This week's Classic Steel is a look back at the 1989 Kawasaki KX125

tblazier
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tblazier
Edited Date/Time 7/31/2014 9:12pm
As an added bonus, this week's review includes a guest commentary by Matthes. Classic Steel #89- 1989 Kawasaki KX125

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bionic218
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bionic218 7/31/2014 7:27am
7/31/2014 7:27am
Excellent article, guys.

Really enjoyed Matthes' input and recollections of former glory. My first big bike was a 91 KX-125. Different horse, but the rattles and stripped threads he mentioned brought back some memories for sure.
JA946
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JA946 7/31/2014 9:22am
7/31/2014 9:22am
Matthes' take just made me laugh. I remember being on my KX60 and thinking the late 80's and early 90's KX125's were sooo dope!

Boy, was I wrong...
Mouse153
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Mouse153 7/31/2014 10:51am
7/31/2014 10:51am
I had an 88 & a 90...I loved those bikes!

The Shop

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Ardfarkl
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Ardfarkl 7/31/2014 10:56am
7/31/2014 10:56am
Rode Yamaha 125's until 94 when I got a KX.
queen of spodes 7/31/2014 10:59am
7/31/2014 10:59am
Awesome timing! I just bought one of these a few months ago and am restoring it. Here are some before pictures:
















Currently replacing bearings in swingarm & linkage, shock being rebuilt... then the crank & cylinder plating.

Using NOS where possible, and UFO replica plastic kit with OEM graphics, seat cover and fork boots.
Mouse153
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Mouse153 7/31/2014 11:04am
7/31/2014 11:04am
I can't wait to see it when you're finished. Keep us posted!
mxrose3
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mxrose3 7/31/2014 1:24pm
7/31/2014 1:24pm Edited Date/Time 7/31/2014 1:48pm
Tony, great article as always.... but you mentioned in it when the 1980 Uni-Trak suspension system was introduced as the first 'rising-rate' single shock suspension system. In reality it was a 'falling-rate' system.

from MXA:
'This endless merry-go-round of leverage ratios started in 1980 (when Kawasaki’s Uni-Trak system was introduced to the public, only to turn out to be a falling-rate rear suspension system) '

MXA article
CBird81
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CBird81 7/31/2014 1:49pm
7/31/2014 1:49pm
I always remember the 89 KX's having blue rear number plates.. Was this just for Europe?
tblazier
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tblazier 7/31/2014 3:44pm
7/31/2014 3:44pm
Yes the blue sideplates were Europe only
thephoenix 7/31/2014 7:05pm
7/31/2014 7:05pm
I raced that bike, it handled good, had GREAT suspension, but the motor was just a dog. When I got the 1990 CR125 I realized how bad the KX was motor wise.
vetmxr
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vetmxr 7/31/2014 7:43pm
7/31/2014 7:43pm
I finished three races in 1990 on a kx 250 with my foot using the motor for a footpeg. I will say it was always easy to find out on the track. You pretty much know immediately when and where it broke off. ha ha
project racer 7/31/2014 8:57pm
7/31/2014 8:57pm Edited Date/Time 7/31/2014 8:58pm
For what it's worth, the first year rotary valve KX125 would walk away from the over hyped Elsinore 125's in a flat out run through the gears. Fastest 125 of '74. Not far off on the suspension of the Elsie ,either.

The lack of popularity was due to the fact that Kawasaki did not dump 40 shiploads of them at a time like Honda did with the Elsinore. Add in the lack of any real after market support for the early KX, and you ended up with everyone jizzing themselves over the more popular , but slower ,CR125.
motoarmageddon 7/31/2014 9:12pm
7/31/2014 9:12pm
project racer wrote:
For what it's worth, the first year rotary valve KX125 would walk away from the over hyped Elsinore 125's in a flat out run through the...
For what it's worth, the first year rotary valve KX125 would walk away from the over hyped Elsinore 125's in a flat out run through the gears. Fastest 125 of '74. Not far off on the suspension of the Elsie ,either.

The lack of popularity was due to the fact that Kawasaki did not dump 40 shiploads of them at a time like Honda did with the Elsinore. Add in the lack of any real after market support for the early KX, and you ended up with everyone jizzing themselves over the more popular , but slower ,CR125.
this is true the 74 KX 125 would rev so hard with a pipe a port job, they would scream and they were fast. real quick revving. I would sit on the line at vintage races on mine and rev it out and all the Honda guys would look over to see what was making that sound. rotary valve engine on the pipe sounds cool. But the drawback with that bike was reliability once you make it fast. the rod bearing shatters in many pieces....and the transmission was from a dual sport bike, so the ratios were way off for MX. Oh and the carb cover vent sucks dirt bad. I could go on for days about set up of 74 KX 125s...fun

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