The KR1S life story is as brief and spectacular as the Kawasaki’s powerband.
Launched in spring ’90 (only a year after Kawasaki surprised everyone, especially Suzuki, with their RGV-eating KR-1), the completely redesigned KRl-S quickly established itself as a winner on the street and track.
Two years later it was finished; no longer imported and soundly beaten by RGVs everywhere. The KR1-S took razor steering and insane power-to-weight ratios a stage further than anyone had before. Tall gearing pushes it past 130mph and makes it still lOmph faster than even the latest RGVs.
The KR1-S handling experience is a combination of light weight, instant steering, and overdamped suspension which adds up to superb racetrack manners and massive tankslappers on real roads. KR1-S natural habitat, where slappers, an explosive powerband and whippet handling make the Kawasaki a high-adrenaline handful. Dual carriageways and motorways don’t overwhelm the KRl-S. It’s cruise at 80mph on the bottom edge of its powerband for as long as the tank lasts (90-110 miles), and do it in relative comfort thanks to a roomier riding position than the RGV. More important to impoverished teenagers in the early ’90s was the price: in ’91 a new KRl-S cost £3,779—£311
The 250 Kawasaki did everything you might expect of a 50bhp machine which weighs 271 lb. It was significantly quicker than the RGVand the 1990, KR-1 S version has been uprated to give more power still — enough to make it some 5mph faster.
General characteristics
Engine: Liquid cooled, two stroke, parallel twin cylinder
Capacity: 249
Bore x Stroke: 56 x 50.6 mm
Compression Ratio: 7.4:1
Induction: 2x 28mm Keihin PWK
Ignition / Starting: Capacitor discharge
Max Power: 55 hp @ 10500 rpm
Max Torque: 3.75 kgf-m @ 10500 rpm
Transmission / Drive: 6 Speed / chain
Front Suspension: 41mm stanchions, air assisted telescopic fork with unstopped preload adjustment
Rear Suspension: Bottom Link Uni-Trak with air adjustable gas shock, unstopped preload, and four-way rebound damping
Front Brakes: 2x discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre: 100/70 VR17
Rear Tyre: 130/60 VR18
Dry-Weight: 123 kg
Fuel Capacity: 16.0 Litres
