2009 Kawasaki KX250F Preview

History

Kawasaki and Suzuki started their collaboration back in 2002 and a first result of this strategic alliance was the KX250F. Introduced as a 250cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke, four-valve motocross bike, it immediately started to prove its point on the track. But problems to the cooling and ignition systems made more than a few riders doubt its capabilities until 2005 when the two makers would have again team up and finish what they’ve started three years earlier.

2004 Kawasaki KX250F

A year later, Kawasaki started producing the 250cc four-stroke banger on its own and the bike was dreadfully improved. There was the big aluminum perimeter frame change, the almost brand new engine and by that time Showa would have provided the suspensions.

2008 was also quite a big year for this Kawasaki dirt bike as its engine got a redesigned crank and heavier flywheel for better torque and response in the low rpm range. Engine mounts were moved 10mm further from it for better balance. The gearbox had to deal with these changes by offering more consistent gear changes so it did.

This is also the year when the black alumite coated rims were added.

Competition

The association between the two motorcycle makers didn’t provided results only for Kawasaki. Suzuki would have also presented its RM-Z250 which, even though initially identical to the KX250F, on the track they were the biggest enemies.

2009 Suzuki RM-Z250

After they’ve dropped the union in 2006, the models started going their own way, but still remained similar in many ways. So the RM-Z250 is also powered by a carbureted 249cc liquid-cooled, DOHC four-stroke engine with similar performance of the one found on the green little beast.

Also new for 2009 and having an MSRP of only $6,299, it offers goodies such as aluminum-alloy frame, aluminum swingarm, Renthal handlebars and Showa suspensions.

2009 Yamaha YZ250F

With a single twist of the throttle, Yamaha manages to beat both bikes mentioned before as for 2009 it comes with chances to the exhaust system. This offers greater throttle response in the low-and-mid rpm range and together with chassis upgrades it becomes very easy to maneuver on the bumps and jumps. You will say that the Kawasaki and Suzuki also offer these things for pretty much the same money (the Yamaha costs $6,549), but what makes it angrier is the five-titanium-valved engine. This has always been Yamaha’s advantage and it didn’t miss the YZ250F.

Honda still doesn’t launch the 2009 motocross lineup so the CRF250R remains as you know it.

Exterior

2009 Kawasaki KX250F

Kawasaki made sure that their new 250cc four-stroke motocross model would look as good as it will go and in order for that to became reality, there was designed a new, sleeker bodywork featuring a one-piece, dual-injected, two-tone black and green plastic shrouds and side number plates. The narrowed urethane foam seat blends perfectly in with the body components and the graphics make it stand out as a strong potential winner.

Even though stylish and very aggressive, this bike was actually designed to accommodate its rider as good as a motocross bike can so that competing wouldn’t become more soliciting than it already is. This is how the 50mm wide footpegs ended up on the bike and although they don’t make it stand out, they have a great influence on the rider’s position when riding, something that does stand out immediately.

Available Lime Green painted, the new KX250X is top notch finished, but if you feel like radically individualizing yourself out on the track, there is the Monster Energy Version. This last comes with a great new Ebony paintwork and graphics.

Price

Competition bikes were never cheap, but always well worth the buck spent on them and the bike reviewed today makes no exception. Offered for an MSRP of $6,499, it proves nor only competitive on the bumps and jumps, but also on the showroom floor.

For the most fastidious of you out there, the Monster Energy Version of the bike comes with an MSRP of only $6,699. Easy to make that decision, I guess.

Conclusion

Following a great evolutionary trajectory, the Kawasaki KX250F ends up being one of the fiercest competitors found on motocross tracks around the world.

Powerful and aggressive, the bike knows how to deal with the engine’s capabilities and it proves it every time a motocross race is ended with the Kawasaki name winning table.

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