Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Cycle News 1996 11 20

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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RIDING IMPRESSIONS 1997 Kawasaki KDX200, KDX220R and KLX300R (Left) Just like the KDX220, the KLX300's stroke remains the same despite the larger displacement. The 300 starts much easier than the previous 250cc model. (Below) The KLX300 feels somewhat small and is extremely maneuverable, much thanks to a narrow layout. either of the KDXs, despite having nearly identical seat heights, but the oneinch-less ground clearance of the KLX. could be felt. Your feet will get a little nervous at times. Overall handling is first rate, and both front and rear suspensions soak up everything in sight with aplomb. If anything, the suspension is a little too much on the cushy side. For more aggre.ssive riding, stiffer springs at both ends will be a good idea. Both brakes on the 300 work well, especially up front, where feel and power are excellent. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and our two days in Idaho came and went all too fast. Awesome trails, perfect riding conditions on some of the best off-road bikes in the world will do that. We would have liked to have spent more time on each bike, but hopefully we'll get that chance on each bike in the near future. For now, we are quite pl~ased with all three of these motorcycles. Both the KDXs are a blast to ride and it's basically impossible to declare a "best bike" between the two KDXs. Basically, don't write off the 200 just because the 220 has 18 more cubic centimeters. This doesn't automatically mean that the 220 is a better motorcycle Kawasaki KLX300R Specifications Engine type Uquid-<:ooled. four·strol

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