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- A KLX with Thai sauce
- Unlikely proportions for this KLX transformed into a supermotard. The Japanese recipe draws its ingredients from its market in Thailand. With a budget of € 3,199, soy sauce seems to be taking.
- Conclusion
A KLX with Thai sauce
Unlikely proportions for this KLX transformed into a supermotard. The Japanese recipe draws its ingredients from its market in Thailand. With a budget of € 3,199, soy sauce seems to be taking.
Korean or Chinese brands are starting to see the Japanese replica getting organized. Like Honda with its CBF 125 made in India (displayed at less than 2,000 € until the end of June), Kawasaki decided to attack the competition by enlisting the services of a Thai factory. We can see it on the manufacturer’s plate and even on the tires, Dunlop Thaïland. "But the engine is assembled in Japan," says one at the importer of this small motorcycle in which he did not believe too much. And seems rather surprised by the reception of this KLX made up as a supermotard.
To get there, nothing could be simpler. Spoked rims shod with road tires and side scoops which usually enclose a water radiator. For once, the block is cooled by air and was drawn from the manufacturer’s organ bank. A venerable five-speed single-cylinder that only develops 10.3 horsepower for a weight of 114 kg. Nothing to fantasize about on paper.
After starting, however, the smile emerges at the first decibels. The "2 valves" is expressive to say the least and the sound worthy of a Dax, sulphatic way. It’s quirky and fun. This invites you not to take yourself seriously anyway, like the overall appearance of the thing. Above, nothing to show off. The whole thing looks like nothing … else. Kawasaki wanted to make the D-Tracker accessible to motorhomes, and therefore easily housed at the back of this type of boat. We had to study the right proportions. The 14-inch rims against 17 usually when you want to be credible in supermotard, find their justification here. Obviously, it’s less rewarding. So we have to compensate with a little derision.
This quality is revealed by the performance of the machine. Voluntary, even a little coupleuse, it needs to be whipped in the towers to get out of traffic and be taken to the edge of the red zone at 105 km / h on the digital block which gives all the information, of the speed motor at speed.
With the left hand, we try to scratch a small kilometer per hour by giving small jolts to the clutch. It is racing and 2-stroke. By the way, the sound of low revs gives way to the howl of a little overworked 4-stroke. And soon to some slight vibrations. A sixth gear would rest everyone.
This limited performance does not prevent this modest machine from doing wonders on winding roads. Turn after turn, you have to resolve to forget the brakes so as not to come out when stationary. This is because the ground clearance is particularly comfortable for those who want to fully exploit the part-cycle of the machine provided with an inverted fork of the most rewarding. It is therefore in the attack that the D-Tracker is illustrated, and also in the suction of other machines to hope to follow them..
However, the small motorcycle was designed as an urban machine. To allow motorhome operators to do their shopping in town. Again, no problem. The size of the motorcycle is more roomy. Thin, it is also relatively short and the upright position of the pilot does not tire. Especially, the small wheels of 14 are endowed with a strong clearance, 150 and 180 mm front / rear. This allows you to walk up the sidewalks to park as close as possible to a business. To say the least, practical.
In terms of safety, braking is also up to standard. No ABS but sufficient and dosable power, enhanced by an endowment of discs in petals. As for the inverted fork, "it is never that a fork upside down" will slip a mechanic, it is not more expensive than full discs, but that makes its owner happy. And this is the essential.
Conclusion
Like Kawasaki France before importing it, there is nothing to get excited about on paper with this D-Tracker. But the recipe for an improbable supermotard-made KLX with 14-inch rims and a current-performance stepper motor works against all odds. Just don’t take yourself seriously and taste the spirit of D-Tracker as a separate machine. A mix between an urban machine and a laces tracker, the price of which could still be passed through the centrifuge. The fact is that now, the recipe for old mills that have written off is no longer an anecdote. But a new way to attack the market.
Strong points
- low speed sound
- maneuverability
- ground clearance
Weak points
- top speed
- price a bit high (3.199 €)
Available in black
Datasheet
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