The greats of the motorcycle world have always had in their stride since the very beginning of their life. You look at every legendary figure of the motorsports world, one thing they have in common is their passion for things on two wheels from a very young age, some even when they have just begun to walk and talk. And the easiest access into this life is on the small motocross machines like the Japanese Green Team’s KX100.

The KX100 is a natural progression from the smaller KX65 and KX85 and will continue to widen this segment and get in a much lighter bike with a more sophisticated engine, better suspension and braking units to go the full throttle way for the young stars interested in dirt riding and want to make a career out of it. An ideal learning curve en-route to the bigger KX250. In return, Kawasaki has relied on its aspiring young stars to provide input to help develop winning products.

2017 - 2018 Kawasaki KX 100

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 - 2018 Kawasaki KX 100
  • Engine/Motor: inline-1
  • Transmission: 6
Pros
Cons

STYLING

Despite its smaller size, the powerful 99cc two-stroke engine shares the ‘big bike’ silhouette. Let’s face it, nobody buys a motocross motorbike for the way it looks or for the way it is designed. But, not many people know that for a fact, the slimmer shrouds and minimalistic bodywork keeps the motorcycle at the top of its game.

The 2019 model features slimmer shrouds as a result of revised radiators and their new orientation that came in with the 2017 model. You get a flatter everything including the fuel tank and the seat with reinforced ribs. This combination of the new tank and seat aid in a more seamless design, which also makes it easy for riders to move around on top of the bike. Overall, the KX100 looks similar to its elder brother, the 250F.

It gets a fresh and new fuel tank with lower cap, panels, and slender radiator covers. Making the motorcycle look even more compact is the aggressive new bodywork that features front and rear fenders, number plate and new angular front fender fork guards all falling in line together.

Also creating a distinctive Kawasaki identity are black alumite coating on the excel rims, black fork guards, and Kawasaki’s trademark green highlights on the fenders and the long saddle. The side panels see new decals upping in maturity from the previous editions.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

Kawasaki KX100

Husqvarna TC 125

KTM 125 SX

Length

75.6 in

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Width

30.1 in

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n / a

Height

45.3 in

n / a

n / a

Wheelbase

51.6 in

n / a

n / a

Seat height

34.3 in

37.4 in

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Wet weight

169.7 lb

192 lb

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Fuel Tank

1.3 gal

2.1 gal

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POWERTRAIN

You wouldn’t find a more sophisticated 2 stroke engine than the one running on this KX100. This machine runs on a high-performance liquid-cooled, 99cc 2-stroke liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine. It has an over square setup, meaning that the cylinder bore (width) is greater than the stroke (length) making it more powerful than other similar displacement motorcycles with a smaller bore.

It features a piston with single-ring design and Nikasil-coated cylinder for minimizing friction between the piston and the cylinder wall thereby increasing efficiency. A two-piece KIPS (Kawasaki Integrated Powervalve System) varies exhaust-port height for increased horsepower and torque at all rpm. This contributes to a powerful and durable engine that delivers broad and responsive power amplifying the low-end torque significantly.

Large right-side cutout airbox improves airflow for increased power, and the 28mm Keihin PWK carburetor gets modern jetting specs for an enhanced fuel atomization, providing quicker throttle response and a smoother power delivery.

All new radiator displaces 52% more cooling thereby enhancing the engine life and decrease the possibility of overheating during excessive use. The exhaust unit features a large-diameter O-ring for improved durability and boasts an aluminum silencer like its elder siblings.

The power is transmitted through a six-speed positive shifting transmission and large 91mm clutch plates to the rear via chain drive. Clutch-release lever ratio is designed for light clutch lever action.

Engine Specification

Make Model

Kawasaki KX100

Husqvarna TC 125

KTM 125 SX

Capacity cc

99

124.8

124.8

Bore / Stroke mm

52.5 / 45.8

54 / 54.5

54 / 54.5

Output

n / a

n / a

n / a

Torque

n / a

n / a

n / a

Type

2-stroke, 1-cylinder, piston reed valve, water-cooled

1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine

1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine

Clutch type

Wet- Multiplate

Multi-plate wet

Slipper multi-plate wet

Transmission

6-speed, return shift

6-speed

6-speed


RIDE AND HANDLING

The rider gets good movements around the saddle because of the slim radiator shrouds and side panels. The flat saddle has a seamless seat cover with a material that grips wells and provides comfort and makes it easier to shift weight. Seat height of 870 mm suits a wide range of growing inseams. Six-position adjustable handlebar mount helps tailor ergonomics for a wide range of riders, and it comes with two handlebar clamp positions and three handlebar riser position that can give you 10mm of adjustments.

The motorcycle features a high tensile steel frame tubes having reinforcements in key areas to manage weight shifts. Wide steel footpegs add the required control and strength to ride and hit any tracks and terrain.

Suspension units are picked up from the KX110. The front gets KYB 36mm inverted cartridge fork which has shim-type valves to provide precise damping control. The rigid forks give for a superior steering response and control. The 20-way adjustable compression damping offer superior bottoming resistance. At the rear, you get a Uni-Trak unit with KYB reservoir shock connected to a large cross-section beam swingarm for that improved rigidity and control. Shock is fully adjustable with 24-way compression and 21-way rebound damping, plus stepless spring preload.

