Zzr250 And Kle500

ZZR250 AND KLE500

Fun, but not for here

DANG FOREEIGNERS, THEY HAVE ALL THE FUN. ESPEcially the Europeans and the Japanese They get these two 1992 motorcycles We don't.

They are Kawasakis, both of them. One is the ZZR250, a jewel-like miniature ZX-11 powered by the same four-stroke Twin used in this year’s Ninja 250. The other is the KLE500, a rally-style bike powered by the same half-liter Twin used in the ever-popular EX500.

This pair could hardly have less in common, except for one factor that may be the most important of all. When it comes to delivering on motorcycling’s most basic promise—that any ride is bound to make you smile—these two pay off like a lottery win.

The ZZR250 exists, at least in part, because licensing laws in many countries require beginners to start out on little bikes. But while this 250 is docile enough for any beginner, it possesses enough chassis, brakes and engine to make even an experienced rider giggle with glee.

For sure, the ZZR isn’t going to pass too much traffic on uphill hauls. Even on the level, when running below 7000 rpm, it feels more like a 125 than a 250. But once the engine is spinning in its power curve, between 11,000 rpm and 14,000 rpm, the bike comes alive. And when the road points downhill and sprouts curves, the ZZR’s light weight and nimble handling allow it to stay glued to the license plates of much bigger bikes, all the while making its rider feel like a GP hero capable any second of smoking past to take the win. Too much fun.

The KLE500 offers fun of a slightly different flavor, though the spice remains pavement-oriented, in spite of the bike’s slightly dirty looks. Never a hit in the U.S., Paris-Dakar-style bikes are as popular as ever in Europe, where they’re used for everything from inter-city messenger service to cross-continent touring. It’s easy to see why. The KLE’s long-travel suspension works beautifully, though there isn’t as much ground clearance as you’d think—spirited riding soon drags the bike’s footpegs. But by then you’re going very quickly indeed, your speed aided by the bike’s willing 500cc Twin, the wonderful road view afforded by the sit-up riding position, and the remarkably good grip delivered by the bike’s semi-knobby dual-purpose tires. The purple-withpink color scheme takes some getting used to, though.

Unfortunately, U.S. riders won’t ever get that chance. Like it or not, this is one bike you’ll never see officially imported here, though there is some small possibility that the snappy ZZR250 could wiggle its way into Kawasaki’s 1993 lineup. If it does, we’ll take a six-pack of the little rascals. —Jon F. Thompson