2010–2017 · Enduro · Buyer's Guide
KLX 125 (KLX125-MY2010)
Light, Cheap, Goes Anywhere
The Machine's Character
The KLX 125 from 2010 to 2017 is a proper trail bike built at a smaller scale. It has a fuel-injected, air-cooled 125 cc single making 10 hp and 7 lb-ft, a 5-speed box and chain drive, all in a steel perimeter frame. It rolls on a 19-inch front and 16-inch rear, with 6.9 in (175 mm) of travel up front, 7.1 in (180 mm) at the back and 10.0 in (255 mm) of ground clearance. It weighs 249 lb (113 kg) wet. The bike is not trying to be fast. It is trying to be easy, and that is exactly the Kawasaki recipe I respect: simple, unfussy, and honest about what it is.
This bike ages the way a good small Kawasaki should. With air cooling, few parts and no electronics to fail, it is cheap to feed, easy to fix and hard to kill. That makes it an excellent first dirt bike for beginners, smaller riders and anyone who wants trail time without a big bill afterward. Power is gentle and manageable, which is what a learner needs on loose ground. Be honest with yourself about the limits, though. Experienced riders will run out of engine quickly, the fork is basic, and the bike is short of breath anywhere it has to keep up with traffic.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 10 hp (7.6 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 7 lb-ft (10 Nm) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Displacement | 125 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 240 mm |
| Front tire | 70/100-19 |
| Rear tire | 90/100-16 |
| Wheelbase | 50.6 in (1285 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.0 in (255 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.9 in (175 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 249 lb (113 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.8 gal (7 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Kawasaki KLX 125 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class
Head-to-head: Kawasaki KLX 125 vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Alternatives to the Kawasaki KLX 125
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
