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/127806
1997 Kawasaki KX125 Specifications Engine type. .. . .. .. .. . . ...Uquid·cooled, case·reed induction, two·stroke. single ~........ Dieplac 80.. & eo., lIIiD I ,.," 54 x 54.5mm ratio. . CerIIareIor IpItIon Valiable 8.6·9.9:1 , Keihin PWK35 .Digital capacitor discharge ignijion T____ . .. .. . .. FIul.......... F _ type. Suep..... . ..KlPS . , .. 124cc 6·speed 13/49 . ....High·tensile steel, ptlfimeter , F , .Kayaba, inverted. cartridge fork .... . ..Kayaba, single shock, Uni.Trak ............. ....... F "'....... .... """'" ..•...... , ...... F.- ..12.2;n. 13.0m. . . . . . .5'mgIe disc, dual piston caliper ......... .single disc 1'IreII F.... . .Dunlop K~ 80/100·21 in. . ..DunIopK7371oo/00·19In: s..t heiIht .... ...37.4 in. .......... .57.3m. GrouNI _ "' . .. 15.6 in. Fuel C8JIRCitJ' _., 2.2 gal. ClaImed dry _ight ..•. ' 100.6Ibs. Coodlat-Y prll91'1l111 . . . .•• Yes IISRP .. .. .. . .. ... ,$4,799 .... . From bottom end to midrange, the '97 KX hooks up pretty well but quits pulling not long after that. The KX will rev to the moon but the power simply flattens out on top. We won't go as far as saying the Kawasaki is slow, but we were a little disappointed with the KX's top-end power output. Clearly, Kawasaki designed this motor with tight, supercross-type tracks in mind. If that double jump immediately following that tight turn has got you down lately, then you won't have to worry about it anymore with the KX. It's got the bottom-ta-mid pull to clear those nasty doubles with short takeoff runs. Also, if your track has a short start straight, you'll like the KX's motor. Thanks to its g'ood bottom end and tractability, it can get you off the line quickly. Short-shift it down the start chute and holeshots should come easily on the KX, but on longer start straights (Kenworthy's MX Park, Millville's Spring Creek MX Park, for examples), especially those with an uphill climb and loamy terrain (Southwick's MX338, Delmont's Steel City Raceway), then the KX will struggle to get there first. But on those short starts (any indoor SX track) ... you're gone. Lighter clutch springs, a larger-indiameter clutch cable, a new clutch cam ~elease guide and longer push-rod length make it easier to get the KX through the tight, one-lined, grooved turns. It takes little effort to slip the clutch while leaving the throttle pinned. We liked the way the KX shifted effoitlessly. Missed shifts were uncomI;non. In the suspension department, Kawasaki went through the internals of both the shock and the fork. Up front, the 46mm, inverted cartridge Kayaba fork, features 4mm-larger cylinders to displace more oil, and there's a new piston in the cartridge for "more damping control," so says Kawasaki. In the back, the swingarm is slightly longer (by 3=) and has larger box-section beams for more rigidity. The UniTrak linkage ratio has changed for a more progressive stroke. Chassis-wise, the high-tensile steel perimeter frame features larger box-section beams in the main frame - to increase lateral, longitudinal and torsional rigidity - stronger footpeg brackets and stronger cast-steel footpegs. Other chang.es include a new rear hub that now uses two (instead f one) ball bearings on the drive side of the hub and beefier, spring-loaded seals. In addition, the drive chain has thinner side plates to decrease weight and have (Above left) The motor is aimed more toward low- to midrange performance. It leaves a little to be desired on top. (Above) Suspension is plush but still firm enough to soak up hard landings. (Left) The inverted Kayaba fork offers excellent action. (Above) The KJ('s forte is hooking up out of the turns - controllably. (Right) A new tall-piece prevents mudpacking. been heat treated to improve durability, and the chain guides are also thicker to better resist bending. The steering shaft is now constructed of stronger steel, rather than aluminum. On the track, th,e KX's suspension and overall handling is first rate. The KX simply soaks up everything in sight; only once in a while did the back end sneak in a small kick. Basically, the back end tracked straight and always stayed close to the ground, even while hard on the brakes over the stutters. Up front, the Kayaba fork handled the hard hits with aplomb and would only bottom, albeit lightly, after landing in holes over big jumps. The front end felt solid under hard braking, but we did get the front end to shake, sometimes violently, at speed - usually when the front end was light and the throttle barely cracked. Still, we like the KX's overall suspension package, even with the stock settings. . It takes little exertion to get the KX through the corners quickly. Overall, the KX feels a little on the small side and light, but these two things contribute to it being extremely easy to flick around, either on the ground or in the air. The KX has a fairly wide seat and the padding is a little on the mushy side. You'll come to appreciate this toward the end of a long, hot mota, when your legs simply refuse to function anymore. You'll love the KX's brakes; we did. The front brake is especially strong and progressive, and offers excellent feel, especially on hard-packed and dry tracks. The brake hose also has a new, cleaner routing down by the caliper. The new routing requires a shorter hose and makes bleeding easier. The back brake simply does its job. After spinning a number of hot laps on the new KX, we have corne to the con- clusion that, despite all its changes, er, revisions, the KX is only a slightly improved motorcycle, but some of our testers went even as far as saying it's taken a small step backwards. Those who want nothing but pure, top-end horsepower from a 125 might be disappointed with the '97 KX, but those who spend most of their precious riding time racking up laps on supercross-type tracks tracks that require a lot of bottom-end and controllability from.fue motor, then the KX just might be your bike. Plus, it's a fact that many motocross bikes never see the track at all, instead spending all their time on the trails in the nearby hills, and if that's your thing, then the KX will do the trick, too - again, thanks to its very tractable motor, excellent suspension and overall lightweight l.... . package. \.0 0\ 0\ ...... ('f"j' C'l l-< (J) .g .... o U 27