Classic Steel

“Maxxis Tires” – Classic Steel 158: 1988 Kawasaki KX250

Comments (2)
  1. When the 1988 KX 250 was released, I couldn’t believe that horrible bulbous gas tank that was released on the entire 1988 KX line up. Without a thought, I went and bought a shiny brand spanking new 1988 CR 250 that just oozed with Ferrari like looks. Well under the cover the bike seemed slow, the suspension mediocre and superior handling. The bike did have a fatal flaw, it just came jetted so rich that it fouled spark plugs every ride. I leaned it out, took it to a expert tune up shop (Bills Pipes) and nothing fixed the bikes willingness to foul spark plugs.

    Fast forward to end of summer of 1987 and I was practicing in the hills of Corona California and fouled a spark plug. While pushing my 1988 CR 250 bike back to my truck, a short guy on a 1988 KX 250 that was riding on a adjacent track told me to come over to his white box van with a small Kawasaki emblem on it and he would give me a spark plug. The rider was none other than Jeff Ward. He was super nice and told me he had just received the 1989 KX 250 and he was testing and comparing it to a stone stock 1988 KX 250. I got the chance to ride both bikes and was stunned how much better the 1988 KX 250 was compared to my 1988 Honda CR 250. Even with that fat, bulbous gas tank.

    I mentioned to Ward that I was considering selling my CR 250 and getting a 125. Ward stated that he would be riding the 1988 KX 125 in the upcoming Motocross Of Nations and had been testing one. Ward stated the 1988 KX 125 was far superior to the 1987 KX 125 and he was confident. After Ward one the 125 class at the Motocross Of Nations, I sold my CR 250 and picked up a almost brand new used 1988 KX 125 for $790 bucks. I loved that bike and rode / raced it up until 1991 when I bought a hideous looking multiple colored 1992 RM 125. (A great bike with a horrific color scheme .)

    Ah the eighties were epic to ride / race motocross. And the 1988 KX line up was hideous looking, but history shows that was a great batch of bikes through the entire line-up.

    Thanks again for all these wonderful vintage bike tests. It’s like checking the mail box fir my MXA or Dirt Bike magazine to arrive.

  2. When the 1988 KX 250 was released, I couldn’t believe that horrible bulbous gas tank that was released on the entire 1988 KX line up. Without a thought, I went and bought a shiny brand spanking new 1988 CR 250 that just oozed with Ferrari like looks. Well under the cover the bike seemed slow, the suspension mediocre and superior handling. The bike did have a fatal flaw, it just came jetted so rich that it fouled spark plugs every ride. I leaned it out, took it to a expert tune up shop (Bills Pipes) and nothing fixed the bikes willingness to foul spark plugs.

    Fast forward to end of summer of 1988 and I was practicing in the hills of Corona California and fouled a spark plug. While pushing my 1988 CR 250 bike back to my truck, a short guy on a 1988 KX 250 that was riding on a adjacent track told me to come over to his white box van with a small Kawasaki emblem on it and he would give me a spark plug. The rider was none other than Jeff Ward. He was super nice and told me he had just received the 1989 KX 250 and he was testing and comparing it to a stone stock 1988 KX 250. I got the chance to ride both bikes and was stunned how much better the 1988 KX 250 was compared to my 1988 Honda CR 250. Even with that fat, bulbous gas tank.

    I mentioned to Ward that I was considering selling my CR 250 and getting a 125. Ward stated that he would be riding the 1988 KX 125 in the upcoming Motocross Of Nations and had been testing one. Ward stated the 1988 KX 125 was far superior to the 1987 KX 125 and he was confident. After Ward won the 125 class at the Motocross Of Nations, I sold my CR 250 and picked up a almost brand new used 1988 KX 125 for $790 bucks. I loved that bike and rode / raced it up until 1991 when I bought a hideous looking multiple colored 1992 RM 125. (A great bike with a horrific color scheme .)

    Ah the eighties were epic to ride / race motocross. And the 1988 KX line up was hideous looking, but history shows that was a great batch of bikes through the entire line-up.

    Thanks again for all these wonderful vintage bike tests. It’s like checking the mail box for my MXA or Dirt Bike magazine to arrive.

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