2016 KAWASAKI KX250F
FIRST RIDE
P96
Even last year the KX250F
only got a few changes, but
some of those were fairly sig-
nificant, like getting a stronger
and lighter bridge-box piston,
an updated exhaust system,
an oversized front brake disc
and many of the usual refine-
ments to the suspension and
ECU.
Despite having taken on
relatively few changes the
last few years, the KX250F
still rips and is still one of our
favorite 250Fs on the track,
and it has been for quite
some time. It wasn't until 2014
when the all-new YZ250F
came out that it knocked
the KX250F off the top step
of our Cycle News Shoot-
out podium. Even so, the
KX250F put up one heck of
a fight. The YZ won again in
2015 with the KX again taking
a close second.
The main reason for the
KX's recent success is its
engine, but you already know
that. It's been the cream of
the crop for several years in
that department and it has
been right up until the last
couple of years when some of
the other manufactures were
able up to catch up to the
KX's powerful 249cc DOHC
motor and its Dual Fuel Injec-
tion (DFI) 12-hole downstream
injectors.
This bike just makes tons
of great power. It pulls hard
from top to bottom but most
importantly distributes that
power in a very effective and
useable way. It has a broad
powerband making it easy to
control for both the novice
and expert rider. It might not
have the most peak power in
its class (the 2015 Husqvarna
FC 250, KTM 250 SX-F and
YZ250F made more power
on top than the KX250F did)
(Left) How can
you tell the 2016
KX250F from the
'15? Simple, the
green fender.
2012 KX250F
owner rejoice.
(Right) The
KX250F isn't
known for its
agility but you can
still make it what
you do want in
the air.
