The Garage

By model year

Kawasaki KX250
2003–2004 to 2026

4 model-year records side by side. A row is compared only where manual pages print the value; spec-sheet figures are shown but not judged.

On the manual pages

13 different11 the same3 printed differently2 not compared

Different on the manual pages

The records are for different markets (2003–2004: not stated; 2024: US version; 2025: US version; 2026: US version). Figures can differ between markets, not only between years.

"Not compared" means fewer than two records have the value from a manual page; it says nothing about whether the bike changed. "Printed differently" marks descriptions (the fork, the oil, pressures with printed conversions) that the manuals word differently; read both before assuming a change.

Kawasaki KX250 stock specs by model year, each value with its source, and whether the manual pages agree
SpecManual pages2003–2004202420252026
Stock front sprocketSame on the manuals13TOwner's manual p. 1-1113TOwner's manual p. 1113TOwner's manual p. 12 Not yet verified
Stock rear sprocketDifferent on the manuals49TOwner's manual p. 1-1150TOwner's manual p. 1150TOwner's manual p. 12 Not yet verified
Chain pitchSame on the manuals520Owner's manual p. 10-4520Owner's manual p. 108 Not yet verified Not yet verified
Stock chain linksSame on the manuals114Owner's manual p. 10-4114Owner's manual p. 108 Not yet verified Not yet verified
Front rimSame on the manuals21 x 1.60Owner's manual p. 1-1121 x 1.60Owner's manual p. 1321 x 1.60Owner's manual p. 13 Not yet verified
Rear rimDifferent on the manuals19 x 2.15Owner's manual p. 1-1119 x 1.85Owner's manual p. 1319 x 1.85Owner's manual p. 13 Not yet verified
Front tireSame on the manuals80/100-21 51MOwner's manual p. 1-1180/100-21 51MOwner's manual p. 1280/100-21 51MOwner's manual p. 1280/100-21Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
Rear tireDifferent on the manuals110/90-19 62MOwner's manual p. 1-11110/90-19 62MOwner's manual p. 12110/90-19 63MOwner's manual p. 12110/90-19Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
ForkSame on the manuals Not yet verifiedTelescopic fork (upside-down)Owner's manual p. 13Telescopic fork (upside-down)Owner's manual p. 1349mm Showa inverted telescopic coil-spring forkManufacturer spec sheet (research)
Fork travelDifferent on the manuals300 mm (11.8 in)Owner's manual p. 1-11314 mm (12.4 in)Owner's manual p. 13305 mm (12.0 in)Owner's manual p. 13305 mm (12.0 in)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
Shock travelDifferent on the manuals310 mm (12.2 in)Owner's manual p. 1-11316 mm (12.4 in)Owner's manual p. 13307 mm (12.1 in)Owner's manual p. 13307 mm (12.1 in)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
Engine oil specSame on the manuals Not yet verifiedSAE 10W-40; API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2Owner's manual p. 12SAE 10W-40; API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2Owner's manual p. 12 Not yet verified
Engine oil capacityDifferent on the manuals Not yet verified800 ml (27.1 fl oz)Owner's manual p. 49950 ml (32.1 fl oz)Owner's manual p. 48 Not yet verified
Coolant capacityDifferent on the manuals1200 ml (40.6 fl oz)Owner's manual p. 2-181100 ml (37.2 fl oz)Owner's manual p. 521000 ml (33.8 fl oz)Owner's manual p. 51 Not yet verified
Fuel capacityDifferent on the manuals8.2 L (2.17 gal)Owner's manual p. 1-106.2 L (1.64 gal)Owner's manual p. 106.2 L (1.64 gal)Owner's manual p. 116.2 L (1.64 gal)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
Fork oilDifferent on the manuals Not yet verifiedType KHL15-11; Amount: Cylinder Unit 211 mL (7.13 US oz.); Outer Tube KX252C 290 mL (9.80 US oz.)Owner's manual p. 13Type Kawasaki Fork Oil A15-00; Amount: Cylinder Unit 248 mL (8.38 US oz.); Outer Tube 334 mL (11.3 US oz.)Owner's manual p. 13 Not yet verified
Brake fluidDifferent on the manuals Not yet verifiedFront Brake Fluid : DOT4; Rear Brake Fluid : DOT3 or DOT4Owner's manual p. 117DOT4Owner's manual p. 115 Not yet verified
Coolant typeSame on the manuals Not yet verifiedPermanent type of antifreeze (ethylene glycol plus corrosion and rust inhibitor chemicals for aluminum engines and radiators); Water and Antifreeze Mixing Ratio 1:1 (water:antifreeze)Owner's manual p. 52Permanent type of antifreeze (ethylene glycol plus corrosion and rust inhibitor chemicals for aluminum engines and radiators); Water and Antifreeze Mixing Ratio 1:1 (water:antifreeze)Owner's manual p. 51 Not yet verified
Fuel octaneSame on the manuals Not yet verifiedAntiknock Index 90Owner's manual p. 26Antiknock Index 90Owner's manual p. 23 Not yet verified
Idle speedSame on the manuals Not yet verified2 250 – 2 350 r/min (rpm)Owner's manual p. 712 250 – 2 350 r/min (rpm)Owner's manual p. 70 Not yet verified
Valve clearanceSame on the manuals Not yet verifiedIntake 0.08 – 0.12 mm (0.0031 – 0.0047 in.); Exhaust 0.14 – 0.18 mm (0.0055 – 0.0071 in.)Owner's manual p. 99Intake 0.08 – 0.12 mm (0.0031 – 0.0047 in.); Exhaust 0.14 – 0.18 mm (0.0055 – 0.0071 in.)Owner's manual p. 97 Not yet verified
Seat heightNot comparedSpec sheet only945 mm (37.2 in)Owner's manual p. 1-10 Not yet verified Not yet verified955 mm (37.6 in)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
WheelbaseDifferent on the manuals1480 mm (58.3 in)Owner's manual p. 1-101485 mm (58.5 in)Owner's manual p. 101485 mm (58.5 in)Owner's manual p. 111486 mm (58.5 in)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
WeightDifferent on the manuals Not yet verified107.8 kg (238 lb)Owner's manual p. 10109.2 kg (241 lb)Owner's manual p. 11109.2 kg (241 lb)Manufacturer spec sheet (research)
Stock final drive ratioDifferent on the manuals3.769 : 1Owner's manual p. 1-113.846 : 1Owner's manual p. 113.846 : 1Owner's manual p. 12 Not yet verified
Tire pressure (off-road)Printed differently100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm², 14 psi) front and rearOwner's manual p. 9-480 – 100 kPa (0.8 – 1.0 kgf/cm², 12 – 14 psi)Owner's manual p. 15880 – 100 kPa (0.8 – 1.0 kgf/cm², 12 – 14 psi)Owner's manual p. 159 Not yet verified
Chain slackPrinted differently52-62 mm (2.05-2.44 in.)Owner's manual p. 10-448 – 54 mm (1.9 – 2.1 in.)Owner's manual p. 10548 – 54 mm (1.9 – 2.1 in.)Owner's manual p. 104 Not yet verified
Spark plug and gapPrinted differentlyNGK BR8EIXOwner's manual p. 1-10NGK CR9EIB-9Owner's manual p. 11NGK SILMAR9F9Owner's manual p. 11 Not yet verified
Premix ratioNot comparedBlank in a record32:1Owner's manual p. 1-10 Not yet verified Not yet verified Not yet verified
Kawasaki KX250 2003–2004 specs Kawasaki KX250 2024 specs Kawasaki KX250 2025 specs Kawasaki KX250 2026 specs