Kawasaki KE125: review, history, specs

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Kawasaki-ke125-1975-1982-1.jpg
Kawasaki KE125
Manufacturer
Also called KE 125
Production 1975 - 1983
Class Enduro
Predecessor Kawasaki F6
Engine
single cylinder, two-stroke
Bore / Stroke 56.0mm x 50.6mm
Compression ratio 7:1
Top Speed 58 mph (94 km/h)
Horsepower 9.79 HP (7.3 KW) @ 6300RPM
Torque 11.06 ft/lbs (15.0 Nm) @ 6000RPM
Fuel System Carburetor
Spark Plug NGK B8HS '76-79
NGK B8ES '80-83 [1]
Battery YUASA 6N6-1D-2 '76-83 [1]
Transmission Gear box: 6-speed

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: Wet multi-plate
Suspension Front: Telescopic forks
Rear: Dual shocks
Brakes Front: expanding brake
Rear: expanding brake
Front Tire 2.75-21 [1]
Rear Tire 3.50-18 [1]
Wheelbase 53.11 inches (1349 mm)
Width 34.29 inches (871 mm)
Seat Height 31.5 inches (800 mm)
Weight 110.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil K-tech 10W-40
Fuel Capacity 2.51 Gallon (9.50 Liters)
Related Kawasaki KS125, Kawasaki KE175, Suzuki TS185
Competition Harley-Davidson SX125, Honda XL125, Yamaha DT125
Manuals Service Manual


The Kawasaki KE125 was a 125cc, single cylinder, 2-stroke, dual-purpose motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 1976 through 1982. It could reach a top speed of 58 mph (94 km/h). Max torque was 11.06 ft/lbs (15.0 Nm) @ 6000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 9.79 HP (7.3 KW) @ 6300 RPM.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Kawasaki KE 125's disc valve two stroke single was considered lively back in the mid 1975s, but nowadays it's just an average performer, although the low weight of the Kawasaki KE 125 (110 Kg wet) means acceleration is reasonably perky. The Kawasaki KE 125 experiences excessive vibration above 80 Km (50 mph) and is a bit noisy too.


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, two-stroke. A 56.0mm bore x 50.6mm stroke result in a displacement of just 125.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a rotary valves.

The KE-125 was built around Kawasakis' rotary disk valve induction two stroke engine. It was a six speed, with oil injection, points and condenser, and a 6 volt electrical system. Bare nuts reliable would be an accurate way of describing this, and the entire KE series. That little rotary two stroke would smoke the doors off any of it competition hands down, and while being a little wider and heavier than a piston port engine due to the rotary chamber, the power advantage was worth it. It was also a bit mechanically noisy as compared to other bikes, but really, when you are miles ahead of the competition, whats a little noise??

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 6-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet multi-plate.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 2.75-21 front tire and a 3.50-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks. The KE125 was fitted with a 2.51 Gallon (9.50 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 53.11 inches (1349 mm) long.


1976 KE125-A3[edit | edit source]

1976 Kawasaki KE125-A3



  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Pearl Yellow, Candy Orange
  • Front Fender: Metallic Silver
  • Engine No.: K1 E033500-
  • Frame No.: K1-033500-
  • Parts Catalogue No. : 99997-631-52S, (G) 99997-631-53S, (E) 99997-667
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99997-869-00
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-709
  • Major Changes: Model code change for the Kawasaki KS125. Color and grips. Rear shocks, side cover, fuel tank, and seat changed, which are same as KE175.

1977 KE125-A4[edit | edit source]


  • Maximum Horsepower:
  • 13 HP @ 6.500 rpm
  • (E)(A) 11.5 HP @ 6,000 rpm
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Light Red, Candy Cobalt Blue
  • Front Fender: Metallic Silver
  • Engine No.: KlE048101-
  • Frame No.: K1-048101-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-631-545, (G) 99997-631-55S, (E) 99997-667-50S
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99997-897-00
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-709
  • Major Changes: Color, marking, and gear ratios. Bleed valve added to oil pump. Rotary disc material changed to steel. Seat band and tandem footpegs added to US model.

