 85

Appearance

The Kawasaki KX 85 looks bright. Even in the photo. This is achieved by design: the combination of bright green and white makes the motorcycle sporty.

In motion this is only confirmed. Looking at the video, it is clear that this is a powerful and original motorcycle that is perfect for motocross and more.

The car looks interesting thanks to the stylish wings that rise high above the tires. Of course, the ground clearance here is huge, and the wheels are spoked. The striking design is also evident in the shape of the frame. Yes, it is not fundamentally different from those of motocross bikes, but it still looks special in some ways.

Kawasaki KX85 2022

Kawasaki KX85 2022

Built primarily on the same racing underpinnings as the KX112, Kawasaki's KX85 motocross bike is a "big bike in a compact form" . In 2022, it will receive a number of improvements to provide young riders with even more advantages on the races - a stronger transmission, an improved cooling system, as well as updated design and ergonomics.

Comfort

This bike is easy to maintain, because you can easily get spare parts for it. And it’s inexpensive, considering how much a particular part costs.

And all because the model is still in production. It’s realistic to buy a new motorcycle and, perhaps, in this case the risk of encountering problems is lower.

The bike is unlikely to be comfortable in urban conditions. In addition, it makes a lot of noise and will therefore cause discomfort to others. But for motocross and rural areas, it’s unlikely that anything will be better suited than this option. After all, this technique copes excellently with off-road conditions. Not only sport bikes and road motorcycles, but even enduro bikes are not capable of this.

Dimensions and weight

In terms of dimensions, this is a light, jumpy motorcycle in the literal sense, which is intended primarily for motocross.

If you keep this in mind, then its relative instability somewhere on the track in the middle of a field during strong gusts of wind hardly seems a minus. This is not a touring bike.

The dimensions are:

• height – 1150 mm;
• width – 765 mm;
• length – 1920 mm;
• wheelbase – 1310 mm;
• seat height – 870 mm;
• ground clearance - 330 mm;
• curb weight – 75 kg;
• Tank capacity – 5 l.

Of course, the volume of the gas tank here is minimal. And you can’t travel far from a gas station on such a motorcycle. But objectively this cannot be considered a disadvantage, because such equipment must literally fly when needed. Fly far and fast. And for such jumps to work, the configuration is appropriate.

Specifications

The bike's parameters are impressive. But it's not about power or torque, per se. When assessing the technical characteristics of this equipment, it is necessary to take into account its dimensions. Only then will it be possible to objectively evaluate this car.

This is first and foremost a sports car, and already a port of transport. Regarding the weight and dimensions, the torque and power are impressive. It is a mistake to compare the latter with those of sportbikes.

There are completely different principles and concepts. So it’s worth comparing only with other motocross bikes. And if you do this, it turns out that the KX 85 is one of the best in its class.

History of changes

Since the start of release, some changes have taken place. However, this did not bring anything radically new to the motorcycle. However, these changes deserve attention. At the end of the day, this bike is sure to go down in motocross history and stay there forever.

Here are the changes that happened in 2014:

1. Minor design restyling.
2. New brake system.
3. Reduced fuel tank.
4. Updated suspension settings.

That's all the changes that happened to the car. And this does not prevent it from being one of the best cross-country options in the world for almost twenty years.

And perhaps this will remain so for many more years, because this technology looks promising even against the background of current competitors, the production of which began just a couple of years ago.

Kawasaki KX250 2022

Kawasaki KX250 2022

With a championship legacy of 18 AMA Pro trophies and 193 race wins since 2004, the Kawasaki KX250 has been and remains the ideal platform for intermediate and advanced riders. Its torquey motor, electric starter, hydraulically operated bell-type clutch, and narrow aluminum perimeter frame provide ideal power and handling for the fastest lap times.

The 249cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine has decent low- and mid-range performance and impressive high-end peak power thanks to contributions from the Kawasaki factory team. It features a push-button electric starter and a lightweight, compact lithium-ion battery. The lightweight valvetrain uses valve lifters, allowing the engine to reach higher rpm and use more aggressive camshaft profiles. A diamond-like coating on the tappets prevents wear, while large-diameter titanium valves and anti-friction coated piston provide excellent performance at all rpms.

The clutch spring washer provides more informative squeezing of the hydraulic drive lever, maintaining its operating characteristics even when heated under high load. The variable air intake hopper housing provides high performance at high engine speeds, while the twin injectors feeding the engine provide smooth yet responsive throttle response and full-throttle power at high rpm.

The Kawasaki KX250's narrow aluminum perimeter frame is based on the flagship KX450 and delivers light, responsive handling and narrow ergonomics. It consists of forged, extruded and cast aluminum elements of varying stiffness to ensure optimal balance. Using the same swingarm as the KX450 balances stiffness with the frame and allows for increased rear traction. The center of mass and the location of key components such as the swingarm axis, chainring and rear axle have been carefully calculated to optimize the weight distribution of the motorcycle.