Aluminum wheels on this starter package are coated with black alumite that offers factory look. Mounted on these are petal-type brake rotors 220mm at the front and 184mm at the rear provide a strong stopping power. The forged-aluminum rear brake pedal is strong, lightweight and features two seals at the pivot for smooth operation and increased durability. Dunlop Geomax MX51 tires provide optimum grip for a wide range of riding conditions.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

Kawasaki KX100

Husqvarna TC 125

KTM 125 SX

Frame

High-tensile steel perimeter design with subframe member

25CrMo4 steel central-tube frame

25CrMo4 steel central-tube frame

Suspension / Front

36mm inverted telescopic cartridge fork with 20-way compression damping/10.8 in

WP-USD, AER 48, 48 mm

WP-USD, AER 48, 48 mm

Suspension / Rear

Uni-Trak® single shock system with 24-way compression and 21-way rebound damping plus adjustable spring preload/10.8 in

WP shock absorber with linkage

WP shock absorber with linkage

Brakes / Front

220 mm Petal shaped spoke mounted single disc

260 mm petal-type disc

260 mm petal-type disc

Brakes / Rear

184 mm Petal shaped single disc

220 mm disc

220 mm disc

Tires / Front

70/100-19

n / a

n / a

Tires / Rear

90/100-16

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PRICE

The KX 100 comes in with a price tag of $4,599. At this price, this machine holds the record for the most expensive 100cc two-stroke motorcycle in the world. It will be provided with the Lime Green color only.

Accessories can also be purchased to level up the motorcycle’s capabilities. They include lever assemblies, oil filler plugs, RK MXZ green racing chain, KX FI Calibration Kit, competition jacket, and apparels.

Make Model

Kawasaki KX100

Husqvarna TC 125

KTM 125 SX

Price

$ 4,599

$ 6,999

$6,999


COMPETITION

Husqvarna TC 125

Husqvarna has just updated their two-stroke mini-motocross lineup to entice the future stars of the game. Offering some impressive features and top-of-the-line equipment list, Husky’s TC 125 gives some serious power to the kids. These motorcycles specifically offer powerful engines, a significantly lighter chassis, high ground clearance, long travel suspension and slimmer ergonomics to be able to move around the dirt and jump hills without any hindrance.

The motorcycle is powered by a 123.8 cc, 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, water-cooled unit with reed intake and exhaust control. The engine is paired with a 6 gear, claw shifted transmission and is brought to life by an electric starter. The motorcycle has a modern chromium molybdenum frame that offers a perfect balance between torsional rigidity, longitudinal stiffness, and lightness.

WP suspension stands for top quality and offers the best performance levels. The 48mm closed cartridge front fork, matched with CNC machined black triple clamps, feature 300mm of travel and ensure exceptional handling and feel of the front end. The Husqvarna DCC (Dual Compression Control) linkage system has excellent characteristics in fast and flowing sections. The stopping power is assured by a set of capable Brembo brakes, that come with a new master cylinder and floating calipers in combination with 260mm wave discs at the front and 220mm wave discs at the rear.

KTM 125 SX

The 125 SX is KTM’s most compact and lightweight of the full-size bikes and delivers a confidence-inspiring ride like no other. A new lightweight chassis teams up with the most competitive 125cc 2-stroke engine to date, delivering superior agility and power to fulfill the demands of any young adrenalin seeker. Tapered Renthal Fatbar 827 handlebar features an offset specially designed to meet the demands of motocross.

Power comes from a 1 cylinder, 2 strokes, water-cooled engine with reed intake and exhaust control. The motorcycle is fitted with a new, lightweight, polyethylene, 7.5-litre fuel tank. The carburetor setting has been adjusted and the piston grinding pattern optimized for greater durability along with Boyesen performance reeds.

The modern frame design of the SX models, comprising a lightweight, high strength, chrome-molybdenum steel section tubes, combines maximum longitudinal stiffness with optimum torsional stiffness. The bike’s stopping power is assured by a set of high-tech Brembo disc brakes with petal discs that are offered as standard equipment. 48 mm upside-down fork from WP Suspension guarantee ultimate damping and responsiveness.

VERDICT

This KX100 is a natural step taken by young stars world over before going onto the big guys like the K250F and the KX650 series. It defines a “big bike in a small package” attitude infused with fierce power, razor-sharp handling, and factory-race inspired styling on the top step of the podium. It is designed mainly keeping in mind of choice for entry-level motocross racers determined to follow in Kawasaki’s championship proven footsteps.

It should be able to handle anything the young rider can think of abusing with this, and it will still have some life leftover. You could as well keep going generation after generation with the KX100. That way you can recoup for the price you paid for this too.

Kawasaki’s industry-leading support program was founded in 1981 with the emergence of “Team Green,” which has played an instrumental role in helping many of the motocross/supercross stars reach the pinnacle of the sport. Amateur racers who purchase a Kawasaki KX motocross bike can gain access to the same support received by multi-time supercross champions Ryan Villopoto and Jeremy McGrath. All this is a good deal of bargain if you are serious about the sport and want to feature as India’s finest.