Market Position:
Performance motocross motorcycle for competitive off-road racing
Competitors:
Yamaha YZ250, Honda CR250R, Suzuki RM250
Key Features:
Powerful two-stroke engine, long-travel suspension, lightweight chassis, race-bred design
Target Audience:
Motocross racers, off-road enthusiasts, mechanics, and DIY repairers
Value Proposition:
Essential resource for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the KX250, saving time and money on professional service.
Years Covered:
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
Manual Type:
Repair Manual
Format:
Digital Download (PDF)
Engine:
Comprehensive engine disassembly, assembly, tuning, and troubleshooting
Transmission:
Gearbox inspection, repair, and adjustment
Suspension:
Front fork (telescopic) and rear shock absorber servicing, tuning, and rebuilds
Brakes:
Front and rear brake system maintenance, bleeding, and component replacement (drum/disc depending on year)
Electrical:
Ignition system, lighting, wiring diagrams, and component testing
Cooling System:
Air-cooled engine specific maintenance
Fuel System:
Carburetor tuning, cleaning, and rebuild; fuel tank and lines
Chassis:
Frame inspection, steering head bearings, and wheel assembly
Bodywork:
Fairing, seat, and plastic component removal/installation
Maintenance:
Regular service, lubrication, filter changes, spark plug replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic charts and common problem identification
Repair:
Component level repair and replacement procedures
Rebuild:
Complete engine and gearbox rebuilds
Adjustment:
Clutch, throttle, and brake lever adjustments
Specifications:
Torque values, clearances, and tolerances for all components
Depth:
Comprehensive from basic maintenance to full engine rebuilds and diagnostics
Engine Type:
2-stroke, single-cylinder, reed valve induction
Displacement:
249cc (approximate, varies slightly by year)
Bore X Stroke:
70.0 x 64.0 mm (typical for this era)
Cooling System:
Air-cooled
Compression Ratio:
Approximately 7.8:1 - 8.5:1 (varies by year)
Horsepower:
Estimated 35-45 HP (varies significantly by year and tuning)
Torque:
Estimated 25-30 lb-ft (varies significantly by year and tuning)
Carburetor:
Mikuni VM Series (e.g., VM28, VM30, VM32 depending on year)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline with 2-stroke oil mix (e.g., 20:1 or 32:1)
Ignition Type:
CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition)
Lubrication Type:
Premixed fuel/oil
Frame Type:
Steel semi-double cradle
Suspension Front:
Telescopic forks (e.g., Showa or Kayaba), adjustable damping and preload
Suspension Rear:
Monoshock, Uni-Trak system, adjustable damping and preload
Wheelbase:
Approximately 57.0 - 58.0 inches (varies by year)
Ground Clearance:
Approximately 12.0 - 14.0 inches (varies by year)
Dry Weight:
Approximately 220 - 235 lbs (varies by year)
Fuel Capacity:
Approximately 2.1 - 2.6 gallons (varies by year)
Front Wheel:
21-inch spoke wheel
Rear Wheel:
18-inch spoke wheel
Front Tire Size:
80/100-21 (typical)
Rear Tire Size:
100/90-18 or 110/90-18 (typical)
Infotainment System:
N/A (This is a competition dirt bike; no infotainment features).
Driver Assistance Features:
N/A (No electronic driver assistance features).
Connectivity Features:
N/A (No connectivity features).
Power Valve System:
Some models within this range may feature a Kawasaki Integrated Power Valve System (KIPS) for improved low-end and mid-range power delivery.
Oil Change:
Frequent oil changes recommended for 2-stroke engines, typically after every few riding sessions or as per manual guidance.
Air Filter Cleaning:
Clean after every few rides, or more frequently in dusty conditions.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Inspect and replace as needed, typically every 10-20 hours of riding.
Top End Rebuild:
Recommended every 40-80 hours of hard riding (piston, rings, cylinder inspection).
Two Stroke Oil:
High-quality synthetic or semi-synthetic 2-stroke racing oil (e.g., Yamalube, Motul, Castrol) mixed with gasoline at specified ratio (e.g., 20:1 or 32:1).
Transmission Oil:
Kawasaki 2-stroke gear oil (e.g., 80W/90 gear oil for gearbox, check manual for specific part number and type).
Fork Oil:
Specific weight fork oil (e.g., 10W, 15W), capacity per leg detailed in manual.
Known Issues:
Common issues include carburetor jetting issues due to altitude/temperature, wear on the clutch plates, and maintenance of the power valve system (on models equipped).
Wear And Tear:
As with any competition bike of this era, expect regular wear on critical components like the piston, rings, bearings, and suspension seals due to hard use.
Brand Heritage:
Kawasaki has a long and successful history in motocross racing, with the KX line being a staple of the sport.
Model Evolution Overview:
The KX250 underwent continuous development throughout the 1980s, with significant updates in engine performance, suspension technology (e.g., introduction of the Uni-Trak rear suspension), and chassis design.
Production Period:
1982-1991 covers a crucial decade of technological advancement in motocross.
Significance:
This generation of KX250 was a highly competitive machine, winning numerous races and championships, and is revered by many for its raw power and handling.
Recognitions:
The KX250 line consistently received praise in period motocross magazines for its performance and competitive edge. Specific awards are difficult to pinpoint without historical data for each model year.
Magazine Ratings:
Likely received high performance ratings and often featured in 'Bike of the Year' comparisons within the 250cc motocross class during its production run.
Certifications:
N/A (Off-road competition vehicles are not typically certified in the same way as street-legal vehicles).