
1984 Kawasaki KR250A1
Kilometers: 20,649
Listed Price: $13,500 NZ
Bike Located in Queensland, New Zealand
Prior to the codification of the quarter-liter two-stroke class characteristics in the mid to late 1980s, there were a few left-field experiments like this Kawasaki KR250A1. Inspired by Kawasaki’s successful Grand Prix bikes of the era and powered by a two-stroke parallel twin with a longitudinal crankshaft, it’s sometimes referred to as a “tandem twin” in reference to that unusual configuration. The angular styling is decidedly more early 1980s retro than later bikes in the class like the iconic Honda NSR250R, but I think it looks all the better for it. First shown in 1983 and then sold in 1984, the bike displaced 249cc from a 56 x 50.6mm bore and stroke, backed by a six-speed gearbox and hung from an aluminum cradle frame, with air-assisted AVDS anti-dive forks and an adjustable Uni-Trak rear. A 16″ front and 18″ rear wheel/tire combo add to the 80s looks. The package weighed in at 293lbs dry [claimed] and was capable of 112mph.

This particular KR250A1 is a rare find, especially in such excellent condition. The paintwork gleams with only a few minor scratches on the top fairing wings, and the belly cowl has been professionally repainted. Notably:
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Original exhaust: Undamaged and pristine.
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Seats: Flawless with no tears.
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Electrics: Fully functional.
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Fully serviced and test-ridden for peace of mind.
Although the tyres are a few years old, they’ll be replaced for the new owner. The bike comes with its original owner’s manual, adding to its collectible appeal.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen a Kawasaki KR250A1 for sale, as they’re extremely rare in the US and were never officially sold here. They’re now legal to import, but are still nearly impossible to find as they’re basically rare everywhere outside Japan. This particular example is available over on Brad’s Vintage Cycles, a purveyor of classic motorcycles based out of New Zealand, where the bike appears to reside currently. There are a few minor cosmetic blemishes, but otherwise this one appears to be in excellent running condition, and the seller indicates that it’s “fully serviced and test-ridden for peace of mind.”
-tad
Crankshaft is not longitudinal, but twin cranks geared together.
Here is an article with pretty good explanation of the layout.
https://www.oldbikemag.com.au/kawasaki-kr250-tandem-twin/
Rotax also made a tandem twin 250cc two stroke with similar layout.
Great article! Also found a nice cutaway diagram with a bit of digging. So the two individual cranks were actually transverse, with a gear in between. Interesting.
I think Kork Ballington won some FIM World championships in the 250 and 350 classes on Kawasaki’s with engines like this.
Fun story from 1987. I went to the National at Laguna Seca for the first time, with a buddy of mine and the neighbor across the street, a retired school teacher, and one of his friends. So two RD400s and two Gold Wings. Anyway, there was a KR250 parked near us, and my buddy and I were drooling over it when a tall and quite attractive gal walks up, puts her helmet on, kicks it to life and rides off. Our two older friends could hardly stop laughing.
I later saw the bike at a dealership in Goleta, where I was going to school. I asked, and description of the owner fit. I never did meet her.