A4 1980-82

Model Details

Frame No from: KH125A-020701; engine No from: KH125AE021801; original colours Candy Persimmon Red & Metallic Regal Blue. 6v electrical system. Front mechanical disc brake - cable operated. 6 speed gearbox.

The A4 has a change to the tank pin-striping with the addition of another curved stripe above the tank badge and two lines below the badge. Side panels are plain black as in the previous A3 (still looks weird to me). The Persimmon Red version (see image on this page) is an especially attractive paint design.

The brochure literature takes the angle of a lightweight 125cc being 'heavy duty'. It notes the 'rugged cradle frame, full size wheels and large tyres'. As in previous brochures it tries to market the KH125 as a small 'big bike' with features typically only found on larger cc motorcycles - however I'm pretty sure that this was marketing bumf. I can't imagine that smaller cc bikes across Europe didn't have proper instrument panels, after all, Kawasaki were still pushing 6 volt electrics when it was clear they weren't up to the task.

There were things about the KH125 that were worth crowing about however, the perky rotary valve engine, the 'Aerostream' fins to help cooling around the back of the cylinder, the front disc brake (despite it being cable operated was a step up from a drum) and the 'Superlube Oil Injection' system that didn't require you to carry 2-stroke oil to the garage every time you filled up (yes, I remember doing that with a few bikes, usually there was a little cup under the fuel cap to measure out 2-stroke oil before adding it to the tank, it was a pain especially if you forgot and there wasn't enough oil in the petrol).

This was the last 'A series' officially sold in the UK and the brochure notes with an asterisk in the specifications, that there was now a difference in horsepower between some countries, 14.5hp and 13.5hp. Ironically both of these seemed too high for a 125cc in the UK with its new power/learner regulations that came into force in 1983. While another 'A series' was marketed in parts of Europe, Kawasaki introduced the new angular styled KH125 K1 to the UK with a 12hp power output.