2023 Kawasaki KX65: SMALL SIZE. BIG PERFORMANCE.
Introducing the 2023 Kawasaki KX65…
With a combination of race-proven performance, durability, and value, the KX65 is the perfect platform for young riders and their families to begin their relationship with motocross.
The 2023 KX65 is the most compact motocross bike in the Kawasaki KX lineup, built to serve as the machine of choice for aspiring motocross racers driven to follow in Kawasaki’s championship footsteps. The durability and reliability the KX models are known for creating a dependable platform for young racers. Featuring a six-speed transmission, race-ready engine, strong stopping power, and superb handling, the KX65 builds champions.
Its liquid-cooled, two-stroke 65cc engine and lightweight chassis deliver strong controllable power and exceptional handling that results in the ultimate recipe for winning races. The 33mm front forks and four-way adjustable rebound damping are capable of performing at the highest level in aggressive terrain, while the rear is fitted with Kawasaki’s Uni-Trak single-shock system with adjustable rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload.
From their first ride to lifting the trophy, legends choose KX – Created to dominate and built for winners, the KX65 and KX85 are competition ready machines designed to encourage the green shoots of youth talent allowing it to blossom into full-blown race wins and Championship success.
KX65 motorcycles are the ideal dirt bikes for introducing young racers to the competitive ranks of motocross. With a 64cc engine, durable chassis and proven agility to turn lap after lap, the KX65 allows riders to gain experience and build skills on a dependable platform.
2023 Kawasaki KX65 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
- 64cc LIQUID-COOLED TWO-STROKE ENGINE
- ADJUSTABLE 33mm LEADING AXLE CONVENTIONAL FORK
- ADJUSTABLE UNI-TRAK REAR SUSPENSION
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE, LIQUID-COOLED 2-STROKE ENGINE
- ADJUSTABLE UNI-TRAK SUSPENSION SYSTEM
- BLACK ALUMITE-COATED WHEELS
- COMPACT SIZE AND WEIGHT
- LOW SEAT HEIGHT
- Low 29.9-inch seat height
- Front and rear disc brakes
- Steel semi-double cradle frame
The Bike That Builds Champions
The Kawasaki KX motocross and off-road motorcycle range returns stronger than ever for 2023 with its championship-winning packages.
Leading the way as the flagship model in the Kawasaki KX range is the KX450 with a powerful 449cc engine, electric start, Showa A-KIT technology suspension, and a coned disc-spring hydraulic clutch that have proven to capture awards, accolades, and race wins.
Joining the KX450 is its KX450X cross-country counterpart that has been purposely tuned for off-road competition. Developed to dominate off-road racecourses in both the woods and the desert, the cross-country KX lineup offers riders the required components for off-road competition straight from Kawasaki along with the dominant engine and chassis performance found on the KX450.
Kawasaki’s mini motocross lineup consisting of the KX112, KX85, and KX65 returns for 2023 and is ingrained with a long list of successes that have stemmed from building champions from the start. The KX112 supermini racer bridges the gap to full-size motocross bikes and boasts a powerful 112cc displacement engine, the largest in its class. It’s joined by the KX85, which shares much of the same technology found on the KX112. The KX65 returns as the most compact bike in the Kawasaki KX lineup and the starting point for aspiring champions.
The Kawasaki Team Green racing team has been the dominant force in amateur racing for nearly four decades, providing contingency and an unmatched level of trackside support to racers across the nation. Under the Team Green racing program, a trackside support system consisting of local, regional, and amateur motocross and off-road events across the country has been put in place. There, Kawasaki technicians and race transporters can be found providing critical parts and technical assistance to all riders. Kawasaki’s efforts, matched with the input from aspiring young stars, have produced winning products across its lineup.
2023 Kawasaki KX65 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
ENGINE
High-Performance 2-Stroke Engine
• Lightweight flywheel with rare-earth magnets for snappy low-end engine response.
• Exhaust and transfer ports shaped for top-end power. The bridge between the exhaust ports is machine finished to resist seizure.
• The exhaust is tuned to help boost top-end power. Thick O-rings to seal the exhaust are retained in special grooves for increased durability and easy installation.
Electrofusion Cylinder(KP)
• Electrofusion coating on the aluminum cylinder walls improves heat transfer for consistent power output.
• Allows closer piston-to-cylinder clearances for more power.
• Provides excellent wear and seizure resistance.
Multi-Plate Clutch
• The clutch actuation arm rides in needle bearings for smooth action.
• The clutch basket and hub ride on involute splines and are fastened with a circlip instead of a bolt to ease servicing.
6-Speed Transmission
• The ends of the shift forks are hard-chrome finished for durability.
• A bearing that is sealed on one side is used on the shift drum to help raise the transmission’s oil level for increased lubrication and added durability.
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak Rear Suspension(KP)
• The rocker arm is made of cast aluminum to reduce weight.
• The rear shock has 0-3 turn adjustable range rebound damping, a stiff spring and damping settings to accommodate more aggressive riders.
