Kawasaki KX250F Review (Top Speed, Specs and Features)

From the moment it was introduced to the market, the Kawasaki KX250F has been consistently regarded as one of the most formidable competitors in the 250-cc class of motocrossers. New features are added to the bike every year, which helps to ensure that it remains at the top of the pack. The KX250F stands out on any track due to its robust combination of race-bred suspensions and powerful aerodynamics.

With its blistering speed, fast throttle response, knobby tires, and super-agile control, this bike is ready for any racecourse. It’s no coincidence that it has more Supercross and Pro Motocross wins than any other OEM combined.

But what distinguishes the KX250F from other motocross bikes available today? Is it capable of giving the impression of riding a monster truck, even if it’s a bike? I am going to answer these questions in this review. I will also discuss the most important aspects of the KX250F features, and specs.

Kawasaki KX250F Overview

The Kawasaki KX250F is a motocross bike that Kawasaki manufactures. It is an updated version of the KX 250. It is used mainly for racing in motocross competitions. The bike has been in production since 2004 and is still being manufactured.

Throughout the course of its production history, the KX250F has been subjected to several changes, each of which has been a favorite of off-road enthusiasts for many years. At the 2003 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, the bike was unveiled for the first time. After that, it was introduced in 2004 as a model for the following year; 2005, and was one of the numerous four-stroke motocross bikes released that year by Japanese motorcycle manufacturers.

Due to its incredible speed, the Kawasaki KX250F had astounding success in both sales and racing performances. It won the 2004 AMA Supercross Lites West championship with Ernesto Fonseca, and went on to win the 2005 and 2006 AMA Motocross Lites West championships with Michael Byrne and Ryan Villopoto, respectively.

This bike is regularly praised for its exceptional handling, partly owing to its frame geometry, which is incredibly stiff and lightweight, and its single backbone design and high-tensile steel. It also allows the rider to make swift transitions through bumps and curves, which is not the case with many other motocross bikes available today.

Its fuel injection technology is the primary distinction between it and Kawasaki’s iconic dirt bike—the KX 250, which is another feature that sets it apart from the others.

The KX250F features a Keihin 44mm throttle body injection system, unlike the standard KX 250 equipped with a Keihin 28mm carburetor. Both bikes have a lot of similarities.

Kawasaki KX250F Specs and Features

Since its debut, the Kawasaki KX250F has undergone multiple iterations, each of which has introduced a few novel capabilities. The key features of the 2022 KX 250 are as follows:

Engine

The engine of the 2022 KX250F is a single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC design that is capable of producing a maximum power output of 39.5 horsepower. It makes use of Kawasaki’s KIPS technology, which makes variable intake port timing feasible. This results in an improvement in both power and torque. The revised cylinders and pistons in this year’s model contribute to better handling of the vehicle.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The KX250F has a five-speed transmission and a light-action, multi-disc wet clutch using a coil spring rather than the steel plate spring seen on most motocross bikes. Whenever the engine stalls, this design makes it feel better and lowers the number of times it stalls.

An additional advantage is a more streamlined clutch cover, which helps the KX250F maintain its compact chassis profile. This cable-operated heat dissipation system is made up of two steel and six friction plates. Its final drive is a 120-link, 520-pitch chain.

Ignition

The ignition system of the KX250F is equipped with a Digital CDI that is fully adjustable to handle any track conditions. You can adjust the ignition advance curve in three stages with the extra parts. By adjusting the sensor that is attached to the crankcase, it is also possible to fine-tune the timing of the ignition.

Fuel System

The KX250F has a fuel injection system with two injectors, and each throttle body has an injector mounted. The system is also equipped with a fuel pump. The second injector is located further downstream and helps atomize the air and fuel mixture by closing the intake valve.

Injection “staging” ensures a precise fuel mixture for maximum power. The DFI coupler links the secondary injector to the ECU, allowing for a “staged” fuel injection system. Using its two injectors, its ECU can give a precise fuel mixture independent of engine rpm and throttle position.

Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM)

The KX250F is the first commercial motocross bike from Kawasaki to incorporate the KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode). This technology allows riders to select a launch rpm from within a predetermined range of engine revolutions per minute (rpm). It also allows riders to define specified rpm ranges for the engine.

The engine will stay within that range even after the rider engages the clutch, and it will not rev higher than that range until the rider releases the clutch. Because of this, riders will have more confidence when starting because the rear tire of their bike will not spin too much.

Suspensions

The front suspension of the KX250F features a 48mm inverted telescopic coil-spring fork with 23-way compression damping and 20-way rebound damping, respectively. On the other hand, the rear has a New Uni-Trak with dual-range forks with a top speed of 2.25 turns, compression damping, 38-way rebound damping, and variable preload.

Brakes

The front and rear brakes of the 250F are both petal disc brakes, with the front discs being 270 mm and the rear discs measuring 240 mm. With these discs, you can anticipate better braking power as well as an improved brake feel.

The radial-pump master cylinder is paired with a lightweight, stiff dual-piston caliper featured on the bike’s semi-floating front disc brake. The 250F also comes with a hydraulic clutch actuation.

Dimensions

The 85.8-inch overall length of the Kawasaki KX 250 distinguishes it among motocross bikes. It measures 49.8 inches tall from the bottom of the handlebars to the top. It has a width of 32.3 inches and a wheelbase of 1,485 mm.

The ground clearance measures 13.2 inches, and the turning radius measures 3.8 m. It has a seat height of 37.4 inches, a dry weight of 226.4 pounds, and a fuel capacity of 1.64 gals.

Exterior

The perimeter frame and swingarm of the KX250F are both made of aluminum, making them strong enough to withstand any condition. The reinforced steering head tube, tapered front edges, increased main spar, gusset-free cross members, and thicker central perimeter spars are all features of the cast aluminum rear of this bike.

Its rear subframe is made of cast aluminum, and it couples with the engine mount in the front to create a single structure that is exceptionally strong and stiff.

Wheels and Tires

The KX250F wheels are lightweight and durable, with the series’ smallest front hub to date. Similarly, the rear one is smaller and lighter, with the spokes updated from two to three-cross, in contrast to the previous year’s model.

Excel manufactures aluminum alloy rims and hubs for Kawasaki’s racing squad. It rides on Dunlop Geomax MX51 knobby tires. The front tires are 80/100-21 51M, while the rear tires are 100/90-19 57M.

Kawasaki KX250F Max Speed

The KX250F has a max speed of approximately 100mph. However, this bike averages 84-89mph when on the track. It depends on how high the rider can rev the engine, which has yet to be stated. There are also aspects such as the rider’s weight, experience, ability, wind patterns, terrain, etc.

The gearing ratio, which determines how many times the back wheel revolves for each tire revolution, is the most important mechanical aspect. A smaller gearing ratio results in faster speeds and reduces acceleration and power. Then there’s torque, which boosts the bike’s acceleration and top speed as it grows.

How to Improve the Kawasaki KX250F Top Speed

The KX250F is already a monster in racing because its top speed is 100mph. However, such a pace can be difficult to achieve in stock condition. Because of this, a significant number of riders decide to make adjustments to their bikes to get the highest possible speed consistently.

If you wish to improve the top speed of your KX250F without compromising its core performance, the following are some pieces of advice you could follow that are both practical and effective.

Tune the Gearing

The standard gearing of the KX250F is 14/51, which translates to the rear sprocket having 51 teeth and the countershaft sprocket having 14 teeth. Changing the gearing on your motorcycle will affect the ratio between those two sprockets, which will, in turn, change the maximum speed it can reach.

The power of the KX250F is sufficient to allow a simple adjustment of the rear sprocket by a few teeth in either direction. Altering the ratio of your sprockets to something lower, such as 15/51, will let you achieve a higher top speed. Keep in mind, however, that if your bike’s gearing is too high, it will not have enough torque output.

