2009 Kawasaki KX85 Preview

Introduction

Kids that feel like moving on from 50cc dirt bikes and onto the real thing are very likely to choose the KX85 from various reasons: first, it doesn’t appear to be a beginner’s bike and, secondly, it has plenty of power.

We’ll start with its most important feature, which is the engine. Powered by a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder 84cc motor, it is excellent at providing that pulse of power when needed and that is exactly what people look at a bike that stands as an evolutionary step (or the first) in their riding careers. Backed-up by the Electrofusion-coated cylinder with a narrow band and large volume combustion chamber, you know that there is much chance for you to win, even though dealing with some pretty stiff competition.

In 2009, you’ll be experiencing an even stronger bang as there has been some retuning being done to the exhaust in order for it to let the engine breath freely at any rpm range. Also, a Kawasaki feature and one that doesn’t miss the KX85 is the Kawasaki Integrated Power-valve System. Now the engine could be mated to the six-speed gearbox and get the best out of it.

Kawasaki has easily provided the new small motocrosser with a racing powerplant as it inspired on its bigger siblings. It did the same with the high-tensile steel perimeter frame that allows the gas tank to be positioned well down into the frame. This resulted in a lower center of gravity and more confidence inspired to an uninitiated rider.

Next on the revision plan were the suspensions. These units have a dreadfully important role on keeping the bike in control through corners and stable at higher speeds. Sorting that out on the new KX 85 is the compression damping adjustable 36mm inverted cartridge front fork and the fully-adjustable UNI-TRAK rear suspension.

History

It is nice knowing the technical achievements of a bike, but even nicer finding out about its evolution and roots.

In this case we would have to refer at the old dust-spreader, the KX80. This is a bike that competed with the Suzuki RM80 back in the days as before ending its production in 2000 it had more that twenty years on the market. This gave it time not only to become a really well known piece of machinery, but also to provide a strong heritage for the bike that was to replace it starting with the new millennium.

By its name, the Kawasaki KX85 (sounds familiar?) had much to learn from the previous version. Frankly, it was a bored-out model and it could easily keep its name, but that wouldn’t have attracted the same number of customers wouldn’t it? The plan was to breathe life into the old by inspiring on those bigger green machines that dominated the motocross racing tracks. The result was a machine that perfectly blends the traditional easy-to-deal-with powerband with a healthier top end rush.

What do you think, has Kawasaki done a good job or not?

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