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VERY EASY RIDER: The KEF 300 is the simplest of Kawasaki's quads to ride.
Pictures: DAVE ABRAHAMS |
Kawasaki KEF 300 – entry-level easy
August 23, 2004
By Dave Abrahams
The KEF 300 is Kawasaki's entry-level quad for teenagers and adults and has an (almost) full-size chassis with easily modulated power delivery and a simple, semi-automatic transmission.
It's not a toy, however; its 290cc single-cylinder motor kicks out 15.8kW at 7000rpm and it'll get up to well over 50km/h on level ground.
It has double-wishbone front suspension, adjustable for pre-load - just like the racing quads - and a sturdy cast-alloy swing arm at the rear with one beefy coil-over shock, also adjustable for preload.
Braking is by twin hydraulic front discs and a single disc on the transaxle and the KEF 300 rides on beefy 22" tyres.
The single overhead camshaft motor comes to life at the touch of the button on the left switchgear (there's a handlebar-mounted choke lever for cold mornings) but if you manage to flatten the battery there's an auxiliary recoil starter – not unlike a grown-up lawn mower.
It takes some strength and a bit of practice but most teenagers will start it with ease.
The five-speed gearbox has neutral at the bottom; there's no clutch - just let go of the thumb throttle and kick upwards on the gear lever – mounted in the usual place on the left – and away you go.
The centrifugal clutch takes up rather suddenly if you gas it too hard and the 300 is capable of pulling jerky little wheelies in first gear.
Sometimes you need to lighten the front end to get over a big obstacle; in the right hands this straightforward little quad is capable of surprising off-road performance.
Safety features include a key lock ignition switch and a snorkel air intake |
To get into reverse you put the quad in neutral, turn the neutral button on the fascia to the right and push down on the gear lever; to go forwards again simply lift the lever.
Despite the engine balancer there's a noticeable primary vibration from the short-stroke (76 x 64mm) single motor, particularly at high revs, but it's all part of the fun on this easy-to-use quad.
Safety features include a key lock ignition switch and a snorkel air intake, so you're unlikely to drown it when splashing through rivers and mud.
The KEF 300 comes with a 24-month warranty in private use and costs R41 500
Specifications:
Motor: Air-cooled four-stroke single.
Capacity: 290cc.
Bore x stroke: 76.0 x 64.0mm
Valvegear: SOHC with two overhead valves per cylinder.
Compression ratio: 8.6:1.
Power: 15.8kW at 7000rpm.
Torque: 22.5Nm at 6000rpm.
Induction: One Keihin CVK32 carburettor.
Ignition: Transistor controlled breakerless ignition.
Starting: Electric and recoil.
Clutch: Automatic centrifugal.
Transmission: Five-speed and reverse, constant-mesh gearbox with chain final drive.
Suspension: Double wishbone with twin hydraulic shock absorbers adjustable for preload in front, swing-arm with single hydraulic shock absorber adjustable for preload at rear.
Brakes: Twin discs with single-piston floating callipers at front, single disc with single-piston floating calliper at rear.
Tyres: Front: AT22 x 8-10 tubeless. Rear: AT22 x 11-10 tubeless.
Wheelbase: 1135mm.
Dry weight: 203kg.
Fuel capacity: 8.3 litres.
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| HIGH TECH: Double wishbone front suspension - just like the racing quads. |
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| SOLID REAR END: The cast alloy swing-arm and single rear shock absorber control a one-piece rear axle. |
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| STOPPING POWER: The KEF 300 has a single disc brake on each front wheel. |
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