Updated: June 23, 2002

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1986 250cc Kawasaki Tecate - First Test









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

annoying. The vibration comes up through the bars and can cause a new rider to grip too tightly until he grows accustomed to it, but the real head scratcher is the noise. There is a small panel on the rear plastic behind the seat that bears a "Tecate" decal. When the Kawa is running, this panel beats the air like a foghorn on a merchant steamer. As we said, it's annoying and should be noted, but the rest of the machine is so good we're willing to live with it.

Continued