Kawasaki 85-J1tr
KAWASAKI IS ONE OF Japan’s largest manufacturers and the old saying “everything from a needle to an anchor” would apply here, and then some. Whether it is a sail boat or an ocean-going liner, a light plane or a large passenger jet, a motorcycle or a railway train, Kawasaki can fix you up. When our Tokyo-based spy told CW readers some three months ago that there would be a new, small displacement trail machine designed for the American market, it is no wonder then that we should have the bike in our possession right now. In fact, it took only 90 days from the drawing board to the packing crate.
At first we were a little skeptical about a machine produced on such short notice; however, even our first visual inspection proved that considerable thought had gone into the design and we were the victims of our imagination, and ‘007’ was right again. Of course the street bike, 85-J1, is not a new machine; it has been around a while, thoroughly tested and proven. The transition to a trail machine, 85-J1TR has been done in compliance with very high engineering standards, and we are glad to see another manufacturer who realizes that Americans are no longer going to be satisfied with simply putting high bars on a street machine and calling it a trail bike.
A most noticeable item though is the high bars, comfortably and well placed for trail use. Actually, some might prefer slightly lower bars, just a little wider, but the higher bars are far more suited to traveling through the brush to your favorite hunting or fishing spot. In case the going gets rough, the 85-J1TR is fitted with 2.50 front and 2.75 rear knobby tires on 17-inch wheels. Brakes are quite adequate and suited all our needs under the rigorous test conditions.
This machine also features one of the cleverest dual-sprocket arrangements we have ever seen. There are two sprockets on the rear hub, a 37-tooth road sprocket on the outside and a 58-tooth “power” sprocket on the inside. Our test machine was delivered to us with road gearing and the chain was fitted on the smaller, outer sprocket. Four bolts pass through the outer sprocket and thread into the larger inside one; a coil spring over each bolt ensures that the larger sprocket is pushed back away from the smaller one, when road gearing is being used. To change the gearing it is a simple matter of undoing the master link, using the wrench from the tool kit to turn the four bolts all the way, thus pulling the rear sprocket into place, and replacing the chain using the small extra section supplied with an extra master link. The large sprocket is dished so as to minimize misalignment in the rear chain. It was necessary for us to undo the rear spindle nuts and adjust the chain; even so the whole operation took just under three minutes.
With the new gearing, top speed dropped from 58 to 39 mph, but for the trail enthusiast it was well worthwhile and the maker’s claim of 40° climbing ability seems very reasonable, as the 85-J1TR proved a real “eager beaver” on our test slope and gave us all a rather big surprise.
Of course it should be remembered that low gear overall ratio is 44:1, coupled with good low-end torque, and the result is a lightweight that will go almost anywhere. The manufacturer claims eight horsepower from the 81.5cc rotary valve engine at 7,000 rpm; this, too, is quite reasonable, in fact if anything we would have guessed slightly more.
Full lighting, in addition to mirror, luggage carrier and even a horn, are standard equipment on the 85-J1TR, so there is no doubt about it being dual purpose. Finish is of a very high standard, whether engine castings or sheet metal work. Plenty of chrome enhances the appearance; it does look more “chromey” from the right side because of the enormous muffler, which has an easily removable baffle for cleaning purposes. We cannot stress how disgusted we get with people who make noise just for the sake of making noise, especially when hikers or non-motorcyclists are around, but we will pass along some handy information for those who might want a little more performance in motorcycle “noise areas.” The muffler becomes a very nice expansion chamber if the baffle is taken out; shape and dimensions are very close to those for a mid-range type chamber.
KAWASAKI 85-J1TR
Cycle World Trail Test
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The suspension is exceptionally soft and comfortable, with extremely long fork travel, without indications of inadequacy in any respect. The 85-J1TR is more a motorcycle than many trail bikes, but at the same time one that is very easy to ride. We would not be CYCLE WORLD if we could not find a complaint. In the case of the Kawasaki 85-J1TR, it was a little more difficult than usual and limited to only one, in that larger wheels would have been nice, but “this ain’t no big thing” compared to all the good features of this excellent little machine.
