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/126947
SuperSports Presents The $22,000 Gatorback National Championships ~~. ' .;. - e.(·'""0 f. ~~ " . "'''f Motocross I.~.· ~ Jumping the KX required delicate throttle control. 2mm bore to help improve tbrollic response at low rpm. This 38mm Mikuni replaces last year's overkill 40mm Mikuni. The carburetor feeds through an eight-petal carbon-fibre reed valve, piston-port induction system, which is similar to last year's KX. Except for a slightly different final and overall gear ralios,the five-speed transmission is unchanged for 1987, but the clutch has been redesigned for smoother and easier operation. Changes include using thinner friction plates and all-new aluminum driven plates; increasing the number of spring dampers to six (from five), anda bushing has been placed around th.e push rod. Plus the clutch release shaft now pivots inside two needle bearings instead of a sleeve. Bodywork on the new KX is allnew and has been redesigned to improve riding position. The most noticeable change is the gas tank which is much narrower (as is the seat) than last year's model, but fue) capacity has been sacrificed. The '87 KX holds a half gallon less 'than before. The handlebar brackets are adjustab1e, so when they're mounted in the reverse posi,tion, it allows the handlebars to be moved IOmm farther forward. On The Track Every motorcycle has its own traits, and what stands out most about,the new KX250 is its super-torquey motor. The Kawasaki is in a class all its own when it comes to trench-digging. tractor-pulling, low-end horsepower. Immediately after starling the KX for the first time, you can tell it's going to be a brute with i~s extremely low and tbroaty note. Kick starting the KX is simple and very easy. The kick starter lever is easy to get a leg on and to get a good. clean jab. You don't have to, worry about smashing your foot on the footpeg at the bOllom of the stroke. Our KX always fired up within a few kicks, hot or cold, but we did foul a couple of spark plugs; the plugs fouled once while starting it cold. and once after it was plenty hot. We ran our KX with stock jetting and the manufacturer's recommended oil and mixing ratio. . Once on the track, it's easy to tell that the KX pulls much harder off the bollom than last year's KX, and ihrollJe response is just as instantaneous, if not more so. Unlike many motocrossers that have tons of lowend grunt, the KX doesn't lack midrange or top-end power to keep it from being competitive. Although it doesn't quite have the mid- to topend speed as last year's Honda CR250, natlona motocross THE NATION'S. FIRST MOTOCROSS NATIONAL IN 1987! February 28th March IstSaturday Amateur Races 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gates Open 7 a.m. Both Days Be Sure You Have A Pre-Entry Form. * Sunday .Pro Practice 9 a.m. National Races Begin" p.m. DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND~ GATORBACK MXPARK GAINESVILLE, FL ALL THE FACTORY TEAMS HONDA SUZUKI YAMAHA KAWASAKI Motocross Stars * * * ** * * * BOB'''HURRICANE'' HANNAH KEITH BOWEN JIM HOLLEY JEFF WARD JOHNNY O'MARA RICK JOHNSON BROC GLOVER BILLY LILES * * Admission Weekend $17.00 Sunday Only Adult $12.00 Sunday Only Kids 6-10 years $6.00 This Admission Good For All Events Save On Advance Ticketsl $10.00 SU!'lday Only Adult Tickets •••**••Special Attraction••••••• BIG FOOT MEETS GATORBACK See the all time champion monster truck' take on Gatorbackl Saturday and Sunday RACE HEADQUARTERS: International Park Inn 1-75/SR 26 Gainesville. FL (904) 332-3033 Exit 1-75 at SR 26. go west 10 miles' to SR 235. turn right and go 4 miles to Gatorback entrance. For Additional Information Contact: SuperSports. P.O. Box 13246 St. Petersburg. Fl33733 813/822-8929 Don't Miss This!! Top-ranked Cycle News' sporty new baseball cap goes straight to the top - everybody's top! Bright red and white. this cap fits all sizes. Please turn to the order blank under the advertisers index.