-->
|
|
|
MXA’S 2013 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: WE AREN'T TELLING YOU WHAT TO BUY – JUST WHAT WE WOULD BUY (PLUS VIDEO) It has been a long and winding road, fraught with peril and surprises around every corner. But, the MXA wrecking crew managed to get through testing the 2013 250 four-strokes with nary a scratch. As for our six bikes, they took the brunt of our countless hours on tracks around the United States. It was all in the name of finding out the good, the bad and the ugly of each bike. What’s so unique about our 2013 shootout? You might have noticed that Husqvarna has joined the party. We welcome the Italians an...
WE BUILD THE ULTIMATE VET WEAPON: 2013 KAWASAKI KX450F Would you be surprised if we told you that aside from the top-tier racers on the professional circuit, the most tricked-out bikes on the planet can be found on the starting line of the Over-40 and Over-50 Intermediate classes? It shouldn’t. These are the men who have the money to finance their dreams. Their kids have grown. Their jobs are stable. And their wives don’t care what they do anymore. Thus, it is the old guys who have the trick bikes, ’32 roadster hot rods and custom boats. As the saying goes,...
MXA'S 2013 KAWASAKI KX450F MOTOCROSS TEST: THE SWEETEST POWERBAND POSSIBLE FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KX450F BETTER THAN THE 2012 KX450F? A: Yes, but only incrementally. Apart from the Kayaba air forks, the 2013 KX450F is a kissin’ cousin to the 2011 and 2012 KX450Fs. Q: WHAT DID KAWASAKI CHANGE ON THE 2013 ENGINE? A: The intake cam is new for 2013—not really. In truth, in 2012, Kawasaki installed an intake cam with 0.4mm more lift. Surprise, the 2013 KX450F cam has 0.4mm less lift. You don’t need Dr. Watson to tell you what happened here: Kawasaki put the 2011 cam in the...
WE RIDE BLAKE BAGGETT’S AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP KAWASAKI KX250F There were times in the 2011 AMA Motocross National Championship series when fans had to scratch their heads and wonder if Pro Circuit team manager Mitch Payton possessed some kind of motocross clairvoyance. His riders swept every step of the podium an amazing number of times—despite fierce competition. Just when we started to consider wearing tinfoil hats around Mitch so he couldn’t read our thoughts, his luck changed. For the 2012 season, his 250 championship effort would rest squarely on the shoulder...
MXA'S 2013 KAWASAKI KX250F MOTOCROSS TEST: THE ONE WITH DUAL-FUEL FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KX250F BETTER THAN THE 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F? A: Yes! Last year the KX250F romped the competition in the MXA 250 four-stroke shootout. To say that the 2013 model is superior doesn’t bode well for other manufacturers. Q: WHAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE 2013 KAWASAKI KX250F? A: Before we answer that question, we’re compelled to discuss the major updates that Kawasaki’s engineers implemented on the KX250F in the past several years. 2011 model: (1) The KX250F ...
WE RIDE CYLINDER WORKS’ BIG-BORE KAWASAKI KX269F It’s easy to think that Cylinder Works is pandering to cheaters with their line of big-bore engine kits. There is no doubt that cheaters are drawn to what Cylinder Works has to offer, but, in truth, most big-bore engine kits go to riders who are not bound by displacement rules (Vets, play riders and offroad racers). However, there could be just a hint of pandering to cheaters in that you can’t tell a 269cc Cylinder Works cylinder from a stock-bore OEM cylinder. (They even put the same casting numbers on...
WE RIDE BROC TICKLE’S PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI KX450F Unless you have been living in a bomb shelter awaiting nuclear destruction, you know that MXA doesn’t see eye to eye with the AMA. Perhaps that’s an understatement. In fact, MXA finds the AMA bureaucracy to be devoid of structure or standardization. Their rule book has more holes than Swiss cheese at a firing range. And, a good number of the AMA’s rules make little or no sense at all. For the sake of this bike test, let us point to what we refer to as the “Trey Canard rule.” Like all Pro Circuit r...
