Kawasaki KX250F [2016]

Well, for starters, it’s not a bike that you can simply get on and ride to bring home groceries, take your girl out, or go weekend riding with. At least, on the road. This, the Kawasaki KX 250F, is a ‘competition-only’ machine. And that means it isn’t homologated for road use. But, you’d have guessed that given that it doesn’t get headlamps, indicators, instrumentation, and of course, a saree guard.

The KX 250F then is Kawasaki’s ‘hero’ product in the world of motocross competitions, and to an extent, leisure trail or off-roading riding. In the world of highly demanding and competitive motocross, the KX has won many titles across the globe. It is the go-to machine for professionals, and it is a lovely showcase of Kawasaki’s strength when it comes to engineering and technology know-how.

According to Kawasaki, the point of bringing in the KX is exactly that. It is a product that the Japanese company sells in most of its important markets, and therefore, India had to have it. It should give Kawasaki lots to talk about as well. We, however, are in no position to talk to the serious, capable and talented motocross competition rider; given we haven’t taken to dirt tracks in a competitive motocross event, ever. Instead, we will address the off-roading enthusiast; one who loves the challenges and joy of taking to flat dirt tracks or trail riding over winning championships; one who also has deep pockets. The KX 250F does cost over Rs 7 lakh, after all.

Now, to the motocrosser. I am no expert at riding on dirt. Sure, I own an Impulse and I have ridden a few adventure motorcycles off the beaten trail. But, arriving at a motocross track was still so intimidating. There were flat, fast and rutted corners; big double jumps; endless whoops; tall, bermed corners and a 10 year old in Yuvraj Deshmukh beating all of that into submission with some flair. Then I read his credentials including a top AMA Motocross finish, and I knew this was going to be an embarrassing afternoon.

And almost immediately after I began riding, I fell over negotiating one of the bermed corners. Naturally, everyone was looking. So, I dusted myself, picked up the bike, flashed an embarrassing smile under the helmet and got going, again. This time I was more careful. I realised the KX 250F was a light motorcycle. I also respected the fact that it makes nearly 50bhp. And that its throttle response is as electric as they come. So, I gingered around a bit and then based on someone’s gyan (don’t remember who), started believing in the blocky tyres.

Soon enough, the KX 250F seemed friendly. Sure, the front end moved a bit at turn-in but it never washed out. And though I wasn’t exactly hard on the gas, I was still giving the 250F a decent handful exiting corners. But, the bike’s rear just squatted and gripped and gripped. A few laps in and my thighs were on fire courtesy being stiff as a board on the bike, fighting it, scared of the low grip conditions. When on dirt or road, one needs to do just the opposite.

The pain and lack of stamina ensured that’s exactly what I did next time round. And instantly, the KX became my best friend. I could feel the bike more; I could tip it into corners quicker; dial in more lean; and get on the gas sooner and much harder. I loved it! And the KX, it seems, loved me back. The torquey engine meant, even a short-shifter like me, was getting good drive out of corners and over mud mounds (these were supposed to be jumps, by the way). And the odd mud mound I did manage to jump, the KX 250F landed with such poise and steadiness, it gave me the confidence to do it again and again.

Towards the end of the day and during my third riding session, I was feeling like a dirt hero. The KX 250F was egging me along. It remained planted as I opened up the KX in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. It braked beautifully with enough bite and barely a shudder or slip even over the rutted and sandy surfaces. And, the way it gripped both while entering and exiting corners was mind-boggling. Even when it got its tail out on power, it did so with such linearity and feel that it was completely controllable on the throttle.

I got so carried away with the bike’s ability that I completely forgot mine. Soon enough one of the tallest mud mounds arrived and I thought I could finally jump the KX 250F and give it good air over this one too. But, I had clearly overestimated my skill. I got it awfully wrong and landed hard on the front, almost vertically. I was imagining broken collarbones, fractured ribs and a totaled KX as a result. But, the KX’s front forks took the impact so well; it was almost like landing on a cushion. Nothing regretful happened. I fell, of course. But the bike was okay and so was I.  So, I dusted myself, picked up the bike, flashed an embarrassing smile under my helmet, and ride back to the pits thanking my stars and loving every moment of the ride.

What a bike!

Lots!

For one, crediting Kawasaki as being generally the first to adopt newer, more expensive technology in motocross bikes (disc brakes and a linked monoshock for instance) won’t be wrong. And it continues to experiment and redefine the class even now. The KX 250F here is the latest 2017 model. And compared to its older version, and in fact its competition, the 250F now boasts of a more powerful engine, a lighter chassis, slimmer ergos and three engine maps that can simply be plugged in.

The ‘Green’ is the standard map. But, if you find that too aggressive, one can plug in the softer ‘White’ map. And for the hardcore pace chasers, there’s the ‘Black’ map. All easily installed by simply plugging in the colour coded ports. Additionally, the KX 250F gets launch control, separate function front forks, and almost limitless suspension adjustment for preload as well as compression and rebound damping. If you are a perfectionist and have a backside that’s as sensitive as cricket hair, well, you’d love this bike!

And yes, the KX 250F also gets adjustable ergonomics. So, one can lower the footrest from the standard position and putting in spacers can increase the handlebar height.

Like we said at the start – if you are bitten by the off-roading bug and have deep pockets, there’s absolutely no reason not to buy one. The Kawasaki KX 250F is excellent! I love it. And if I were coming into a big inheritance, I would have bought one in the blink of an eye.

The KX is currently in a class of its own. No other bike maker offers competition-only dirt bikes. And though there are adventure motorcycles in the market - ones that can be used for leisure off-roading, the lightness, the robustness, the ease of handling of the KX is unmatched. And did we tell you how light it is? It only weighs 104.3kg. So, if you drop it – which I did – picking it up and get going, is as easy as 1-2-3.

Photography by Sanchit Arora