”Head
Knocker”
Someone in Kawasaki's ATV department must have
got his butt kicked at the end of 1985. The Tecate 250, Kawasaki's version of a
competitive sport ATV, had seen better days and got a thorough waxing from
Honda's ATC250R last season. For 1986, Kawasaki entered the ATV arena with both
barrels blazing, and their efforts haven't gone unnoticed. It's lower, faster
and handles so well, it makes its year-old brother look like a motorized wagon
by comparison.
SO WHAT IS EXACTLY NEW
Everything. The engine is still water-cooled,
but now features a power valve. Kawasaki Intergrated power-valve System. The
concept behind a power valve is relatively simple: It's a variable valve that alters
the exhaust port so that the machine will have the low end of a tractor and the
upper hit of a galactic star cruiser.
They completely junked the old chassis and
replaced it with a low-floating unit meant to greatly improve the Tecate's
cornering abilities. Last year's forks would bottom on a ballpoint pen, and the
36mm units flexed badly. They've been replaced with giant 41mm telescopics, and
the travel was upped from '85's 8.7 inches to 9.8 inches. On the rearward side,
the Uni-Trak single benefits from a new damper with 20 rebound adjustments and
just under ten inches of travel.
Last year's machine's radiator was mounted high
on the forks. Thankfully, they've replaced it with twin units mounted to the
frame, under a smaller gas tank. This one modification helps lower the center
of gravity considerably. A steel swingarm and Uni-Trak strut are mounted in
place of the anchor material used last year, and the Tecate has lower-profile
rear mounts aimed at increasing its slideability.
SLIDIN'
GREENIE
Kawasaki accomplished a minor miracle with the
Tecate. The power has gone from light-switch to a monstrous mid-range charge
that revs to the moon. Although there is a bit of a flat spot off the bottom,
the generous middle portion of the powerband blows out enough juice to trail
ride, and with a stab at the clutch, shoots into hyperspace in seconds.
Couple the newfound adrenaline with a chassis
that crave full-lock, scream-at-the-stars slides, and the true virtues of the
Kawasaki quickly surface. The lower-profile rear rubber aids the new chassis in
railing, sliding and maneuvering with excellent results. Although the front is
a tad soft, we upped the oil level to five inches from the top of the tubes,
and found that the Tecate's big front silverware will definitely take some
abuse. In addition, the updated rear damper takes the crusher hits just fine
and works in harmony with the 41mm KYB forks. The machine tracks though whoops
without skipping or hopping, and killer jumps are soaked up with little effort.
GLITCHES
AND GRACES
Say hurrah for the twist throttle! Apparently
Kawasaki isn't afraid to try something new in the ATV market.
An excellent front headlight/numberplate replace
the birthday candle found on last year's bike.
The kickstarter is awkward and stupid. It slams
your foot right into the footpeg and attempts to painfully remove your toes.
This is not good.
Something has to be done about the vibration of
the machine. After a 30-minute riding stint, your teeth will chatter and your
hands will get numb as if you've been riding with chewing gum in place of motor
mount bolts.
STACK THE
CASH
There's no doubt about it; the Kawasaki Tecate
is an excellent high-performance/sport ATV. It has a generous roost factor,
loves to slide, and has the suspension to smooth out gnarly terrain. Watch out
Honda, Team Green is seeing red!
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