FIRST LOOK! 2013 KAWASAKI KX250F MOTOCROSS BIKE: LOTS OF CHANGES, IMPROVED DUAL-FUEL & MUCH MORE 2013 KX250F AT A GLANCE… Upgraded Showa Separate Function Fork (SFF) provides more progressive damping force and features larger-diameter 48mm inner fork tubes for improved rigidity and less stiction. Dual injector Digital Fuel Injection system. More robust high-rpm engine output extends deep into the overrev. Stronger engine components improve reliability. DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION (DFI) SYSTE...
MXA FIRST LOOK: THE MXA WRECKING CREW RIDES THE 2013 KAWASAKI KX250F Here it is! The 2013 Kawasaki KX250F introduction takes place at the Spring Creek National track in Millville, Minnesota. By John Basher By now I’m sure that you’ve memorized the literature provided by Kawasaki on the 2013 KX250F. However, in case you haven’t, I’ll provide a brief synopsis. For starters, I feel it necessary to tip the visor of my orange helmet to Kawasaki for pushing development forward and not standing pat. Truth be told, the green crew could have decided to tread wa...
FIRST LOOK! 2013 KAWASAKI KX450F: THE MOST POWERFUL MOTOCROSS BIKE IN THE 450 CLASS GETS UPDATED THE 2013 KX450F AT A GLANCE: New Kayaba Pneumatic Spring Fork (PSF) replaces the main fork springs with compressed air to reduce weight, provide easier and more effective tuning and improve bottoming resistance. Revised engine tuning offers more power and smoother delivery from basement revs through mid and into the upper rpm range; this provides more thrust while exiting corners and all the way down the straights, while also enhancing rider confidence. ...
INSIDE MXA’S WORKSHOP: BUILDING THE ULTIMATE 2012 KAWASAKI KX450F – IF MONEY WAS NO PROBLEM WHAT WOULD YOU DO? By John Basher After all of the 2012 bike test and shootouts are done, every MXA test rider is allowed to build his dream bike. There is no budget, no limit and no rules. Test riders can choose the bike they want, the parts they want, the suspension they want and go-for-broke. They have spent all year testing products, riding works bikes and working out the bugs on the stockers...and for this one brief period they are rewarded with the bike of their dreams. Then, the 2013 bikes come pouring in and they ...
2012 250 DYNO SHOOTOUT! HOW MUCH HORSEPOWER DO THE 2012 250s REALLY MAKE: WE REVEAL THE INNER SECRETS OF THE 2012 POWERBANDS The MXA wrecking crew spends the majority of its test time racing and riding brand-new production motorcycles, but early on in each test session every bike gets its day on the dyno. It really isn’t all that revealing because by the time its strapped down it has already been ridden to break in the engine, seat the muffler packing and get a feel for where it rates. Test riders form their opinions in the saddle and rely on the dyno numbers to reinforce what they already know. When the dyno numbers are spit...
MXA TEAM TESTED: YOSHIMURA KX250F RS-4D EXHAUST SYSTEM WHAT IS IT? It’s an exhaust system with two muffler cores. It was only available for Hondas and Suzukis in its 2011 debut year, so the KX250F system is brand new. WHAT’S IT COST? $1095.00 (carbon), $1045.00 (titanium). CONTACT? www.yoshimura-rd.com or (800) 634-9166. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with Yoshimura’s 2012 KX250F RS-4D exhaust system. (1) Construction . Yoshimura offers two different types of mufflers, the RS-4 and RS-4D. The “D” stands for “dual core.” A traditiona...
WE RIDE WISECO’S FULL-RACE KAWASAKI KX450F What is it about a project bike that makes the MXA wrecking crew drool like kids in a candy store? Maybe it’s the endless possibilities. Perhaps it’s the list of trick components that litter the bike. Maybe it’s the allure of testing one company’s vision of the perfect motocross weapon. Regardless of the reasoning, we’re always eager to sling a leg over a purpose-built project bike. In recent years, Wiseco has provided plenty of exhilaration for the MXA gang. Not only have they crafted race steeds for o...