• The bottom link design helps lower the center of gravity, which makes the bike feel lighter and easier to handle.
33mm Conventional Fork
• Front fork springs and damping settings reduce bottoming.
• Large 33mm inner tubes assure rigidity for great handling on rough courses.
Black Alumite-Coated Aluminum Rims
• Aluminum rims reduce unsprung weight and their strength adds durability.
High Tensile Steel Semi-Double Cradle Frame
• Thick backbone tubing and a reinforced downtube provide strength and durability.
• Large cast steel footpegs are designed to resist bending in the case of a tip-over and offer great grip.
• A removable left side rear frame piece eases air box and shock servicing.
• Tapered steering head bearings add precision and durability.
2023 Kawasaki KX65 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $3999 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $4699 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ NA GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
Engine Type 2-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, Reed Valve, Single
Displacement 64 cc
Bore & Stroke 44.5 x 41.6mm
Compression Ratio 8.4:1
Carburetor Mikuni VM24SS
Ignition Digital CDI
Transmission 6-Speed
Rake/Trail 27°/2.4 in.
Front Wheel Travel 8.3 in.
Rear Wheel Travel 9.4 in.
Front Tire Size 60/100-14
Rear Tire Size 80/100-12
Front Suspension 33mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork with 4-Way Adjustable Rebound Damping
Rear Suspension Uni-Trak with Piggy-back Gas-Charged Shock and Adjustable Preload,
4-way Adjustable Rebound Damping
Wheelbase 44.1 in.
Front Brake Type Disc
Rear Brake Type Disc
Fuel Tank Capacity 1.0 gal.
Ground Clearance 12.0 in.
Seat Height 29.9 in.
Curb Weight= 132 lb.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Ask about Kawasaki’s Team Green amateur rider support program.
(KP) = See Kaw-Pedia section for more details.
* = Changes from previous model year.
= = Includes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90% of capacity) and tool kit (if supplied).
2023 Kawasaki KX65 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
POWER
Engine 64cc, liquid-cooled, 2-stroke single
Bore x Stroke 44.5 x 41.6 mm
Compression Ratio 8.4:1
Induction 4-petal piston reed valve
Fuel System Carburettor: Mikuni VM24SS
Ignition Digital-CDI
Starting Primary kick
Lubrication Pre-mix (32:1)
Transmission 6-speed, return
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
Final Drive Chain
PERFORMANCE
Frame Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel, with detachable left-side rear section
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel ø33 mm telescopic fork with adjustable rebound damping / 210 mm (8.3 in)
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel Bottom-link Uni Trak, gas-charged shock with adjustable rebound damping and adjustable spring preload / 240 mm (9.4 in)
Rake / Trail 27° / 60 mm
Steering Angle (L/R) 40° / 40°
Front Tire 60/100-14 30M
Rear Tire 80/100-12 41M
Front Brake ø180 mm disc with single-piston caliper
Rear Brake ø180 mm disc with single-piston caliper
DETAILS
Dimensions (L x W x H) 1,590 x 760 x 955 mm (62.6 x 29.9 x 37.6 in)
Wheelbase 1,120 mm (44.1 in)
Road Clearance 305 mm (12.0 in)
Seat Height 760 mm (29.9 in)
Curb Mass** 60 kg (132 lb)
Mass Without Fuel 57.2 kg (126 lb)
Fuel Capacity 3.8 litres
2023 Kawasaki KX65 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Engine
Engine typeLiquid-cooled, 2-stroke Single
Displacement64 cm³
Bore x stroke44.5 x 41.6 mm
Compression ratio8.4:1
Valve systemPiston reed valve
Fuel systemCarburettor: Mikuni VM24SS
IgnitionElectric CDI
Starting SystemPrimary Kick
LubricationPetrol mix
Gear Transmission
Transmission6-speed
Final driveChain
Primary Reduction Ratio3.500 (77/22)
Gear Ratios 1st2.846 (37/13)
Gear Ratios 2nd2.125 (34/16)
Gear Ratios 3rd1.722 (31/18)
Gear Ratios 4th1.428 (30/21)
Gear Ratios 5th1.217 (28/23)
Gear Ratios 6th1.083 (26/24)
Final reduction ratio3.615 (47/13)
ClutchWet multi-disc
Suspensions Brakes & Suspension
Brakes, frontSingle 180 mm disc. Caliper: Single-piston
Brakes, rearSingle 180 mm disc. Caliper: Single-piston
Suspension, front33 mm telescopic fork with 4-way rebound damping
Suspension, rearBottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, adjustable preload and stepless rebound damping
Dimensions Frame & Dimensions
Frame typeDouble-cradle, high-tensile steel
Trail60 mm
Wheel travel front210 mm
Wheel travel rear240 mm
Tyre, front60/100-14 30M
Tyre, rear80/100-12 41M
Steering angle, left / right40° / 40°
L x W x H1,590 x 760 x 955 mm
Wheelbase1,120 mm
Ground clearance305 mm
Fuel capacity3.8 litres
Seat height760 mm
Curb Mass60 kg
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
