Kawasaki KLX140L
A new entrant to the midsize playbike market, the recently introduced KLX140L brings a fresher style to the class than any of the other colored bikes. With an adjustable shock, frame-mounted footpegs and KX-style chain adjusters, the KLX represents the new era of higher-tech play machines and should get a solid pat on the back for pushing the boundaries of the segment. However, it could still be considered a "budget" machine and isn't without faults like cheesy components, a dull motor and questionable styling. But that's not to say that we don't still like it.
The Facts
* This bike seemed to have the best suspension of the bunch, but that's really a push since suspension is the weak point of all of these bikes. They are fine for trail use but jumping them, especially for adults, is a little much. The Kawasaki fork is OK at best, but the adjustable shock brings a whole new feel to the bike. Just be sure to teach junior not to tighten those little flat-blade screws when he works on the bike!
Ryan Villopoto can make anything...
Ryan Villopoto can make anything fast. And he has an invitation to a KLX140 race at Timmy Ferry's track, a race we'd like to witness.
* The KLX motor is very bland and about as lean as could be. Additionally, the five-speed transmission offers a wide range of speeds and actually allows the bike a fairly fast clip on wide-open terrain, though it seems to be geared too tall for newbies and slower riders.
* The stock kickstand, spark arrestor and electric starting on the 140L are awesome. The steel bar, weak fork and weird plastic tank cover are not.
* We hate to be sticklers about style, but does anyone else think that Kawasaki may have designed this bike from the rear-wheel forward, running out of money just past the footpegs?
The Factory Verdict
"This bike is fun to mess around on. It's good to ride on anything. I have a small-wheeled KLX because I think that it's faster with the smaller wheels, and I try to get every advantage I can get out of the bike."
-Ryan Villopoto
Suzuki DR-Z125L
Aside from newly styled plastics and several bold new price increases, Suzuki hasn't updated its DR-Z125L in some time. But why should it? After all, the DR-Z is reliable, usable and brings a noticeably yellow tint to the midsize corner of the thumper market. Fans of Suzuki shouldn't hold their breath for a revised model DR-Z, as much of Suzuki's playbike development resources went to the recently introduced DR-Z70. But for a bike that has been generally neglected and vastly overlooked in the past few years, this 125cc isn't half bad.
The Facts
* This bike is a very middle-of-the road machine in nearly every aspect. The power is average, the suspension is sufficient and the handling is nothing to write home about. Maybe no news is good news, right?
* If you want more details on delivery, it looks something like this: The bulk of the 125L's power is strung in the middle of the curve, yet good torque and average top-end pull bookend the practical midrange. Off-idle hit is mellow and almost disappointing, though this translates to friendliness for tentative spouses or kids.
* The Suzuki has a disc brake up front that provides average-not excellent-stopping power. You could say that the DR-Z is a solid stopper because of this, but don't expect it to win any nose-wheelie contests.
* The DR-Z's basic suspension package feels slightly springy and obviously soft, but the fork doesn't blow through on super-hard hits like you'd expect it to.
* If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The DR-Z125L isn't going to win any shootouts, but Suzuki knows this. In fact, it is OK with this. While the bike isn't a showstopper by any means, it's certainly a sufficient and worthy peer of the other machines in this class.
For such an average bike,...
For such an average bike, the DR-Z125L can shred. All it takes is a rider like Mike Alessi aboard. Look at it as something to aspire to.
The Factory Verdict
"This bike is a great way for kids to go out and have a good time with a bike that's easy to handle and fun to ride, even for guys at my level. I have a DR-Z110, but it's for my girlfriend. If kids go out and run the 800 on their DR-Zs, that would be a huge compliment to me!"
-Mike Alessi