MXA PERFORMANCE GUIDE TO THE 2011 KAWASAKI KX450F MXA test riders spent all of last year investigating the areas with the most potential for improvement on the 2011 Kawasaki KX450F. As a rule, we try to find practical and affordable solutions, but when a thrifty option fails, we do whatever it takes to fix the issue. Several MXA test riders love the long, stable chassis of the KX450F, while others struggle to get the green machine to turn. The handling of late-model red, blue and yellow brands is aggressive—often too aggressive. It can be refresh...
MXA'S 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F MOTOCROSS TEST: DUAL FUEL INJECTORS ARE THE FUTURE & KAWASAKI GOT THERE FIRST Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F BETTER THAN THE 2011 KX250F? A: Yes, resoundingly so! Every MXA test rider, regardless of skill level, immediately fell in love with the 2012 Kawasaki KX250F. All it took was one ride to solidify our appreciation for what Kawasaki had done to the bike in a single model year. The 2011 KX250F boasted Showa’s radically new “Separate Function Fork” (SSF) design as well as fuel injection, but in reality, the green team was merely warming up the orchestra. Fo...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2012 450 SHOOTOUT: WE TELL YOU THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE ELSE PUSSYFOOTS AROUND The Honda CRF450, KTM 450SXF, Yamaha YZ450F, KTM 350SXF, Kawasaki KX450F and Suzuki RM-Z450 are all major players in what consumers might well think of as a $8500 crap shoot. It is the MXA wrecking crew’s goal to take the gamble out of buying a 2012 450cc motocross bike. We are going to tell you what we think is the best bike in the 450 lottery, but not even the MXA test riders believe that there is one perfect bike for every person. Even among MXA ’s test crew you will find riders ch...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2011 450 SHOOTOUT: WE DON'T CARE WHAT BIKE YOU BUY, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MAKE AN UNINFORMED DECISION Pity the poor fool who enters headstrong and dimwitted into the 2011 motocross fray. For the uninitiated, the motocross world is a confusing maelstrom of conflicting information—made all the worse by the rapid expansion of avenues of personal expression (and most of what is expressed is wrong). If every product is the best, which one really is the best? If every bike is the fastest, which one is really the fastest? If every suspension is the plushest, which one is really the plushest? Pity the buyer who...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2010 MXA 450 SHOOTOUT: REAL TESTS THAT GO STRAIGHT TO THE CHASE Let’s cut to the chase, which in Hollywood parlance means let’s skip ahead to the action-packed part of this horse opera. You don’t need to be the Amazing Kreskin to realize that motocross racers read shootouts for three reasons: (1) Guide: To find out what the best bike is before they plunk down the filthy lucre they earned in the corporate sweat shop. (2) Confirm: To confirm that the bike they already own is as good as they th...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S BITE-SIZE 2010 450 MOTOCROSS BIKE SHOOTOUT: NUMBER ONE: 2010 KTM 450SXF There is only one bike in 2010 that can claim to have the most peak horsepower, most top-end rev, best handling, strongest clutch, most powerful brakes, a no-tool airbox and an electric starter—and that is the KTM 450SXF. Even with all of that, it is lighter than the YZ-F, KX-F and RM-Z. The KTM powerband has the hard-to-find combination of an easy-to-use low-end and a top-end that just keeps pulling. It’s mellow in the ruts and then turns into a monster as...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2009 450 SHOOTOUT: ALL THE FACTS WITHOUT THE WHITEWASH! