Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki KX250"
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The '''Kawasaki KX250''' was a 250cc, [[off-road motorcycle]] and [[motocross]] motorcycle manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1974 through 1976 and again from 1978 through 2007 | The '''Kawasaki KX250''' was a 250cc, [[off-road motorcycle]] and [[motocross]] motorcycle manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1974 through 1976 and again from 1978 through 2007. | ||
Kawasaki did not produce production motocross machines for the 1977 model year, as their previous version had been proven obsolete by the introduction of long-travel suspension by Kawasaki's competitors, most notably the [[Suzuki RM250|Suzuki RM250A]]. Kawasaki returned in 1978 with a limited production and totally revised [[Kawasaki KX240A|KX240A-4]]. The 1980 KX models were the first to use a modern [[monoshock|single-shock rear suspension]]. [[Water-cooling]] and front disk brake were instituted with the 1982 models. | |||
==History== | |||
The KX250 introduced in 1974 was Kawasaki's first serious attempt at a production motorcross bike. This differed from their earlier efforts in that it wasn't an offshoot of a mainly enduro themed machine. It began a line of production motocrossers that are highly respected for their strength and competitiveness. Kawasaki has always followed a route of continuous development for their KX series lending them to always be competitive and for the speed at which factory racing developments make it into the production machines. | |||
The first KX250 was based largely on [[Jimmy Weinert]]'s 1973 machine. | |||
==1974== | ==1974== | ||
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==1975== | ==1975== | ||
KX250A | |||
[[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-7448-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | [[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-7448-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | ||
[[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-7448-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | [[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-7448-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | ||
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[[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-566-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | [[Image:1975-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-566-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Kawasaki KX250 in Green]] | ||
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Small cylinder bore increase to 70mm, electrofused cylinder walls, sealed nitrogen filled rear shock absorbers with long travel. New front hub design. | |||
==1976== | |||
KX250A3 | |||
==1978== | |||
KX250A4 | |||
Featured gold-anodized aluminum swingarm and wheel rims. 70 x 64.9mm engine featuring reed valve induction and a 7.6:1 compression ratio. Mikuni VM38SS carburettor. Maximum power of 40bhp @ 8,000 RPM. Kayaba front forks. remote reservoir rear shocks with 9in of wheel travel. | |||
==1979== | ==1979== | ||
KX250A5 | |||
[[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-0.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | [[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-0.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | ||
[[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-1.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | [[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-1.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | ||
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[[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-7.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | [[Image:1979-Kawasaki-KX250-Green-3932-7.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Kawasaki KX250 in Lime Green]] | ||
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Total redesign including frame and a new plastic tank. Offered 11in of wheel travel. | |||
==1980== | |||
KX250A6 | |||
First Uni-Trak 250. | |||
==1981== | |||
KX250B1 | |||
==1982== | ==1982== | ||
KX250B2 | |||
[[Image:Kawasaki-KX250-1982.jpg|thumb|left|1982 Kawasaki KX250]] | [[Image:Kawasaki-KX250-1982.jpg|thumb|left|1982 Kawasaki KX250]] | ||
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Power increased to 42.5 bhp @ 7,500RPM. Featured a 220mm front disk brake. | |||
==2007== | ==2007== | ||
[[Image:2007-Kawasaki-KX250.jpg|left|thumb|2007 Kawasaki KX250]] | [[Image:2007-Kawasaki-KX250.jpg|left|thumb|2007 Kawasaki KX250]] |