S o ... as I ’ m sure you already know , Kawasaki didn ’ t just create these bikes within the last year during this pandemic . These all-new models have been in the pipeline for years and , at a guess , have been waiting for the electric start system to come as a stock part on the MX bikes . However , they couldn ’ t have come at a better time for Kawasaki lovers as the motorcycling industry is having quite the resurgence post lock-down . Now , it ’ s been a minute since off-road green riders have had much to ya-hoo about . The KX range has always been competitive in the moto scene , but Kawasaki ’ s sole off-road competition duties fell squarely on the KLX450R . A great all-round trail riding bike built for comfort , not speed . Starting with the KX450 and KX250 as a very good base setting , the new KX450XC and KX250XC build from that , having had minimal adjustments and additions done to bring them into off-road spec . Both bikes are laced with an
18-inch rear wheel , giving the rider a wider range of suitable tyres to choose from . They both also grow a side stand , plastic bash plate and enjoy 1-extra tooth on the rear sprocket . Perhaps more interestingly , the specs sheets put both XC ’ s seat heights and ground clearances at 5mm lower than the motocross bikes they breed from . A lower ground clearance in the bush is not ideal , but 5mm is negligible in the real world . The tank capacities stay the same at 6.2 litres , though I ’ d like to see that increase in future updates . The only other changes come in the form of engine maps , optimised for off-road riding ( no change to the actual engine ), lower spring rates both front and back for the 450XC , while the 250XC only goes down one rate in the front . Both have revised valving for bush riding . All these tweaks only add 1.4kg ( 450 XC ) and 1.7kg ( 250 XC ) of extra weight to the bikes . And with how balanced the bikes are , you don ’ t notice that at all when out on the track either .
48 KIWI RIDER