Australasian Dirt Bike – September 2019

(Michael S) #1

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

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