2009 Kawasaki KX250F
MSRP: $6499
Claimed curb weight: 230 lb
Actual weight (no gas): 216 lb
Actual weight (tank full): 229 lb
Seat height: 37.5 in.
Seat-to-footpeg distance: 20.7 in.
Footpeg height: 16.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 2.1 gal.
| JETTING | STOCK | DR |
| Main: | 182 | 178 |
| Pilot: | 40 | 42 |
| Needle: | NHJT | Stk |
| Clip position: | 4th from top | Stk |
| Fuel screw: | 2.25 | 2.5 |
Other notes: Leak jet is 55, and we ran stock. | SUSPENSION | STOCK | DR |
| Fork - | Compression: | 11 | 7 |
| Rebound: | 9 | 10 |
| Shock - | Low-spd comp.: | 12 | 11 |
| Rebound: | 11 | Stk |
| High-spd comp.: | 2.25 | 2.1 |
| Sag (mm): | | 100-104 | 102-104 |
Other notes: Kawasaki jetted the bike leaner for the 4200 feet altitude of Rynoland, but it worked fine for us at Piru MX's sea level in the heat. When the weather cools we'll probably go back on the main jet.
Modifications We'd Like To Try: Some other gearing combinations for our pro test riders
Opinions
Lighter, smoother and faster are the three main things I felt in the 2009 KX250F. On paper it says the new bike is lighter, but it is the most noticeable 2.2 pounds I have ever felt. It feels almost like a BMX bike; you can throw it around without a challenge. It doesn't matter if the track's fast and rough or tight and jumpy, the KX is always very responsive and controlled. The new bike also has great bottom-end. One example of the power: When hitting an uphill jump out of a sandy corner on the '08 you had to do everything as perfectly as you could to get up and over the jump. On the '09 you could mess up in the corner, get on it and still fly over the jump. Another thing I noticed was it pulled smoother and longer. The bike's all-around appearance is awesome with Kawasaki adding the nitride-coated fork tubes and multiple black plastics. The suspension is perfect for my weight and skill level.
-Chris Dvoracek/6'/165 lb/Intermediate
The 2008 KX-F was my favorite 250F for its snappy power and quick handling. Both mellowed out a bit for 2009, and the end result is a push. The new bike corners so nicely and feels so light and agile, but it has lost a bit of last's year's sharpness-a sharpness that was great at getting you out of trouble but probably responsible for getting you into it in the first place. The power on the '09 is strong down low with a little less quick-to-rev response than last year's motor. The best way to sum up the changes is they make the bike feel more like a four-stroke and less like an aggressive two-stroke. The bike is still a favorite of mine, but with the KX-F making a lateral move and changes on the other bikes, I can't say it will be my pick of the year.
-Pete Peterson/5'10"/160 lb/Vet Novice
The 2009 KX250F has tons of improvements, and the most positive one was how it felt light enough to be a 125 two-stroke! She's lighter, nimbler and more maneuverable. Making immediate line changes and throwing the bike around in the air was a breeze. I could just point the front end in, get on the gas and let the rear track and steer me around a turn. The shock is plush, progressive, predictable and has good bottoming resistance once it has a little more high-speed compression adjusted in. The fork was a bit soft and seemed to sit in the mid-stroke, which gave it a harsh feel on decel bumps. Two clicks firmer brought the fork up and gave the front a more progressive, controlled feel. The motor is a great improvement with response almost characteristic of a fuel-injected bike. It's awesome! The bottom is strong and picks up right through the mid and delivers a little more overrev than the '08 model, but if I was in a gear too high or too low, the bike would rev out or not have enough torque to pull it through. This bike is a contender!
-Ryan Orr/5'10"/170 lb/Pro