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Historically, choosing shootout winners is easy for the MXA wrecking crew. We race the bikes every weekend for six months, switch back and forth (sometimes between motos), try every possible gearing and suspension combination, and then, by universal acclaim, anoint the bike that was the standout performer. It’s easy! Never has it been so hard as in 2009. When asked to pick the 450cc four-stroke of the year, most MXA test riders just stared back with a blank look of...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2010 KAWASAKI KX450F VS. KTM 450SXF SHOOTOUT No offense to Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Husqvarna, but in last year’s 2009 450 Shootout, the Kawasaki KX450F and KTM 450SXF finished one-two . And, with a full year of R&D behind them, the MXA wrecking crew wanted to take the latest 2010 versions of the KX450F and 450SXF and shoot them out again. Don’t confuse MXA ’s KX450F versus KTM 450SXF shootout with the full-blown, 2010 MXA 450 Shootout. This shootout only focuses on two of the highest-profile race bikes sold. We have raced these two bikes hea...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S BITE-SIZE 2009 450 SHOOTOUT: RIDE 'EM. RACE 'EM. WRECK 'EM. REVIEW 'EM: NUMBER ONE: 2009 KAWASAKI KX450F Unlike the other fuel-injected bikes, which stumble at 8000 rpm, the 2009 Kawasaki KX450F keeps pulling to 9400 rpm. The ‘09 KX450F has the second most horsepower in the class and decent suspension. Its handling is mediocre. It needs to go on a serious diet, because at 238 pounds it weighs 12 pounds more than a CRF450. PLUSES: The only fuel-injected bike that can compete in the mid-and-up range. MINUSES: Gappy gearbox, missed shifts...
MXA PERFORMANCE GUIDE TO THE 2011 KAWASAKI KX250F For 2011, the KX250F was dethroned by the RM-Z in MX A’s 250F shootout, but make no mistake, the green machine is still a favorite among the MXA wrecking crew. Our test bike has been put through countless motos and test sessions in the search for improvements. As a result, the lock ring on the shock looks like shrapnel from a battlefield, having changed sag for test riders so many times. Each cranny on the bike has been filled with every type of dirt imaginable. In testing, we paid extra attention...
WE RIDE DEAN WILSON’S PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI KX250F Pro Circuit /Kawasaki rider Dean Wilson had a fruitful freshman season in 2010. Although he didn’t win a title, the Scotch-Canadian-American won races and put himself in a position to win championships both indoors and in the Nationals. And, perhaps if Wilson hadn’t missed Supercross races due to a hangup caused by an expired work visa in Canada, he might have emerged with the 2010 AMA 250 East crown. Wilson chalked up his first pro season to experience. And, aside from a few costly rookie mistakes (e.g...
MXA'S 2012 KAWASAKI KX450F MOTOCROSS TEST: AN ENGINE AND A-HALF IN AN IMPROVED PACKAGE Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KX450F BETTER THAN THE 2011 KX450F? A: Yes. Always known as an “engine company,” Kawasaki has finally begun to make some headway on its weak points. Q: HAS THE KX450F IMPROVED SINCE ITS 2006 INTRODUCTION? A: The typical answer, regardless of brand, is yes, but often improvements come in bursts and squirts with setbacks between the gains. Here is a brief history of the KX450F from its debut in 2006 to today. 2006 KX450F: The 2006 KX450F was really an offshoot of the fai...
2011 KAWASAKI KX250F MOTOCROSS TEST: KAWASAKI DROPPED THE CARBURETOR AND ONE FORK LEG FOR 2011 Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KX250F BETTER THAN THE 2010 KX250F? A: The unvarnished truth is that the 2011 lacks some of the raw feel that made the 2011 such a great motocross machine. Q: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES ON THE 2011 KAWASAKI KX250F, AND ARE THEY WORTH ALL THE FUSS? A: The Kawasaki marketing department was quick to point out that the 2011 KX250F underwent nearly 30 changes. Rather than bore you with all of the details, we’ve boiled down the list to three primary areas of importan...
