This injector—opposed to the
downstream injector, which
is closer to the combustion
chamber—handles high rpm
duties. (The downstream
injector's role is low rpm.)
A new head uses smaller
valves with a different pitch to
improve torque. Mapping is new,
and there is a heavier magneto
rotor.
These engine changes al-
lowed for taller first- and second-
gear ratios, so now you can wait
a little longer before shifting in
the first few gears. Less shifting
is always a good thing.
Not much has changed with
suspension. The KYB fork rolls
off the showroom floor with a bit
more compression damping.
Externally, the '23 KX250 gets
5mm wider footpegs—which are
also slightly repositioned due
to new aluminum brackets—and
new Dunlop MX33 tires–the
rear fitted onto a wider 110/90-
19-inch rim versus the previous
100/90 rim.
As you can see, the 2023
KX250 might not fall into the
"all-new" category, but it still got
a healthy dose of changes for a
mid-generation bike.
Can You Feel It?
Yes. On the track, you can
instantly feel these new updates.
Our introductory ride on the bike
took place at Southern Califor-
nia's Perris Raceway, and the
engine, of course, is what stood
out the most. In recent years,
the KX250 has never been
criticized for lacking top-end
pull, but bottom-end has never
been considered a strong point.
But it's now getting there. The
'23's updated engine results in
a hearty pop off the bottom and
carries a nice transition through
QUICKSPIN I 2023 Kawasaki KX250
P88
It might look the same on the outside but
there's a host of changes inside.
