The Kawasaki KH250 Motorcycle Review 70's & 80's 2 Strokes Part 1

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024

Комментарии • 105

  • @mitchjames8653
    @mitchjames8653 5 лет назад +10

    best sounding bike ever made

  • @TheZ1A900
    @TheZ1A900 6 лет назад +10

    Never forget my S3 Triple, the power band when it kicked it was extraordinary if you have never experienced that before it was like being jetted into hyperspace, used to have fun with Suzuki GT250's delivery boys as they thought the S3 was a 250 because of it's small size but all they saw was smoke ! same with RD400's, Kawasaki did rule the 2 strokes !

    • @Saxondog
      @Saxondog Год назад

      I had an S3 as well.
      Probably got 60 miles on a full tank before you had to switch to reserve.
      I never understood the attraction of a twin over a tripple either. Had the same fun as you did with RD250's.
      Plus the S3 easily held RD400's which were meant to be the dogs nuts back then😅

    • @user-zo4hq5bp3m
      @user-zo4hq5bp3m 7 месяцев назад

      S3A the best, I had two.

  • @alanjones6359
    @alanjones6359 8 лет назад +3

    I had one of these great bike , good fun riding it , blew away tossers on fizzers !!!!

  • @johnbyrne7351
    @johnbyrne7351 8 лет назад +5

    Bit of an RD man myself, but always loved the sound of the KH's

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      Yes, i'm with you on that one John.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @yensabi
    @yensabi 5 лет назад +2

    Brings back good memories , I had the KH 250 when I was 17 but I did my test within 3 months to get my full bike licence with the intention of getting a 750 cc bike , but I loved the KH so much I had it for 3 years before I traded it for the 750......great happy days back then and it's nice to see a fully restored bike being used , I wish it was mine..."👍

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  5 лет назад

      Good memories bud.

    • @marktiller1383
      @marktiller1383 Год назад +2

      I had my brand new 1977 blue B2 a long time after passing my test and enjoyed it so much, I was not really bothered about changing it, until I dropped it off to be serviced and when I collected it, they had a brand new extremely old stock 1976 red KH 500 for peanuts, Z200 money, I cannot remember the price, but remember it being incredibly cheap,and a good price trade-in, 50 quid deposit and I'm guessing that it was 1979- 80.
      I loved both, as with women, your first true love is the one you think about, so the KH 250.

  • @wisborough8
    @wisborough8 7 лет назад +2

    I had a blue KH250 fitted expansion pipes to it .
    Lovely memories from back in the day !!

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад

      Yes, the candy blue was a nice colour.

    • @oceanhome2023
      @oceanhome2023 4 года назад

      I hated the look of most of the chambers with their little skinny ring ding tips. But this guy’s tips look awesome

  • @PeterSmith-ls7ut
    @PeterSmith-ls7ut 5 лет назад +3

    Lovely bikes... I had a Suzuki GT 250, didn't like it. So I swapped it for a KH250. Loved it !

  • @garydunn3037
    @garydunn3037 8 лет назад +4

    I think these old Kawasaki 250 triples were the most exotic looking bikes for the learnerback then. But to my knowledge, the Suzuki GT250 was a more common sight. UntilHonda introduced the 250 Dream/Superdream in the late 70's. Which then became themost popular 250 until the early 80's when the law changed, and learners were restrictedto little 125's.

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      I was an RD fan but did like the KH's. Never owned one though.
      Cheers
      Martin

    • @marktiller1383
      @marktiller1383 Год назад

      They were an extremely pretty bike with an exhaust sound to die for, wether chambered or standard. The rest were great bikes but never had those great looks or the triple engine.

    • @garydunn3037
      @garydunn3037 Год назад

      @@marktiller1383 The trouble with the Kawasaki Triples over the Suzuki's
      was that they sounded "Harsh" compared to the "Suzuki's" and I did not
      like the 3 into 3 pipe system, which from behind made the Suzuki look
      more like a 4 cylinder bike. And the sound of the Suzuki's was to die for.

  • @marktiller1383
    @marktiller1383 Год назад

    I had a new blue S reg from lowfield heath Kawasaki, I'm in my 60s and had many recent wonderful dreams about my 250. After owning such a fantastic bike myself, I can fully understand why anyone would spend a fortune on one. I toured on mine, camping the freedom to go wherever you wanted, 300miles or more in a day. Ive had other more powerful bikes, but non l loved like my 77B2. A special time of life, with a special bike.

