kawasaki D-tracker 125

The supermoto version of a rubbish bike, the D-Tracker 125 is based on the titchy KLX125 trail-style learner machine. Not a great start in life – the D-Tracker’s supermoto-style road wheels and tyres are a minor improvement, but there’s nothing to recommend it unless you’re exceptionally short.

Engine

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Owners' rating

Compared with its 125 peers, the D-Tracker is gutless, accelerating slowly and rarely breaching 60mph with average sized riders on board. It’s user friendly for an absolute novice, but within weeks you’ll soon tire of feeling vulnerable in 50mph or national speed limits – it needs more go, from both a fun and safety point of view. 

Ride and Handling

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Owners' rating

The tiny wheels have relatively wide tyres, so it grips well, but like the KLX, the size compromises the ride. It wobbles at speed if you move around or steer, and the suspension is crude, which exacerbates things more than it would on conventional sized bikes. The brakes work well though – there’s enough grip to coax the little Kawasaki in to a stoppie, or just stop swiftly for right-thinking riders.

Equipment

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Owners' rating

Very little – the rims are nicely made, but they’re comedy-small. There’s a nice digital dash, but that’s the extent of the luxuries.

Quality and Reliability

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Owners' rating

It’s unlikely the softly-tuned engines will throw up any issues provided it’s cared for, but build quality is lacking – it’s like a Chinese bike in places. The steel chassis has only a thin veneer of paint – expect it to rust fast if you don’t look after it in winter.

Value

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Owners' rating

It’s not particularly cheap, but it is nasty. There’s really nothing to justify the price, and no reason to buy it over any competitor unless you must have one, or are exceptionally small and need a bike of such ludicrously tiny proportions.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

New for 2010

Other Versions

Kawasaki KLX125: Same mechanicals, but with trail-style wheels and tyres.

Specifications

Top speed	62mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	10bhp
Torque	7.38ftlb
Weight	113kg
Seat height	805mm
Fuel capacity	7 litres
Average fuel consumption	75mpg
Tank range	115 miles
Insurance group

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	Air-cooled 2v OHC single. Five gears, wet clutch. Chain drive
Frame	Steel perimeter
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	240mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Rear brake	190mm disc, single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	100/80-14
Rear tyre size	120/80-14