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4/25/2011
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Coalgate, OK, USA
so i just picked this 03 rm65 up for $20. it is locked up and needs a complete rebuild. after getting it home and looking it over i noticed it said kawasaki on the frame, and from what i have read the rm65/kx65 are the exact same bike with different color plastics. so now im wondering if i should be ordering rm parts or kx parts, and if kx engine internals will work with this "rm" motor. hoping a mini builder can chime in and give me some insight.
If I remember correctly, they had an agreement where Kawasaki made the 65s and Suzuki made the 250Fs, along with some of the trailbikes being shared too. Exactly the same except for the color.
^Kawasaki and Suzuki shared more than the 65 and 250F, in fact. Really, the only truly "shared" off-road bike was the 250F, as it was developed by both companies. (Suzuki engine, Kawasaki chassis, from what I understand.)
From 2004 to 2007 or so, you could buy a green LT400 DR-Z110 or DR-Z400, and you could buy a yellow KX65 or Mean Streak 1600 cruiser. The joint marketing agreement has since expired, but in that time frame the two companies were helping each other fill out their product lines.
OP, your bike is 100% a Kawasaki motorcycle and you can buy any part for it from Kawasaki. You can also still probably get most of those parts from Suzuki, but they will come with a Kawasaki label on the part, or a re-branded package that indicates Suzuki.
Bikes are identical 2003 - 2005. Yellow plastic difference only.
Make sure you check parts prices between brands if buying new. Here is an example of contrasting pricing on a new cylinder:
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