Kawasaki KLX140 Monster Energy

By admin on Sep 18, 2008 in Kawasaki, Off-Road

Cool-Motorcycles reviews Kawasaki KLX140 Monster Energy

Kawasaki KLX140 Monster Energy 2009

Capable off-road performer with popular Monster Energy styling.
Already noted for its exceptional capabilities and easy-to-handle nature, Kawasaki’s KLX™140 Monster Energy® should be an even bigger hit with young riders and motocross fans. Black bodywork, frame and wheels, green hubs and Monster Energy graphics set this right-sized dirt bike apart from the pack. The 17” front and 14” rear wheeled KLX140 is designed to offer a comfortable seat height and be novice friendly for riders with a limited inseam, yet offer a roomy layout and enough performance to suit more-advanced riders.

Starting is an easy affair; just press the power switch and thumb the KLX140’s start button for the fun to begin. Nobody likes a dead battery, so the power switch contains an internal LED which illuminates any time the power is on, this means there’s never a doubt when the ignition is active. The KLX’s accelerative performance can be attributed to the abundant power flowing from its air-cooled SOHC 144cc engine through the five-speed, close-ratio transmission.

Its manual clutch offers young riders the chance to master full control over shifting. To promote an easy learning curve, the clutch features a spring damper that provides a progressive, two-stage engagement and facilitates half-clutch use while riding at extremely slow or idling speeds. Additional benefits of this system are a more direct lever feel and increased clutch durability.

The high-revving, yet quiet, engine is wrapped in a high-tensile steel perimeter frame that is covered by KX™-like shrouds and aggressive body work. The 140’s controls, from the grips to the narrow footpeg/frame relationship combined with large footpegs that make it easier for the rider to move around with a minimum of effort complete the KX-inspired design theme.

Suspension duties are handled a 33mm front fork with spring rate and damping settings specific to the KLX140, and the UNI-TRAK® linkage equipped rear shock features 5-way preload adjustability. To provide more options for growing riders, the more-advanced shock from the KLX140L fits the standard KLX140.

RK EXCEL aluminum rims and high-grade die-cast hubs are another sign this is a serious off-road bike. A large 220mm front disc and 27mm twin-piston caliper at the front and 186mm rear disc provide serious stopping power. Both utilize petal shaped rotors, which help clean the brakes and reduce unsprung weight for better performance.

Not catering to existing playbike rules, the KLX140 delivers an ideal blend of small stature and big potential that simply equals fun for kid to adult riders.

Features
Monster Energy Edition

Special Monster Energy graphics package
Black bodywork, frame and wheels
Green hubs highlight special Monster Energy graphics

144 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine

Reliable and easy to use lightweight engine is both simple to operate and to maintain
Bore and stroke of 58.0 x 54.4mm
Engine revs easily and allows riders to use the full rpm range of the engine up to the rev limiter at 10,500 rpm
Exhaust pipe is curved to achieve optimum length for good power character yet remain unobtrusive
Quiet muffler is equipped with a USFS approved spark arrester, meaning the KLX140 can access designated public off-road riding areas
Oil-moistened air-filter is washable, reusable, easily accessed and highly effective in dusty situations

Electric start

Keyless electric starting via handlebar-mounted button
Orange LED light activates when the power button is depressed, indicating that power is “ON” and helping to prevent accidental battery drain
Digital CDI ignition helps ensure quick, reliable starting

Carburetor

Oval piston-valve Keihin PB20 carburetor features several Kawasaki-original modifications to provide stable fuel delivery under rough off-road conditions
Partitions in the float chamber keep the fuel from sloshing excessively and an umbrella around the main jet traps fuel when jumping
Dual air vents help provide a stable fuel supply and eliminate hesitation, even when the bike is at extreme lean angles
Needle valve is suspended on a spring which acts like a shock absorber
Float is rubber instead of plastic

Close-ratio transmission

Close gear ratios help the acceleration performance of the KLX
Shift lever features a ball bearing like the KX™ models, to ease shifting and has a folding tip for less damage in a crash

Progressive manual clutch

Manual clutch offers young riders the chance to master clutch engagement and gear shifting
Spring damper in the clutch provides a 2-stage engagement that permits half-clutch use when riding at extremely low rpm or idling speeds and helps provide direct clutch feel and better durability

Box-section perimeter frame

Ready for the off-road abuse, the highly rigid, KX-inspired high-tensile steel perimeter frame also uses the same upper tubes as the KLX250S
Aluminum swingarm offers light weight, strength and a hairline finish like on the KX machines
KX-style chain adjusters allow precise adjustment of the chain

Superior suspension

33mm telescopic front fork has spring rates and damping settings specific to each model
KLX140 rear shock features 5-way preload adjustability
More advanced KLX140L rear shock and reservoir can be mounted on the KLX140 for faster riders

KX-style wheels

Strong, high-grade die-cast hubs that offer the same durability as those found on the KX
Durable, lightweight RK EXCEL aluminum rims on the 17/14-inch front/rear wheels

Petal disc brakes front & rear

Front 220mm petal disc and large-bore 27mm twin-piston caliper (same size as those on the KX450F/250F) for strong and easy-to-control braking
Rear brake uses a 186mm petal disc gripped by a 27mm single-piston caliper
Rear brake master cylinder features a large-volume, unitized reservoir that contributes to stable braking and helps ensure sufficient fluid pressure is maintained – even when the brake pad wears down
In addition to helping reduce unsprung weight, the wave shapes of the petal discs help clean the brake pads for more efficient braking performance

Ergonomics

Combination of the flat surface of the frame’s box-section, long footpegs mounted close to the bikes’ centerline and no kick-start lever add up to good grip and a high level of machine control available to the rider
Footpeg/frame relationship is modeled after the KX for maximum leg grip
Handlebar is rubber-mounted for reduced vibration transferred to the rider’s hands
Two-piece upper triple clamp and handle clamp fosters easy aftermarket handlebar installation
Raised pattern on half of the surface of the grips just like the top-class MX racers
Two-tone seat cover has a slip-resistant top surface for good grip when seated and smooth sides for excellent rider mobility when standing

Sharp, aggressive bodywork styling

Box-section perimeter frame, with advanced styling similar to that found on the KX racers
Two-piece shrouds with ventilation holes inspired by the top-of-the-line KX race machines
Fuel tank cover provides a flush transition from tank to shroud, and contributes to the high level fit and finish
Eye-catching box muffler design protrudes as little as possible from behind the side cover, and features a plastic muffler end-cap that offers a surface cooler to the touch than steel

Specifications

Engine : Four-stroke, SOHC, two-valve single
Displacement : 144cc
Bore x stroke : 58.0 x 54.4mm
Compression ratio : 9.5:1
Cooling : Air
Carburetion : Keihin PB20
Ignition : CDI
Transmission : Five-speed with wet multi-disc manual clutch
Final drive : Chain
Frame : High-Tensile steel, box-section perimeter
Rake / trail : 27 degrees / 3.3 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel : 33mm telescopic fork / 7.1 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel : UNI-TRAK® linkage system and single shock with 5-way preload adjustability / 7.1 in.
Front tire : 70/100-17
Rear tire : 90/100-14
Front brake / rear brake : Single 220mm petal disc with a dual-piston caliper / Single 186mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length : 71.7 in.
Overall width : 31.1 in.
Overall height : 41.3 in.
Ground clearance : 9.3 in.
Seat height : 30.7 in.
Curb weight : 205.0 lbs.
Wheelbase : 49.6 in.
Fuel capacity : 1.5 gal.
Color : Ebony
Warranty : 6 months base warranty