Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: 2004 kawasaki KX250F, stock motors, race bike

Question
Hello, I would like to know if the 2004 KX250F Kawasaki overheats all the time? Does it also need a new top end every 15 hours, or does that just mean when you'r racing? Thanks.  

Answer
Derek,

I checked the bulletins and there is no report of the KX250F having an overheating problem. Of course, how the bike is ridden and where it's ridden all have a effect on performance. But under "normal" use, it should be reliable. Obviously, if the motor has been built up, it's producing more heat, and if nothing is done to compensate, overheating can be a problem. But stock motors should not be problematic.

As for rebuilding the head, I don't think Kawasaki would sell many if they had to be rebuilt after every 15 hours, so that probably pertains to the race bike or just race-spec engines. If you think there's a problem (with ANY bike), the bike should be compression-checked now and then, perhaps three times a year if it's ridden regularly. If the compression trends lower, it should be rebuilt as specified by Kawasaki guidelines.

Thanks,

Bill Roberson