I was listing my old bikes in another message and I remembered I had a Kawasaki 160. Shaft drive w.reverse. That thing had some power. If ya ever heard or seen any of there bikes tell the story.

 

Hey Wes.

I will tell you how rare they are......VERY.

I had a friend "back then" who owned one for a short while and I had one in the shop about 4 years ago for an oil change. Those are the only two that I have ever seen in person.

They only made it one year[1985] and then bumped the displacement up to a 185 and changed a few cosmetics the following year. They had the KLT185 from 1986-1987.

I rode my buddies once and it was no slouch considering how small the engine was.

 

If anyone knew of them I knew it would be you. What was the color on the ones you saw. Mine was black but I think it was all painted. My friend had a 200x(200s motor) and we raced and we were neck and neck but I smoked him on top end. I ragged on him cause all I had was a 160!!

 

Wes, that trike was offered in two colors. Black and Red.

The one that my buddy had and the one that I had in the shop were both black.

Your 160 being able to stay up and pass an S powered 200X really doesn't surprise me much.
My friend's KLT160 would hang with the 185s and 200s around here pretty well and I remember him passing alot of the stock ones each time we went down the road a couple miles to the sandpit.

 

Old thread for an old trike.

I got my first Kawasaki last week. Picked up a KLT160 for a couple hundred bucks. Going to mess with it this week to get it running. It's getting weak spark after sitting out in a downpour a few weeks ago though I don't think it was the first time it sat outside. Overall in good shape for it age and surprisingly clean under that faded plastics.

 

Here is the specs on them. 3 WHeeLeR WoRLD's 1985 Kawasaki Spec Page

and

, All Terrain Cycles (ATC) 3 Wheeler, Root :: Powered by Subrion 3.0



Frame number ??
Engine number ??
Engine type 4 stroke, Air cooled
Displacement 153cc
Bore x Stroke 61 x 52.4 mm
Compression ratio 9.5 to 1
Compression ??
Transmission speeds 5 speed with reverse
Clutch Type Automatic
Oil Capacity 1.79 Qt
Carburetion Keihin VM22SS
Starting system Recoil starter
Fuel capacity 2.5 Gal
Wheelbase 1,110 mm
Overall Length 1,730 mm
Overall Width 1,000 mm
Ground Clearance 135 mm
Seat height 695 mm
Front tire 21 x 9 x 8
Rear tires 22 x 11 x 8
Front suspension Telescopic fork
Rear suspension none
Front brake Drum
Rear brake Drum
Final drive Shaft
Dry weight 273 lbs
Approx. retail new $1,399.00

 

Thanks for the specs TLC. I didn't realize it was a one year model. I guess I am into the
odd *****. I also have a Suzuki LT250s that was only made for 2 yrs. The LT250s should
be finished next month and then onto the restore of the KLT160. I already have a bunch
of NOS stuff on the way and a guy lined up to make me a new wiring harness.

 

My first ride was a Kawasaki 200 (green). Didn't have a reverse but had a differential that made turning a breeze. Wish I'd kept it now. Would like to find a 250 with reverse and put sand tires on it. I agree with those who say an old 3 wheeler isn't safe for kids to start out on but for those who know them I can say I wouldn't have a problem taking my old 200 (if I still had it) on the trails I've been on here in KS (I'd sure change rear wheels though I don't think the knobby's would have much trail grip).

 

I had one for about 9 years. Went threw it top to bottom. Was a fun machine. Used it for yard work and going up and down the road.

 

These machines are pretty rare but more seem to be surfacing in my area lately... The red ones are super rare the blck ones aren't as rare but still hard to find. I know two people that have one, one is selling. They are a pretty fast little trike and a lot of people like them because they have revers and never need to mess with drive train due to the shaft drive. I own one with out an engine, but probably going to buy another in the future.