Menus
Kawasaki
Driving report: Kawasaki
Kawasaki KX 250 F
What is remarkable about the new small KX is, in addition to the injection, the new fork from Showa, in which the suspension and damping are housed separately in the bars.
There are currently no really big innovations in the off-road sector. But it is known that progress is also made in small steps. In the case of the new KX 250 F, this includes the injection and the completely new Showa fork, in which a fork leg, the right one, is responsible for the suspension, while its counterpart is for the damping.
In any case, it is unusual that there is only one spring on one side. You first think of a rather one-sided load with high bending moments in the front axle. In fact, according to Kawasaki, the uneven application of force is not a problem, neither the axle mount nor the axle itself had to be reinforced on the new KX. What advantages should the SFF fork (Separate Function Front Fork) bring? It gives the designers in "Damping spar" more freedom and space for today’s highly complicated damper inserts. And in the right one "Suspension strut" an adjustment of the spring base can be accommodated without large technical pull-ups. The air cushion, which is important for the spring progression, is only formed on the left and is only varied there for individual adjustment. The bottom line is that the SFF fork also saves around 300 grams in weight.
Kawasaki
Some of the innovations can only be seen on closer inspection.
MOTORRAD regular tester Didi Lacher was able to try out how the new technology works outside on the slopes on the cross track in Gallarate, Italy. It is good to see that the KX, which was roaring loud up to now, sounds much tamer.
In contrast to its rather pointed predecessor, it now delivers its performance more evenly. Thanks to the excellent coordination of the injection, it hangs neatly on the gas and is easier to control than its more aggressive predecessor. On the other hand, the new one appears less powerful and easy to turn at the top, which is certainly also due to the quieter silencer. A similar fate finally met the competition, such as the formerly powerful 250cc KTM.
But now to the fork: First of all, it behaves like any conventional construction. It speaks cleanly, works progressively and tends to be rather soft. A hydraulic stop effectively prevents hard bottoming out. What is surprising is how strongly the SFF fork reacts to every small change in setting. Three clicks more pressure damping, and gentle response turns into unhealthy hardness. A knowledgeable, sensitive hand is required when voting.
In any case, the advantage is that the setting wheels clearly have an effect, which is not always the case. The disadvantage: If you are wrong, then you do it right. It is also noticeable that the damping bar warmed up significantly after a quarter of an hour’s drive. It’s obviously hot on the inside. A direct comparison with the new 250s will show whether the KX 250 F, once a class leader, can make up lost ground with new technology.
Related articles
-
Photo: Kawasaki 24 photos Kawasaki 1/24 Kawasaki 2/24 Kawasaki 3/24 Kawasaki 4/24 Kawasaki 5/24 Kawasaki 6/24 Kawasaki 7/24 Kawasaki 8/24 Kawasaki 9/24 …
-
Kawasaki Versys 1000 driving report
Wright driving report: Kawasaki Versys 1000 (with video) Kawasaki’s all-rounder now with a large four-cylinder No half measures: For the Versys there is now the …
-
Driving report Honda VTR 1000 time shift Japan is eight hours ahead of Germany, Honda is four weeks behind Suzuki – at least when it comes to the first…
-
Kawasaki Z 1000 in the driving report
Kawasaki 34 pictures Kawasaki 1/34 Dirty, brutal, extreme. The new Z 1000 has its eyes on evil. Kawasaki 2/34 Kawasaki 3/34 Kawasaki 4/34 Kawasaki …
-
Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report
Kawasaki 9 pictures Kawasaki 1/9 picture gallery: Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report. Kawasaki 2/9 The diet worked: Compared to the ER-6n, the Z 650 has …
-
Driving report Ducati 1098 R No compromises Your sole purpose is to achieve race victories. This is what the 1 098 R was built for. And for that she got so …
-
Gori driving report Bimota Tesi 3D Tesi is alive For a good 20 years, the high-class forge from Rimini has been trying its hand at motorcycles without a telescopic fork. Can the new Tesi …
-
Driving report Honda PS 125i Sushi Napoli Like its inexpensive, very successful predecessor, the Dylan 125, too P S 125i is produced in Atessa, southern…
-
Driving report: Kawasaki 1400 GTR
Kawasaki Driving report Kawasaki 1400 GTR (2009) Sporty touring machine With many changes in detail, a combination brake and even a traction control, the…
-
Driving report KTM 450 SX-F 2007
Driving report KTM 450 SX-F 2007 Modern Talking Brand new engine and a heavily revised chassis (see box on the right) leave no doubt …