Motorcyclist

2013 Kawasaki KX Review

March 19, 2013

Intro

The 2013 Kawasaki KX line is a group of models with a hard-hitting, quick motor that works best when short-shifted all the way through. The throttle is flat and seamless, making for a smooth ride when you’re hitting jumps and buzzing your way up hills. In addition, the upgraded front forks provide a more progressive dampening and improved rigidity. There’s also a new swingarm featuring a longer cast front section, as well as tapered hydroformed spars.

An improved intake tract has straightened more than ever, creating a more direct airflow, and a revised piston profile provides better durability. A shorter stainless steel headpipe with resonator chamber adds more low-RPM kick creating a smoother ride through the redline. These bikes are durable and made for riders who want to explore their way through the tracks and canyons.

New For 2013

Wet multi-disc manual clutch
48mm Kayaba Pneumatic Spring Fork (PSF) that replaces the main fork springs with compressed air.
The 32mm internal damping cartridge is much larger than last year""s, which had 24mm pistons.

2013 Kawasaki KX Specs

Model: KX65, KX85, KX100, KX250F, KX450F
Engine Type: Two-stroke single; Two-stroke single with KIPS (85 and 100); Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single (250F and 400F)
Bore and Stroke: 44.5 x 41.6mm; 48.5 x 45.8mm ; 52.5 x 45.8mm; 77.0 x 53.6mm; 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 8.4:1, 10.0:1 (low speed) – 9.2:1 (high speed), 9.6:1 (low speed) – 8.8:1 (high speed), 13.1:1, 12.5:1
Valve Train: DOHC and four-valve cylinder head (250F and 400F)
Induction: Four-petal reed valve; Crankcase reed valve; Two-petal reed valve; DFI with 43mm Keihin throttle body and dual injectors; DFI with 43mm Keihin throttle body
Ignition: Digital CDI (65, 85, 100), Digital DC-CDI
Transmission: Six-speed (65, 85, 100), Five-speed with wet multi-disc manual clutch, five-speed
Final Drive: Chain
Fuel Capacity: 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.61, 1.64 gallons
Estimated Fuel Economy: Unavailable
Brakes (Front): Hydraulic disc (65, 85, 100); Single semi-floating 250mm petal disc with dual piston caliper; Single rigid-mount 250mm petal disc with dual-piston caliper.
Brakes (Rear): Disc (65, 85, 100); Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper; Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Suspension (Front): 33mm leading axle conventional fork with four-way rebound damping/8.3 inch travel; 36mm inverted telescopic cartridge fork with 18-way compression damping/10.8 inch travel (85, 100); 48mm inverted Showa SFF telescopic fork with 40-way spring preload adjustability and 22-position compression and 20-position rebound damping adjustability/ 12.4 inch travel; 48mm inverted, Kayaba PSF with DLC coated sliders, 22-position compression and 20-position rebound dampening adjustment/12.4 inch travel.
Suspension (Rear): Uni-Trak single shock system with four-way rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload/9.4 inch travel; Uni-Trak single-shock system with 4-way compression and 16-way rebound damping, plus adjustable spring preload/10.8 inch travel (85, 100); Uni-Trak linkage system and Showa shock with 9 position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression damping, 22 position rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload/12.2 inch travel; Uni-Trak linkage system and Kayaba shock with 50mm piston, 22-position low-speed and stepless high-speed compression dampening, 33-position rebound dampening and fully adjustable spring preload/12.4 inch travel.
Wheelbase: 44.1, 49.4, 50.8, 58.1, 58.3 inches
Rake: 27 degress (65, 85, 100), 28.7 degrees, 26.9 degrees
Trail: 2.4, 3.5, 4.1, 5.0, 4.4 inches
Seat Height: 29.9, 33.1, 34.3, 37.4, 37.6
Curb Weight: 132.2, 152.1, 156.5, 233.6, 248.0 pounds
Tires (Front): 60/100x14 , 70/100x17, 70/100x19, 80/100-21, 80/100-21
Tires (Rear): 80/100x12, 90/100x14, 90/100x16, 100/90-19, 120/80-19

Accessories

Billet Lever and Perch Assembly: Made by Works Connection, this perch is precision machined from billet aluminum for durability. Lever has sealed ball bearings for ultra-smooth lever pull. Nylon sleeve allows the perch to rotate upon impact. Rubber boot keeps out dirt and grime.
Pro Circuit Airbox Screen Eliminator Kit: Eliminates the power-bobbing screen in the airbox. These items are intended for closed-course competition use only. Alteration of emissions-related components can constitute violation of federal and/or state laws. Substantial fines and penalties can result if used for other than closed-course competition use.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Kawasaki KX

2013 Husqvarna WR
2013 Yamaha YZ 125
2013 Yamaha YZ 250
2013 Yamaha YZ 400