The spring-loaded 48mm KYB fork provides optimal front wheel grip early in the stroke and features large diameter stays to accommodate 25mm smoothing pistons for smooth operation and effective smoothing. A Kashima coating applied to the outer surface of the stays creates a durable, low-friction surface that prevents wear and tear on the fork's internals. The rear KYB monoshock, which complements the fork, features two compression smoothing adjusters, allowing you to separately adjust fast and slow compression smoothing. Kashima coating on the remote reservoir prevents wear and tear in harsh conditions. The linkage of the new Uni-Trak rear suspension linkage system is located below the swingarm, giving the Kawasaki KX250 longer rear suspension travel with the same gear ratio as the KX450.

Along with other race-inspired components from the factory team, the KX250 features large 270mm front and 240mm rear petal brakes from renowned manufacturer Braking, providing excellent performance and superior control.

Like its older relative, the Kawasaki KX250 has the ERGO-FIT system, which allows you to adjust the ergonomics to the rider’s size and riding style. The 28mm Renthal Fatbar handlebars have 35mm adjustments and the footpegs have two positions.

The 250cc model's body kit, similar to the flagship 450, features die-cast graphics and is shaped to allow for easy rider movement with long, flowing surfaces that are easy to glide on with your knees. The tank is designed to move smoothly from the seat to the steering column for maximum freedom of movement and ease of weight transfer.

The Kawasaki KX250 is now available at Kawasaki dealerships in Lime Green with a suggested price of $8,400 (US market).

What do the owners say?

Judging by the reviews of those who own a Kawasaki KX 85, it performs well on the road, but off-road it is much better. They warn that such a bike in the city is not only useless, but even slightly dangerous. If you really need to regularly drive through yards, you should buy yourself an enduro.

Someone in the review noted that such a machine is good for a farmer, and he is right. Just like this bike is good for other residents of rural areas. However, if a person just needs a light, single-seat open transport for rough terrain, an ATV is more suitable. Less traumatic.

According to the description of those who use such a bike specifically for racing, this is not the best machine today. However, she will give many a head start and, even if she doesn’t win, will help her perform with dignity. However, owners experienced in motocross note that even on such a small-capacity bike, a beginner has a high risk of injury.

And therefore, during the first training, it is advised to avoid any jumps. Even simple riding on such a bike often carries the risk of injury. So at first it is recommended to drive on a slightly uneven field with short grass. And gradually increase the difficulty.

In conclusion, the Kawasaki KX 85 is a great motocross bike. It is suitable for both those who have been riding such motorcycles for a long time, and those who have recently decided to switch to such equipment. The main positive qualities are lightness, speed and maneuverability. But do not forget that all this manifests itself on dry off-road conditions, and not on the highway.

Kawasaki KX450 2022

Kawasaki KX450 2022

As the flagship of the KX line, the 2022 Kawasaki KX450 is built with racing components that allow Kawasaki riders to reach the top steps of the podium. Its 449cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine produces copious amounts of power, along with a narrow perimeter aluminum frame, Showa A-KIT suspension, hydraulic clutch and disc spring, and electric start to create the perfect championship-winning model.

The lightweight 449cc engine is being developed with direct input from the Monster Energy Kawasaki factory team. It features a push-button electric starter and a lightweight, compact lithium-ion battery. The lightweight valvetrain with pushrods comes from the world of high-speed racing and was developed by Kawasaki's engineering team for World Superbike motorcycles. Pushrods allow for larger valve diameters and more aggressive camshafts. The five-speed close-range transmission and hydraulically actuated Belleville clutch provide total control and confident performance under load.

The Kawasaki KX450's narrow aluminum perimeter frame provides precise handling, excellent feedback and nimbleness even at high speeds. The frame consists of elements manufactured using a variety of technical processes - forged, extruded and cast, and the engine in it is part of the power structure, improving the balance of frame rigidity. Engineers carefully calculated the dimensions and placement of the swingarm axle, chainring and rear axle to ensure optimal weight distribution and balanced handling.

The high-performance 49mm spring fork with A-KIT technology features the large diameter stays found on Kawasaki's factory team bikes. This design allows the use of large diameter smoothing pistons for smooth operation and excellent energy absorption. At the rear, a new Uni-Trak linkage system is paired with a Showa Compact Design monoshock, which also features A-KIT technology with large-diameter compression smoothing adjusters.

The large 270 mm petal front brake disc is made by the famous manufacturer Braking to match the powerful engine of the Kawasaki KX450. The rear brake circuit is equipped with a 250 mm petal disc from the same manufacturer.

Comfort for riders of different heights and skill levels is provided by the ERGO-FIT system with adjustable handlebar and footpeg mounting, allowing you to adjust their position to different riding styles. The 28mm Renthal Fatbar has four mounting options with a 35mm difference between the extremes. The footpegs have two installation options: standard and lowered by 5mm, convenient for tall people when riding while sitting.

Champion-proven technology The 2022 KX450 features an updated, aggressive design with in-molded graphics on the radiator plastic for an ultra-smooth finish and sporty appearance. The sleek bodykit hugs the V-mounted radiators and narrow chassis for easy weight transfer.

The KX450 is available now at Kawasaki dealerships in Lime Green with a suggested price of $9,500 (US market).