Classic Motocross Review: 1987 Kawasaki KX250

tblazier
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tblazier
This is my look back at Kawasaki's all-new KX250 for 1987.

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Ted722
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Ted722 5/18/2020 7:55am
5/18/2020 7:55am Edited Date/Time 5/18/2020 7:55am
You nailed it. Lined up(on my '87 Honda) against plenty who chose that '87 KX. Always liked the look and sound of those barky KX's...unless I was behind one! Laughing

In '88, picked up an '88 KX250 and it took a while to adapt to it from my '87 250 Honda. It was big, powerful, stable, but not nearly as nimble or as good in suspension (particularly the fork, even after a Race Tech re-valve). It felt heavier too. Curious if anyone's weighed an '88 KX250 vs a '87 CR250. Felt 10 pounds heavier than the Honda to me.

But, back to the '87 KX. Great looking and performing bike that contributed to some iconic photos of Wardy and Lechien bitd.
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nickm
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nickm 5/18/2020 9:27am
5/18/2020 9:27am Edited Date/Time 5/18/2020 9:27am
Thanks Tony, really enjoyable review. I had an 87 KX250 in 87, as well as an 86 KX125 (I still have the 125!). I loved the slim layout, I was young and dumb and never thought there was a problem with the forks. I do recall fouled plugs and seat bolts that would always snap in half! I never had a problem with the plastic on either my 125 or 250 so I always wondered if I just got lucky or of there were good/bad batches of plastic made. The power was intoxicating and at the time I remember enjoying being contrarian vs. the sea of CR250s that everyone seemed to have.

Great times and thanks as always for your fantastic reviews and walkthroughs!
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tblazier
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tblazier 5/19/2020 8:49am
5/19/2020 8:49am
nickm wrote:
Thanks Tony, really enjoyable review. I had an 87 KX250 in 87, as well as an 86 KX125 (I still have the 125!). I loved the...
Thanks Tony, really enjoyable review. I had an 87 KX250 in 87, as well as an 86 KX125 (I still have the 125!). I loved the slim layout, I was young and dumb and never thought there was a problem with the forks. I do recall fouled plugs and seat bolts that would always snap in half! I never had a problem with the plastic on either my 125 or 250 so I always wondered if I just got lucky or of there were good/bad batches of plastic made. The power was intoxicating and at the time I remember enjoying being contrarian vs. the sea of CR250s that everyone seemed to have.

Great times and thanks as always for your fantastic reviews and walkthroughs!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them!
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Tumblin
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Tumblin 5/19/2020 9:19am
5/19/2020 9:19am
nickm wrote:
Thanks Tony, really enjoyable review. I had an 87 KX250 in 87, as well as an 86 KX125 (I still have the 125!). I loved the...
Thanks Tony, really enjoyable review. I had an 87 KX250 in 87, as well as an 86 KX125 (I still have the 125!). I loved the slim layout, I was young and dumb and never thought there was a problem with the forks. I do recall fouled plugs and seat bolts that would always snap in half! I never had a problem with the plastic on either my 125 or 250 so I always wondered if I just got lucky or of there were good/bad batches of plastic made. The power was intoxicating and at the time I remember enjoying being contrarian vs. the sea of CR250s that everyone seemed to have.

Great times and thanks as always for your fantastic reviews and walkthroughs!
Funny, our riding area in the late 80's was littered with green plastic.
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mb60
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mb60 5/19/2020 11:54am
5/19/2020 11:54am
Had a 87 and 88 kx 250. The 87 was so much of a better bike. Speed ahead to 2015 and I bought a 87 Cr 250 to restore and God I wish I had one when I was 20.
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dimetime
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dimetime 5/19/2020 12:12pm
5/19/2020 12:12pm
Had one and l loved it.
KYFHO699
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KYFHO699 5/19/2020 5:28pm
5/19/2020 5:28pm
Both the 87 KX and CR250’s were badass bikes. I loved the sound of the KX that year.
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user760a
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user760a 5/19/2020 6:33pm
5/19/2020 6:33pm
I have been enjoying the classic content, I even watched the 1986 Dirtwheels magazine review...I have that one along with a whole lot of others from the golden age of ATV's, 1981-1988ish
queen of spodes 5/20/2020 9:04am
5/20/2020 9:04am
I rode an 87 KX250 back in the day, I *loved* how thin it was though the pipe came into contact with my right leg.

I'm also restoring a 1987 KX250 right now. If anyone has a good OEM or aftermarket pipe for 87 KX250 please get in touch!
StevieTimes
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StevieTimes 5/20/2020 10:18am
5/20/2020 10:18am
My first motocross bike was an '87 KX250! Loved that bike!
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