K5 1987-91

Model Details

Frame No from: KH125K-004030; engine No from: KH125DE014293; original colour schemes: Ebony & Sunbeam Red. 6v electrical system. No changes from the previous K4.

Kawasaki kept the ebony black and sunbeam red colour schemes first seen on the K4. This was the first time that Kawasaki had not updated the paint and graphics after two years. In my opinion this heralded the beginning of the end of the KH125 in the UK.

Yes I know, the model went on for another decade but bear with me on this one. Kawasaki didn't really do anything with the KH125 after this point, yes there was a change in 1997 but that was basically a step backwards, too little and way too late. Up until the K5, an effort was made to keep things fresh in terms of the appearance of the bike but, from now on, it all began to get as stale as mouldy bread. It's clear that the KH125 didn't merit any real investment by Kawasaki, perhaps they realised that the 2-stroke was becoming outdated technology in a modern European market.

As the ebony and sunbeam design was the longest lasting of all the KH125 paint jobs, spanning 1985 to 1997, bikes of this ilk are the most common on the second-hand market. The upside is that decent plastic bits like side panels and tale pieces can be readily found for sale; likewise there are some nice condition tanks out there. Carefully sourced parts from a 1997 K9 will drop straight on to a 1985 K4 making a tatty bike look mint. It's a great option for those wanting to restore a mid 1980's bike economically.

The K5 brochure has virtually the same blurb that first appeared on the K3 & K4 versions. The 'Performance That Never Quits' tag line is followed by exactly the same text from 1984. Again, another indication of the lack of attention being given to the KH125 by Kawasaki. The brochure continues with the lie that the headlight 'casts a brilliant beam' which it didn't, plus all the usual stuff that had appeared on previous brochures. The only new bit of information I can spot is a mention of a 'roomy seat', Kawasaki's marketing team was hardly pushing the advertising boat out with that nugget!