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2012 Kawasaki KLX250S

2012 Kawasaki KLX250S

– 2012 Kawasaki KLX250S

2012 Kawasaki KLX250S Review

Nimble Explorer Does Double Duty as an Efficient Commuter

When adventure takes riders off the beaten path, the KLX250S is the right tool for the job. Built for both on-and off-road use, the light and nimble KLX250S is an ideal ride for dual-sporting fun. Its efficient single-cylinder engine is perfect for maneuvering through urban traffic or exploring the trails. No matter where the journey leads, it’s enhanced by the KLX’s long-travel suspension, impressive maneuverability and reliable liquid-cooled engine.

An easy-to-use push-to-start button starts up the KLX’s 249cc engine. That engine is mounted in a light, high-tensile steel perimeter frame, yielding a low center of gravity that translates into better maneuvering on tight trails. The 34mm semi-flat slide Keihin CVK carburetor provides great throttle response and broad, smooth power – not to mention fantastic fuel economy. The KLX250S meets California air pollution regulations, making it an ideal urban commuter in all 50 states.

A highly refined six-speed transmission contains the right gear for everything from off-road crawling to highway cruising, with an advanced shift cam for positive shift feel and firm engagement. The rigors of off-road motorcycling dictate additional protection for the exposed underside of the machine, so the KLX250S comes standard with an aluminum engine guard to protect its crankcase during off-road adventures. Negotiating tight terrain also highlights another off-road reality – heat. Dual lightweight, high-capacity Denso radiators and an electric fan provide ample cooling.

The KLX250S’s straight-line stability is enhanced by a rigid square-section main frame, yet its short wheelbase gives it outstanding turning aptitude. Complementing the chassis is a lightweight aluminum swingarm employing a highly rigid D-shaped cross section. KX™ racing-type chain adjusters allow for precise chain adjustments.

The KLX250S’s custom spring and damping settings, with slightly less wheel travel than a dedicated off-road machine, give a more planted feel in corners and make it easier for riders to reach the ground. The 43mm inverted cartridge-style front fork features 16-way adjustable compression damping and 10.0-inches of travel. The Uni-Trak® linkage-type rear suspension has 16-way adjustable compression and rebound damping, providing 9.1-inches of wheel travel. Strong, 4mm-thick spokes in the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels provide excellent rigidity for enhanced off-road durability. The KLX250S also stops hard, thanks to twin-piston calipers squeezing a 250mm semi-floating petal-shaped disc up front and a 240mm petal-shaped disc at the rear.

Aggressively styled bodywork finishes off this powerful and rugged package, and a custom seat filled with firm urethane and a carefully chosen handlebar pull it all together for long, comfortable days on the road and off it.

Riders seeking enduro handling and modern engine performance in a dual-purpose motorcycle designed for effortless street riding will find it at their local Kawasaki dealership. The KLX250S offers serious capabilities in a fun, easy-to-ride package, regardless of where the adventure takes it.

The Best of Both Worlds

The latest and greatest KLX250S features unbelievable off road performance and real KLX heritage making it an awesome on or off road machine. Whether you’re tearing it up on the weekends with your mates or hauling to work and back through the week, enjoy the best of both worlds with the all new KLX250S.

 

 

2012 Kawasaki KLX250S Features and Benefits

Key Features

• On and off-road capability means maximum versatility
• 249cc engine is liquid cooled for long engine life
• Adjustable 43mm fork offers excellent rigidity and consistent damping
• Adjustable Uni-Trak® rear suspension helps ensure a smooth ride and great handling
• Fully digital instrumentation has easy-to-read speedometer and tachometer
• Starting is easy with push-button electric start
• Six-speed transmission provides the right gear for any situation
• Brakes feature petal-style discs for superior stopping power

Single-cylinder 249cc DOHC Engine

• Compact engine design is lightweight and high revving, with a broad torque curve
• Good mass centralization for superior handling
• Flat-top piston and pentroof combustion chamber deliver an 11:1 compression ratio
• Lightweight piston, piston pin and connecting rod enable higher revs for maximum power
• Aluminum cylinder features electrofusion coating, which allows a tight clearance between piston and cylinder for greater horsepower and increased engine life thanks to superior heat transfer and lubrication retention properties
• A gear-driven engine balancer provides smooth power delivery from idle to redline
• Provides maximum valve area for optimum flow, to boost low-end torque while providing improved high-rpm breathing efficiency for more power
• 34mm semi-flat slide Keihin CVK carburetor delivers the optimum amount of fuel at all rpm, resulting in improved throttle response, greater power and excellent fuel economy
• Meets strict CARB regulations, so it’s available in all 50 states

