Kids today are getting more and more sophisticated about their hobbies, so much so that seeing a little tyke riding a motorcycle isn’t an uncommon occurrence anymore. That being said, it’s much easier to get these kids introduced to the world of motor bikes by going the route of a small and nimble ride as opposed to going straight to the big leagues.
One such bike that can accommodate the young ones is the Kawasaki KX85. In terms of its overall look, the KX85 comes with a black-painted, high-tensile steel perimeter frame with a specially designed fuel tank sitting inside the cage to keep the fuel load and, thus, the center of mass as low as possible for improved handling. All this is wrapped in lime green body panels, with lightweight black aluminum wheels and aggressive graphics. The result is a factory-look racer with factory-like performance.
This little rocket ship is also powered by a simple two-stroke, 84cc engine that actually puts out eye-popping power relative to its size. The KX85’s engine is mated to a six-speed transmission that delivers smooth and positive shifting along with enhanced durability, proving that this intro bike is tougher than it looks. Further enhancing the KX85’s tractable power are the Kawasaki Integrated Power-valve System (KIPS) and tuned exhaust pipe that provides better drive out of corners and a linear power delivery for young riders of varying skill levels.
More than just the engine, the Kawasaki KX85 comes with an advanced chassis package with a 36mm cartridge fork that has 18-way compression damping adjustability and settings designed to make mince meat of even the toughest of tracks. The UNI-TRAK shock in the back features fully adjustable spring preload, compression, and rebound damping for superior rear wheel control.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KX85 after the jump.
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Enjoying the thrills of motocross riding doesn’t have to involve using a high-powered bike. Sometimes, you’re actually better off with a simpler and easier to handle bike like the Kawasaki KLX140.
As a multi-talented ride that provides a steady flow of power, the KLX140 is the kind of bike that riders of all shapes and sizes will come to enjoy. Whether you’re a novice in the game or a seasoned veteran, the accessibility and usability of the KLX140 is a true hallmark of this compact, straightforward dirt bike.
The KLX boasts of a high-revving, smooth and surprisingly quiet 144cc engine that’s remarkably simple to use, thanks to a manual clutch and a five-speed, close ratio transmission. Combine that with a high-tensile steel perimeter frame covered by KX-like shrouds, a two-tone seat cover, and sharp, aggressive body work, and you have a bike that’s built for any and all occasions. The KLX140 also boasts of a roomy cockpit, overall control layout, and a narrow footpeg/frame relationship – including wide and comfortable footpegs – making it easy for riders to move around without worrying about losing their way.
Handling the suspension duties for the KLX140 is a 33mm telescopic fork featuring custom-tuned spring rate and damping settings. In the back, a UNI-TRAK linkage equipped rear shock featuring 5-way preload adjustability provides a smooth and controlled ride while lightweight RK EXCEL aluminum rims and advanced braking components make for a completely versatile bike. A large 220mm front disc and 27mm twin-piston caliper at the front and 186mm rear disc provide serious stopping power. Both utilize petal shaped rotors, which help clean the brakes and reduce unsprung weight for better wheel control.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KLX140 after the jump.
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When you a have a kid that has shown an inclination to riding bikes, at some point, they’re going to start clamoring for something with a little more edge than just bells and pedals.
Fortunately, Kawasaki has the KLX110, a bike that was designed to get young ones acclimated to a two-wheeled ride with an engine on it. The KLX110 is not overly complicated; it’s a bike that features plenty of grin-inducing properties, including its confidence-inspiring performance and accessibility to young people and grownups alike.
Inspired with KX-style bodywork, the 2012 KLX110 comes with a design that includes a gas tank, an MX-style seat, side panels, shrouds and fenders, and a comfortable handlebar, all which look as if they came straight off the race winning KX450F.
