Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/142700
VOL. 50 ISSUE 27 JULY 9, 2013 P81 SPECIFICATIONS The motor is basically the same, but the five-speed transmission got some fine-tuning. similar to last year's fork around the rest of the track, and that's a compliment. The only other thing you might feel a little differently on the 2014 KX over the 2013 KX250F is the grips. Compound is softer and they're a little shorter. We're stoked with the softer compound but not completely sold on the shorter design; it just makes things feel a little cramped. One of these days, Kawasaki will get the grip thing figured out. Not sure why it's taking so long, though. Otherwise, the new KX250F feels very similar to last year's but a little better, mainly because of the addition of Launch Control Mode. The new fork offers improved performance in certain areas, and shifting is at least as good, if not a little better, as before. Everything else about the bike is pretty much how we remembered. It still retains its powerful and robust motor, solid chassis and stout suspension. Turning, however, still isn't one of its stronger points. It just doesn't quite have that responsiveness as some of the other bikes in its class, but it still gets the job done in that all-important department. The 250mm disc brake up front is strong and effective, as is the 240mm disc in the back. The bike is as comfortable as ever, maybe even more so thanks to its improved grips. From what we could tell from our one-day introductory ride, the KX250F is improved – albeit slightly – over the 2013 model. Will it stay at the top of its class, however? With the all-new Yamaha YZ250F and updated Honda CRF250R coming down the pike, the KX will no doubt have a fight on its hands, but it's a fight the KX will certainly be ready for. CN Even on a 250, Kawasaki's Launch Control Mode has its advantages. 2014 Kawasaki KX250F ENGINE: ......................Liquid-cooled 4-stroke Single w/DOHC, 4-valve cylinder head DISPLACEMENT: ............................. 249cc BORE X STROKE: .............77.0 x 53.6mm FUELING: .............DFI with 43mm Keihin throttle body and dual injectors COMPRESSION RATIO: .................... 13.8:1 IGNITION: .................................Digital CDI TRANSMISSION: ..............5-speed w/wet multi-disc manual clutch FINAL DRIVE: ................................... Chain FRAME: ................... Aluminum perimeter RAKE/TRAIL: .......28.7 degrees / 5.0 in. FRONT SUSPENSION: ..... 48mm inverted Showa SFF telescopic fork w/40-way spring preload adjustability, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound damping adj. REAR SUSPENSION: ....................Uni-Trak linkage system; single Showa shock w/9-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression damping, 22-position rebound damping and fully adj. spring preload FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL:..................12.4 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL:....................12.2 in. FRONT TIRE: ........................ 80/100-21in. REAR TIRE: .........................100/90-19 in. FRONT BRAKE: ................................ Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc w/dual piston caliper REAR BRAKE: ..........Single 240mm petal disc w/single-piston caliper WHEELBASE: ..................................58.1 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ...................13.0 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................37.2 in. CURB WEIGHT: ......................... 233.6 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: ....................1.61 gallons COLOR: ...................................Lime Green MSRP: .................................................TBA