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.
