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/126796
An on-board computer and more gadgetry than you can im~gine are part of the ZN1300 Voyager tourer. Claimed dry weight is over 800 pounds. The successful KDX200 is air-cooled. but has several refinements. including new digital instruments. quick change wheels and improved controls. powered by an air-cooled 738cc motor which receives extra zip from a compact turbocharging system tucked inside the bike's chin fairing. And for those who like their motorcycles normally aspirated, there's the GPz750. Features on it include an aircooled 738cc motor with five-speed transmission, electric starting and four 34mm Mikuni carbs. Suspension is ide-ntical to the Turbo's with air-assisted front forks and a UniTrak single rear shock system. Tires used are Dunlops at both ends: 110/ 90-18 front and 130/80-18 rear. Claimed dry weight is 493.9 pounds. Rounding out the GPzs is one of the most popular pocket rockets of all time, the GPz550. The engine displaces 553cc with a bore and stroke of 58 x 52.4mm; compression ratio' is 10:1; four 27mm TK carbs are used. Dual drilled front discs and a single drilled rear disc supply the braking; tires are by Bridgestone. Finishing off the 550 are black engine cases and exhaust pipes and a quarter fairing. Vying with Honda's Gold Wing Limited Edi tion for the motorcycle with the most accessories ever installed is the ZN1300-A3 Voyager. Kawasaki describes the Voyager as "the ultimate touring motorcycle," and one look a( it confirms that this claim addition of the KLR250 to join the KLR600. Like the 600, the 250 is a water-cooled, DOHC, four-valve, four-stroke single, with Uni-Trak rear suspension and a single disc front brake. The KLR600-Bl is basically the same as last year, but has received some updates for '85. They include re: designed transmission gear teeth and counterbalancer chain tensioner for reduced engine noise, as well as electric starting and an improved bauery charging system. Other changes on the 600 include a new exhaust system and spark plug design, a street-style kickstand, aluminum thermostat cover, and a more easily serviceable water pump. Besides sharing general engi ne and running gear designs, the KLR250 also sports air-adjustable forks, CDI ignition, dual counterbalancers to reduce engine vibration, and an automatic compression release for easy starting. Engine displacement is 249cc with a bore and stroke of 74 x 58mm; carburetion is provided by a 34mm Keihin; lubrication is wet sump. There are six speeds in the transmission. To keep weight down on the 258pound 250, a few_ components have been madeoutof aluminum, namely could be true. Standard equipment includes a full fairing with built-in turn signals, adjustable windscreen, LCD instrument readouts, on-board computer and AM/FM stereo with a casseue deck. A CB radio is optional. The computer., says Kawasaki, reads 10 functions on the motorcycle, including range, gas mileage, and fuel consumption. There is even a "cruise mode" in which the digital fuel injection system can be set to provide less fuel for beuer mileage. In addition to all the electronic wizardry, luggage bags on the sides and back come standard. Poweringall of this is a six-cylinder, liquid-cooled, OOHC motor with five speeds and shaft drive. Suspension includes air-assisted forks and dual shocks in the rear. Braking is performed by dual discs up front and a single unit in the rear. Besides all the standard equipment and options available, Kawasaki says that the Voyager can be ordered with color-matched helmets for the rider and passenger. Both helmets, by the way, feature built-in earphones and microphones for two-way communication. . Kawasaki'.s U.S.-market dual-purpose line has been expanded from one to two models for 1985 with the KLR250 VN700-A 1 Vulcan Engine type .•••• Water-cooled. DOHC. V-twin Bore x stroke .... 82.0x62.2mm Displacement ....•..... 699cc Compression ratio 10.3:1 Carburetion ... (2) 34mm Keihin Valves per cylinder ... _. . . . .. 4 Intake valve timing ...• 30°-74° Exhaust valve timing . _ 66°-40° (measuring pt.) ....•... Omm Ignition, ••...... Transistorized electronic Lubrication Wet sump Primary ............•... 2.428 Final ..•............... 2.522 5th _ 0.857 4th_ 1.000 3rd 1.230 2nd 1.600 1st 2.250 Frame Double downtube. full cradle Rake 32° the swingarm, skid plate, and rear sub-frame, which is removable. Engine weight is reduced by using only primary kickstarting. The fenders, side panels and headlight cowling are plastic, but to conform to U.S. DOT safety standards, the 2.9-gallon gas tank is steel. Suspension travel on the KLR250 is juS! over nine inches at both ends. Dunlop dual-purpose "universal tread" tires are used, the front measuring 3.00-21; the reartire is a 4.60-17. The KLR250 comes in white and includes all the typical dual-purpose detai Is, such as turn signals, mirrors, passenger pegs, rear fender-mounted tool bag and a humongous USFSapproved muffler. Refined for 1985 is Kawasaki' premier enduro bike, the KOX200. New items include a digital odometer and stop watchltimer, improved handlebar controls and quick-change wheels. Stilllhe same is the air-cooled. 198cc, six-speed engine; ignition is COl; an oval-slide 34mm Mikuni provides the mixing functions; bore and stroke is 66 x 58mm. Braking at both errds is handled by drum units; the Uni-Trak rear suspension supplies II inches of travel, the front forks 10.2 inches. Claimed dry weight for the KOX200A3 is 210.6 pounds. • Trail _...........• 5.0 in. Front suspension type .... Telescopic forks Front wheel travel ... _ 5.9 in. Rear suspension type Twinshock swingarm Rear wheel travel ...•... 3.5 in. Front brakes Dual 8.9-in. discs Rear brakes 7.1x1.6-in. Front wheel 19-in. Rear wheel 15-in. Front tire 100/90-19 Rear tire 150/90-15 Dry weight 482.9 Ibs. Wheelbase •........... 62.2 in. Fuel capacity 3.6 gal. Ground clearance 5.9 in. Seat height 28.9 in. Colors Ebony/Luminous . Vintage Red Retail price $3299 Engine type ., ... Water-cooled. DOHC. single-cylinder Bore x stroke 74x58mm Displacement 249cc Compression ratio 11: 1 Carburetion 34mm Keihioi Valve per cylinder 4 Intake valve timing 41°-51 ° Exhaust valve timing .. 70°-30° Ignition COl Lubrication Wet sum'p Gear ratios Primary 2.913 Final 2.933 6th 0.904 5th 1.050 4th 1.250 3rd 1.500 2nd 2.000 1st 3.000 Frame. ; Single downtube. full cradle . , Rake 28.5° Trail 4.6 in. Front suspension type •... Telescopic forks Front wheel travel 9.1 in. Rear suspension type . .. Singleshock swingarm Rear wheel travel 9.1 in. Front brakes 8.3-in. disc Rear brakes 4.7x1.4-in. drum Front wheel 21-;n. Rear wheel 17-in. Front tire 3.00-21 Rear tire 4.60-17 Dry weight _. . . . . .. 258 Ibs. Wheelbase 55.7in. Fuel capacity 2.9 gal. Ground clearance 10.6 in. Seat height 33.7 in. Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. White Retail price ...•........ $1999