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Kawasaki KFX 700 – Big Daddy quad
By Dave Abrahams But the superbly tuned, big V-twin motor will also thump comfortably along at low revs, right down to little more than walking pace, without complaint. It will cruise the trails through the hill country, utterly relaxed, and all you have to do is steer – there are no gears to worry about and the enclosed wet multiplate rear disc brake is both powerful and progressive. Although it's not a 4x4 the sheer grunt of the KFX700 enables it to tackle some amazingly steep slopes (even two up – but don't tell anyone, it's not officially rated for a passenger). Its long wheel-travel and solid chassis make it more comfortable than it looks and the steering is surprisingly light, thanks to upmarket double wishbone front suspension. There's no gear lever; the transmission is electronically controlled from the left handlebar by an ingenious collar-switch. Push in the locking pin, rotate the collar forward, open the thumb throttle and the quad will go forwards; rotate it to the rear and you'll go backwards. Makes you wonder why some other quads have to be so complicated. The final drive is by shaft to a solid rear axle with conventional swing-arm rear suspension controlled by the usual single shock, adjustable for preload only. It's all built on a light tubular steel frame with a single lower tube; the aggressively-styled plastic bodywork is tough and firmly mounted, with the two evil-looking headlights well protected. There's also a steel bash plate on the front of the frame and big black plastic footboards to protect the rider's ankles. The running gear is top-drawer stuff, with light aluminium alloy wheels and high-traction 22" tyres all round, reducing unsprung weight and improving roadholding. Fast as it is in a straight line, the KFX 700 isn't a competition quad, it's a long-range cruiser – the quad equivalent of a BMW GS off-road motorcycle, if you will. It'll take you there and get you back, over all but the roughest terrain, in surprising comfort. Specifications: Motor: Liquid-cooled 90º four-stroke V-twin. Capacity: 697cc. Bore x stroke: 82.0 x 66.0mm Valvegear: SOHC with four overhead valves per cylinder. Compression ratio: 9.9:1. Power: 34.6kW at 6500rpm. Torque: 59.2Nm at 5000rpm. Induction: Two Keihin CVKR-D32 carburettors. Ignition: Digital CDI. Starting: Electric. Clutch: Automatic centrifugal. Transmission: Constantly variable belt-drive with reverse; final drive by shaft. Suspension: Double wishbone with 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, enclosed wet multi-plate disc brake at rear. Tyres: Front: AT 22 x 7-10 tubeless. Rear: AT 22 x 11-10 tubeless. Wheelbase: 1285mm. Dry weight: 234kg. Fuel capacity: 12.0 litres. |
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