If you want to understand where the next generation of motocross stars comes from, don’t look at the 450 class. Look at the small bikes. This is where kids learn throttle control, racing etiquette, and how to pick a line when the track gets blown out. It’s also where brands shape their future customers. Get it right here, and you’ve got a rider for life.
That’s why the youth motocross segment matters so much. These bikes aren’t toys. They’re stepping stones. And for decades, Kawasaki’s KX line has been one of the go-to platforms for young racers all around the world. The KX name carries weight in the dirt world. From amateur nationals to world championship paddocks, that lime green silhouette is familiar. The KX85 and KX112 have always been the entry point into that ecosystem. They’re small in displacement, but they’re serious machines.
For 2026, Kawasaki says it took a clean sheet approach to the chassis and running gear of the KX85 and KX112. The two-stroke engines stay the same, and that’s not a bad thing. These rev-happy mills are already proven, with sharp power delivery and serious punch as the revs climb. In this class, reliability and feel matter more than a higher redline. So instead of touching the engines, Kawasaki focused on control.
Up front, there’s a new 43 mm fork with low-friction Kashima coating. The larger diameter adds stiffness, which should help keep the front end planted when kids charge into braking bumps way harder than they probably should. The big upgrade here is adjustability. In addition to compression damping, riders now get rebound adjustment. That means a more precise setup as skill levels increase and lap times drop.
Braking gets a noticeable step up, too. The front rotor grows to 240 mm and uses the same caliper body and master cylinder found on the KX250. That’s real motocross hardware scaled for smaller bikes. Out back, the rear disc increases to 220 mm, and Kawasaki says pedal play has been reduced for a more direct feel. For a young rider learning how to trail brake into a corner, that consistency is a pretty big deal.
The rear suspension isn’t left out, either. A new shock features a larger 14 mm rod, up from 12.5 mm, and the body length stretches from 380 mm to 390 mm. Kawasaki says that translates to firmer damping and better bottoming resistance. On the KX112 and KX85 L big wheel version, a revised linkage delivers 305 mm of rear wheel travel, putting it right in line with the travel figures of full-size KX machines.
The frame also gets attention. A 25 mm longer steering head tube increases front-end rigidity and overall composure. That’s the kind of update you might not notice in a spec sheet, but you’ll feel it when the track gets rough.
That being said, the biggest upgrade here isn't one key component. Instead, it's the focus on fit.
Kids grow fast. One season they’re barely touching the ground. The next they’re asking for more bar height. Kawasaki now fits a new upper triple clamp with two handlebar mount positions and reversible mounts. That gives a 30 mm range of fore and aft adjustment across four positions. Add in two height options using collars, and you’ve got a cockpit that can evolve with the rider instead of forcing a trade up too soon.
Wider footpegs grow from 40 mm to 48 mm, giving better boot support. ODI Lock-On grips sit on Renthal fat bars. Black rims and green anodized adjusters bring the factory look. None of this adds horsepower. But it adds confidence. It gives young riders better tools to learn with. More adjustability means more accessible performance. Better brakes mean safer progression. Stiffer suspension means fewer surprises when they start pushing harder.
In the youth segment, the goal isn’t just to build a fast bike. It’s to build better riders. And with the 2026 KX85 and KX112, Kawasaki isn’t reinventing the formula. It’s refining it. And for the kids lining up at the gate, well, they have better equipment now than their parents could've ever dreamed of.
Source: Kawasaki
