The Kawasaki KX 85 motorcycle is a motocross bike

the Kawasaki KX 85 motocross motorcycle

produced from 2001 to the present. This model is sports equipment for learning motocross for children and teenagers. The Kawasaki KX 85 features a steel frame, a powerful 2-stroke engine, KIPS (Integrated Power Valve System) and long-travel sports suspensions. An important advantage of this motorcycle is the price, which allows you to get an excellent device for gaining initial motocross skills for little money.

Main modifications:

• Kawasaki KX 85-I
  - the modification is distinguished by 17′ (front) and 14′ (rear) wheels.
• Kawasaki KX 85-II
  - the modification is distinguished by 19′ (front) and 16′ (rear) wheels.

The main feature of the Kawasaki KX 85 is a 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with a capacity of 84 cc. see, producing 28.5 hp. power and 17.2 Nm of torque. The presence of the KIPS power valve system allows you to obtain a variable engine compression ratio, which depends on the operating speed. All this significantly smoothes the power curve and increases traction at low revs.

In 2014, the model undergoes a slight restyling, receiving updated suspension settings, engine settings (KIPS settings), overall dimensions, braking system (petal discs of increased diameter), fuel tank (became smaller by 0.5 liters) and new plastic elements.

The “older” brother of the model is the Kawasaki KX 125.

The main competitors of the Kawasaki KX 85 in the class:

• Honda CR 85
• Suzuki RM 85
• Yamaha YZ 85

Appearance

The Kawasaki KX 85 looks bright. Even in the photo. This is achieved by design: the combination of bright green and white makes the motorcycle sporty.

In motion this is only confirmed. Looking at the video, it is clear that this is a powerful and original motorcycle that is perfect for motocross and more.

The car looks interesting thanks to the stylish wings that rise high above the tires. Of course, the ground clearance here is huge, and the wheels are spoked. The striking design is also evident in the shape of the frame. Yes, it is not fundamentally different from those of motocross bikes, but it still looks special in some ways.

Comfort

This bike is easy to maintain, because you can easily get spare parts for it. And it’s inexpensive, considering how much a particular part costs.

And all because the model is still in production. It’s realistic to buy a new motorcycle and, perhaps, in this case the risk of encountering problems is lower.

The bike is unlikely to be comfortable in urban conditions. In addition, it makes a lot of noise and will therefore cause discomfort to others. But for motocross and rural areas, it’s unlikely that anything will be better suited than this option. After all, this technique copes excellently with off-road conditions. Not only sport bikes and road motorcycles, but even enduro bikes are not capable of this.

Dimensions and weight

In terms of dimensions, this is a light, jumpy motorcycle in the literal sense, which is intended primarily for motocross.

If you keep this in mind, then its relative instability somewhere on the track in the middle of a field during strong gusts of wind hardly seems a minus. This is not a touring bike.

The dimensions are:

• height – 1150 mm;
• width – 765 mm;
• length – 1920 mm;
• wheelbase – 1310 mm;
• seat height – 870 mm;
• ground clearance - 330 mm;
• curb weight – 75 kg;
• Tank capacity – 5 l.

Of course, the volume of the gas tank here is minimal. And you can’t travel far from a gas station on such a motorcycle. But objectively this cannot be considered a disadvantage, because such equipment must literally fly when needed. Fly far and fast. And for such jumps to work, the configuration is appropriate.

2021 KAWASAKI KX85-I and KX85-II REVIEW

The updated KAWASAKI KX85 junior bike is the embodiment of the further development of the “big motorcycle in a small size” concept.

The technologies used in the KX85 are quite mature and taken from the older models of this series.

As a result, we get powerful and smooth thrust from a compact engine, ease of control, excellent absorption of obstacles by the suspension, reliable design and the signature coloring of the motorcycle of an aspiring champion.

The color name of the Japanese bike can be translated into Russian as “lime green”. Fresh, bright, positive, it perfectly suits an obedient and playful motorcycle for still “green”, but already very active riders.

“Drive faster! Jump higher! Be first!" - KX85 whispers loudly

The KAWASAKI KX85-I and KX85-II models use the same chassis, but differ in wheel sizes and, accordingly, are designed for different ages and heights of pilots. The difference is small but significant - the KAWASAKI KX85-I has 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels, while the KX85-II has 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels. This affects the overall dimensions of the motorcycle, wheelbase, ground clearance and even its weight - all parameters of the KAWASAKI KX85-II are slightly larger than the KX85-I, it is even a couple of kilograms heavier. But it is especially important that the saddle height of the smaller model is 830 millimeters versus 870 millimeters of the larger one, which primarily determines the permissible height of the young rider.

