VOL. 56 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 8, 2019 P81
near the redline, the KX250 runs out
of steam, hindering outright speed
in high-speed straightaways and
hillclimbs. A switch to the optional
aggressive fuel coupler helps here,
giving the Kawasaki noticeably more
life through its powerband.
Short transmission ratios also
don't help with the Kawasaki's lack
of top-end pull. The green machine
runs into the next gear sooner than
its competitors, forcing riders to
make extra shifts throughout the
course of a lap. This may not be a
bother at first, but is fatiguing during
a long moto.
A slim and predictable chassis
helps combat that fatigue as the KX
finds a balance between high-speed
stability and nimble handling in tight
sections. A flat seat and narrow fuel
tank allow for effortless transitions in
the rider cockpit. It's easy to manipu-
late and tracks straight in chop. In
short, you ride the bike versus the
bike riding you. The Showa SFF Fork
is harsh in the initial stroke through
braking bumps, but also struggles
with bottom-of-stroke support on big
T
here's no time to settle in the
small-bore motocross class.
Without relentless R&D up-
dates, bikes are left fighting for
scraps at the back of the
pack. This is the current
situation with the Kawasaki
KX250. While the competition
improves upon their respective plat-
forms, Team Green enters 2019 with
an identical bike as the year before—
sans a name change and bold new
set of in-mold graphics.
The KX250 has found its niche in
the class earning the nickname of
the "do-it-all" machine in this year's
shootout. Does it do everything
well? Yes. But without any significant
changes its not surprising that this
bike finished in the same spot it did
last year. It's a capable all-around
package, but lacks that last bit of
performance needed to compete
with front-runners.
The Kawasaki's engine comes on
strong at the bottom end, accelerat-
ing hard out of the corners and pulls
quickly through the midrange rpms.
Then, it runs into trouble. As the revs
5
th
Place
KX 250
K A W A S A K I
