It hasn’t taken the KX250F long to become one of the main weapons of choice for discerning riders in the hotly contested MX2 class.
Having made what many consider the definitive two-stroke quarter litre MX machine, Kawasaki had a tough act to follow with their first 250cc thumper – and the KX250F has not disappointed.
The white heat of competition has quickly moulded and refined the KX250F, and the 2009 incarnation is reckoned to be the best yet.
Testers at MotoX magazine commented that the KX250F has been “…up there with the best in the power stakes repeatedly in recent years...”, and “with a totally revised frame and chassis, not to mention another slight improvement in engine performance, the ’09 KX250F has become the all round package to beat in the 250F class”.
So what of that package?
Well a new cylinder head has revised intake ports and stronger titanium valves deliver improved performance at all revs. In fact during the head casting process, the cores of the intake ports are actually given a special coating to make them smoother giving increased efficiency across the entire rev range.
Less mechanical loss from the transmission has been achieved by a reduction in oil capacity. Meanwhile the relocated scavenge oil screen is now accessed without splitting the crankcases which was a fair criticism of the original machine.
Moto magazine were also bowled over by the KX250F with Dave Willet commenting that it is, “…a weapon… it has so much power for a 250F and turns like a dream, with a few selective changes I feel you could have a bike that’s competitive in the Maxxis British Championship” – praise indeed.
With separate ignition maps to aid quick starting and then to reduce engine braking when a gear is engaged, the ’09 KX250F is certainly trick kit. Revised ignition timing also improves the feeling at low revs, while a lost spark control system gives better rev limiter performance too.
In fact Moto magazine went so far as to describe the KX250F’s overrun as “shrieking”, as well as saying the Kawasaki has “…been the best 250 for years, and for this year it’s improved significantly...it’s still the No1 for the rev happy race head”.
During the season we’ll come back to the awesome 250F and look exactly what makes that jewel-like engine tick…and conduct a comprehensive chassis overview. For now, rest assured that the bikes being used in the 2009 Kawasaki Masters Championship really do represent the best of the best.
Having made what many consider the definitive two-stroke quarter litre MX machine, Kawasaki had a tough act to follow with their first 250cc thumper – and the KX250F has not disappointed.
The white heat of competition has quickly moulded and refined the KX250F, and the 2009 incarnation is reckoned to be the best yet.
Testers at MotoX magazine commented that the KX250F has been “…up there with the best in the power stakes repeatedly in recent years...”, and “with a totally revised frame and chassis, not to mention another slight improvement in engine performance, the ’09 KX250F has become the all round package to beat in the 250F class”.
So what of that package?
Well a new cylinder head has revised intake ports and stronger titanium valves deliver improved performance at all revs. In fact during the head casting process, the cores of the intake ports are actually given a special coating to make them smoother giving increased efficiency across the entire rev range.
Less mechanical loss from the transmission has been achieved by a reduction in oil capacity. Meanwhile the relocated scavenge oil screen is now accessed without splitting the crankcases which was a fair criticism of the original machine.
Moto magazine were also bowled over by the KX250F with Dave Willet commenting that it is, “…a weapon… it has so much power for a 250F and turns like a dream, with a few selective changes I feel you could have a bike that’s competitive in the Maxxis British Championship” – praise indeed.
With separate ignition maps to aid quick starting and then to reduce engine braking when a gear is engaged, the ’09 KX250F is certainly trick kit. Revised ignition timing also improves the feeling at low revs, while a lost spark control system gives better rev limiter performance too.
In fact Moto magazine went so far as to describe the KX250F’s overrun as “shrieking”, as well as saying the Kawasaki has “…been the best 250 for years, and for this year it’s improved significantly...it’s still the No1 for the rev happy race head”.
During the season we’ll come back to the awesome 250F and look exactly what makes that jewel-like engine tick…and conduct a comprehensive chassis overview. For now, rest assured that the bikes being used in the 2009 Kawasaki Masters Championship really do represent the best of the best.
