Kawasaki Dirt Bikes - History And TodayIn 1963 the Kawasaki dirt bikes legend was born with the introduction of the B8M Motocrosser. This was a purpose built race machine that went on to blitz most of the major motocross tournaments in Japan at the time. 
The B8M Motocrosser was the start of the Kawasaki dirt bikes legacy, the long running KX motocross series evolved from these early race bikes. The KDX series was another success story for Kawasaki, these bikes were more suited to cross country and enduro racing. The KDX series bikes are on borrowed time with tough new emission laws spelling the end of road registered two strokes.With two strokes being legislated out of existence, bike manufacturers are now pouring all of their R+D dollars into four strokes. This has led to the birth of the KX250F and KX450F. '08 Kawasaki Dirt BikesKX250F/450FThere have been a few changes to the flagship of the Kawasaki dirt bikes range for '08, 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 '08 bikes also come standard with black alumite coated rims.
The engine for the 250 hasn't had much done to it this year, the crankcases have changed around the crank shaft and input and output shafts to improve durability. 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.
KX100 The KX100 is the biggest of the junior range of 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.
KX85/65 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.
(pictures courtesy of kawasaki.co.uk) Click here to go to the Kawasaki website and get all the good info on the entire Kawasaki dirt bikes range, including all the latest specs for the '08 motocross bikes. Click here to have a look at the 07 motocross range. Click here to go back to our Home Page. Please note that to protect our younger visitors to Motocross 101, SafeSearch is turned on in these search results.
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