MXA TEAM TESTED: PRO CIRCUIT 2012 KX450F TI-5 CARBON EXHAUST WHAT IS IT? The Ti-5 is Pro Circuit’s top-of-the-line titanium exhaust pipe. It features an asymmetrical canister, resonance chamber, two-meter-max certification and your choice of carbon or Ti end caps. WHAT’S IT COST? $999.99 (Ti-5 titanium), $779.95 (T-4 stainless/aluminum), $549.95 (Ti-4 titanium slip-on), $424.95 (T-4 stainless/aluminum slip-on). CONTACT? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the 2012 Pro Circuit KX450F...
FRIDAY'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2009 KAWASAKI KX250F: 1. Triple clamps. Kawasaki switched to a 23.5mm offset (down from 24.5mm) for 2009. It wasn’t enough. We switched to 22mm offset triple clamps to sharpen the steering from center-out. www.procircuit.com 2. Gearing. The stock 48-tooth gearing is very gappy (especially between second and third gears). Changing to a 49-tooth rear sprocket strengthens the transition between gears. 3. Exhaust. At AMA sound test levels, the 2009 KX250F has a legal 94dB muffler. But, at speed, the KX250F exhaust is extr...
FRIDAY'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2009 KAWASAKI KX450F: 1. Gearing. Swapping the stock 50-tooth rear sprocket for a 51 was the cheapest fix made to the 2009 KX450F. Gearing the bike down lessened the gap between third and fourth, moved third gear closer to second, and most importantly, moved second gear down so that short-shifting was more accurate. 2. Chain guide. Switching to a larger rear sprocket quickly turns the chain guide into shark bait for the chain to chew through. We ate through the bottom chain guide in three hours, so we installed a bulletproof...
2012 KAWASAKI KX250F FIRST RIDE VIDEO Kawasaki recently unveiled the 2012 KX250F for the media at the Ranch in Anza, Calif. Since its introduction in 2004, the KX250F has dominated in AMA racing winning more than 50% of the time in motocross competition. With refinements for 2012, the KX250F looks to stay at the top of the class.
2012 NEW MOTOCROSS BIKE BUYERS GUIDE: THE 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F & ITS DUAL FUEL INJECTORS 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F Kawasaki Innovation Continues with Dual Injectors No other bike in its class has spent more time on the AMA Supercross podium than the Kawasaki KX™250F. The race-proven technology of the quarter-liter motocross leader returns for 2012, but with added enhancements that give the KX250F even more usable power, increased durability, and the best-handling chassis yet. As the KX250F continues to lead the way in stadiums, it also continues...
2012 NEW MOTOCROSS BIKE BUYERS GUIDE: THE 2012 KAWASAKI KX450F & ITS ELECTRO-GIZMOS 2012 KAWASAKI KX450F Prepare for Launch… The race-winning power and confident handling of Kawasaki’s KX™450F motocrosser are back in an even sleeker and more advanced package than ever before. With racing always at the forefront, the KX450F’s latest technical innovations were developed from the factory know-how of the Monster Energy Kawasaki race team, with the final product representing an unmatched combination of cutting-edge innovation and race-proven components. Its best-in-class...
FRIDAY'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2010 KAWASAKI KX250F: This is the 2010 Kawasaki KX250F the way the MXA test crew raced it. As a rule, we don’t go for exotic or expensive mods, but if push comes to shove, we will seek competent help (no matter how much it costs). Use MXA ’s mods as a guide. Throttle tube: Kawasaki vulcanizes the rubber grip to the throttle body, so it takes the patience of a saint to completely remove the grip. We pitched the throttle tube/grip assembly and installed an aftermarket aluminum throttle tube. The metal tube is very durable and ...
