Dirt-bike enthusiasts can finally buy themselves off-road-ready machines thanks to the launch of Kawasaki's KX100 and KX250F. The KX100, a mini-motocross bike, is priced at Rs 4.68 lakh, while the full-size KX250F is priced at Rs 7.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). These bikes can be picked up straight from a Kawasaki dealership, but they aren’t road legal. The upside here is that they are exempted from all road tax and registration fees.
The bigger, more powerful 250F gets a 249 cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine that’s paired to a five-speed gearbox. It weighs in at 104.3kg, and comes with an adjustable 48mm inverted Showa telescopic front fork, while suspension duties at the rear are handled by a highly configurable monoshock by Showa. It uses 270mm and 240mm petal disc rotors at the front and rear respectively. The bike also features launch control, which should help for quick starts off the line even in slippery conditions.
The smaller Kawasaki KX100 derives power from a 99 cc, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is paired to a six-speed gearbox. It is suspended on adjustable 36mm inverted telescopic front forks and an adjustable Uni-Trak rear monoshock, and comes with a 5-litre fuel tank. Braking duties on this 77kg bike, are handled by discs, both up front (220mm) and at the rear (184mm).
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Stephen Raj Antony
