This is strictly for people who like to get dirty! The 2022 Kawasaki KX lineup is here, and it receives a new frame, new suspension, some mechanical changes, and reworked engines along with a slight bump in power and torque. The 2022 Kawasaki KX lineup features the updated KX250 priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom), and the KX450 priced at Rs 8.59 lakh (ex-showroom), commanding a slight premium over the outgoing models. The Kawasaki KX100 is also available for Rs 4.8 lakh (ex-showroom)
The 2022 Kawasaki KX250 now receives a hydraulic clutch, a self-starter, and a launch control mode. Powered by a 249cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with finger follower valve actuation, the KX250 produces 1.38bhp more than its predecessor. This engine can be tuned via DFI setting data selection with a choice of 3 engine maps. Kawasaki says the valve spring gets a higher spring rate to match a higher rev-limit, and also claims the combustion chamber design has been reworked for better performance. The crankcase design has also undergone some changes to reduce weight.
The KX250 features a lightweight aluminium perimeter frame based on the KX450’s frame. On the suspension front, the KX250 gets 48mm USD adjustable forks with a travel of 314mm, while the rear gets a new uni Trak adjustable suspension with 316mm of travel. It also gets adjustable handle and footpeg positioning. Tyre sizes include a 21-incher at the front and a 19-incher at the rear, while braking duties are taken care of by a dual-piston caliper mounted on a semi-floating 270mm petal disc up front, and a single-piston caliper mounted on a 240mm petal disc at the rear.
The 2022 Kawasaki KX450 will be the flagship of the Kawasaki KX lineup in India, and has a lot in common with the smaller KX250 with a few exceptions of course. The KX450 obviously gets a larger 449cc four-stroke liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It gets 49mm USD adjustable forks with 305mm of travel, while the rear also gets an adjustable Uni Trak suspension with 307mm of travel. The braking setup is identical to the one seen on the KX250, but with a 250mm petal disc at the rear instead of the 240mm petal disc.
Both bikes are barely millimeters apart from each other in terms of ground clearance and seat height, with the KX450 having a ground clearance of 340mm and a seat height of 955mm, while the KX250 is just marginally lower with 335mm and 950mm of ground clearance and seat height respectively.
If you’re looking to buy either of these bikes for your office commutes, just forget about them because neither of these bikes are road-legal. These aren’t very affordable either, and Kawasaki clearly has its eyes set on hardcore off-road enthusiasts who do not mind getting their clothes dirty for a bit of action. Probably a good thing there’s just the sole green colour on offer because it’ll be difficult to keep them clean anyway.