Liquid Cooling

• Dual high-capacity, vertical-flow Denso radiators provide reliable and efficient engine cooling
• Radiators feature tightly packed cores and a fin design for excellent heat dispersion
• More consistent engine temperatures allow tighter engine clearances for quieter running and sustained power, while promoting longer engine life
• Cooling fan is powered by a shallow-footprint electric motor

Electric Starting

• Quick and easy push-button starting
• Kawasaki Automatic Compression Release (KACR) automatically lifts one of the exhaust valves at cranking rpm, for reduced starting effort

Exhaust System

• Secondary air system helps provide clean emissions
• USFS-approved spark arrestor lets the KLX™250S access designated off-road public riding areas

Six-speed Transmission

• Allows engine’s full potential to be used
• Provides excellent acceleration as well as relaxed highway cruising

Inverted Front Forks

• 43mm inverted cartridge fork offers excellent rigidity and consistent damping performance; 10.0-inch wheel travel means straight-line stability, great handling and a low seat height
• 16-way compression damping adjustment allows tuning for differences in rider weight and terrain

Uni-Trak® Rear Suspension

• 9.1-inches of rear wheel travel for straight-line stability, great handling and a low seat height
• Progressive linkage rate provides a smooth ride and excellent bottoming resistance
• The gas-charged remote-reservoir shock features 16-way adjustable compression and rebound damping

Diamond Frame

• Lightweight, high-tensile steel for amazing rigidity
• No downtubes, for lower engine placement and lower center of gravity as well as ample ground clearance
• Lightweight, aluminum D-section swingarm is highly rigid and reduces unsprung weight
• KX™ racing-type chain adjusters allow precise adjustment to minimize drivetrain power losses

Petal-Shaped Disc Brakes

• Front and rear disc brakes offer impressive stopping performance
• Twin-piston caliper grips a 250mm petal-shaped disc up front
• 240mm rear petal-shaped disc for great power, feel and feedback

Wheels and Tires

• Fat, 4mm spokes for greater off-road durability
• Tires with small tread blocks for longer tire life and increased grip on asphalt

Enhanced Ergonomics

• KLX-spec handlebar for a more relaxed position and effortless control
• Footpegs are positioned close to the bike’s centerline
• KLX-spec seat shape and foam make it easier to change seating position

Narrow Fuel Tank

• Narrow tank design gives riders maximum comfort and control without sacrificing capacity

Digital Instrumentation

• All-digital instrument console gives at-a-glance information, including a digital bar graph tachometer, digital speedometer, clock, and dual trip meters

Bodywork

• Aggressive headlight and front fender design
• Two-piece radiator shrouds styled like the KX motocrossers
• Rear fender is a two-piece unit featuring a sharp taillight design that offers great visibility and further contributes to the KLX’s aggressive styling

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2012 Kawasaki KLX250S – USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $4,999 USD

Engine Four-stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, four-valve single

Displacement 249cc

Bore x Stroke 72.0 x 61.2mm

Compression ratio 11.0:1

Cooling System Liquid

Carburetion Keihin CVK34

Ignition Digital CDI

Transmission Six-speed

Final drive Chain

Frame Type Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Rake/Trail 26.5 degrees / 4.1 in.

Front suspension / wheel travel 43mm Inverted Cartridge Fork with 16-Way Compression Damping Adjustment / 10.0 in.

Rear suspension / wheel travel Uni-Trak® with Adjustable Preload, 16-Way Compression and Rebound Damping Adjustment / 9.1 in.

Front Tire Size 80/100×21

Rear Tire Size 100/100×18

Front brakes / rear brakes 250mm semi-floating petal disc with two-piston hydraulic caliper / 240mm petal disc with single-piston hydraulic caliper

Overall length 86.6 in.

Overall width 32.3 in.

Overall Height 47.4 in.

Seat height 35.0 in.

