Acquainted with the 2011 KX250F in the North American launch of the press in Budds Creek. Engineers were pleased to present their hard work, the new KX250F received over 30 changes from the previous year, the greatest of all, the fuel injection.
We liked the 2010 model-as we were afraid of Kawasaki was "fixing what is not broke", so it was interesting to get feedback from Greg Jones, son of three time AMA MX Champ Jones Gary. We left Budds Creek excited about the new machine, but was still a little skeptical. Let's face it, a professional rider on a motocross track world-class, surrounded by factory-trained technicians, is not a accurate representation of how a bicycle will work in the real world.
Before we dive into the 2011 KX250F a refresher course technology is in order. The Kehin without battery fuel injection system, as used on the KX450F, only with a different calibration. The ECU is tunable with the software Kawasaki, while the riders to adjust the power band to their driving style and track conditions. A position sensor gear, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a water pressure sensor is used to optimize the air / fuel ratio. The system also includes a vehicle down sensor designed to shut off the engine if you have an accident.
On paper, the new engine is a bit more in the center of high energy last year. On behalf of the reliability of the engine also has new KX250F 2011 cam valve springs, a new piston, new cylinder, new crankshaft, gears and revised rates of change mechanism. The volume of air intake and exhaust header length were massaged to improve response at low revs, and the new muffler has been designed to meet AMA noise regulations.
It seems strange to have only a fork spring, but the new Showa fork function separately (SFF) system is adjustable for preload the shock compression and extension, and weighs 1.5 kg less than the old fork. Also less stiction and less costly to maintain or change them. The fork offset has been reduced to 22.5 mm in the search for front wheel drive greater.
Kashima Shock aims to improve the smoothness and revised damping settings for 2011 to match the new fork. Move heaven and earth, Kawasaki engineers changed the engine rigid aluminum steel and support a more flexible way to earn lighter and better handling in curves! The seat has a new deck with side handle more. Kawasaki says the bike weighs 232.7 pounds, feels lighter than it is moving in the garage.
We knew our time in Budds Creek KX250F how the track worked in a pro-level MX, so we spent most of our "real world" test to do other things. We broke all speed singletrack around first and second as a pilot off-road, stood fast grass courts as a runner in European style, and even tried to ISDE Endurocross kinds of obstacles to jump over.
In 2010, despite the carburetor, which boasted how easily KX250F started. Well, do not worry, the fuel injection start the KX-F is only as good as last year. When the cold is just pull the choke / idle speed dial, scroll wheel for more than a couple of first-time EFI system, and then kick him full. Hot? One size, solid kick and she burns almost every time. In a normal volume-rpm tests new muffler is pleasantly quiet. Going beyond, and a good twist of the gas, and the KX250F is equally loud and raucous sound than ever. During the week of the test cycle accelerated the muffler packing, hearing, and the patience of our neighbors, deteriorated. Fortunately, the aftermarket is full of tubes in these quiet days.
EFI allows the engine pulls smoothly away from the bottom of the speed and then quickly barks in the stellar mid-range hit. It 'kind of almost two times. To an experienced pilot that shot is useful for the motocross track, and practiced the switch finger also works off the track. When you turn higher RPMs narrows until you hit the rev limiter. No, the KX250F is not the easiest ride ever 250F, but it is very likely the fastest. Injection engine has never stopped, paused, gurgled, or nothing, but managed well.
The close-ratio five-speed has a good overall distribution of gear ratios and final drive for most tracks. Trail Riders or novices might want to leverage a tooth or two, but when the engine is Kawasaki and smooth idle, it's not really a problem. Transmission has recently revised medium action and had a pleasant feeling of lightness clutch, but half of our test, it was more difficult to change gears under load for some reason. We never miss a change, but it took more effort that it has toe at first sight. The coupling itself was impeccable throughout the trial period.
The new front MFS worked well, if a bit soft for professional racers on the track. To the amortization of inventory adjustments, but at least five clicks preload fork worked well on the track too. Our test riders ranged from 150 to 200 pounds, so we can conclude the forks are not only versatile form factor, but also adapt to a wide range of pilots. The system also allows MFS valves or spring rate changes relatively inexpensive compared with conventional shock has also worked very well, generating almost no complaints from our test pilots. Normally, motocross was a bit too strong amortized compression testers slower speed in the forest, but generally did a good job of absorbing the alleged hacker of both jumps and motocross bike forks.
Ergonomic the KX250F feel a little thick for a 250F. It has a comfortable seat and a fuel tank large enough. Compared to some motocross that are a little too hard-edged to be really comfortable, KX-F felt almost like a trail. But it is a race bike, pure and simple. Unlike the Honda CRF250R, which can sometimes fool you into thinking you're on a bike are always KX250F feel like a runner. It is quite stable at high speeds, but despite the changes in chassis KX-F still does not own the corners like a RM-Z. The brakes were excellent and the whole package KX250F invites you to go faster.
The bike comes with a protective plastic sheet which is a good addition to Moto or for normal trail use, but is not strong enough for riders aspiring Endurocross. When we took our test bike trail riding, he did nothing but install Guards Enduro Engineering hand, but if we had a KX250F we would be installing more serious off-road armor, an O-ring chain and a quiet muffler.
Things that our technicians did not like the exhaust note was unpleasant noise (but efficient moving the sludge in the chain) sprocket roller chain and age of the bike in front of our eyes. It is obvious that we really like the KX250F. Our preview of Budd Creek knew that he liked a motocross bike, but now loves him like a lumberjack. So far, the top of our list of the year 250F. The KX250F motocross bike is a great aggressive, and when mounted will be happy to be a very effective new enduro pilot school.
