VOL. 53 ISSUE 35 SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 P95
2017 KAWASAKI KX250F
ENGINE TYPE: ...........249cc liquid-cooled
DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valves
BORE X STROKE: ............. 77.0 x 53.6mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 13.7:1
FUEL DELIVERY: ........... DFI 43mm Keihin
throttle body dual injectors
IGNITION: ........................... Digital DC-CDI
TRANSMISSION: ..... 5-speed; multi-plate
wet clutch
FINAL DRIVE: .....................................Chain
FRONT SUSPENSION: ........ 48mm Showa
SFF-2 separate function fork, 12.2
inches travel
REAR SUSPENSION: ..... Uni-Trak linkage,
Showa rear shock, 12.2 inches travel
FRONT BRAKE: ............... 270mm Braking
petal-style disc w/two-piston caliper
REAR BRAKE: .......240mm Braking petal-
style disc w/single-piston caliper
FRONT TIRE: ... 80/100-21 Dunlop MX3S
REAR TIRE: ...... 100/90-19 Dunlop MX3S
SEAT HEIGHT: ................................37.0 in.
WHEELBASE: .................................. 58.1 in.
GROUND CLEARANCE: ................... 12.6 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: ..........................1.69 gal.
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: ........... 229.9 lbs.
COLOR: ................................... Lime Green
MSRP: ...............................................$7749
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
The 2017 KX250F is 1.3
inches narrow from radiator
shroud to radiator shroud, a big
contributor to the very narrow
feel. The seat is also much flat-
ter leading into the lower gas
tank, creating an ultra flat seat-
ing position. Sliding forward for
corners on the KX250F is very
easy. The lighter overall feel of
>>PROS
•Improved power
•Better chassis and better cornering
•Wide range of adjustability
>>CONS
•Loud exhaust
•Fast wearing chain guide and slider
the KX250F also makes it easier
to corner. Laying over into ruts
and trusting the front wheel is
much easier now.
The suspension changes
have helped further balance
the KX250F. Compliance over
small chop is better and keep-
ing a consistent arc through
corners is improved. Keeping
the sag around 105mm worked
best for us. Too little sag, around
100mm, actually made it feel a
little twitchy up front, a trait never
experienced from pervious KX
models. Some testers familiar
with previous KX models liked as
much as 110mm of sag, depend-
ing on the track conditions.
BETTER OR WORSE?
With a good amount of track
time aboard our 2017 KX250F
test bike, there is no doubt the
changes Kawasaki implemented
have created a better KX250F.
It is lighter, faster, narrower and
better handling. CN
GEAR ID'D
GEARSET: ANSWER SYNCRON
HELMET: SCORPION VX-R70
GOGGLES: EKS BRAND
BOOTS: SIDI CROSSFIRE 2/ALPINESTARS TECH 10
