Kawasaki KX85-D

Like all the other dirt bikes from Kawasaki, the KX85-D has been blessed with a minimalistic design, which is devoid of many standard features which we take for granted nowadays. The overall design has been shared with the smallest KX series motorcycle, the KX65, save for a couple of nifty changes.

At the front, the Kawasaki KX85-D has been given a white colored flat plastic panel, which replaces the headlamp assembly as well as the turn indicators, thus making the front fascia look plain-jane. The high mounted front fender does add some much-needed aggression to the frontal stance of the motorcycle.

Talking about the side profile, the KX85-D has been equipped with a high mounted fuel tank, which thanks to its slim and horizontal layout, makes an impression of a side body panel as well. Apart from this, the KX85-D looks minimalistic thanks to the absence of proper side body panels. The off-set under seat exhaust pipe comes with a large white cover over it, which apart from aiding in heat protection, also adds to the visual appeal of the motorcycle. The flat and single piece seat on the KX85-D is very compact, though.

Just like at the front, Kawasaki hasn’t equipped the KX85-D with conventional lighting assembly at the rear as well. The motorcycle misses out on an engine bash plate, which would have increased the rugged appeal of the motorcycle even further. The small but wide off-road tyres do make the bike look off-road ready. The spoke rims are finished in black color, which is a nice touch enhancing the visual appeal of the KX85-D.

Apart from the lighting components, the Kawasaki KX85-D doesn’t come with an instrument console as well. The rider has a flat handlebar ahead of him, which comes with round padding around its central portion.

When it comes to the basic chassis, Kawasaki has fitted the KX85-D with 36mm telescopic forks at the front and a Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged monoshock at the rear. Given the light-weighted nature of the KX85-D, the suspension has a certain stiffness to it, making the motorcycle even more agile in feel. However, the compact dimensions of the motorcycle do create an issue in order to find spot-on ergonomics. The KX85-D has been fitted with a 220mm disc at the front and a 184mm disc at the rear, which do have a sharp bite.

Kawasaki has equipped the KX85-D with one of its smallest engines. The two-stroke, single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 84cc powerhouse on the KX85-D is basically based on Kawasaki’s smallest engine which powers the KX65, with an altered bore and stroke ratios. Like on the other engines of the Kawasaki’s lineup of off-road motorcycles, Kawasaki has kept the power and torque outputs of the KX85-D under wraps. However, given the extremely low kerb weight of just 77 kgs, the bike impresses with a peppy performance on tap, with an incredible power-to-weight ratio on offer. The puny engine is mated to a complex 6-speed gearbox.

Given its entry-level positioning with compact dimensions and small powertrain, the Kawasaki KX85-D is not equipped with more sophisticated electronic riding aids. The bike even misses out on ABS, however, the disc brakes help in keeping the motorcycle well under control.

The Kawasaki KX85-D might not appeal to the hardcore off-road riders who prefer motorcycles with much larger performance, dynamics and capabilities. However, for beginners, the KX85-D is a good learner’s tool with incredible performance levels and equally stable chassis. The very basic appeal of the KX85-D, in terms of aesthetic appeal and mechanicals, makes it a fun-to-ride machine.