Posts
41
Joined
7/28/2014
Location
Petaluma, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
8/5/2015 6:08am
Hello everyone I was just wondering what the major differences are, I know the 87's had good low end power, but other than that what else is really that different as far as mechanical stuff? And will plastics and some parts from an 87 fit on the 89? I have noticed the seat is a different shape as well as the number plates. Just wondering. I have been looking for an 87 KX 250 in Nor Cal with absolutely no luck, because my dad used to have an 87 and got rid of it years ago. I did find an 89 on craigslist for $600. Im looking for something I can at least make look like his/ be close to his 87. So I was just wondering how an 89 stacks up to an 87? Thanks!
Congrats on the find....
I had a 87 KX250 when new...and dozens of other 250s from the 1980s. The 87 KX was my favorite of all of them. I raced woods, MX, and even flat track with it. I liked the torque motor and thin feel. In 1988 Kawasaki changed the design and made them entirely different. The 87 is a 1 year bike. As for the 89 KX250,,,it in itself was a good machine. They had the final conventional forks,46mm cartridges...and best of conventional factory you can buy..I have extra sets to swap on older bikes of mine. I didn't buy a 88 or 89 model as I didn't like the wide flat seat/ layout. I'm short at 5'5" and like the narrow 87 as it was easier for me to touch the ground. The 88-89 was like sitting on a park bench, so I didn't get one of those and switched to the skinny 89 RM250. With any old KXs....pick a nice one,,,they are harder to find replacement parts for. I know you can get repo plastic...but the everyday wear parts like kickers, shock body if is wore out,,clutch baskets,pipes,silencers,,ect ect are harder to get.
The Shop
The 88-89 did well in shootouts..but sometimes a feature like the seat width or 'feel' when you sit on it makes all the difference. For vintage racing today...I'd love to find either a 87 or a 89 in nice unrestored shape to compete with. The 87 is #1 choice though.
Post a reply to: 1989 Kx 250 vs 1987 Kx 250