KDX 175

1981 Kawasaki KDX 175 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1981 Kawasaki KDX 175 trial motorcycle, Kawasaki relies on a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, two-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 10 HP (7.3 kW) at 7,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 57.8 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the KDX 175 measures 109 kg (240 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.09 HP/kg (10.9 kg per horsepower). The 10.5-liter (2.8 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 114 km/h (71 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1980 to 1983, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.