2012 Kawasaki KX™85 Base

2012 Kawasaki KX™ 85

The 85cc-class mini-motocrosser has long been the training crucible for the world’s top racers. For much of that time, Kawasaki’s KX™85 has been at the forefront. The level of technology, power and berm-busting capability packed into this 152-pound rocketship is mind-boggling, and the way it can tear up a motocross track in an expert’s hands must be seen to be believed. It’s nothing short of a youth motocrosser’s dream machine.

The engine bay features some factory-like tricks of its own, including an electrofusion-coated cylinder with a narrow squish band, a large-volume combustion chamber to boost top-end power, and a 28mm Keihin carburetor featuring a crescent-shaped slide that positions the needle closer to the intake ports, optimizing fuel atomization and delivering smoother fuel delivery throughout the powerband. Further enhancing the KX85’s tractable power are the Kawasaki Integrated Power-valve System (KIPS®) and tuned exhaust pipe that provides better drive out of corners and a linear power delivery for young riders of varying skill levels.

Surrounding all that suspension goodness is a black-painted, high-tensile steel perimeter frame with a specially designed fuel tank sitting inside the cage to keep the fuel load and, thusly, the center of mass as low as possible for improved handling. All this is wrapped in lime green body panels, with lightweight black aluminum wheels and aggressive graphics. The result is a factory-look racer with factory-like performance.

This little rocket ship is powered by a two-stroke, 84cc engine that puts out eye-popping power. Among its race-proven features are an advanced chassis package with a 36mm cartridge fork that has 18-way compression damping adjustability and settings designed to tame the nastiest, most challenging tracks. The UNI-TRAK® shock in back features fully adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping for superior rear wheel control.