  • @iwishcolincampbell1541
    @iwishcolincampbell1541 Год назад

    I got mine after having my fizzy 's deep red one VBT904R. Great times . Wish I had one now .

  • @marklechon
    @marklechon 9 лет назад

    Cheers Martin.
    I'm not really clued up on motorbikes but I really enjoy watching these, really informative and appreciate looking at the amazing job these guys have done.

  • @paulweller7908
    @paulweller7908 9 месяцев назад

    Love that B2, I bought an S Reg from new in candy wine red. Great bike, nice to see yours as standard.

  • @garydutton9098
    @garydutton9098 Год назад

    I've owned most two stroke bikes from. The seventies loved them all...

  • @lathejack
    @lathejack 3 года назад +1

    For heaven's sake! Where is the sense in drowning out the sound of the bike with bloody music?
    Very nice bikes though, my favourite Kawasaki triples were always the KH250 and KH400, sweet running with engines and gearboxes built like a tank. Never had any trouble with our KH250.
    The chap mentioned the FLF body kit, well FLF Fairings were just up the road from us here in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. We had the jigs at work and used to make the mounting brackets for FLF Fairings in the very early 1980's, but I always thought a standard KH250 and KH400 look just that little bit better than any modified example.
    All credit due for the restoration, its not easy or cheap restoring those old Japanese classic bikes, but well worth it though.

  • @tonymillington1888
    @tonymillington1888 2 года назад

    I had one of these in blue with Mick Grant expansion pipes on, absolutely loved it...

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  2 года назад +1

      Great days on bikes back then.

  • @boathemian7694
    @boathemian7694 Месяц назад

    I had a mate with an old 250 that was fun to wheelie up and down the road.

  • @markjones4572
    @markjones4572 3 года назад +1

    I bought a blue one exactly like this for £120 with 2k miles on it in 1982 and sold it for £100. God do I wish I kept it now, lol.

  • @peteramberley9952
    @peteramberley9952 Год назад

    Mmmmmm that mono kh ,orgasmic!!! .I would love an s3 kh400 with microns,one of my dream bikes

  • @petemoss8625
    @petemoss8625 3 года назад

    wow thankyou, just gone back to my youth and my first bike the kh250, it was a love affair!

  • @kevinjenkins2468
    @kevinjenkins2468 2 года назад +1

    my favorite 250 shape when i was young i think the top speed was about 93 MPH

  • @zonta71
    @zonta71 Год назад

    Oh wow.. this brings back happy memories in my uni days. I was so Insane power when you hit the spot. Awesome bike awesome memories.

  • @alistairshaw3206
    @alistairshaw3206 3 года назад

    Great video, Martin. Beautiful bikes, I could almost smell the 2 stroke!
    I'm afraid I went for the sensible option when I was 17, back in 1977.
    I bought a 1975 CB250G5 Honda.
    I was saving up for a new G5, unfortunately they brought out the CJ250T and I thought it was a backward step. I had a GS400 when I was 18, and a T140 Bonneville at 19, that was the last new bike I bought! It broke down every week without fail! Six months warranty then! I wish I had it now though.
    I have a 1972 Yamaha DT3 250 Enduro, they were never officially sold here, the parts were nearly impossible to find, I nearly gave up as I bought it sight unseen. It took me 3 years to find the correct seat as it had the wrong one! Now someone in America is making replica seat bases, the old metal bases rot because the plastic seat covers split and the foam becomes a sponge!
    Most parts came from America, the restoration cost was so expensive thanks to HM Customs charges and Royal Mail handling charges!
    It won a shield at the Scottish Motorcycle Show a few years ago.
    I do ride it, I did 600 miles last year, I think bikes are for riding, everywhere I go people admire it, I even ride it to work on sunny days.

