Category:
Mini Motocross Bike
Target Audience:
Youth riders, beginner motocross enthusiasts, mechanics
Competitors:
KTM 65 SX, Yamaha YZ65 (later models), Suzuki RM65
Youth Focus:
Designed for younger riders, with smaller ergonomics and approachable power delivery.
Performance Orientation:
A potent two-stroke engine tuned for motocross performance.
Durability:
Kawasaki's reputation for building robust off-road machinery.
Manual Benefit:
Enables DIY maintenance and repair, saving costs and ensuring optimal bike performance and longevity.
Shared Platform:
The KX65's shared platform with the Suzuki RM65 (plastics aside) highlights its broad utility and development.
Engine:
Complete tear down and rebuild, carburetor, fuel mixture, ignition, spark, compression, cylinder, piston, conrod, crankshaft, flywheel, magneto, exhaust, intake, cooling (air-cooled, radiator mention indicates potential liquid cooling variations or auxiliary cooling components), lubrication.
Drivetrain:
Clutch, transmission, primary reduction gear, gearshift, drive shaft, drive train, chain and sprockets (implied).
Chassis And Suspension:
Frame, forks (front suspension), triple clamps, swingarm, linkage, rear suspension, wheels, tires, brakes (pads, rotors), steering.
Electrical System:
Ignition system, stator, coil, lighting (front and rear), switches (kickstart, throttle, kill switch), battery (if applicable for certain functions), fuses, rectifier.
Bodywork And Plastics:
Fenders, plastics, seat, tank, body panels.
Maintenance:
Regular servicing, fluid changes (coolant, oil), lubrication, tire pressure, chain adjustment, spark plug replacement, air filter cleaning/replacement.
Repair:
Complete engine rebuild, transmission overhaul, suspension rebuild, brake system repair, electrical system troubleshooting and repair, bodywork repair.
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic procedures for common problems such as no spark, starting issues, idle problems, mixture problems, performance issues, and electrical faults.
Diagnostics:
Error code interpretation (if applicable), specific diagnostic steps for various system failures.
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from basic maintenance to full engine and chassis overhauls. Includes detailed diagrams and torque specifications.
Configuration:
Liquid-cooled, Two-stroke, Single-cylinder
Bore X Stroke:
44.5 x 41.6 mm
Compression Ratio:
8.7:1 (typical for this era/class)
Valve Mechanism:
Reed valve intake, KIPS (Kawasaki Integrated Powervalve System) exhaust valve
Horsepower:
Approximately 14.5 - 15.5 HP (at crank, depending on year and tuning)
Torque:
Data not explicitly provided, but torque optimized for low-to-mid range power.
Carburetor:
Mikuni VM24SS
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (typically 91+ octane) mixed with 2-stroke oil
Fuel Mixture Ratio:
Refer to manual for specific recommendations (commonly 32:1 or 40:1)
Type:
Premix or Automatic Oil Injection (depending on exact model variant, though premix is more common for performance).
Overall Length:
Approx. 1705 mm (67.1 in)
Overall Width:
Approx. 740 mm (29.1 in)
Overall Height:
Approx. 1025 mm (40.4 in)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 1180 mm (46.5 in)
Ground Clearance:
Approx. 305 mm (12.0 in)
Dry Weight:
Approx. 67 kg (147.7 lbs)
Curb Weight:
Data not explicitly provided, but generally slightly higher than dry weight.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Approx. 4.5 Liters (1.2 US gal)
Crash Test Results:
N/A (Motorcycle/Off-Road Vehicle - not subjected to automotive crash testing standards)
Brakes:
Disc brakes front and rear for effective stopping power.
Suspension:
Quality suspension components (telescopic front forks, link-type rear suspension) for control and stability.
Handlebar:
High-tensile steel handlebar with grips for rider control.
Ergonomics:
Designed with youth rider ergonomics in mind for ease of control.
Features:
N/A (Competition Motocross Bike - focused on performance, not amenities)
Features:
N/A (Competition Motocross Bike)
Features:
N/A (Competition Motocross Bike)
Kips System:
Kawasaki Integrated Powervalve System enhances power delivery across the RPM range.
Ignition System:
Digital CDI ignition for precise spark timing.
Oil Change:
Refer to manual for specific intervals, typically based on operating hours or mileage. Transmission oil change is crucial.
Air Filter Cleaning:
Frequent cleaning is recommended, especially in dusty conditions.
Spark Plug Inspection:
Regular inspection and replacement as needed.
Valve Clearance:
KIPS valve system requires periodic inspection and cleaning/adjustment for optimal performance.
Engine Oil:
High-quality 2-stroke motorcycle oil meeting API TC or JASO FD standards. Refer to manual for specific type and ratio (premix).
Transmission Oil:
Kawasaki recommends specific transmission oil or equivalent SAE 10W-30 API SG or higher.
Coolant:
If equipped with liquid cooling, a high-quality ethylene glycol-based coolant with distilled water (50/50 mix) is required.
Carburetor Tuning:
Can be sensitive to altitude, temperature, and modifications. Requires careful jetting and mixture screw adjustment.
Kips System:
Requires regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent sticking, which can affect power delivery.
Clutch Wear:
Clutch plates can wear over time with aggressive riding, requiring replacement.
Suspension Maintenance:
Regular fork seal inspection and rear shock servicing are important for maintaining handling.
Kawasaki Offroad:
Kawasaki has a long and successful history in motocross and off-road racing with its KX line.
Kx Line:
The KX65 is part of Kawasaki's lineage of smaller displacement, competition-focused motocross bikes, building on the success of previous models.
Manufacturing:
Typically manufactured in Japan.
Shared Platform Significance
Rm65 Relation:
The strong similarity to the Suzuki RM65 indicates a collaborative or licensed manufacturing arrangement, common in the motorcycle industry for cost-effectiveness and shared development.
