Further Testing On The 2018 Kawasaki KX250F

Riding the 250F green motocrosser

"Suspension setup on the Kawasaki was quick and simple, and getting it to where I was happy with it didn't involve a lot of adjustments. —Michael WickerJeff Allen
Primary Use: Motocross
Main Mods: None
Forgettable Experience: Occasional notchy shifting
Hours: 16.5
Aftermath: Three DT1 air filter changes, one oil and oil filter change, and three bike washes

The seat time I have gotten on the 2018 KX250F has been a new experience for me as Kawasaki is one of the few brands I have not personally owned or ridden consistently. When I finally got to throw a leg over the KX250F, I was really impressed with the chassis design and seat feel. Its comfortable and slim design is one of the best I've ridden to date. Combine that with its linear power delivery and simple-to-set-up Showa suspension and it did not take long for me to feel at home on the KX250F.

The power delivery is very linear, so even though it is not the most powerful bike, it offers a smooth and controllable power. The throttle response is really impressive because it’s instantaneous and crisp, which I especially enjoyed on tighter tracks. Even with its linear power delivery and good throttle response, I feel the KX250F would benefit from an aftermarket exhaust system as a little extra oomph would make the bike more competitive with its rivals. Shifting the KX250F can be a bit notchy at times, especially when accelerating quickly, but aside from that, I was impressed with the engine performance overall.

"The handling on the KX250F is one of the best in the class, and the moment you sit on it, you will notice how easy it is to become comfortable right away." —Michael WickerJeff Allen

Suspension setup on the Kawasaki was quick and simple, and getting it to where I was happy with it didn't involve a lot of adjustments. With the stock settings, the fork was a little too stiff, so I went two clicks softer on the compression and found it made the difference I wanted. The shock was similar in feel to the fork. It was a little too stiff for my liking and I struggled to get a plush feel, so I went a click faster on rebound and found that to be just the right setting to prevent it from packing. The changes were short and sweet, making for a simple and easy setup.

The handling on the Kawasaki KX250F is amazing. It’s really comfortable to ride and is well balanced. The bike corners really well as it’s really stable in rutted corners and maintains traction in higher-speed flat corners. The radiators are angled inward, which help make the bike very slim in the radiator shroud area, and I noticed this helped me have more control of the bike with my legs. Straight-line stability on the Kawasaki is great. Regardless of the track I rode, it handled amazingly and worked well in all conditions. Overall, the handling on the KX250F is one of the best in the class, and the moment you sit on it, you will notice how easy it is to become comfortable right away.

"[The KX250F engine] offers a smooth and controllable power delivery." —Michael WickerJeff Allen

To sum up, I find the KX250F to be the happy medium of all the bikes in the class. The engine is not the strongest, but it delivers a smooth and linear power, which is something any skill level rider can like and get used to. The Showa suspension is simple, easy to set up, and offers lots of options to find a setting you are comfortable with. The chassis design, as far as the thin radiator shrouds and seat shape, make it arguably one of the most comfortable bikes in its class. Kawasaki has certainly made a strong all-around bike. It doesn’t really have a strong point in any area, but is comfortable and easy to set up. I am excited to see the progress I can make with the KX250F with some modifications along with more seat time.