Kawasaki Celebrates 40th Anniversary of KX – Video

Kawasaki is marking the 40th anniversary of its KX dirt bike lineup with a special web page and a new documentary (look for Part 1 below). The KX legacy began in 1974 with the KX250 which was based on the works machine ridden by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jimmy Weinert in 1973.

The KX Dirt Domination page highlights the successes of the KX line over the last 40 years, including its astounding run in AMA Supercross and Motocross over the last decade. From 2004 to 2013, Kawasaki has win 50% of all AMA SX and MX championships, including both 250 and 450 classes and the separate East and West SX 250 classes.

That’s 24 out of 48 titles. The 2013 AMA Motocross season still to be decided, but Kawasaki is on pace with its 50% track record. With five rounds left in the 2013 season, Ryan Villopoto leads the 450 class while Blake Baggett is the top Team Green rider in the 250 class, sitting in fourth place.

The page also highlights the KX line’s innovations including the introduction of a single rear shock in 1979, disc brakes in 1980, a perimeter frame in 1989 and launch control in the 2012 model year.

The first part of the “KX – The Bike that Builds Champions” documentary looks at both amateur and professional Kawasaki riders and what it means to be on Team Green. In Part 1, we hear from future stars such as 11-year-old Stylez Robertson and 13-year-old Sean Cantrell, as well as legends like Ricky Carmichael, Jeff Emig and the 2011-2013 AMA Supercross Champion Villopoto.

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[Source: Kawasaki (YouTube)]

By Dennis Chung