Wheelbase 56.3 in.

Ground clearance 11.2 in.

Fuel capacity 2.0 gal.

Curb weight 297.7 lbs.

Color Choices Lime Green, Red

Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

Warranty 12 Months

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2012 Kawasaki KLX250S – Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: See Canadian Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.

ENGINE
Type 4-stroke, Single
Displacement 249cc
Bore & Stroke 72.0 x 61.2 mm
Cooling Liquid, twin radiators
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Valve system DOHC, 4 valves
Fuel System Keihin CVK34 carburetor
Ignition Digital DC-CDI
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication (wet sump)

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission 6-speed, constant mesh, return shift
Final Drive Sealed Chain
Primary Reduction Ratio 2.800 (84/30)
Gear Ratio: 1st 3.000 (30/10)
Gear Ratio: 2nd 2.000 (30/15)
Gear Ratio: 3rd 1.500 (27/18)
Gear Ratio: 4th 1.250 (25/20)
Gear Ratio: 5th 1.050 (21/20)
Gear Ratio: 6th 0.952 (20/21)
Final Reduction Ratio 3.000 (42/14)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, cable operation

FRAME

Type Tubular semi-double cradle, high tensile steel
Wheel Travel: Front 255 mm (10.0 in.)
Tire: Front 110/70-17
Wheel Travel: Rear 230 mm (9.1 in.)
Tire: Rear 130/70-17
Caster (Rake) 26.5°
Trail 105 mm (4.1 in.)
Steering Angle (Left/Right) 41° / 41°

SUSPENSION

Suspension, Front 43 mm inverted cartridge fork with 16-way compression and rebound damping adjustment
Suspension, Rear Uni-Trak with adjustable preload, 16-way compression and rebound damping adjustment

BRAKES

Front: Type Single semi-floating 250 mm petal disc
Front: Caliper 2-piston hydraulic caliper
Rear: Type Single 240 mm petal disc
Rear: Caliper Single-piston hydraulic caliper

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length 2,200 mm (86.6 in.)
Overall Width 820 mm (32.3 in.)
Overall Height 1,205 mm (47.4 in.)
Wheelbase 1,430 mm (56.3 in.)
Ground Clearance 285 mm (11.2 in.)
Seat Height 890 mm (35.0 in.)
Curb Mass** 135 kg (298 lbs.)
Fuel Capacity 7.7 litres (1.7 gal.)
Fuel Consumption 3.3 L/100 km (85 MPG)
** Includes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90% of capacity) and tool kit (if supplied)

DETAILS

MSRP* TBA
Colours Lime Green, Firecracker Red
Warranty 12 months warranty

ADDITIONAL COST OPTIONS

Good Times Protection Plan 24 or 36 months (Kawasaki GTPP coverage begins after the standard limited warranty expires)

The specifications mentioned here apply to and have been achieved by production models under standard operating conditions. We intend only to give a fair description of the vehicle and its performance capabilities but these specifications may not apply to every machine supplied for sale. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. Equipment illustrated and specifications may vary to meet individual markets. Available colours may vary by market.

 

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2012 Kawasaki KLX250S – UK/European Specifications/Technical Details
UK/EU MSRP Price: See UK/EU Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.

Not available

 

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2012 Kawasaki KLX250S – Australian Specifications/Technical Details
Australia MSRP Price: See Australian Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.

Engine 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4-Valve Single
Displacement 249 cm³
Bore & Stroke 72.0 x 61.2mm
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Valve system DOHC 4-valve
Carburettor Keihin CVK34
Ignition Digital CDI
Transmission 6-speed
Rake/Trail 26.5°/110 mm
Front Wheel Travel 255 mm
Rear Wheel Travel 230 mm
Front Tyre Size 3.00-21
Rear Tyre Size 4.60-18
Suspension-front 43mm Inverted Cartridge Fork
with 16-Way Compression Damping Adjustment
Suspension-rear Uni-Trak with Adjustable Preload, 20-Way
Compression and Rebound Damping Adjustment
Wheelbase 1,430 mm
Front Brake Type 250 mm Petal Disc
Rear Brake Type 240 mm Petal Disc
Fuel Tank Capacity 7.7 litres
Ground Clearance 285 mm
Seat Height 890 mm
Curb Mass 134 kg