  • @crumplezone1
    @crumplezone1 8 лет назад +1

    That's the exact Blue KH250 I had, I thought it was my old one at first :)I practically gave it away ,cant believe it damn do I miss her but my Yammy R6 makes up :)great series bud

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      +Jeff Jones Yes the old Candy blue one was my favourite too. Worth a few bob now.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @larryjojola3652
    @larryjojola3652 5 лет назад +1

    My first bike was a red 72 S2 Kawasaki 350 ..very fast drove that for about a year, then got a Gold 73, 750 H2 very, very fast ,had it about Four years.. I was a dumb stupid idiot to sell it, the guy who bought it as he drove away I knew I did wrong saw my fun going away for ever, I still had the 350 but wasn't the same.. After a few months I quit driving it... It took 44 years to see what I had lost, thanks to RUclips I can relive my memories, it hurts but I can't do anything about it.. Except see others still enjoying theirs, Beautiful Bikes, take a Ride for Me Too.. Thanks..

  • @phillkemp7491
    @phillkemp7491 9 лет назад +3

    Nice bikes there martin, i had the Suzuki GT250 (before the X7). A heavier bike but that made it feel bigger than it was.Had a lot of great times on it including a trip to the iom tt in 1980.Have you done a video on them?

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад

      Phill Kemp Only have the X7 and the RG500 in the Suzuki range Phil. I did have a GT380 many years ago myself.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @MrSprinter311
    @MrSprinter311 8 лет назад +1

    my dad signed as g tour for me in 1977 same blue bike reg tak708s it was £ 500.00 brand new remember allways slipping clutch from standing start in first what a great sound itwas.Cost me a fortune in rings small end bearings and eventually a first oversize rebore happy days though.

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      +MrSprinter311 Nice memories, bet you wish you still had it bud.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @eamo106
    @eamo106 3 года назад

    Beautiful.Comment from Texas, my youth.

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 2 года назад

    Awesome blokes, they love their strokers

  • @chrishorgan2372
    @chrishorgan2372 4 года назад

    I had a few KH's between 1984 and 1989. 3 x 250s and a 400. The first 250 was as cheap ride to work transport to save putting miles on my CB900F. It was a white/green one and had expansion chambers on. I remember going down the main road and redlining it in the first couple of gears and a little old lady putting both fingers in her ears and scowling :) Another memory is of blowing it up on Monday (it ran onto reserve while flat out), fixing it on Tuesday and falling off it on a Wednesday (I was braking down the street and didn't see the shiny oil spill until it was too late) - bad week eh! The next two were to do up and make one decent complete bike to sell. I got a KH 400 (RKV 900R) from Coventry Kawasaki in 1985 I think. I'd gone down to buy the engine as they were breaking the bike but it wasn't ready so I ended up buying the whole bike. They said it needed a rebore and I had to ride it 140 miles back home in a lightweight jacket and borrowed helmet. Every time I closed the throttle I could hear the engine rattle! I was a couple of miles away from home and it seized :( After a rebore and top end rebuild it was fine.

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  4 года назад +1

      Great memories Chris, thanks for sharing.

  • @darkknight1340
    @darkknight1340 8 месяцев назад

    The only reason that I bought a KH 250 rather than the RD 250 ,that was superior in almost every aspect compared to the KH ,was that incredible induction sound!.

  • @stigg333
    @stigg333 6 лет назад +1

    Great bike, i had the 350 one and loved it.

  • @clarkfox7961
    @clarkfox7961 5 лет назад +2

    I had one of these new it handled ok but was always burning out the middle plug

  • @albertchavez2693
    @albertchavez2693 8 лет назад +1

    When I was 18 in 1979 I had a 1974 H2 Green and mean :) god I loved that rocket , but these little 250s look so beautiful with the colors and the cool decals and pinstriping :)))))

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад +1

      Worth a lot of money now. Thanks for sharing.
      cheers
      Martin

    • @albertchavez2693
      @albertchavez2693 8 лет назад

      retrorestore are you in the UK ? how much can I find a H2

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад +1

      Yes in the UK, They fetch around £10,000
      here.

    • @albertchavez2693
      @albertchavez2693 8 лет назад

      retrorestore That's way over priced I guess its like $18/000 American dollars ?

