KAWASAKI KE100 (1974 - 1998) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £10 |
| Power: | 10 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.7 in / 805 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (187 lbs / 85 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIf you want basic transport, in a two stroke trail bike package, then the Kawasaki KE100 is arguably the template for the entire class. Starting life as the 100 G4 TR, it evolved into the KM100 and KE100, eventually killed off by looming emissions regulations in 1998. The lKawasaki KE100 has sightly dodgy brakes and electrics, but otherwise a tough, fun-sized trailbike.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineSo long as you make allowances for riding a low tech, twin shock trailbike, then the Kawasaki KE100 does OK, either on or off-road. The Kawasaki KE100 rear shocks are renowned for their `bouncy castle' quality. Kawasaki KE100's skinny forks can pop their seals if you try serious off-road malarkey, or wheelies outside the chippy.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Kawasaki KE100's disc valve two stroke single was considered lively back in the mid 1970s, but nowadays it's just an average performer, although the low weight of the Kawasaki KE100 ( just 95kgs wet ) means acceleration is reasonably perky. The Kawasaki KE100 gets vibey above 50mph and a bit noisy too.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe 100cc Kawasaki stroker engines are tough and despite years of owner abuse, they can keep rasping along for decades, if you use some good quality two stroke oil. The Kawasaki KE100 chassis can suffer from rust, as the MX style mudguards allow bike and rider to be caked with crud if you do any wet weather riding.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentFor what a Kawasaki KE100 /KM100 would cost used, you get a top fun back lanes hack, or town buzzbox, without worrying too much about resale values, or spares. The Kawasaki KE100 engine was used in five or six different models during the 70s-90s, so there are plenty of bits to be had in breakers yards. Find a Kawasaki KE100 for sale.
Equipment
The Kawasaki KE100 drum brakes are simply a liability on modern roads, they don't work at all well. Ditto the electrics, with the KE/KM100 Kawasakis suffering flat batteries if you insist on regularly using the indicators at night. On the upside, the Kawasaki KE100 's seat is wide, comfy and just big enough for two people to nip down to Thresher for a four pack of Kestrel lager.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 99cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 2 stroke, single, 5 gears |
| Frame type | Steel cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 9 litres |
| Seat height | 805mm |
| Bike weight | 85kg |
| Front suspension | none |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | tls drum |
| Rear brake | Drum |
| Front tyre size | 90/90 x 19 in |
| Rear tyre size | 110/90 x 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 75 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £25 |
| Annual service cost | £10 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
4 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 10 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 8 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 65 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 135 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1973: KE125 launched.
1974: 100 G4 TR launched in UK.
1975: KH125 and KM100 appear in UK.
1975: G4 TR is repainted and designated Kawasaki KE100 .
1982: KM100 dropped.
1983: Kawasaki KE100 gets new exhaust, clocks, seat and rear tailpiece.
1988: KE125 dropped.
1990: Kawasaki KE100 has new paint, gets a mirror.
1996: More new colours for Kawasaki KE100 .
1998: Kawasaki KE100 dropped.
Other versions
KE125, 100 G4 TR, KM100.
Owners' reviews for the KAWASAKI KE100 (1974 - 1998)
5 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI KE100 (1974 - 1998) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your KAWASAKI KE100 (1974 - 1998)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £10 |
Year: 1984
My first bike and I loved it, apart from the plug fouling constantly!Rode it once for nearly 200miles straight apart from fuel stops and it didn’t miss a beat. Stuck to 50mph all the way as people said it would blow up at that distance! Caned it on the way home though.Not enough oomph for any serious off roading but had loads of fun with mates on similar machines down dirt tracks and quarries. I’d love another just for the nostalgia.
Was good even for long distance although a little buzzy at higher speeds. Brakes were ok as far as I remember
Removed part of the baffle which seemed to improve things slightly.
Keep the plugs clean and de-coke the exhaust once in a while. Apart from that an absolute doddle to work on.
Serviced it myself for peanuts.
Indicators struggled a bit and there wasn’t much else.
Year: 1986
I miss this bike. So easy to work on and so reliable. Spark plugs fouled out alot but once I put a diamond plate in it never fouled again. Wish I still had it.
All fixes were quick and inexpensive. Could completely tear down and re assemble in a few hrs.
Buying experience: Bought for 500
Version: Blue Seater
Year: 1985
Annual servicing cost: £10
Wasn't 'fast' but I found it one of the safest rides I had.
Yes brakes were...well...you had to drive them properly...but you should anyway.
I loved it. It was fun. Not as crackin' as my RD200...of course it wasn't. It was nice though.
Never let me down so how could I say any less?
Pence that is....but then I did it myself.
It worked. The Vespa I chopped it in for didn't...garbage thing! Typical Italian rubbish...didn't 'want to' in the rain. It got a kickin' in front of a shop in St Albans one wet commute. The baby Kwaka just got on with it. Knobs an' all!
Buying experience: Back In The Day so Yes & Whatever.
Year: 1994
A perfect machine to start
Is hard to ride like every old enduro motorcycles with twin shocks, the brakes are good having on mind that are drums, i had disk brake bikes with worst performance
Super simple and reliable, the old ones without nikasil are even better
Beautiful little and capable machine, super Easy to work on and cheap to fix, really simple and thats why it does so well
The only bad thing Is the fuel consumption 23-24km per liter on city, Is high for being a 99cc, but still a two stroke
It doesn't have any 😂
Buying experience: First adventure machine, a go anywhere little beast. Why? I rode 13hs and she Made it without problem on the WORST weather for a 2 stroke, 40°c
Mine's a 1991 model with 6K on the clock. Very comfortable ride, the suspension is surprisingly plush, perhaps a little wallowy on the tarmac but very nicely sprung for off road. The bike is physically tiny, not much bigger than a C90, which makes it very handy in mud and snow as you can just yank it about / pull it out of whatever it's stuck in. A rev counter would be nice. Performance is as good as any 100cc stroker. The disc valve intake arrangement gives a useable spread of torque, it's not necessary to rev the nuts off it the whole time. Acceleration is pretty good - realistic cruising speed is 50 MPH, I've seen an indicated 63MPH but I didn't spend long at that speed. Reliability is excellent, just set the points and decoke the baffle occasionally. There's nothing wrong with the brakes, they're no better or worse than any other drum brake commuter bike. The electrics are very good (for a 6V system anyway), the headlight is not particularly powerful but the indicators do actually work. It has a weird clutch lever pulls up the sidestand arrangement, but it works so it doesn't bother me. I had a TS125 (which kept breaking down) followed by a TS185 (which kept breaking down, then blew up), the KE is not as quick but it's a lot more trust-worthy.
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Engine
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Engine
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Top view
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki KE100 motorcycle review - Riding
