Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

KDX was the for-A-riders-only Tecate 250K Enduro, held in Baja California, Mexico. It was there that we discovered the KDX performs similarly to the extremely-fun-toride, 1986 KDX200. The only real difference we could feel in performance was the front disc brake. The steel-braided brake hose on the 1986 model has been replaced with a stock rubber hose. Many owners of the 1986 KDX felt the steel-braided hose made the front brake too touchy, too grabby. The rubber hose on the '87 model makes for a more mushy feeling, but stopping power is still strong. Some testers liked the steelbraided hose better, others liked the rubber hose. Power on the Kawasaki is typicalKDX. The motor still pulls strongly off the bottom and continues to do so throughout the powerband, making the KDX an ideal mount at Tecate, and just about everywhere else we rode the bike. The smooth and torquey motor, combined with the motorcycle's nimble, sharp handling, made the KDX super-simple to maneuver around the miles and miles of Manzanitas bushes and trees at Tecate. The only time the KDX ever winced at the Tecate Enduro was foraLiUle em? Ifyou're an amateur hilnkering for a little t1Jdng exdtement get yourself and your YamahiJ YSR50 out to the nEW "Track ChiJJJenge US.A racing 'sr series. This exdting new rare format Is a stocl< event exclusively for owners of the new Yamahil YSR50. the highspirited machine thilt has all the feat1ues and fun ofa /WI-sIZed sport motorcycle but with a gutty little 50cc engine and an impressively small price tag ofunder $ WOO. /taring Is open to all amateur riders who possess valid operator's licenses or who have completed the Yamaha YSR50 "Learn·toRide" safety seminar and rid· ing program. These seminars and riding programs are offered on aJJ race days in Raan at "Track ChaIIenlle" compete In len das6es (dMded by welght and skin): , ... Class 1: Wooer 100 pounc:ls Advanced Class 2: Wnc:ler 100 pounds Novice 3: 101·135 pounds Advanced Closs 4: 101-135 pounds NovIce Class 5: 130-180 pounds Advanced NovIce Class 6: 130-180 pounds Class 7: 181·250 pounds Advanced NovIce Class 8: 181·250 pounds Class 9: _m, but that was to be expected With the low-octane fuel. After nothing more than cleaning the air filter and adjusting the chain, we took the KDX to the California Sierra Nevada Mountains for another enduro, this one nearly 100 miles in total length. Here the KDX, once again, performed flawlessly and felt right at home darting through the . trees and over narrow, hillside trails. At higher altitudes, the KDX got a little winded in the thin air, and the motor lost some of its zap. This particular enduro featured plenty of rocky sections, which isn't one of the KDX's strong points. A small wheelbase combined with its light weight makes the KDX a little unstable when bouncing over the tops of the rocks. But the little c--- J -~-\~~--='F.;:;'-¥=---=:,:,4- - Klih QI' AM. :1'1 Klck-otrRace # 2 ' June 7 June 28 July 5 August 2 August 16 SerIes Race #2 SerIes Race # 3 SerIes Race #4 WILLOW SPBZIIOS Klck-otr Race # 3 Klck-otr Race #4 SerIes Race # 1 May 25 YAMAHA \\e makethe difference.- B R A K E S OFFICIAL. BRAKES OF SXI SUPERCROSS SERIES ROBERT NAUGHTON/EBC Brake. AIIA/Ceen s...1'CftII s.ries $..ale ZB-2t Roand 6 - 3rd 125cc . . . Round 7 - 2nd 125cc • • Ask For EBC At Your Local Dealer Disc pads available in semi·metallic or full metallic for longer wear. Blab shoes come with high·friction grooved linings or NEW woven race linings lor reclfll models only. Hy-Tech Motorcycle Components • 12860 Bradley Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342 . • (B18) 362· 7408 .

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