A Biker's Soul! . Review on Kawasaki KB 125

The best of the pick amongst all 100/150 strokers appeared, at least on paper, to me, was the Kawasaki KB 125.

After owning one of these lean sturdy machines, I am glad to testify that it is the BEST rugged riding instruments on Indian conditions.

It was a long time ago before I had the financial resources at my disposal to buy either a new or an used specimen when it was still being produced and sold by Bajaj Auto Ltd. To the best of my knowledge and belief, Bajaj Auto Ltd. could not have brought out a better bike than this leaping cheetah! The two-stroke heart beating out a roaring 12.5 BHP, has a better punch than even the new ''definitely male'' DTS-i Pulsars. I have been riding two-wheelers since I was 13 years of age.

Unfortunately, like many of the poor cash-strapped youths in India, I had to satisfy myself with owning and riding scooters and borrowing dilapidated bikes of the Jawa & Yezdi varieties to quench the insatiable thirst of feeling the wind blowing through my hairs. After saving some money, I finally landed myself a 1998 model Kawasaki Bajaj KB 125. And that was the day that turned me into a Valentino Rossi ! The KB125 which I purchased in 2004, was barely ridden for 40000.00 Kms.

It looked sadly unkempt and totally ignored by its previous owner. Fortunately, I had enough cash to spare to give it a facelift and a complete engine overhaul. The KB125 needs no further elaboration regarding its handling and road grip. Despite my faithful friend's reluctance (my faithful friend is a very good two-wheeler mechanic with over 16 years of experience in repairing bikes, scooters, et al), I substituted the original handle with a yankee-type handle-bar.

The result was a unbelievable handling characteristics. I could not fathom how a bike with one of the longest wheel-bases amongst all two-wheelers manufactured or currently in manufacture, could be manouvered with an ease which felt like soaring through air. Not once did the bike side-slip or develop an inclination to sweep away from underneath even when rolled hardover at steep bends. The front and rear shock absorber settings remain standard with no modifications and/or adjustments.

The two-stroke engine deserves a special mention. I doubt whether my bike dishes out a 12.5 BHP as laid out in its manual, even after a complete engine overhaul. Nonetheless, its got the pep and power to out pace and out-run even the new-fanged pulsars and CBZs. I would be delighted to put through its paces against the Yamaha RD350 and the Karizmas. There are few areas though which Bajaj Automobiles Ltd. could have taken care of to augment the KB125's performance further. I am of the opinion that a 5th gear overdrive system could have gone a long way to boost its riding characteristics.

Almost all the time, I keep on wishing for a 5th gear in spite of coming to terms that there is no provision to setup one in the existing engine chamber. If anyone has an idea as to how this can be done, please let me know ASAP. The seat is a real pain again. The narrow seat base makes for a painful experience when stretching the legs of this beast on long trips ! While Escorts/Yamaha continues to manufacture RX135, but sadly not the RX100, I wonder why Bajaj decided to discontinue this phenomenal model.

My friend and I had to scour the entire Kolkata spares parts market to locate a brand new OEM cylinder-cum-piston set for my KB125. Fuel consumption is a satisfactory 42 kmpl @ 40-45 Kmph with a pillion rider and accelerating at a slow but a steady pace. I tip the scales at 90+ Kgs. alone, and with a pillion, the bike bears a load of almost 170 Kgs.

Considering that I ride mostly in congested road conditions with a not so infrequent gear changes, I think that 42 kmpl is not all that bad. Unfortunately, the bike is not so frugal when it paces like a cheetah :( A measly 32 kmpl is a standard and expected result of unleashing its true spirit. Readers and my friends who are KB125 enthusiasts, might find it interesting to note that my KB125 takes off sedately with a slight twist of throttle from a standstill. However, all traces of peace and gentlemanly behaviour vanishes when the throttle is given a triple quarter twist with the clutch released in almost steady synchronization.

I repeat - I am not a light weight myself. But this mean machine has absolutely no trouble in literally taking off with its front wheels a good clear 2 feet in the air and sprinting off wildly. People, if you can lay your hands on a KB125, go ahead and pamper yourself.

Unleash your raw desire to break the speed barrier :) But for the sake of its true racing soul, do not carry out any modifications with its original exhaust/silencer. Trust me when I say this - the original exhaust chamber gives you the best power, pickup and economy.

Anything else, is a waste of money, unless of course, you have expertise at hand to churn out even more power without compromising on the life of the engine. A typical complete engine overhaul will last you 2 years quite comfortably even if you fancy your city roads to be the Moto GP circuits! In fine, I only wish Bajaj Auto would bring back to life this fantastic mechanical machine - the real cheetah of the Indian biking spirit.