1996 Kawasaki KX125
By Donn Maeda
Photos by Kit Palmer
hen Kawasaki Press Relations
Manager Mel Moore wheeled
our new KXl25 test bike out of
the box van, we must admit that we
were taken aback by the looks of the
new scooter. Sure, the bike looked basically the same as last year's, but the
gaudy purple radiator shrouds and fork
guards caused us to shake our heads
and wonder what the graphic designers
were thinking.
Memories of ugly aftermarket plastic
catalog photos flashed through our
heads as we took our time gearing up.
Can you believe it? Something as superficial as an unattractive color scheme
kept us from being anxious to ride the
new bike.
The minute we took to the track,
however, the color of the bike was the
furthest thing from our minds. The
KXl25 boasts several technical updates
for '96, and the result is a well-rounded
package that is worth a second look.
W
Details, we want details_
A wider powerband was the goal
when Kawasaki engineers went back to
the drawing boards. The cylinder has
been modified considerably, and now
features different main-exhaust-port,
sub-exhaust-port and transfer-port timing. All of these changes were made in
the interest of more top-end power. The
sub-exhaust ports have been broadened
and the number-three transfer port was
reshaped. The cylinder skirt below the
port was cut away also, in order to
improve breathing efficiency. The KIPS
governer has a new non-locking ball
design that compliments the cylinder
changes.
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