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September 2025

Introduction

Welcome to my small website about the UK version of the Kawasaki KH125, two-stroke motorcycle. Perhaps you're here to find some useful information about how to identify which version of the bike you may have or, you just want take in a bit of nostalgia - either way, I hope you enjoy your visit. If you are looking to buy a KH125, check out the 'Buyer Guide' (with warnings) and relevant model pages first.

In 1983 the UK passed a law that ensured that learners without a full licence could only ride motorcycles up to 125cc. Initially, a learner could ride two years or, with a car licence, a rider could indefinitely use a 125cc with 'L' plates stuck on. I rode my Kawasaki KH125 for four years. It was my main vehicle, I went everywhere on that KH125. It was dented, rusty, hand sprayed, often lacking an MOT and tax. At one stage I had to bump start it as the kick-start shaft had snapped - my neighbours loved me going off to work at 5.30 in the morning in a miasma of buzzing engine and two-stroke smoke!

Pictured below is my former KH125ex L1 with the cast wheels which I sold in 1992. The non-standard Micron exhaust and a bigger piston kit, ensured an 'indicated' and optimistic top speed of 88mph. I re-sprayed it black with aerosols, this L1 was originally Candy Cobalt Blue. For more information on this model see the L1-Ex page.

Like many people in the UK, I eventually passed the bike test on my KH125 stroker. When the law was amended and CBT's and tests became compulsory, I moved on and sold my KH125 to fund a bigger bike.

Nearly 20 years later I saw a KH125 for sale, though neglected for years in a garage, it was the same model I once owned. After a good clean up and a few replacement parts, the old girl is now as good as new and she only has 1700 genuine miles on the clock!

A began to look around the net and acquired some pictures, information and other bits and bobs so decided to try and organise it all into some kind of website. There's a separate page for each of the KH125 models, a little history, a section on magazine articles and a bit about technical matters. I hope you enjoy it. (Below - the brochure for the KH125 A1 from 1977).

A weird French magazine advert from around 1977-78