Quickride: 2009 Kawasaki Kx250f
QuickRide: 2009 KAWASAKI KX250F
ROUNDUP
IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT Kawasaki’s brand-new, fuel-injected KX450F has grabbed lots of headlines. It is, after all, the high-profile replacement for the bike that carried James Stewart to his first outdoor national championship in the big-boy class via a perfect 24-for-24 moto season. But dig a bit deeper into Kawi’s lineup and you’ll find an equally impressive sibling, the completely reworked KX250F, offering stout power with near-weightless handling.
Look no farther than the list of changes to the 249cc, dohc, four-valve powerplant for proof that Kawasaki engineers have been busy. Among the all-new parts: cases, crankshaft, cylinder head, valves, transmission, radiators and exhaust. Revised crankshaft webbing improves balance to reduce vibration and smooth power delivery.
A new intake manifold provides a straighter shot for the air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber, while titanium valves have .25mmthicker heads for improved durability. Engine oil capacity has been reduced from 1.5 to 1.3 liters for weight
savings. Cooling efficiency is increased by fitting new radiators with 6 percent more capacity in addition to a redesigned, more efficient cylinder water jacket. A ratchet-drive shift mechanism improves shift feel, while new transmission gears are stronger and more durable.
The engine changes are definitely felt out on the track. Power delivery is quite different. Gone is the meaty low-end grunt that we liked, replaced by noticeably stronger top-end performance that was previously lacking. For racers, a good trade-off.
Virtually nothing on the chassis was left untouched, either. The aluminum perim-
eter frame has a new head pipe, main spars and downtubes, while the swingarm pivot has been raised to enhance rear-wheel traction. More than 2 pounds was pared from the frame while a reshaped aluminum swingarm accounts for an additional 0.9 loss, reducing the bike’s overall weight by 3.1 pounds to a claimed 230 pounds with a full fuel tank.
A new Showa fork flaunts titanium-nitride-coated stanchions for reduced friction, and the tubes triple-clamps revised offset The Showa shock features a new
body with improved damping settings.
Despite all the changes to the bike, the riding position feels comfortably familiar; it’s the handling characteristics and power delivery that stand out. The KX-F feels substantially lighter than the actual weight reduction would lead you to believe. The rider feels more in control and can enter corners with increased speed yet still get the bike turned quickly. Our only complaint is that the front end lost a touch of the planted feel it previously had; the fork feels too soft, causing the front tire to search for traction under braking. It also bottoms hard on flat-jump landings.
It may not be in the limelight, but the $6499 KX250F isn’t exactly hiding in the shadows, either. Chassis improvements and more competitive power output allow the bike to stand out in its own, whether you’re a novice or a
“Less weight, improved handlin and more cojones turn this green 250F into a lean, fighting m