MXA TEAM TESTED: PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI KX250F SUSPENSION REVALVE WHAT IS IT? A solution to any and every suspension problem that current and previous Kawasaki KX250F owners face. Face it, if you are looking for Kawasaki suspension mods, you couldn't find a better source than the Pro Circuit team. WHAT’S IT COST? $149.95 (fork revalve and setup); $228.78 (fork internal parts with fork cap); $149.95 (shock revalve and setup); $70.85 (shock internal parts); $224.95 (link arm); $58.85 (bladder cap kit). CONTACT? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2011 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: HOW THEY RANK AGAINST EACH OTHER & WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY We live in a world of constant judgment. Critical eyes and biased opinions are everywhere. Everyone has an opinion on everything—even stuff they know nothing about. Sadly, one man’s opinion is another man’s resource for a fact. Ignorance compounds ignorance until the overall IQ of the populace is reduced. The world wide web functions like the rats during the Bubonic Plague outbreak. It spreads misinformation with fleas of stupidity and it infects the minds of the masses with half-truths and outright lie...
2011 KAWASAKI KX450F MOTOCROSS TEST: A MELLOWER GIANT, BUT A GIANT NONE THE LESS Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KX450F BETTER THAN THE 2010 KX450F? A: That is the subject of some controversy with the MXA wrecking crew. Let’s just say that the changes that Kawasaki made over the winter didn’t hurt the overall performance of the 2011 KX450F. Q: WHAT DID KAWASAKI CHANGE ON THE 2011 KX450F? A: MXA gives Kawasaki credit for their willingness to make a lot of changes every year, even though we don’t always see the benefits of the things they do. There were ten significant changes betw...
FIRST LOOK! FUEL-INJECTED 2011 KAWASAKI KX250F More AMA 250 Championships than any Motorcycle in History! It’s an old refrain: The factory guys get all the good stuff. Their bikes are faster, lighter and just plain tricker than the motocrossers you can buy off the showroom floor. There’s some truth there. But that’s changing. The gap between production and factory-prepped motocrossers has never been narrower. And with the introduction of Kawasaki’s massively reworked 2011 KX250F, that gap just shrank a little more. &nb...
SEEKING PERSONAL HAPPINESS WITH THE 2010 KAWASAKI KX450F (THE BIG BOY BIKE OF MOTOCROSS): Readers often call the palatial MXA towers with questions. The queries range from the latest racer gossip to technical problems to bike setup tips. I hear it all. And, quite honestly, I revel in helping readers find solutions. The most frequent question, however, doesn’t concern tires, helmets, race gas or suspension settings (although these are all popular subjects). Nor do quizzical callers want to know what James Stewart had for lunch (if you really want to know, follow him on Twitter ). Instead, MXA...
REAL TESTS! 2010 MXA RACE TEST OF THE KAWASAKI KX450F: Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2010 KX450F BETTER THAN THE 2009 KX450F? A: Yes. It should be noted, however, that not every aspect of the 2010 KX450F is improved over last year. If improvements to the 2010 were viewed as a batting average, Kawasaki would be hitting about .500. Q: WHAT DID KAWASAKI CHANGE ON THE 2010 KX450F? A: For what seems like the fourth year in a row, Kawasaki’s engineers redesigned virtually every part of the KX450F. Although it isn’t a totally new bike, as it was in 2009, there are...
REAL TESTS: 2010 MXA RACE TEST OF THE KAWASAKI KX250F: 2010 Kawasaki KX250F: The MXA wrecking crew has always loved the KX250F powerband, although we were not always enamored by the horsepower. For 2010, Kawasaki’s engineers made the power match the powerband. Kudos Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2010 KX250F BETTER THAN THE 2009 KX250F? A: Yes. And it is better in the one place that makes the biggest difference in the 250 class (and the place where it was the weakest last year). Q: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES THAT KAWASAKI MADE TO THE 2010 KX250F? A: K...
MOTOCROSS ACTION PRODUCT TEST: DR.D KAWASAKI KX450F EXHAUST SYSTEM WHAT IS IT? An easy horsepower modification for the Kawasaki KX450F. WHAT’S IT COST? $619.99. CONTACT? www.dubachracing.com or (877) 382-2241. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the 2010 DR.D KX450F exhaust. (1) Development. The KX450F received engine mods for 2010 that made a notable difference in power output. So, DR.D went back to work on developing a pipe to address the specific needs of the new bike. They lengthened the head pipe compared to the 2009 version and changed th...