The KLX110 is also the picture of versatility, thanks in part to an easy-to-ride 111cc four-stroke engine that offers plenty of torque and push-button electric that makes for comfortable riding. To make the KLX110 even more beginner-friendly, it’s equipped with Kawasaki’s automatic centrifugal clutch system, allowing easy no-clutch shifting while a semi-automatic gearbox boasts four speeds to access the KLX’s full spread of torque.
Optimum wheel and chassis control is also another highlight of the KLX110. A single shock offers 4.3" of travel and plenty of bottoming resistance while a beefy, 30mm telescopic fork offering 4.3" of wheel travel tames the bumps up front. Tapered roller bearings at the bottom of the steering stem add durability to what is essentially one of the best value bikes on the market.
Whether you’re a young kid or an elder kid-at-heart, the Kawasaki KLX110 is the right kind of ’fun’ bike for you.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KLX110 after the jump.
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Whatever kind of surface the Kawasaki KLR 650 finds itself on, you’ll be sure that it’s going to stand out from the rest of the pack. Whether its in the sand, the dirt, the forests, and the pavement, the KLR 650 adapts to the environment with seamless ease.
The dual-sport bike’s versatility is a hallmark of Kawasaki engineering and combined with a rugged single-cylinder engine that provides incredible fuel efficiency, the KLR 650 is a clear choice as far as all-terrain riding is concerned.
An expansive, saddlebag-friendly, rear aluminum luggage rack that can be fitted with a tail bag helps make the KLR650 a worthy touring companion. The bike also has a large, 5.8-gallon fuel tank and exemplary fuel economy means the KLR650 can cover an amazing amount of ground between fill-ups. Comfort is without qualms too, thanks to an ergonomic set design that’s further enhanced by a plush urethane foam. A high-capacity 36-watt alternator is also an important element of the bike, pumping out enough juice for a high-output headlight with extra capacity providing power to its add-on electronic gadgets.
The bike is also powered by a single-cylinder, 651cc four-stroke engine that comes with a quick throttle response and a healthy low-end grunt. The engine finds a suitable match with the bike’s new suspension system, a 41mm fork with 7.9" of suspension travel up front, and a Uni-Trak" linkage system providing 7.3" of wheel travel in the rear. Likewise, braking duties for the KLR 650 are handled by a dual-piston caliper gripping a 280mm petal-style disc in the front, and a 240mm petal-style disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper in the rear.
This suspension and brake package, combined with the powerful 650cc engine, makes the KLR650 the ideal everyday commuter.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KLR 650 after the jump.
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Everybody should have the opportunity to enjoy the thrills of riding a dirt bike. Yes, that includes the young kids that enjoy the trails and don’t mind getting their hands and feet dirty.
For these adventurous little ones - and some adults too - Kawasaki has their new KLX110L. Similar to the KLX110, the 110L version sports a
reliable four-stroke engine, automatic-clutch drivetrain and easy to use push-button starter. It’s the kind of bike that anybody in the family would love to ride, whether its the kids or the adults.
What makes the KLX110L different from the 110 is that it takes all the features of the latter and brings it up another level. The L-model incorporates several key features that make it even more accessible to an even wider range of riders, allowing those slightly larger, slightly more experienced riders to climb aboard and enjoy the thrills and excitement these little green thumpers can provide.
The L-model is slightly taller than the standard 110, due to its 2.4"longer fork that has 5.5" of travel and a longer shock out back, which offers 5.2" of wheel travel. The result is a seat height that measures 28.7," which is nearly 2" taller than that of the KLX110 version. As a result, the suspension comes with optimal spring and damping settings, giving those slightly larger riders the ability to push the KLX110L as hard as they choose.
In terms of performance, the KLX110 is powered by the same 111cc four-stroke, SOHC, two-valve single engine as the KLX110. Combined with the engine, Kawasaki also fitted the KLX110 with a manual clutch and a four-speed gearbox, giving more aggressive riders the opportunity to enjoy every ounce of performance from the engine.
When it comes to introductory motocross bikes, no other of its kind has the clout of the Kawasaki KLX110L. The proof is very much in the bike itself.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KLX110L after the jump.
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