The Kawasaki KX125 E1 is t he most changed of all the KXs and is t he only
one with the new Uni-Trak rear suspension system. Kawasaki went to t he
linkage system rather than the rocker arm design to make room for a larger
airbox, which allows better breathing to im prov e engine performance.
Similar to the Honda CRs, all the KXs have a detachable rea r su b -frame
section made out of square-section aluminum tubing . Forks o n all t he
Kawasakis have a Travel Control Valve (TCVI simila r to the AVOS antidive system on some Kawasaki street bikes: as t he fork com p resses,
compression damping rate increases automatically.
The most significant change made to t he KX500 is the addit ion of the
K.I.P.S . and the elimination of a boost bottle . Chassis remains u nchanged
except for the TCV forks, a stronger strut, and the rear disc b rake.
A close-up l oo k at t he link age system on the KX125 's Uni- Tra k suspension
system. There are no zerk f ittings.
The KX80 has an all-new, square-tube steel frame w ith a rem ovable rear
sub-frame; the sub-frame is built of round inst ead of square-section
tubing . The KX80 has the li nkage rear suspension set up for the same
reason as the KX125--to make room for a larger airbox. Not much was
touched inside the engine. except the cylinder is slightly t urn ed on the
crankcases to align t he int ak e and exhaust ports and thus im prove gas
flow.
By eliminat ing th e shock strut and
the bell-cra nk housing, Suz uki is
ab le to low er the overall center of
gravity o n all the 1986 RM models . The shock still ha s 17 c o m press ion and 21 reb ound damping
adj ustments.
When the KXs' rear sub-frame
section is removed , the airbox,
seat, silen cer and fender remain
attached . • '
Like the KX125 and KX500, the KX250 now has front and rear disc
brakes. Kawasaki stayed with the rocker-type rear suspension on the
KX250; however, the adjustable strut is slightly larger in diameter to
im p rove strength. Engine changes include slightly-different port sha pes,
raised compression ratios and d iffernet K.I .P .S . valve angles.
15