Install a Modified Exhaust System

Installing an aftermarket exhaust system is the initial step in achieving a higher top speed for your bike. The horsepower and torque output can be increased by installing a custom aftermarket exhaust.

The improvements in performance brought forth by this modification are most readily apparent in the powerband’s lower end. This allows you to accelerate faster out of bends and off jumps, but it also causes your engine to chug more at low speeds.

Install a Turbocharger

If you want to achieve a significant increase in speed on your KX250F, you should think about installing a turbocharger. This system can be installed at any qualified Kawasaki dealer or shop with experience installing turbocharger systems on bikes.

You can significantly boost the amount of oxygen flowing through your engine by installing a turbocharger, which will not cause your bike to gain any additional weight.

Take out the Rev Limiter

On the KX250F, the rev limiter is set to prevent the engine from spinning too quickly and going into overdrive. The spark is extinguished at the peak of each revolution by the rev limiter, which controls the device. It is possible for you to safely remove this rev limiter to maximize the power of the bike and boost its max speed.

Modify the Suspension Settings

A KX250F’s suspension is factory designed to give optimal performance with a standard-sized rider. If you are heavy, you may want to raise the speed at which the forks and shocks compress to improve the bike’s top speed.

You can modify the suspension settings for your weight at your local bike dealer or do it yourself with a shock air pump, a fork air pump, and a small wrench. Before making any modifications, use an adjustable wrench to turn the clickers in (hard) to check that both shocks are adjusted evenly. Make modifications one at a time to see how each one affects handling.

Kawasaki KX250F Review – Pros and Cons

Pros

• Launch Control Mode
• Improved Power Delivery
• Good Throttle Response
• Improved Handling

Cons

• Dirt Build-Up: The airbox side cover is helpful, but dirt gets caught between it and the frame. This buildup usually causes inconvenience when riding through rugged terrain.
• Large Radiator: The bike is still rather slender, but the radiator shrouds could use additional trimming. In the woods, you may not have any trouble getting stuck on logs or rocks, but since the radiators point out wide, it can be difficult to lift the bike up off the ground when it stalls.
• Soft Front Brake: For such a little bike, the front brake on the KX250F is a little soft; it isn’t as powerful as the previous Honda CRF450 and is not strong enough. You might frequently need to squeeze firmly to acquire a good bite on the rotor due to the lack of touch and other factors. This issue could be resolved with a Brembo master cylinder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the height and weight of KX250F?

The bike measures 49.8 inches tall from the ground to the handlebars. It weighs 226.4 pounds at the curb and up to 237 pounds when fully charged.

Is the KX250F a race bike?

Yes. The KX250F, like the KX450F, is a good race bike. However, if you aim to ride or race motocross rather than simply possess a motocross bike, the 250F is the ideal choice.

Is a KX250F a good trail bike?

The KX250F is an amazing trail bike. Its 19-inch rear wheel is the same size as most street bikes (larger off-road bikes have 21-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels). It’s not much wider than a street bike, so it fits well on tight routes.

How much does a Kawasaki KX250F cost?

The Kawasaki KX250F has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $7,999 in the United States. However, it is available from multiple dealerships for as little as $7,400.

Is a KX250F a good beginner bike?

No. The KX250F is a fantastic motorbike, but it is not beginner-friendly. It’s a race-oriented off-road motorbike with a four-stroke engine and a lot of torque, allowing for swift acceleration on the street. To control this acceleration on the road, you will need extensive riding experience.

Conclusion

The KX250F is a good choice for serious motocross racers and riders who put in a lot of effort. If you have the financial means and the space to support the bike’s weight and dimensions, then the KX250F should be at the top of your list.

The bike offers all of the performance elements you will need to win races, such as its race-bred suspensions, the power to propel you to third gear, and its unique design that will grab the attention of everyone wherever you go.