FIRST RIDE: 2011 KAWASAKI KX250F MOTOCROSS IMPRESSION MXA test rider Dennis Stapleton digs a trench in the Budds Creek dirt on the 2011 Kawasaki KX250F. By John Basher So you want to know all that there is to know about the 2011 Kawasaki KX250F. I can’t blame you! The mostly new KX250F is gushing with updates and technology that haven’t been seen on a 250 four-stroke. Okay, maybe that claim is too boastful and even a bit wrong (after all, the 2010 Honda CRF250 and Suzuki RM-Z250 are already fuel-injected). Still, with several major advan...
WE RIDE JARRED BROWNE'S DR.D KAWASAKI KX450F: In this struggling economy, the motorcycle industry and motorcycle manufacturers have had to cinch their purse strings tight. When the power elite don’t have any money, it quickly trickles down through the ranks. Race teams have had to pinch pennies, and many professional racers, who a year ago were lighting cigars with $20 bills, now consider themselves lucky to have a ride for 2010. Guys who didn’t get picked up by teams had to either put their own deal together, hustle for any kind of sponsorship or ...
MXA'S BITE-SIZE 250 MOTOCROSS BIKE SHOOTOUT: NUMBER ONE: 2010 KAWASAKI KX250F The Kawasaki KX250F won the MXA 250 shootout in 2006, 2007 and 2008. It got nudged out by the sweet Honda CRF250 in 2009. But, Honda abdicated the throne for 2010, and the revised KX250F slipped right back into the top spot with a powerband that is tailor-made for racing. It’s strong, fast and caters to Intermediate and Pro-level riders. The MXA test riders have a few quibbles with the handling, suspension and gearing, but in a class that is defined by...
REAL TESTS! 2010 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: CRF250 vs.YZ250F vs TC250 vs KX250F vs 250SXF The 2010 MXA 250 Four-Stroke Shootout is the most comprehensive test that you will find in any magazine, on any website, or anywhere else. MXA leaves no stone unturned, and while we will probably no longer receive Christmas cards from several manufacturers after this shootout, we tell the whole truth so that you can make the best purchasing decision. Simply said, if you’re in the market for a 2010 250 four-stroke, this test is for you. It’s worth mentioning that the 2010 Suzuki RM-Z250 isn’t included in...
NEXT YEAR'S BIKES TODAY! FIRST LOOK AT THE 2011 KAWASAKI KX450F! 2011 KAWASAKI KX450F INFO In the 450cc motocross game, the only thing that matters to serious racers is top-tier performance and running up front. And for 2011, the best tool for the job is once again a lime green one – Kawasaki’s reworked and revised KX450F. In this arena you can’t stand still technically, which is why Kawasaki engineers scrutinized every system and component of the race-winning 2010 model and came up with a host of tweaks that’ll have red, blue, orange and yellow wondering what hit ’e...
ASK THE MXPERTS: 2008 KX250F JETTING HELP Dear MXA, My 2008 Kawasaki KX250F runs bad. It doesn’t want to start and it feels boggy down low. Everyone says that you guys know all the answers about motocross jetting. What should I do? We changed everything and we mean everything in our 2008 KX250F’s carb. Here are MXA’s recommended 2008 KX250F jetting specs. The stock jetting is in parentheses. Main: 175 (182 stock) Pilot: 42 (40 stock) Needle: NCYS (NCY...
WE RIDE TYLA RATTRAY'S PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI KX250F: Do you know who Tyla Rattray is? Do you really know, or are you just afraid to admit your ignorance? How can we be sure? Of course, now you know who Tyla Rattray is because he is racing the AMA 250 National Championships. But did you know who he was before the Lucas Oil National series started? Don’t be ashamed, most Americans didn’t. Behold, a brief introduction to Rattray. Born and raised in South Africa, the 24-year-old raced the European Grand Prix circuit with remarkable success for the last five y...
