'08 Kawasaki Dirt Bikes ReviewedKX250F/450F There have been a few changes to the flagship of the '08 Kawasaki dirt bikes range, the crank has been redesigned and a heavier flywheel fitted to improve torque and throttle response down low to make the power delivery more user friendly after some complaints that last years bike was just a bit too savage in the engine department. There are also improvements to the piston con rod and oil pump. The gearbox shift drum and shift cam shape have been revised to allow for easier and more consistent gear changes. Chassis modifications include moving the engine mounts 10mm further from the engine and the suspension settings have been changed to make the suspension slightly stiffer and more resistant to bottoming. Kawasaki also claims that the overall suspension action is now smoother due to what they call 'friction-reducing Kashima Coat treatment' on the insides of the outer fork tubes and shock reservoir. What Kashima coat is I have no idea but it sounds impressive. The four stroke '08 Kawasaki dirt bikes also come standard with black alumite coated rims.
The engine mounts, like the 450, have also been moved. Suspension tweaks include .5mm thicker fork piston rods to smooth out the mid section of the suspension's stroke and smaller air passages at the top of the fork cartridges to improve compression dampening. The rear shock has had some revisions made to it to match the changes in the forks. The KX250F also has the black factory look rims standard.
The KX100 is the biggest of the junior range of the '08 Kawasaki dirt bikes designed to provide a stepping stone size bike for juniors before moving up to the senior size bikes. The KX has a 99cc liquid cooled engine, carbon fiber intake reeds, 28mm carburetor and Kawasaki's KIPS power valve system. The bike has a high tensile steel perimeter frame and a fuel tank that sits low between the frame spars to lower the center of gravity and aid handling. The front forks are 36mm USD units with adjustable compression dampening and the rear shock has adjustable compression dampening, rebound dampening and shock spring preload.
There aren't too many updates to junior machines of the Kawasaki dirt bikes range, the KX85 has 36mm inverted catridge forks and a steel perimeter frame while the 65 has a semi double cradle steel frame. The 85 has a specially designed fuel tank that sits low in the frame to lower the center of gravity and improve handling, similar to the larger KX machines. Both bikes run a 6 speed transmission. The KX85's still come with a choice of wheel size, small or big wheel, which makes them a versatile choice for budding racers of all sizes.
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