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SURPRISE!
The 1986 Kawasaki Tecate surprised us all.
Here is a machine that last year was good
but not great. It was an ATV that had some
outstanding qualities and some major flaws.
The 1986 version would be about the same-right?
Wrong! The 1986 Tecate is lower, faster, better
handling and all-around totally awesome compared
to the '85.
WHAT'S
NEW?
For starters, the engine. The '86 powerplant
is still a liquid-cooled 249cc two-stroke,
but this year the Kawasaki techs included
the Kawasaki Integrated Power-valve System
(KJPS) they use on their motocross motorcycles.
The power is greatly improved, and the powerband
is much broader and more easily controlled.
Other new items include a redesigned frame
that has the Tecate sitting even lower than
last year's model and allows the '86 to corner
better than an African springboc being chased
by a lion.
The bogus headlight/radiator of '85 is gone,
replaced by twin cooling units mounted to
the frame on each side of the smaller gas
tank. This lowers the center of gravity and
contributes to the outstanding handling characteristics
of the Kawa.
New front forks provide better damping and
increased travel, and the rear Uni-Trak unit
has had its linkage revised for more bounce
space. The rear shock is now fitted with a
temperature-compensating damping control that
helps reduce premature fade, and the whole
tail end has been lightened by the use of
aluminum for the Uni-Trak swingarm and strut.
Lastly, the '86 has a taller 11 -inch wheel
up front and lower-profile tires in the rear.
Obviously, these changes are aiming for better
handing.
FAST-FLYING
FOOL
Sitting on the Kawasaki is when you'll first
notice just how low this beast sits. The twist
throttle (bravo, Kawasaki!) and general feel
of the bike (even while parked) leave no doubt
that this is a serious competition machine
A swift kick or three brings the Tecate to
life, but not without problerns. The kickstarter
is bogus. It slams your boot straight into
the right footpeg and crunches the small bones
in your toes. We had to readjust our kickstarting
technique by arching our foot way back so
the instep slammed into the peg instead of
the pinkies. Once this technique is mastered,
starting the green monster is no problem.
Is it fast? In a word, awesome! Last year's
Tecate was fast, but the powerband was akin
to a light switch and difficult to control.
The '86 comes on from a mild low end to a
bard-hitting growl in the mid-range, and if
the top end ever peaks, it happens somewhere
in the outer reaches of space. The power comes
on smoothly and is easily controlled through
its entire range, and the Tecate will rev
forever. When other 250s have peaked and gone
flat, the Kawasaki will continue to accelerate
and pull away. This engine is fantastic!
BAD
VIBES
You have to take the good with the bad, and
this machine vibrates... bad! It isn't so
ugly that you can't get used to it, or that
it will prematurely fatigue the rider; but
it is highly
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