1978 KE125-A5[edit | edit source]


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Light Red, Candy Emerald
  • Green
  • Front Fender: White
  • Engine No.: K1E060701-
  • Frame No.: K1-060501-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-631-56S, (G) 99997-631-57S, (E) 99997-667-54 S
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99920.1023-00, (E) 99920-1006-00
  • Shop Manual No,: 99997-709
  • Major Changes: Color and marking.

1979 KE125-A6[edit | edit source]

1979 Kawasaki KE125-A6



  • 125 cc
  • 2-Stroke, 1 Cylinder
  • Rotary Disc Valve
  • 6-Speed, Return Shift
  • Max. Horsepower:
  • (U)(G) 13 HP @ 6,500 rpm,
  • (E) 11.5 HP @ 6,000 rpm
  • Spark Plug: NGK B8HS
  • Tire Size
  • Front: 2.75-21 4PR
  • Rear: 3.50-18 4PR
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Firecracker Red, Marine Blue
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No.: KlEO74101-
  • Frame No.: K1-074107 -
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99920-1044-01,
  • (U) 99997-631 plus 99997-633-58S,
  • (E) 99997-667 plus 99997-667-52S,
  • (G) 99997-631 plus 99997-631-59s
  • Service Manual No.: (U) 99924-1010-03, (E)(G) 099997-709-05
  • Owner's Manual No.: (S) 99923-1015-01, (U) 99920-1044-01, (E)(G) 99922-1040-03,
  • Remarks: Dual purpose model with 6 gears, Successor to the Kawasaki KS125.

1980 KE125-A7[edit | edit source]

1980 Kawasaki KE125-A7


  • Max. Horsepower:
  • (U) 13.5 HP @ 7,000 rpm
  • (G) 13 HP @ 6,500 rpm
  • (E) 12.5 HP @ 6,000 rpm
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Lime Green (except (L)), Firecracker Red
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No.: KlE082101 --
  • Frame No.: K1-081601-
  • Parts Catalogue No.:
  • (U) 99910-1089-02 plus 99910-1089-51R,
  • (G) 99910-1096-02 plus 99910-1096-51R,
  • (E) 99910-1097-03 plus 99910-1097-52R
  • Service Manual No.: (U) 99924-1010-03, (E)(G) 99997-709-05
  • Owner's Manual No.: (F) 99923-1039-01,(U) 99920-1078-02,(E)(G) 99922-1 061-04
  • Major Changes: Marking & Color, box-section swing arm, semi center-up muffler.


1981 KE125-A8[edit | edit source]



  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: (L)(E)(G) Firecracker Red, (E)(G) Lime Green, (E) Brilliant Blue
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No.: KlE093301 -, (W) KlG000501 -
  • Frame No.: *K1-091501 -
  • JKAKERAl0BA092773 -
  • Parts Catalogue No.: Same as KE125-A7
  • Service Manual No.: (U) 99924-1010-03, (E)(G) 99997-709-05
  • Owner's Manual No.: (U) 99920-1106-01, (E)(G) 99922-1104-03
  • Major Changes: Graphic, rear shock absorbers, helmet hook.

1982 KE125-A9[edit | edit source]

1982 Kawasaki KE125-A9



  • 124 mL
  • 2-Stroke, 1 Cylinder, Rotary Disc Valve
  • 6-Speed. Return Shift
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Polar White, Lime Gresn, (U) Firecracker Red
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No: K1 El07001 -
  • Frame No: K1-10lJ01 -
  • (C)(U) JKAKERA1CA101701 -
  • Parts Catalogue No: 99910-121402
  • (O) 99910-1215-02
  • (C)(U)99961-0128 (Micro)
  • Service Manual No: 99997-70907
  • (C)(U) 99924-1010-04
  • Owner's Manual No: 99922-1 184-02
  • (C)(U) 99920-1161-03
  • Remarks: Dual purpose model with 6 gears, front & rear drum brakes.


In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019.