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/126480
o 00 0') ,..-l Gary Ogden flies an HPF-KLX. completed. we rode the 185 . the KLX and the 500. The 185 felt light and quite slim. Blowing across ruts and other teethgr itt ing. wh ite-knuckle ob stacles becomes much less fearsome than tackling the same stu ff with less suspension . The front end seemed to track and steer well in all kinds of turns with the back following sui t. ' T hough the engine braking is fa irly strong, the rear brake could stand to be stronger. The cable-operated XR hub just doesn't seem to do a very satisfactory job, though the front works okay. In the motivating department, we found that the engine isn't peaky like a rwo-stroke but seems to produce good power almost everywhere. Naturally. it helps to keep it revved to go fastest. but there isn't a sudden snap where it comes on the pipe (cam, in this case) like a two-stroke. However, it does share a common affliction with other four strokes. It's necessary to turn the throttle on rela tively slowly at low rpm or the motor simply bogs and falls flat on its face. McCassy is aware of the problem and says, "We're gonna experiment with the new Mikuni that has an accelerator pump and see if we can't get rid of that flat spot." He's confident the pump will cure the problem. One little thing that bugged us was the shift lever which stuck out too far for us. So how does it compare to a 125cc two stroke? We d idn't have one with us to make a head-to-head comparison but the 185 feels more tractable though it may lack in absolute horsepower. While not the hot set-up for a Pro rnotocrosser, it could be a competitive Junior or even Intermediate-class bike depending on track conditions. Enduro riders should find it to be a fine mount. The KLX was noticeably heavier than the 185 , but not objectionably so. The power was good , though a 250cc two-stroke would undoubtedly snuff it. However, it wasn't intended to be a killer racer. just a better- than-average. reliable playbike . Though the KX forks didn't possess the same degree of plushness that the Fox Forx did, they were still quite good in rough stuff. No one complained about the handling or braking in our short time on it. The shift lever does seem to stick out too much, like on the 185, though. . Another characteristic of the 185 it shares is the low rpm bogging and lack of two-stroke snap. This makes it more difficult to loft the front end. though there is no problem over jumps. We approached the 500 with caution . However. it surprised us right off the bat by being easy to sta rt thanks to Honda's built-in compression release. Also, the right footpeg bracket is U· a Can'thack the bucks for full-tilt thumper?Well, maybe youcan- witha littlehelpfrom Kawasaki. Rightnow, we're ready to make youa deal on a brand-new KLX250-and throw in a $199.95 factory Hi-Performance Kit.Free" You always wanted a 4-stroker that pulled hard and handled. This isit.The KLX, a torquey250cc singlecammerthat's wrapped in a KX-based chrome molymotocross frame. It's 233lbs.light, and glides onleading-axle air forks, gas reservoir shocksand a forged-aluminum I-beam swingarrn. Kawasaki tosses in- absolutely free- the factory Hi-Performance Kit that includes high-lift cam,power pipeand a Super-Trapp tunablesilencer. Dyne-developed and field tested, it'sgood for up to a 20% boost inpower. Free. Get downto yourparticipating Kawasaki dealer fora toughdealon a toughthumper. And a $199.95 headstart on the competition. "Offer in effect.through September 30. 1980. onlyat participating dealers. Availability may be limited. Always ride safely,Obey local laws, Member MIC. MSF. Kawasaki Don'tlet the goodtimes pass you by. sport c"<. ,7 , ) tracks 1 Carlisle Tires ~~ . - MAXCO Chain- STC BatteriesNow at your local dealer DEALERS•(2131361-5955 • inquire ~~""'c".....Nanhng . ...-.--. Terraflex ~ Formula cgntlnenta\ 550 x 18 Yokohama $34.95 300.21 Dunlop Spts, Sr. $19.95 6~ FROM MINI TO MIGHTY RACE PREP. 2-4 Stroke 9345 Balsa Westminster. CA 92683 714-891-5457 ~ fi,OODI",E:AR OVER 1000 ~21 Dunlop $21.95 YOROIfA_A ~ 350 x 21 Bridgestone $19.95 TI RES IN Rimsaver SERVIC~'::~~LE YOU STOCK ,. , lY A\f8N .CuetomWheelBulldlng ~ • HI-Speed Balancing .«'~ HI.POINT ALL TIRES DISCOUNTED»' t1'JIIIUID PRiX CJ'CZS ...r~o' ~ "OsV MX RECAPS ._"" ~~\.".- • Static Bal.nclng • TIr.ln8tlIlla1ion M/C TIRE WORKS, INC. 5.F. V.ney TWO LOCATIONS~f1 'TO SERVE YOU 9025 Sepulveda Blvd. "I Sepulveda, CA 91343 . (213) 893-7806 .WhHlTrulng SO, BAY AREA 26023 S. Western Lomita, CA 90717 (2131 5394150 ' 17