L1 EX 1984-85

Model Details

Frame No from: KH125L-000001; engine No from: KH125DE007501; original colours Candy Cobalt Blue & Polar White. Same style of graphics on tank and side panels as a K3. 6v electrical system. Cast alloy wheels, ‘EX’ added to side panel badges, Polar White colour scheme unique to L1. Engine as K1-K3. Single chrome upper chain guard. The technical specifications say that the L1-EX was a kilo lighter than the K3 of the same year, weighing in dry at 94.5kg rather than the standard 95.5kg. RRP £719 in '84 and £799 in '85. (A scan of an L1-Ex owners' manual can be found on the Technical Page along with a downloadable L1-Ex parts microfiche).

There is a 'buyer beware' guide on the site - don't get scammed especially when buying an L1 - read before parting with cash!

The L1 (note the 'L' on the frame designation) was a bit of an odd-one-out. The L1-EX was first released in 1984 and only lasted a year. 1984 was a confusing time for those wanting to buy a KH125; in the Kawasaki showrooms around the UK were the last of the K2s, the new K3s and the L1-EX's.

While the other KH125s of the 'K' series had spoke wire wheels, the L1 had cast alloy wheels - this was probably the major change as the engine remained that of the K1-K3. The rest was largely cosmetic with the 'EX' tag added to the side panel badges. The Candy Cobalt Blue colour scheme was also used on the spoke wheeled K3 released in the same year though the other colour, Polar White, only appeared on the KH125L1 Ex.

The decision to bring out an EX version with alloy wheels was a strange one by Kawasaki - it made little sense. As well as the EX they launched the K3 at the same time, this was basically the same bike! They had done something similar with the KH100, bringing out an EX version with the same alloy wheels. I believe that the 100cc remained in production longer than the 125cc version.

Looking at old magazine adverts, there appears to have been a price hike to the EX in the bike showrooms. For example, the L1-EX and its alloy wheels cost £75 more than an equivalent Honda CG125 in 1984 and a full £120 more than a Yamaha RS125 and a Suzuki GS125 - all of which were competing in the 125cc market for the same customers. Perhaps that's why the KH L1-EX only lasted a year, they were probably too expensive compared to the competition and their own K3 version. A main Kawasaki price list from October 1985 had the RRP of the K3 at £749 and the L1-EX at £799.

Expect to pay a premium for a decent L1-EX (and read the 'Buyer Beware' page FIRST).