KAWASAKI KX85 (II big wheel)
RIDER:
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PRICE:
11-16yrs, intermediate to advanced
Paddock, trail, club days, racing
Water-cooled, reed-valve, two-stroke
84cc
Kickstart
Six-speed, manual
Disc front, disc rear
830mm (870mm)
1265mm (1310mm)
75kg (77kg)
$6495 ($6750)
T
he KX85 big wheel offers
a natural progression
after the kids outgrow
their KX65s. The engine
has a manual clutch, six-
speed transmission and KIPS
exhaust valve giving plenty of power. Fully
adjustable suspension lets a junior rider
tweak the bouncy bits to get the bike
dialled in perfectly for their developing
riding styles, while disc brakes at both
ends ensure reliable stopping power in all
conditions. This is pure motocross racer.
KIWI RIDER
ARCHIVE
C
ompared to my RM85, the KX85
sounds better, runs better and
definitely looks better. Today I
rode the big wheel KX85L and I
had so much fun. The best thing
to me about the KX was the
power delivery – there was no bogging
at all and I knew that when I twisted the
throttle I was going to get just as much
power as I needed. The fuel tank on the
KX85 feels quite big if you’re not used to it,
but once you start riding it more, it becomes
more of a positive than a negative because
it makes it feel more sturdy and easier to
grip around the corners.
I had the chance to ride the KX85 on
both a flat track and a jump track, and
they were both very wet. The flat track
98KIWI RIDER
was surprisingly fun, the bike handled
the flat corners really well and it hit jumps
so well I could keep the bike in control
anywhere I went, no matter how wet and
slippery it was. Because it was so wet I
slipped out quite a bit but the bike was so
light it was easy to pick up. I also had a go
using it on a dry track and it went just as
well. Anyway this bike was so awesome
all I want to do is get back on it and make
it my own.
CAMPBELL WHYTE