2010 Kawasaki KLX110 & KLX110L Review

One of the coolest back yards I’ve ever
seen is hidden deep in a secluded and secure parking lot of the Fox
headquarters in Irvine, California. Kawasaki once again trucked in a great party, this
time to launch the redesigned-for-2010 KLX110 lineup. With sharper and
more aggressive KX-style characteristics, the new KLXs are lookin’ good!


While Kawasaki re-engineered the KLX110 base model with more power,
more performance, and more control by changing the package from the
ground up, they opted for two birds with one stone and made one for the
“big” kids, too.


With two versions now stuffed under the model's moniker, a KLX110
standard and a new KLX110L with long-travel suspension, there’s a little
green monster for everyone in the family.

For the junior or misses, the standard KLX110 comes with an 26.8-inch
saddle height, 111cc of Kawasaki four-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder fun
and one more gear than last year’s 3-speed. For the parents, or “adult”
kids in the family, the 110L now has all that and 0.9 inches (0.8
inches at the shock) more suspension travel over the 110’s 4.3 inches.
Naturally then the L model has a taller saddle (28.7-inches) and also
comes with electric start. Catering to a performance-oriented rider, the
110L is now equipped with a manual clutch in place of the standard
110's auto clutch.

Instant action, Instant Fun
More fun
than a barrel of monkeys.


My first ride was on the “small” bike, the shorter suspension and
auto-clutched neutral-on-the-floor/ four-up KLX base model. Peppy and
light, it’s easy enough to flip around the pits by picking it up and yet
powerful enough to propel even a 190-pound rider across the track gaps.


Nothing like a tiny little track to test a few different muscles.
Momentum, body language and wide open throttles are your tools for
success at winning a friendly session of mini moto, cause you’ll never
need your top speed on a course like this one.
For my second session, I hopped on the taller 110L to enjoy the
manual clutch control and longer suspension travel.
Despite using the
exact same frame and engine, the L seemed more powerful, I nearly blew
out of a few turns, entering too hot. Placebo affect, I’m sure, as the
bikes are nearly the same. The fork and rear swingarm are the primary
differences. It’s probably the roomier rider triangle, near-2-inch
taller saddle, and more-familiar clutched gear control that had me more
comfortable in the saddle. Luckily the front and rear drum brakes have
plenty enough stopping power to save me.


Never really getting outta second gear on the 0.2-mile track, the
powerband is relatively shallow (compared to a street bike) but juicy
enough to pull from tight corners and blast down the back straight
faster than this rider needed to be going. Full throttle, fully fun!
With a 15% power increase over the previous model, it feels like
twice the engine (maybe it’s all that mud that bogged me down before).
Power now peaks at 7.3 pferdestärke at 7500 rpm (that’s metric
horsepower, term used in Germany and Japan), or 7.2 horsepower for the
American readers.

Get your
mini moto on with the KLX110.


While there was no mini-moto invitational at this particular event,
there were still a few celebrity riders on hand to spice up the pace and
keep the motos exciting to both rider as well as viewers. AMA Motocross
and Supercross champion Jeff Emig was on hand to rake the track for us,
before kicking the newbie’s asses to the dirt. AMA Hall of Famer Gary
Jones was also on hand to offer helpful pointers.
And when the sun went down, the party didn’t stop. The yard was lit
up with a field of starlights overhead so the little Thumpers could
continue to rampage ‘round the track into the night.

The all-new electric starter is a keyless system with a left-handed
on/off switch and push-button starter. There’s also a friendly switch
indication that lights up for quick looks to see if you, or the kids,
left the bike in the ON position. And if you drain the battery, there’s
the old reliable kickstart lever to get you back in action.

All in all, Kawasaki has not only improved on an already good thing,
but also revised dozens of little things both internally and externally
with the new KLX110s, from increased rear shock spring rates to tapered
roller bearings in the lower steering stem to adding an ignition timing
inspection hole. There are just too many updates to mention here, but
they’re all good.

2010 Kawasaki KLX110L

At the end of the day, hopping back on my KLR to head home, I was
amped up and looking for berms at every intersection – elbows up, leg
out, turning lane and green light, I was outta place for the street –
boo indeed! Guess all the fun is at the track; I wanna ride again
tomorrow.

Thanks Kawasaki, you’ve created a monster in me! And thanks for
putting on a great party!

Quick Look
KLX110	KLX110L
New Styling	New Styling
Electric Start	Electric Start
4-Speed	4-Speed
Improved Suspension	Long Travel Suspension
Automatic Clutch	Manual Clutch
26.8” Seat Height	28.7” Seat Height
$2,099 MSRP	$2,249 MSRP
Full Specs	Full Specs

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