Australasian Dirt Bike – September 2019

http://www.adbmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2019| 15

KX250 GETS SOME LOVE

RANGER

HAS

LANDED

KAWASAKI HAS

RELEASEDdetails of its

2020 KX250, revealing

that the MX2 bike has

received numerous

updates to bring it into

line with the 450. Heralded

by Kwaka as the most

powerful four-stroke

KX250, the bike features

a revised engine and a

KYB spring-cartridge

fork to replace the air

suspension.

The company’s goals for

theenginewereamorepotent

top-endandahigherrevlimit.This

hasbeenachievedbymovingtoa

shorterstrokeandwiderbore,which

alsoallowslargervalves.

TheKX250picksupthefinger-

followervalveactuationusedonthe

450 forhigherrevswhiledualfuel

injectorsalsomakeanappearance.

Thestandardinjectorpositioninthe

throttlebodydownstreamofthe

throttlevalveisretainedbutthere’s

a second injector one closer

to the airbox. Kawasaki

says the injectors will

provide a smoother

response while increasing

output. Mapping plugs

for soft, standard and hard

characteristics are retained,

with the company claiming

a 2.4kW increase.

The KX has become

the last 250 motocrosser

outside of Austria to

switch back to a spring-

cartridge fork.

TheKYB48mmunitfeatureslarger

diameterinnertubestoallowlarger

pistons,whichKawasakiclaimsoffer

smootheraction.

Stifferspringsfrontandrearhave

beenusedtohandletheincreased

powerwhilea10mmbiggerreardisc

brakeshouldhelpslowitdown.The

frontdiscremainsat270mm.

TheMY20KX250isalreadyon

Australiansoilandisexpectedtobe

availableindealersthismonth.

GASGASAUSTRALIAhasfinallygot
itshandsontheECRanger 300 with
astickerpriceof$11,490rrp.TheEC
Ranger(right)enterstheexpanding
hybridtrials/enduro/trailmarket
alongsidetheBetaXtrainerand
recentlylandedKTMFreeride.
ADBTechnicalEditorMatBoyd
rodetheECRangerintheearly
stagesofitsdevelopmentin 2018
andwrote:“Icanseethisbeingthe
perfectbikeforsomeonewhojust
wantstogoforaridethroughthe
mountainsontheweekends,explore
sometrailsorevenridetothepub

RR

RR

05

for an objective,” Berg said.

UMI Gas Gas brand manager Lee

Pearsall told ADB: “Torrot now has

the bulk of its vehicle manufacturing in

a new $25 million facility on the other

side of Spain.

“The factory in Girona has to scale

down its workforce to meet just Gas

for lunch.” The local launch of the EC

Ranger fl ies in the face of renewed

rumours of fi nancial problems at

Gas Gas. Parent company Torrot has

denied the reports. Torrot USA rep

Mark Berg said the rumours stemmed

from a major restructuring. Berg said

the Spanish media reports were “fi lled

with incorrect statements and half

truths”. It appears the USA isn’t the

only country that likes fake

news or news altered

Gas enduro and trials production

needs. It has been a slow process

with strong union resistance and

false news on the internet.

“Gas Gas Australia has already

landed the 2020 EC Rangers and

they are being delivered to happy

customers. Trials bike production

is underway in Spain. Enduro range

production is scheduled after

this, which means Aussies will

see a 2020 press launch in

late September and bikes on

dealer’s fl oors in October and

November.

“Gas Gas Australia would

like to thank their loyal

customers and dealers for the

support that they have shown

since we have taken over the

distributorship and we expect an

exciting 2020 year ahead for

the brand.”

1. Footpegs feature teeth and
   spikes to frighten your boots


2. The RR125 retains a kickstarter
   for emergencies in the bush


3. That’s the engine map switch
   in front of the fuel tank fi ller


4. Plastics are minimalistic and
   the seat is extremely narrow
   0 5. Coolant pump hoses run
   off the crankcase, reducing the
   chances of crash damage