HOW TO REPROGRAM YOUR KX450F FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IN 17 EASY STEPS: In adddition to the $500 calibration kit, you willneed a 12 volt battery and laptop PC. Human beings, especially motocross racers, are habitual tinkerers. We don’t know the meaning of the phrase “leave well enough alone,” because in motocross you can always make improvements. Common understanding is that fuel injection will reduce the amount of motocross tinkering. It is true that fuel injection is self-regulating, but it also offers an increased potential for adjustment. How so? Its sensors allow adjus...
WE RIDE A KAWASAKI KX450F BUILT FOR THE AMA NATIONALS: The MXA wrecking crew has a soft spot in our hearts for underdogs. To show our support for those who are not given a chance to show their might on a factory machine, we devised a plan. Instead of $500,000 salaries, $100,000 per race bonuses and airline tickets to every race, we decided to take an alternate route. A few months ago, we decided to build a bike that would allow us to race the AMA 450 Nationals on a shoestring. Our goal was to build a purpose-built motocross bike; one that would be competiti...
FIRST RIDE: 2010 KAWASAKI KX250F: FIRST RIDE: 2010 KAWASAKI KX250F The 2010 KX250F is bred for racing success. Does that sound like marketing fluff? Let's try this again. The 2010 KX250F has received quite a few refinements that will improve it over last year's model. ON PAPER: Kawasaki is out for blood. After holding the coveted MXA 250F Shootout award for three straight years (2006-2008), the KX250F finished second in 2009 to the Honda CRF250. With a host of refinements made to the 2010 KX250F, Kawasaki expects to b...
WE RIDE SERVICE HONDA'S KX500AF TWO-STROKE: Imagine, for a minute, the perfect motocross bike. Let your mind wander to unfathomable, unrealistic ideas. Draw up a sketch of the machine on paper, and don’t forget the vivid details. Odds are you would want to construct a motocross bike with a light, narrow, compact chassis. Cradled in the frame would be a potent engine with plentiful horsepower, yet one that was smooth and easy to ride. Now imagine that this dream can become a reality, because that’s what the MXA wrecking crew thought l...
WE RIDE MDK MOTORSPORTS' KAWASAKI KX450F: To the majority of motocross racers worldwide, MDK is best known for its race team. In the past, MDK has sponsored a host of well-known racers (including Nick Wey and David Vuillemin on CRF450s three years ago) and, for the last two years, they have run Team KTM’s complete race effort. For 2009, they sponsor Travis Preston and Josh Summey in the 450 class, plus Wil Hahn, Justin Brayton, Ryan Sipes, Martin Davalos and Tommy Searle on KTM 250SXF’s. Also little known outside of NorCal is that MDK owns a st...
MXA PRODUCT TEST: Yoshimura RS-4 KX450F Exhaust System WHAT IS IT? A very light and noticeably effective exhaust system for the 2009 Kawasaki KX450F. WHAT’S IT COST? $895.00. CONTACT? www.yoshimura-rd.com or (909) 628-4722. WHAT’S IT DO? Unless you have been living under a rock, you know who Yoshimura is and what product they specialize in. However, it’s what you don’t know that might surprise you. Ever since four-strokes toppled two-strokes in the motocross market, Yoshimura has been sitting pretty. They have never made a two-stroke expan...
2009 Kawasaki KX450F; Suspension Settings, Jetting Specs, Likes & Dislikes, Plus Much More INSIDE MXA'S 2009 KAWASAKI KX450F TEST Ever since the Kawasaki KX450F was first introduced, it had the makings of an omnipotent motocross machine. But, in the opinion of the MXA test riders, it always came up wanting in several key areas. Need examples? 2006 KX450F: It had a mellow engine that was pleasantly powerful, but tended to rev up slowly. The deal-breakers were the four-speed tranny (that was really only a three-speed), wallowy rear suspension, harsh Kayaba AOSS forks, ...