Green is four go in 2011
By TMX Archives on 15th Jul 10
KAWASAKI is taking the MX2/250F class deadly serious in 2011 and has weighed-in with a massive update on its quarter-litre four-stroke MXer that has seen its engineers tackle every single area of what is an already popular model. The big update is of course the battery-less fuel injection for the four-valve double overhead cam engine.
But state-of-the-art SFF forks and all new Uni-Trak linkage at the back end complimented by a longer-stroke shock fitted into a revised aluminium chassis show just how hard Kawasaki is trying. The aim is of course to come-up with a light-handling, sharp-cornering yet stable on the straights chassis coupled to the sweetest revving engine in the business and hopefully, the quickest off-road missile in the business!
Team Green indicated just how serious they are this year at attracting YOUR custom by flying a select handful of riders to the former GP track at Malpensa in Italy to try out the bike on a really big, fast, hard-pack track rather than risk a boggy day in Blighty, ensuring the best possible test conditions. All-round ace MARTIN CRAVEN, who operates the excellent Fat Cat Motoparc in Doncaster on a full-time basis, an expert motocrosser as well as extreme enduro hardcase (he has competed successfully in Erzberg, Hell's Gate, the Red Bull Romaniacs and the awesome Barcelona Indoor among many events) Martin has ridden every possible kind of
Says Martin: On the flight out to Italy I was really eager to get my hands on the new 2011 Kawasaki 250F for two main reasons, the chance to try the latest fuel injected engine and getting to grips with the new Showa FSS front fork set-up. The venue, the former Grand Prix track at Malpensa on the outskirts of Milan was in perfect condition, prepped and primed ready for a really good day's testing.
Kawasaki weren't leaving anything to chance and had mechanics and even expert Showa suspension technicians to look after the all-new front forks and rear shock. So following discussions with the Showa technician on the new FSS System forks I fired-up the four-stroke single and had my first taste of the new machine.
Immediately after setting off it was obvious that the power delivery felt good, the ergonomics of the bike felt even better, nice and slim and making the bike really manoeuverable. The forks on the other hand were initially far too soft for my weight (note to self!) and clearly needed adjusting. With riding gear on I have to admit to being around 15 stone so lighter riders will very likely find the stock springs fine. Clearly the average Japanese MXer weighs sub 10 stone wet through.
So, after a quick comfort break and a discussion with the suspension guys I began the next test session, complete with a new fork leg, fitted with a stronger spring (a Kawasaki option) and new settings on the rear to match the new front set-up. The bike was instantly transformed, a totally different animal. It sat up more at the front, just soaked-up the
landings off the jumps and instantly cornered as if it were on rails, honestly it felt just perfect for me.
Which brings us to the engine. Kawasaki has obviously been listening to their top riders and they have gone for peak revs - and achieved just that with a soaring rev-range that extends way into over-rev territory. Kawasaki also claims increased low and mid-range torque. Being honest, it didn't quite feel like that - although I'm pretty sure I know why! The bike as tested did sport what I felt was too-high overall gearing and a quick conflab with other riders at the test confirmed this. What it did mean was that the bike could be held in a gear for a long time. Bang it in second or third - in the slick five-speed box - and you could accelerate hard for a long way without needing to change gear and of course one of the reasons for this is the fact that the engine does really rev out. I am pretty sure that most riders would want to experiment with the gearing though to compliment their style and the tracks they ride.
By the afternoon the bike set-up was set just about perfect for me so I went out and just had the most awesome ride. The 2011 Kawasaki 250F really was a delight to ride. The seat was a little on the soft side for me personally (that 15 stone again!) and the front brake was slightly spongy but the bike worked hard all day in 90 degree heat without ever missing a beat. It cornered so fast and sweet and the motor was a pleasure to cane.
Kawasaki and its Team Green brand are one of the strongest in the off-road world and there are many riders who start their careers on a Kawa two-stroke in the youths and continue to buy green as long as they ride. What Kawasaki is clearly trying to do with the 2011 250F is first and foremost produce a bike that is a class leader and sells on its own merits, obviously keeping their loyal customers but converting some from other brands.
I have to say, if I were in the market for buying a new 250 ‘crosser the 2011 Kawasaki would take some beating.
SPECIFICATIONS
2011 Kawasaki KX250F
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke with four-valve DOHC head and fuel-injection
Displacement: 249 cc
Bore x Stroke: 77.0 x 53.6 mm
Compression Ratio: 13.5 : 1
Fuel System: Fuel injection with Keihin 43 mm throttle body
Ignition: Digital DC-CDI
Starting: Primary kick
Lubrication: Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission: 5-speed, return
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet multi-disc, manual
CHASSIS
Type: Lightweight, slim aluminium perimeter frame constructed of forged, extruded and cast parts with detachable sub-frame
TYRES
Front: 80/100-21 51M
Rear: 100/90-19 57M
SUSPENSION
Front: 47 mm upside-down Showa SFF telescopic fork with 22-way compression & 20-way rebound damping, 60-way spring pre-load
Wheel Travel: 315 mm
Rear: New Uni-Trak linkage system and damper with 13-way (low-speed) & 2-turns or more (high-speed) compression damping, 17-way rebound damping & fully adjustable spring pre-load
Wheel Travel: 310 mm
BRAKES
Front: Single semi-floating 250 mm petal disc & dual-piston caliper
Rear: Single 240 mm petal disc & single-piston caliper
ANCILLARIES
Handlebars: Renthal aluminium with cross-brace
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length: 2,170 mm
Overall Width: 820 mm
Overall Height: 1,270 mm
Wheelbase: 1,475 mm
Ground Clearance: 330 mm
Seat Height: 945 mm
Kerb Mass: 105.7 kg (EUR)