  • @mc2594
    @mc2594 Год назад

    don't recall any blue ones? must admit i love those last KH250 B5 colour schemes, takes years off em!
    think I'd be tempted to paint the wheels gold tho 😛

  • @ogri6869
    @ogri6869 3 года назад

    Had one loved it

  • @Efinell
    @Efinell 8 лет назад

    I had a blue KH250 back in the 70`s... Happy days... Only had one problem with it and that was the centre pot plug got wet in rain... Soon cured that by putting an old metal number plate across the front of all three pots to protect the plugs :)

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      +Efinell The centre pots seemed to give trouble as well as the chap said in the video. I bet you wished you still had it.
      Cheers
      Martin

    • @Efinell
      @Efinell 8 лет назад

      I do Retro.. It was a cracking bike.. Once I cured the centre pot problem there was no stopping me, went everywhere on it... Happy days :)

  • @banjodeano2202
    @banjodeano2202 8 лет назад +1

    I used to have one of these back in the day, always seized on the middle cylinder tho..

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      +Ruy Lopez Yes, that was quite a common thing on these with the middle cylinder.
      Cheers
      Martin

    • @oceanhome2023
      @oceanhome2023 4 года назад

      I think that is why Suzuki went with the Waterbuffaloe

  • @davemonday5381
    @davemonday5381 3 года назад

    Metallic Green with spoke wheels.
    I wanted one back then and I still want one now.
    I have a kh400. The Suzuki and Yamaha maybe faster but a triple always has more toque. And the Kawasaki is the best looking and best build quality by miles. I own a lot of 1970s. Bikes Honda’s Yamaha’s and a lot of Kawasaki’s There no such thing as a bad Honda.
    The 70’s Yamaha’s where cutting edge but plain. Suzuki where poorly made. But the Kawasaki’s where over engineered and a thing of beauty. Good video well done to Simon.

  • @theart8039
    @theart8039 4 года назад

    Like I said yesterday..I jumped from a Suzuki AP50 to a Suzuki TS250 in the space of a year..that was such a quick bike up to a certain speed...I ripped my brothers Yamaha RD250 up till about 45 mph and could pop a wheelie in 4th gear..these Kwackers were pretty rare if I remember correctly

  • @tuc-dh4df
    @tuc-dh4df 3 года назад

    Denco made some brilliant tuning parts for Kawasakis!

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 2 года назад

    I like the special but I'd have lightweight alloy spoked wheels on her, and the rear needs lowering a couple of inch.

  • @peteramberley9952
    @peteramberley9952 7 лет назад +1

    cant beat the sound of microns on a triple ,even a boring old gt380 sounded sexy with microns on .never actually owned a kh although now would love an early 400 s3? with microns on .I think every 50+ should have a 2stroke triple in the garage to play with , "the scene is set " the mrs goes out on a Saturday she has given you a long list of diy jobs to do round the house that you have put off for a year . you go into the garage to get you tools (in good faith) your tool box catches the dust sheet that's covering your 2 stroke (other love in your life) ok first . and you notice the bit of tank that's been exposed is dusty , so you think il just wipe it down / polish it .well I might aswell do the crome aswell . mmmmm I wonder if it will start ? well it seems rude not to take it for a spin round the block / local café / bike meeting place . whoops is that the time 5.00 I best get back and put the bike away befor the mrs realises iv been playing with it .(neighbours will probley grass me up )lol

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад

      Haha, it sounds like the thing many of us would do. I never had the KH but i'd like a gaggle of 2 strokes again. I sold my collection years ago cos I never used them. I want them again lol.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @nubdoprendergast9401
    @nubdoprendergast9401 7 лет назад

    I had a KH250, was told it was fast. Couldn't get it above 60mph and it's handling was dreadful, having to fight it through every corner I came to at 60mph. A friend rode behind me one day and when we stopped he practically fell of his bike laughing. The speedo on my KH seemed to stick at 60mph and I had been trying to corner it at 80 and 90mph, thinking I was doing 60.
    It also went on fire on me, another rider pulled alongside me whilst on the move gesticulating wildly. Pulled over and found that there was a fire under the seat, some of the wiring had shorted. Didn't stop it going though!
    Great wee bikes, just tended to run out of steam a little if going up a long hill....

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад

      That's a great story bud. Nice one.

  • @mkn729
    @mkn729 8 лет назад

    Picked up my s1 on my 17th birthday from my gilera to my drum braked s1 not sure how i lived to see my 18th when i picked up my new kettle awesome times the 70s

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      +mark kneil Great memories bud. Thanks for sharing

  • @scottbikerdude4337
    @scottbikerdude4337 9 лет назад

    Great vid Martin.have you done the rd350 ???? I never owned one,but was always the bike to have in my day. Cheers mate Scott

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад

      Scottbikerdude Hi Scott, I did the RD350LC a bit later in the series so keep an eye out for that one and the RD400.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @shawnmrfixitlee6478
    @shawnmrfixitlee6478 9 лет назад

    Super nice share Martin ! Good ole bike ..

