OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Kawasaki => Topic started by: Kenneth S (222) on November 04, 2012, 09:08:55 am

Title: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Kenneth S (222) on November 04, 2012, 09:08:55 am: Hi Men in Green,
As much as it pains me, my 11 year old boy wants to go Greeeen ??? Being a true Honda man I can't for the life of me understand why but his mind is set. He only began riding just over a year ago on the PW80 I bought him which has been a fantastic beginners bike but he is out growing it and wants a bit more.

What were the outstanding years for this model? What year models should I avoid? Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: evo550 on November 04, 2012, 02:12:59 pm: Vintage or modern ?
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Kenneth S (222) on November 04, 2012, 02:49:33 pm: Not sure. He doesn't seem too fussed. I think something Pre85 would be cool but if there was something later which was outstanding we'd look at it.

Cheers
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Ando on November 04, 2012, 02:57:23 pm: You could ask DB out that mate! He told me if you didn't have a KX80 in the 80's you weren't in the league ;)
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Slakewell on November 04, 2012, 05:10:30 pm: I know were there is a twin shock CR 80 but some of the late 80's model KX were the bike in there day.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Kenneth S (222) on November 04, 2012, 05:33:07 pm: Quote from: Slakewell on November 04, 2012, 05:10:30 pm
I know were there is a twin shock CR 80 but some of the late 80's model KX were the bike in there day.

Thanks Slakewell, he is set on Green I am afraid, as much as I would love him to go red.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: smed on November 04, 2012, 06:48:45 pm: Be careful of the first of the watercooled models KX80 Ken,they have the waterpump shaft integral with the end of the crank,Stuffed waterpump shaft = stuffed crank,I think to fix requires building up the shaft & having it rechromed,or getting a new crank,big $,not sure what year they went to a seperate shaft,I like the air cooled uni-trak rear guard/numberplate job myself,way cool :)
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Stevo17 on November 04, 2012, 07:15:36 pm: I had an 82 KX80D2 at the time and it was a great bike, and as some have said the KX's were the pick. I rode several 83 model KX80's and I felt they were better than the 82.... The 84 would probably have been a good thing. The 83 YZ80K was a very good bike also
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: maico police on November 04, 2012, 07:22:16 pm: If you get a D1 or D2 ('81, '82) be prepared to wait a looooong time for plastics if you need them and also be prepared to bend over and grab your ankles when you go to pay for them...... :P

I bought a D2 about twelve months ago to restore as I had one in the day. I recently gave up on the thing and sold it. Montesa's are a bunch easier to restore ::).

* The YZ 80 J was the killer 80 of 1982. The start gates were 90 percent J's.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: smed on November 04, 2012, 07:27:22 pm: I just looked up the models with that type of crank 83-85 model,86 on had the more conventianal seperate type :)
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Noel on November 13, 2012, 05:57:30 pm: How about this Ken

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-KX80D-1981-Vintage-Motocross-VMX-Classic-/321022239606?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item4abe6aa376
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Kenneth S (222) on November 13, 2012, 07:53:10 pm: Thanks Noel,
Yes, I saw that one and it is on the watch list.
Cheers,
Ken
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Dan-166 on November 13, 2012, 08:16:02 pm: Use the force Ken to sway the young padawan in the red, I mean right direction.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Kenneth S (222) on November 14, 2012, 04:08:40 am: Not a chance mate, he's a stubborn little bugger (must be from his mother's side ;D) and his mind is set.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: mick25 on November 14, 2012, 07:12:49 am: Mr hardo may give you some KX tips to ken,
I have never seen a swing arm sliced up like that before from the rear sprocket bloody poor sod.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Hardo on November 14, 2012, 12:15:41 pm: I just KNEW there was something really cool about your boy Ken !!! Greeeeeen !! WOOHOOO !!! ;D

You might as well just go Green too now mate - after all you want your bikes to match his ... ;)

I had a B2 (1980) KX80 back in the day, but I would guess they are light years away from a liquid cooled, front disc 83-84 KX80.

Quote from: mick25 on November 14, 2012, 07:12:49 am
Mr hardo may give you some KX tips to ken,
I have never seen a swing arm sliced up like that before from the rear sprocket bloody poor sod.

Yeah.... thanks Mick... I sure killed that swingarm ! :-\
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: badbowie on November 16, 2012, 04:32:14 pm: The KX80 was the pick in 1984 with its front disk brake. I had the 84 80 and 60 both seemed like a good thing back then.... then upgraded to a 1987 KX 80 didn't notice much difference other than it was a lot slimmer? I always wanted an 88 KX80 but never had one as it came out with a rear disk brake.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: VMX Andrew on November 16, 2012, 06:58:06 pm: This is just me but i always thought the 85 model was the best KX80.
Even compared to the 86 model the power was a lot more smoother
suspension less harsh but a touch on the soft side.
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: GT43 on November 17, 2012, 01:37:28 pm: On a YZ80J there were the usual riders I could not beat in my class.
On a 83' KX80F1, they couldn't catch me!

What an awesome little bike that was. 8)
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: evo550 on November 17, 2012, 08:05:26 pm: Here's a good looking '82
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-KX80D-1981-Vintage-Motocross-VMX-Classic-/321022239606?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item4abe6aa376
Title: Re: KX80 - Which models were outstanding models?
Post by: Hardo on November 24, 2012, 06:00:27 pm: Here's a pretty cheap 84 KX80 Ken, not pretty but a fair price and only 1 day left....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/84-kawasaki-kx-80-watercooled-not-cr-xr-rm-yz-80cc-/261131937442?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item3cccad26a2

:)