Pure Fun in the Dirt

Kawasaki India launched three new motorcycles at their Off-road Carnival event held in Pune and we got a chance to experience them in their natural habitat at Pro Dirt Adventure

- Joshua Varghese 

KAWASAKI IS ONE OF THE few manufacturers in India who offer pure off-road motorcycles straight out of the dealership. Their KX and KLX range have been around for years but they have always remained rather out of reach. We were invited to the Kawasaki Off-road Carnival in Pune to experience some of these motorcycles and also the latest additions to the range: the KX65, the KX112, and the KLX 230R S.

The KX65 is now the first step into the Kawasaki off-road family. It is a small training motorcycle for young racers which uses a 64-cc, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is fed by a Mikuni carburettor. With a 14-inch wheel at the front and a 12-inch one at the rear, the bike is diminutive. That was the only reason that discouraged me from having a go on it because it looked like proper fun in the hands of some talented young racers. The build quality is impressive and consistent with what one may expect of Kawasaki.

At Rs 3.12 lakh (ex-showroom), the KX65 is rather expensive for a small motorcycle but it is more than that. If put it to good use under the supervision of a watchful instructor, it could be an invaluable tool for young racers to hone their skills.