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад

      ShawnMrFixit Lee Thanks Shawn, I never owned one as I was a Yamaha lad.
      Cheers
      Martin

    • @shawnmrfixitlee6478
      @shawnmrfixitlee6478 9 лет назад

      I was a honda & Yamaha boy my self !!

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад +1

      ShawnMrFixit Lee
      I wish I still had them.

    • @shawnmrfixitlee6478
      @shawnmrfixitlee6478 9 лет назад

      I still have 2 ..LOL.. !! Should drag them out one is still apart ! The other is complete but some mods done !!

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад +1

      Do a vid shawn, we'd love to see them.

  • @nazaryamamoto652
    @nazaryamamoto652 8 лет назад

    Like this! Whether in the UK also entered Kawasaki AR125? Thanks

  • @orange70383
    @orange70383 4 года назад

    Great bike.

  • @gregwiens9146
    @gregwiens9146 7 лет назад +1

    I found an exact same Blue Kawasaki KH250 in an old barn and bought it off the farmer for $100. What do you think it is worth?

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад

      depends on condition but far more than you paid for it.

    • @gregwiens9146
      @gregwiens9146 7 лет назад +1

      It has no rust, it has good compression, the seat is shot (mouse eaten and rotten) and the tires of course are finished

    • @oceanhome2023
      @oceanhome2023 4 года назад

      Greg Wiens
      Get her running! You won’t be sorry !

  • @keithsalmons9886
    @keithsalmons9886 7 лет назад

    Very nice Bikes

  • @brianpercival1829
    @brianpercival1829 9 лет назад

    I remember these in high school. Was the smallest of the Japanese triples from Kawasaki, the most popular the 500 Triple and the crazy 750. I can remember, a wobble over 70 mph. Not the best forks and head bearings. Hot summer days led to center cylinder over heating. There was a problem with stripped screws for ignition contacts. Not a well built bike. Honda had a better build but not the popularity of the Nortons and BSAs

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  9 лет назад

      Brian Percival Spot on there Brian. I do feature the H2 a bit later and they were known as the Widow Makers. They are really expensive now but the KH250 was a nice bike and has gone up in value now as well.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @jackhorton543
    @jackhorton543 8 лет назад

    hi Martin this is a really ramdon one an i know your really busy but i have a 125 twin cv carb bike an it will only idle on full throttle there is a hoes coming out the middle of both carbs an i sucked on it an the bike would then rev up i have no air leeks an have cleaned out the jets if you could tell me what you think it is it would be a good help thanks :)

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  8 лет назад

      Sorry Jack, I would have to see the problem to check it out bud.

  • @110Griff
    @110Griff 7 лет назад

    had the exact same colour kh way back when lol oh how I wish I had kept it :(

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад

      Worth a small fortune now Tom. Happy days.
      Cheers
      Martin

  • @badsport2008
    @badsport2008 5 лет назад

    Its missing lee cooper jeans and adidas trainers

  • @lordbelvoir2543
    @lordbelvoir2543 3 года назад

    Sod the KH.... I had the S1A.... Yes sounded great don't think it knew what a bend was🤣🤣

  • @kevinpotts9583
    @kevinpotts9583 7 лет назад

    i had one in 1977 cost me about £800 i think

    • @retrorestore
      @retrorestore  7 лет назад +1

      Wish you could pick them up for that now Kev lol

  • @a.l.rockliffe
    @a.l.rockliffe 8 лет назад

    It's a viscous 'cycle'. Bikes become collectable, people buy them, restore them, use up all the available NOS parts, then put them in mothballs. Availability dwindles, prices go up, then they become too 'expensive' to ride. Shame.

  • @MrSprinter311
    @MrSprinter311 8 лет назад

    1978 sorry

  • @paultruesdale7680
    @paultruesdale7680 2 года назад

    RD kickstand, the only good part of an RD, Lol.

  • @gummybear1808
    @gummybear1808 8 лет назад

    standard sounds a bit rattly hat is that noise?