Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126453
-- --- I ~ e 0 00 0') . et') ~ e~ ::s c:: ~ -, Specifications The rear brake lever is fairly well tucked in but is non-folding. A sturdy folding shifter is offered which gave us no problem. Removal of the from wheel is easily accomplished. 11 comes off smoothly with the backing plate staying on the right fork leg - OUt of the way. The rear wheel almost requires a magician to remove. The backing plate stays suspended on the full floating rear brake arm and is in the way when the wheel is 10 be pulled clear. Few alterations are needed to make the KDX race ready. We decided to remove the coumershaft cover and kickstand, though some of the Kawasaki team riders leave these items on. We also trimmed the bars to 30 inches - a necessary task in order 10 compete in Eastern enduro comperiuon. The stock D.I.D rims wne left on; they are the choice of many serious riders. Kawasaki's riders also install air caps and use a stiff preload on the UniTrak. The preload is set by turning a nut that is threaded onto the bollom of the Slock. The arrangement offers a multitude of sellings. but is bothersome. The owner's manual states the shock must be removed from the frame to be adjusted. By the time the right selling is found a good chunk of time could be consumed in removing and re-installing the shock. A Magura throllie replaces the stock unit, and there is a possibility that the team bikes may receive engine work and a shock reservoir in the future. We, along with Kawasaki's team riders, decided the stock tires weren't up to the job, Red Dot tires. distributed by Hi- Poim Products. work well for us. A 3.00 x 21 was put on the from and a 4.50 x 18 on the rear. The 4.50 suited lighter riders. but those 150 pounds and over may wish 10 mount a 3.85 x 18 tire in order 10 get a bit of sometimes needed wheelspin. One or two kicks always brought the KDX to life. no matter if it was just rolled out of the garage or picked OUt of a mudhole. When the bike needed to be yanked out of some slop. the grab handle behind the seat came in handy. It was sturdy and gave someplace to grip with good leverage. The KDX worked in the wood•. Most felt the optimum riding position on the 175 was a bit back off the tank when silling. The seat seems to have been trimmed of padding towards the rear 10 reduce seat height, which is an even trade. The KDX will snap a rider from turn to turn with confidence, having a well balanced feel and no top heavy ef· fects. When a manufacturer incorporates good suspension, strong and useable motor and good geometry in one package, the result is an accelerated riding pace through a variety of terrain with less effort. A 2.8 gallon tank gave up to a 65 mile range which kept us going in enduros. yet no reserve petcock selling is offered. The odometer is fairly accurate. but top level riders may wish to install a very precise replacement such as a VDO speedometer/odometer. Kawasaki claims the KDX w('ighs 218 pounds dry. We slung the bike· along with a partial tank of gas, tran· smission oil and a few pounds of mud over a bathroom scale and found the KDX weighing in at 223. Th(' KDX does, howev('r. feel light. One sure way of trimming extra weight for the '81 model would be to replace the steel swingarm with an aluminum one. 1980 could be the year green grabs the gold at many enduro and hare scrambles evems. Kawasaki might have been last in the big four 175cc woods race, but we've decided they are surely not least, Jack Pemon and his ('nduro team should be pUlling on d show at the National Enduros this coming season. The KDX 175 they'll be riding just might put a mean green In-achine in the winner' circle. • 9