Motorcycle specifications Kawasaki250 KR1-S 1990 A star of the Kawa Cup

The KR1-S is Kawasaki's ultimate evolution of the sporty 2-stroke twin. It is the direct successor to the 1988 KR1 and, to a lesser extent, the 1984 KR 250.
The KR1 got its "S" in 1990, along with a new exhaust system and more modern suspension to keep up with the competition (reduced in France to the aging Yam 250 TZR and the modern Suz RGV 250 released in 1991).

this Kawa is an uncompromising sports bike, totally dedicated to efficiency and riding pleasure. It's not surprising, then, that it has been a great success in the Kawasaki Cup (the KR1-S was used in the Cup between 1989 and 1993).

the engine is powerful, developing around 60 hp. It enables top speeds of over 200 km/h, aided by an extremely rigid, precise and easy-to-handle chassis. The new suspension works wonders, working in perfect harmony with the 280 mm double disc (2-piston side-by-side calipers) to stop the 123 kg dry weight of this extreme sports car in no time at all.

on the road, its preferred terrain is, without hesitation, winding roads. The engine is quite smooth and the chassis homogeneous. The KR1-S is almost easy to ride against the RGVs and TZRs. Nevertheless, it remains an exclusive motorcycle and will never be satisfied with "Grand Touring" use, and even less with duo rides. The designers seem to have forgotten the foam of the passenger folding seat, and the footrests are so high that the passenger gives up after a few kilometers.

for its time, the line was very pleasing and very well received by the French market. It was a good compromise between an aging, more affordable TZR and a Suzuki with "competency" features (such as the banana arm, directly derived from speed grand prix) that it charged full price for.

it ended its career quietly, fading into the background in favor of the ZXR 400, which offered similar performance with a more contemporary 400cc 4-cylinder 4T.

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