Kawasaki KLX125

Kawasaki offers two versions of their KLX125. There's the big wheel model, with a 16-inch rear and 19-inch front wheel combo, and the standard model with a 14-inch rear and 17-inch front. The only other difference between the two models is that the big wheel has a disc brake up front. The smaller model would suit kids in the 9 to 12 years age group and the big wheel from about 12 to 16 years. The big wheel would also be a good choice for wives or girlfriends, (no, you can't have both) or any small adult.

The KLX125 doesn't feature any technological breakthroughs, in fact most of the components on this bike are up to 20 years old in design. Is that a problem? No, not really. The Kwaka is an entry level or beginner bike, and these guys and gals don't need high performance, frightening horsepower or stepladder-high suspension. Sure, the KLX lacks striking performance features, but it does have a decent seat height for beginners, with 805mm on the big-wheel and 775mm on the standard-wheel. In fact the whole KLX package is designed to make life easy for the beginner.

Let's start with the engine. Well, this thing isn't a KX-F, that's for sure, it's just your basic garden variety four-stroke powerplant that's been around for yonks, but it does has have plenty of gentle power, which is just the ticket for entry level riders. 

The five-speed transmission has a decent spread through the gears and it can handle everything from backyard motocross to a quick run down a fire trail or bush track. A low first gear ratio will make this thing easy to take off on without stalling, which is worth its weight in gold, especially if you've ever had the pleasure of teaching some new chum how to ride. The bike chugs along nicely and it doesn't take a lot of clutch slipping or high revs to keep the motor in the fat part of the powerband.

Our bike always started first kick for adults and larger kids, but the smaller kids quickly found that quadra-strokes can take a bit of effort to boot over. The exhaust system was nice and quiet, which is good news and should keep even the crankiest neighbours off your case. Maintenance on this engine would consist of changing the oil every now and then and keeping the air filter clean.

NEAT PACKAGE

As with the rest of the KLX we found that the suspension package was pretty basic, but who cares? The market this bike is meant for won't be busting out any 30 metre triple jumps. The suspension would be more than adequate for trail riding, and our only complaint was that the shock spring wasn't quite matched to the fork, which meant that the back end felt too hard all the way through the stroke. We tried winding the spring pre-load off but it didn't seem to make a lot of difference. This bike would handle better and feel a lot nicer to ride with a slightly softer shock spring. 

The back end on our bike had more squeaks and squeals than a piggery and we reckon the swing-arm and linkages could have done with a lube job. Most new bikes are lightly greased so we aren't singling out the KLX here.

The basic layout and riding position was nice, although we would have liked a slightly wider handlebar. The small wheel model would probably be okay with the standard bar but the big-wheel would definitely benefit from an aftermarket 85cc motocross bend.

The seat, graphics and plastics have a very stylish motocross look, which is appealing to riders who might want to look fast but not necessarily go fast. When we tested our bike we threw a fast kid on it, and although he had fun, he quickly found the limit of the motor and suspension. A fast aggressive young kid would kill this bike fairly quickly. The funny thing is though, if you parked this bike among a bunch of $10,000 competition wonder machines, it'd be the first bike you'd want to jump on for a blast. Entry level bikes are like that; they haven't got much going for them but they're the first bike you want to ride.

Are you getting good value for money when you buy this bike?

Well, let's work it out. At $4700 it doesn't seem too bad, but other than the plastics there's nothing new on the KLX. If you buy a big-wheel KX85 (and we know it's in a different market, but,) you get alloy wheels, an upside-down fork, alloy muffler, front and rear discs and water cooling. Who knows how they work the prices out? Maybe that's why a new ride-on mower is worth more than my used, but in good condition, Toyota Lexan station wagon. 

WHAT WE LIKED

NOT SO MUCH