Engine KAWASAKI KX85

KAWASAKI engineers have created a unique power unit of its kind - a lightweight and compact two-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with impressive power and smooth traction at any speed.

Lightweight, powerful and compact KAWASAKI KX85 engine

The KIPS valve system automatically increases or decreases the volume of the combustion chamber depending on the speed and, accordingly, changes the engine compression ratio from 10.9:1 at low speeds to 9.0:1 at high speeds, which compensates for the disadvantages of a conventional two-stroke engine and allows for smoothing power curve. Thanks to this technology, the highly boosted and high-revving sports power unit has good traction not only while driving, but also right from the start.

The six-speed gearbox and wet clutch provide a wide range of traction and speed ratios. Liquid cooling will prevent the engine from overheating even in the harshest conditions, such as mud or sand. The fuel supply system uses a simple, reliable Keihin PWK28 carburetor and digital ignition. The engine produces 17.2 Hm of torque at 11,000 rpm and a maximum power of 35 hp. With. at 12 thousand rpm.

Keihin PWK series carburetors are very common in small sports vehicles

KAWASAKI KX85 suspension

A small motorcycle does not mean a simple one! The KAWASAKI KX85 fork and shock absorber are slightly smaller copies of parts from the adult cross-country models of the KX series. The inverted telescopic fork with 36mm legs has 20 stages of compression damping adjustment.

Upside-down fork, durable and with protective pads on the legs

The rear shock system is equally feature rich, with progressive lower-link Uni-Trak suspension, preload adjustment, 24-way compression adjustment, and 21-way rebound damping adjustment.

External reservoir shock absorber as part of Uni-Trak rear suspension

The front fork and rear suspension have the same 275mm of travel, which is plenty for serious motocross use.

Chassis KAWASAKI KX85

The perimeter steel frame provides the necessary combination of strength, rigidity and weight, while at the same time providing partial protection for the engine components in the event of a fall. Thanks also to it, the total weight of the motorcycle does not go beyond 75 kilograms for the KX85-I version and 77 for the KAWASAKI KX85-II.

Steering column with increased steering angles up to 45 degrees

The design of the steering column allows you to turn the steering wheel up to 45 degrees in both directions, which can be very helpful when taxiing on rocky surfaces, in mud or any other conditions where you need to turn around almost on the spot.

Brakes KAWASAKI KX85

The requirements for the braking system of a motocross motorcycle are lower than those of a road motorcycle, but they have their own characteristics. In our case, both variants of the KX85 use petal discs, their shape helps the brake pads cool quickly and self-clean even in very busy and dirty conditions.

Even the rear caliper has its own protection! The petal brake disc is also clearly visible in the photo.

A two-piston caliper with a single 220mm disc at the front and a single-piston caliper with a 184mm disc at the rear is a necessary and sufficient combination of weight and braking power.

Features of KAWASAKI KX85

The entire KX series of motorcycles is conceived as exclusively sports equipment, therefore it does not include lighting and brake light systems, and the standard KAWASAKI KX85 generator is not designed for this. Also, in order to save weight, an electric starter is not installed; the engine is started by a kick starter. But, given the highly accelerated two-stroke engine, a 5-liter tank of decent volume for this class of equipment is installed. Like any other two-stroke vehicle, the power unit of this motorcycle requires a mixture of gasoline and special oil, which slightly reduces the usable capacity of the fuel tank.

Headlights and electric starter are unnecessary luxuries for sports equipment

For the KAWASAKI KX85, third-party manufacturers produce a large number of different improvements: Öhlins shock absorbers, protective pads for the frame, fork stays, brake discs, tuning kits and engine protection, exhaust systems and much more. In this respect, the small KX85 is also similar to similar adult models in the line.

This is what the Skid Plate looks like for a KAWASAKI KX85 engine

The KAWASAKI factory team has been supporting aspiring athletes for over 35 years, including creating some of the best sports motorcycles based on the wishes of their customers. The KAWASAKI KX85 model is well suited for those who have already learned to ride a little, mastering cross-country equipment with engines of 50–60 cubic centimeters, or for those who have simply outgrown it. This motorcycle is also good as an intermediate step on the way to full-size motocross models, especially considering the similar power capacity and level of technology used. In addition, the KX85 is also similar to adult models in its phenomenal “indestructibility” - as soon as a teenager outgrows the motorcycle in size or skill level, the bike can always be sold on the secondary market to the next lucky owner of a wide smile and a child-sized motocross “turtle”.

