K1 1982-83

Model Details

Frame No from: KH125K-000001 to 001600, engine No from: KH125DE 007501 to 011500. original colours: Galaxy Silver & Luminous Passion Red. 6v electrical system. Plain side panels without graphics, just KH-125 badges. A total re-styling from ‘A’ series. (The K1 & K2 look identical with the same colours and graphics but there is a minor change in the front braking system between the K1 and K2, see the K2 page for more info on this). 

The 'K series' is the most likely version you will see advertised for sale around the UK. The 'K series' spanned the years 1982 to 1998, obviously the later versions are still knocking around on auction sites and in the classifieds. Are they worth buying? Yes!

Back to the K1. The KH125 was redesigned for its release in 1982. The 'A' series with its curves, round indicators and round headlight was replaced with the angular style 'K' series with rectangular headlight, indicators, tank and boxed in instrument unit. 

The brochure for the K1 is entitled 'Reliability, Convenience And Economy'. To place this bike in context you have to remember that the KH125 was being pushed as a desirable bike for the commuter, that is, a reliable commuter bike like a Honda C90 but with more 'sporty' looks. The working man who once relied on the 'works' bus to take him to his job every morning was now required to make his own way to work. I remember as a youngster seeing the local men who worked in the factories and on local building sites with their donkey jackets and thermos flasks queued at certain street corners for the bus that was provided by their employers. This scene began to die out in the late 1970's and early 80's when employers withdrew the special buses and staff had to travel there on public transport or on/in their own vehicle. 

It is against this background that the KH125 K series was born; a commuter bike that wouldn't break down every other day, that was frugal on petrol that was increasing significantly in cost at this time, that ensured you didn't have to hang around for public transport, that required little maintenance, that had looks  that didn't make you look like a total pleb and that was a fraction of the cost of learning to drive and running a car. (Remember, you could ride around on a 125 with 'L' plates indefinitely, no CBT every two minutes, no test either, just get on and ride).

Thus the brochure heralds the K1 as a "... two stroke sport commuter ... that offers features found only on much larger machines ... large diameter wheels ... all-weather hydraulic front disc brake" and for the first time a full chain guard top and bottom.

Additionally the single sheet K1 & K2 brochure images have silver backgrounds to the Kawasaki badges on the engine case but in the UK they all appear to be black badges like the rest of the K series.

Despite the odd alteration to the colour scheme, the 'K' series  would largely remain unchanged from 1982 until the last of the UK KH125's in 1998. (See Technical page for a K1 service).