08 KX250f Test Ride

[pjg351]

Well today we changed the run in oil and filter and checked for anything loose, and took the bike out to put it through it's paces.



First of all this is what i found different from our 07 yammie.

1. The radiators are a lot bigger on the kawi's left side about 3 inches longer.
2. The carby is easier to get at on the kawi.
3. You can undo the 2 oil bungs without removing the bash plate.
4. The seat on the kawi is very nicely padded and comfortable
5.The throttle cable adjusters are finger tightened rather than using 2 small spanners to undo lock nuts.
6. The oil cap filler has to be undone with a screwdriver instead of fingers, like on the yammie.
7. The thing that surprized me the most, the kawi is 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch narrower than the yammie. I measured the widest point at the radiator plastics and at the top of the air box where you grip the bike with your legs.
8. The clutch pull is a little stiff, and the adjuster is easy to use. The hot start lever is in line with the main lever and alows you to keep your hand in your normal position to restart.

Okay let's see how it performs!







In the corners the bike tracked really well and steered and turned easy. My son did the test ride since he is the one who will be racing it. He said the bike makes you feel very confident about cornering fast and even though we haven't played with suspension yet he felt confident enough to use the power out of the corners. He also said the back of the bike sat down nicely when you gassed it and didn't jump or buck.







The bike was very stable even on 1 wheel through woopie sections, the balance was very good and my son feels that the weight is well distributed. He wasn't able to scrub as good as he can on his yamaha but another few rides and hopefully he will be scraping pegs up the up ramps.

So what was the end result did he like or not!





He said this bike has unbeleivable power for a stock bike, and pulls out of corners in a high gear very easily. He said your waiting for the power to die, but just keeps coming on harder right through to the top end. He also said he felt he could turn the bike in with a lot more confidence than his yammie. The wheels just stay planted and give good traction.
And what did i think about it since im paying the bills here!
I have to admit iam impressed so far with it's performance, this is a serious race bike out of the box. the power delivery is quite incredable for stock. But it is dam loud when you crack it on you won't have any trouble frieghtening of slower riders in corners. Iam just happy it handles well so now we can get to work making the set up for him even better, i feel we made the right choice getting the kawi so far it rocks and looks good to!

[DRGSin393]

Great ride report P! Nice to see you didnt get buyer's remorse...now lets work on getting rid of your shakes when youre taking pictures!

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by DRGSin393

Great ride report P! Nice to see you didnt get buyer's remorse...now lets work on getting rid of your shakes when youre taking pictures!

Gee Doc, is there a cure for that!

[Aus_Rider_22]

Sweet report, Pete!

You didn't happen to take any video of the ride?

Would love to see some footage of your boys riding.

And is that your personal track at your house?

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by Aus_Rider_22

Sweet report, Pete!

You didn't happen to take any video of the ride?

Would love to see some footage of your boys riding.

And is that your personal track at your house?

G'day Geoff, I have got lots of video footage of his riding over time, but i don't know how to get it out of the computer. I suck at making movies!
that track is just out of town, but we can ride there from our house which is handy.

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by pjg351

Gee Doc, is there a cure for that!

..is that the cure or the cause?? Either way, do what i did...buy lenses with vibration reduction!

[flying flea]

talk about jealous, bought 07 the 08 definitely looks better.. 8400 for the 07 brand new cant complain....nice by the way....

[noobish]

That is nice, I almost got an 08 450 kawi but decided to stay with yami. Let us know the durability of the kawi. I have heard mixed reviews with that kawis dont last and I would love to hear from someone after a season on it. Sweet looking bike though!

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by pjg351

G'day Geoff, I have got lots of video footage of his riding over time, but i don't know how to get it out of the computer. I suck at making movies!

Have you ever used Windows Movie Maker?

Or you could just try to upload the video files directly to youtube or somewhere like that.

[vinmoto]

I've got a quick question for you, I just bought a 08 250f for my son and he loves it his first race on the new bike is April 18 in Alburquerque New Mexico. The dealer put silkolene SX syn in the motor and we have changed it twice. This oil is running 17.95usd a quart! I've read that alot of people run shell rotella 10w-40w convential oil with good results on the motor. What may I ask are you guys running in your new Kawi?

[Woody_393]

I don't own the Kawasaki, but I can comment on the oil.

The shell rotella 15w40 is good stuff.

I personally ran the shell rotella 5w40 full synthetic stuff. Great oil, even better price.