5
th
Place
Kawasaki's KX250F has always found its
way to the pointy end of the 250 class rank-
ings. In a class as challenging as this, that's
no easy feat, proof of just how potent this
package has always been. Unfortunately for
the green team, the competition has stepped
it up for 2018, relegating the KX back to fifth
place. Kawasaki did throw a small number
of upgrades at the motorcycle, but in a class
where winners are chosen by even the small-
est details and advantages, the KX simply
falls short. Not by much, but by enough.
The KX250F is fast, referred to as a
"powerhouse" by more than one of our
testers, which is exactly what Kawasaki was
aiming for when updating its engine for 2018.
The power feels crisper than its predecessor
off the bottom, and its aggressive initial hit
enables you to jump off the corner faster than
you would on most other bikes. The midrange
is impressive, too, the bike revving quickly
and building speed but flattening out sooner
than most of the competition, specifically the
Husqvarna and KTM. Swapping the engine
map couplers trackside boosted low-end
performance, but had no noticeable effect on
the upper rpm range. Bummer.
A pair of Nissin brake calipers slow the
Kawasaki down, the front end comprised of
a two-piston caliper clamped to a 270mm
disc. Although not a deal breaker in terms
of performance, the package comes up
slightly short in terms of outright braking
power. Testers noticed that, compared to the
competition, you'd have to pull the KX's brake
lever with a little extra determination in order
VOL. 54 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 19, 2017 P83
KAWASAKI
KX250F
