2026 Kawasaki KX112, KX85, and KX85 L – First Look
New suspension, brakes and frames give youth models more of a big bike feel
Kawasaki has updated its KX112 and KX85 youth motocross bikes for 2026, equipping them with upgraded suspension, more powerful brakes, new frames, and revised ergonomics.
Most of the changes are common to both models, with the main difference being the displacement of their liquid-cooled two-stroke Singles. The KX85 is powered by an 85cc engine, while the KX112 uses a 112cc engine, both returning unchanged from 2025. Along with the previously announced KX65, this maintains a natural path of growth for the aspiring young racer.
The KX85 will be offered in the standard 17-inch front/14-inch rear set up, or as the KX85 L (pictured above), with a 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheel. The KX112 will also use a 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear. Dunlop supplies the stock tires, with the Geomax MX34 replacing the previous MX33s.
For 2026, the KX112 and KX85 receive new 43mm KYB inverted forks with adjustable compression and rebound. These replace the previous 36mm forks, which only offered adjustable compression. The new forks feature a Kashima coating to their outer tubes, for better lubrication and reduced wear. The previous forks extended slightly below the wheel axle, but the new design removes these protrusions, reducing contact with the ground at extreme lean angles.
Kawasaki also updated the rear suspension, adding high-speed compression damping adjustment alongside the existing low-speed compression, rebound, and spring preload adjustments. The new monoshock employs a larger shock rod diameter (14 mm vs. the previous 12.5 mm), and increased the cylinder length to 390 mm from 380 mm. According to Kawasaki, the new rear shocks offer firmer damping and improved bottoming resistance.
A revised Uni-Trak linkage system increases rear wheel travel for the KX112 and the KX85 L, bumping it up from the previous 10.8 inches to 12.0 inches. The non-L KX85 retains the same 10.8 inches of front and wheel travel as the 2025 models.
The braking system has been updated with larger rotors, now using 240mm front discs and 220mm rear discs, compared to the previous 220mm/184mm combination. The Nissin front calipers now use dual 25mm pistons and the master cylinder from the KX250. For the rear, Kawasaki tightened the brake pedal stroke for more precise control.
Kawasaki revised the high-tensile perimeter frames, extending the steering head pipe by 25mm to increase front-end rigidity. Kawasaki also replaced the previous steel handlebars, steering stems, and rear sprockets with aluminum parts. This helps to mitigate a bit of the weight increase from the beefier suspension. Kawasaki claims the 2026 KX112 has a curb weight of 172.8 pounds, compared to 169.7 pounds for the 2025 model. The KX85 now checks in with a claimed curb weight of 168.4 pounds, compared to 164.4 pounds claimed on the 2025 model, while the new KX85 L variant tips the scales with a claimed 172.4 pounds.
Styling-wise, the youth models draw inspiration from Kawasaki’s full-sized motocross bikes. The bodywork is designed with a flat-topped fuel tank, allowing riders to shift further forward to weight the front wheel. The seat is flat and slender, allowing for freedom of movement, while the side covers offer flush seams to reduce snagging points.
The new aluminum Renthal Fatbar handlebars are positioned further forward and wider than the previous steel bars, and now come fitted with a handlebar pad. For a custom fit, the handlebar position is adjustable, with a choice of eight different configurations. Kawasaki also lowered the footpegs by 10mm, and are now wider, for better boot grip and mud-shedding performance.
The 2026 Kawasaki KX112, K85, and K85 L are all expected to arrive in dealerships in February, all in a Lime Green color. Pricing starts at $4,999 for the KX85, $5,199 for the KX85 L and $5,749 for the KX112.
Specifications | Kawasaki KX85 | Kawasaki KX85 L | Kawasaki KX112 |
|---|---|---|---|
MSRP | $4,999 | $5,199 | $5,749 |
Engine | 2-stroke, single-cylinder with exhaust power valve (KIPS), liquid-cooled | ||
Displacement | 84cc | 112cc | |
Bore x Stroke | 48.5 mm x 45.8 mm | 52.5 mm x 51.6 mm | |
Compression Ratio | 10.9:1 (low speed) / 9.0:1 (high speed) | 9.9:1 (low speed) / 8.6:1 (high speed) | |
Fuel System | 28mm Keihin carburetor | ||
Ignition | CDI with digital advance | ||
Transmission | 6-speed, return shift, with wet multi-disc manual clutch | ||
Final Drive | Chain | ||
Frame Type | Perimeter, high-tensile steel | ||
Front Suspension | 43mm inverted fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping/10.8 in | ||
Rear Suspension | Uni-Trak single shock with adjustable dual-range (high-low-speed) compression and rebound damping, plus adjustable spring preload/10.8 in | Uni-Trak single shock with adjustable dual-range (high-low-speed) compression and rebound damping, plus adjustable spring preload/12.0 in | |
Front Tire | 70/100-17 | 70/100-19 | |
Rear Tire | 90/100-14 | 90/100-16 | |
Front Brakes | Single 240mm petal disc with dual-piston caliper | ||
Rear Brakes | Single 220mm petal disc with single-piston caliper | ||
Rake/Trail | 29.2°/4.1 inches | 29.2°/4.6 inches | |
Overall Length | 72.2 inches | 76.2 inches | |
Overall Width | 31.5 inches | ||
Overall Height | 43.9 inches | 45.9 inches | |
Ground Clearance | 11.6 inches | 13.0 inches | |
Seat Height | 32.7 inches | 34.1 inches | |
Curb Weight | 168.4 pounds (claimed) | 172.4 pounds (claimed) | 172.8 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 1.32 gallons | ||
Wheelbase | 49.8 inches | 51.6 inches | |
Special Features | ERGO-FIT | ||
Color Choices | Lime Green | ||
2026 Kawasaki KX112, KX85, and KX85 L First Look Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Are these the new 2-stroke bikes that Kawasaki teased back in January of 2025? I thought they hinted at a new large-bore 2-stroke.