Specifications

The bike's parameters are impressive. But it's not about power or torque, per se. When assessing the technical characteristics of this equipment, it is necessary to take into account its dimensions. Only then will it be possible to objectively evaluate this car.

This is first and foremost a sports car, and already a port of transport. Regarding the weight and dimensions, the torque and power are impressive. It is a mistake to compare the latter with those of sportbikes.

There are completely different principles and concepts. So it’s worth comparing only with other motocross bikes. And if you do this, it turns out that the KX 85 is one of the best in its class.

History of changes

Since the start of release, some changes have taken place. However, this did not bring anything radically new to the motorcycle. However, these changes deserve attention. At the end of the day, this bike is sure to go down in motocross history and stay there forever.

Here are the changes that happened in 2014:

1. Minor design restyling.
2. New brake system.
3. Reduced fuel tank.
4. Updated suspension settings.

That's all the changes that happened to the car. And this does not prevent it from being one of the best cross-country options in the world for almost twenty years.

And perhaps this will remain so for many more years, because this technology looks promising even against the background of current competitors, the production of which began just a couple of years ago.

Brief history of the model

• 2001 - start of production and sales. First generation.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A1; KX85-B1.

• 2002 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A2; KX85-B2.

• 2003 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A3; KX85-B3.

• 2004 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A4; KX85-B4.

• 2005 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A5; KX85-B5.

• 2006 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A6F; KX85-B6F.

• 2007 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A7F; KX85-B7F.

• 2008 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A8F; KX85-B8F.

• 2009 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-A9F; KX85-B9F.

• 2010 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-AAF; KX85-BAF.

• 2011 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-ABF; KX85-BBF.

• 2012 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-ACF; KX85-BCF.

• 2013 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-ADF; KX85-BDF.

• 2014 - restyling of the model. Second generation
  .

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CEF; KX85-DEF.

• 2015 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CFF; KX85-DFF.

• 2016 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CGF; KX85-DGF.

• 2017 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CHF; KX85-DHF.

• 2018 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CJF; KX85-DJF.

• 2019 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CKF; KX85-DKF.

• 2020 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85-CLF; KX85-DLF.

• 2021 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85CMFNN; KX85DMFNN.

• 2022 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki KX85: : Kawasaki KX85-II (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
KX85CNFNN; KX85DNFNN.

What do the owners say?

Judging by the reviews of those who own a Kawasaki KX 85, it performs well on the road, but off-road it is much better. They warn that such a bike in the city is not only useless, but even slightly dangerous. If you really need to regularly drive through yards, you should buy yourself an enduro.

Someone in the review noted that such a machine is good for a farmer, and he is right. Just like this bike is good for other residents of rural areas. However, if a person just needs a light, single-seat open transport for rough terrain, an ATV is more suitable. Less traumatic.

According to the description of those who use such a bike specifically for racing, this is not the best machine today. However, she will give many a head start and, even if she doesn’t win, will help her perform with dignity. However, owners experienced in motocross note that even on such a small-capacity bike, a beginner has a high risk of injury.

And therefore, during the first training, it is advised to avoid any jumps. Even simple riding on such a bike often carries the risk of injury. So at first it is recommended to drive on a slightly uneven field with short grass. And gradually increase the difficulty.

In conclusion, the Kawasaki KX 85 is a great motocross bike. It is suitable for both those who have been riding such motorcycles for a long time, and those who have recently decided to switch to such equipment. The main positive qualities are lightness, speed and maneuverability. But do not forget that all this manifests itself on dry off-road conditions, and not on the highway.

Reviews

Reviews about Kawasaki KX 85:

Kawasaki KX85 motocross motorcycle for beginner motocross riders. If your child has already mastered 50 cc models and you decide that it’s time to move on to a more powerful motorcycle, then the Kawasaki KX85 is ideal because... Despite the small engine size, it has phenomenal power.

Equipped with a 2-stroke engine, front fork with 18-speed adjustment. Engine 84 cc cm with liquid cooling ensures reliable operation at all speeds. The motorcycle uses a KIPS system that controls engine operation and allows for increased torque at low and mid-range speeds, while maintaining excellent power in the high range.