Improvements for Kawasaki KX250 2023 now on sale in Australia

2023 Kawasaki KX250

Kawasaki has announced updates to the KX250 for 2023 that include engine tweaks for more torque and power throughout the rev range, along with better reliability.

The 2023 KX250 is currently on sale in Australia for US$12,443 for long haul at Lime Green. Read on for updates.

Kawasaki has provided a clear comparison between the 2022 KX250 and KX250X models, showing significant gains throughout the rev range both in terms of torque and power, especially at the top. Narrower clearance for the intake valves, down to 35.5 mm, with increased foot clearance for better efficiency and combustion are the key changes that lead to an increase in power.

Smaller valves are fitted, reduced from 1 mm to 31 mm, to help achieve tighter valve depths and better reliability, while the piston crown has been modified to accommodate these changes.

The downstream air intake system has also been revised, with a repositioned injector upstream that straightens the intake air stream, assisting in cylinder filling.

On the exhaust side, a longer header pipe is now fitted, increasing by 100 mm to 557 mm and responsible for increasing low to mid-range torque. The overall matching ignition timing has changed.

According to Kawasaki, the magnet rotor has also been modified, with inertia increased by about 5%, to provide racer-friendly power. The clutch push rod is now also a steel cap with an aluminum shaft design, making the clutch lighter.

The gearshifts have also been revised, with longer first gears and tweaked second gears to provide better transitions from and to first and third.

On the reliability side of things, the connecting rod’s large bearing crushing height has been increased, while the main hold circuit relay has been modified to increase reliability as well.

Feedback from All-Japan Motocross has also been used to fine-tune the 48 mm KYB fork, with the internals changed for a firmer compression shock, and although the spring rate has not changed, the height has not changed. The oil has been optimized accordingly.

That feedback has also been used to adjust the KYB Uni-Track shock absorbers for firmer compression damping, with Kawasaki saying comfort was not sacrificed in either case.

Weight has also been saved, with the fork cover bolts changed to aluminum, the rear link neck now aluminum and running hollow bolts.

In terms of tires, Dunlip MX33 tires are fitted in most markets, helping the rear tire to increase to 110/90 compared to the front 100/90, increasing traction.

Finally, the new footrests are 5mm wider from front to back and 3mm backwards, with aluminum construction, which saves weight and along with the other changes mentioned helps to reduce the weight by 430g. weight, although the larger and heavier rear tires make up for this. .

Other features include hydraulic clutch, electric start, Start control mode, DFI Setup Data Selection with three maps via a plug and play coupler, while the KX FI Calibrator has Available as an accessory.

The lightweight aluminum perimeter frame and KX450-derived swingarm are retained, as is the oversized 270 mm front rotor with two-piston caliper and KX450 master cylinder. The rear unit is a 250 mm rotor with a piston caliper.

2023 Kawasaki KX250 Specifications