Magazine Features

I've been searching for KR250-related roadtests and other magazine articles since I started this site.  Most of the ones I've found have been via autojumbles or  Ebay  but I've got some from  The Magazine Man  and the US stuff from  MotorLit.  Also check out  Pigfarmer Bike Magazines  for more of the same.  This page consists only of those I've got round to scanning in so far - I still have a pile of other stuff (especially Japanese features and race-bike tests) that I'll get round to when I have time.  Many thanks to those people who've sent me clippings or scans, and if you have or know of any more KR articles, please let me know.

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UK

Motorcycle Racing Apr 1979

Journalist rides Jean-Francois Balde's KR250 racer.

Mechanics Jan 1984

New bikes news from the 1983 Tokyo Bike Show (thanks to Gary for the scan and Nigel for an original copy).

MCN 18th Apr 1984

Typical MCN 'scoop' following the KR250 launch (thanks to Gary for the scans).

Motorcycling Weekly Apr 1984

English launch report (thanks to Tony for the scans).

Mechanics Feb 1985

This is the article that began my KR obsession in the first place.  They borrowed one of the original bikes from Huddersfield Kawasaki for a roadtest.

Performance Bikes Jan 1986

Nothing to do with the KR this, but it's the four Japanese two-stroke sports 125's being tested at Cadwell Park by some of the UK race stars of the time.  They don't take it particularly seriously and yes, that's our friend Kork Ballington on the AR125.

Bike Oct 1987

Comparison test between the KR, TZR and NSR250's.  The KR was 'E796DVH' - does anyone know where this bike is ?

Classic Mechanics Aug 1991

Classic Mechanics Magazine published a 'KR250 Classic Ride' in August 1991 but the issue is now out of print.  However, they offer a photocopying service for specific articles so one of these was acquired.  A copy of the original magazine was later obtained via Ebay.  The bike featured belongs to Doug Perkins.

Classic Mechanics Aug 1997

Kork Ballington started his racing career on an H1 500 triple road bike, and still has it.  He's restored it and it's now treated to the odd sunny blast around his local back roads.

Grey Bike Oct/Nov 1997

This much-missed specialist magazine had a little feature on all of the Kawasaki sports bikes available in Japan.

Classic Racer Mar/Apr 2001

Classic Racer Magazine have produced several excellent articles on the racing KR250/350's and the square-four KR500 GP-bike.  Here's a brief taster.

Classic Mechanics Sep 2003

When I first published this website, I emailed the magazine to tell them about it and coincidentally they were about to run a 5-page roadtest article on the KR.  This appeared in the September 2003 issue and not only did they give my website a mention, but they used large extracts of it in the feature and gave me a credit for it!  Good publicity for us and it all helps to push KR resale values up too !

Classic Mechanics Apr 2008

Andy Bolas' mint red/white KR deservedly gets a full 5-page feature to itself.  This site gets a couple of mentions too, although it'd be nice if they'd got my name right...

Practical Sportsbikes Sep 2011

PS contacted me asking to borrow one of my KR's for a feature.  Sadly I couldn't manage it within their tight deadline, but I put them in touch with Andy who came up trumps again.

Classic Mechanics Oct 2013

Doug's KR deservedly gets the Showstopper treatment.

Practical Sportsbikes Apr 2014

PS contacted me again, picking my brains about the technical differences between the ordinary KR and the 'S' for this feature.  They used one of my photos too, so it would have been nice if they'd given either me or this site a credit...

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USA

Cycle Guide Sep 1984

Extract from a feature on grey-import bikes - in this case, those available in Europe but not in the USA.

Cycle World Nov 1984

US roadtest from a magazine featuring the KR amongst other imports from Japan.

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Australia

Australian Motor Cycle News Vol.33 No.10 1983

KR launch and technical feature (thanks to Scott for the scans).

Revs Aug 1984

Australian roadtest (thanks to Gary for the scans).

Two Wheels Sep 1984

Australian roadtest.

Australian Motor Cycle News Vol.33 No.26 1984

Australian KR feature.

Australian Motor Cycle News Vol.34 No.4 1984

Comprehensive Australian roadtest.

Bike (Australia) Oct 1984

Australian comparison test : KR250 v RG250 v RZ250 (thanks to Fred for the scans).

Bike (Australia) Nov 1984

Australian roadtest (thanks to Fred for the scans).

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France

Moto Journal Oct 1984

French-language technical feature and roadtest.

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Germany

Motorrad May 1984

German-language launch feature.

Motorrad Jan 1985

German-language riding impressions.

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Japan

Exciting Bike Special Vol.3

This is an occasional Japanese publication which concentrates on a specific bike each issue.  It's 26 glossy colour pages of photos, close-ups, background facts and adverts from which the following few samples are taken.  The design sketches on the Spec page are also taken from this excellent magazine.

Kawasaki Riders Vols.31 & 40

Kawasaki publishes its own dedicated monthly magazine in Japan and KR's still feature now and again in retro features or articles about owners clubs etc.