The Kawasaki AR was launched in 1978 and was produced up to ’96. It had a 124cc, water-cooled, two-stroke single motor that puts out 12bhp in restricted form.
Once on the move it really did move, and it was surprisingly responsive when overtaking, but even with the extra bhp it needed high revs for it to perform.
On the Kawasaki AR125 the noise the engine made was enough to make you think it was falling apart, it’s a common thing with these, even though it was a water cooled, something the bike did from being brand new.
The AR125 also had a tendency to use quite a lot of oil, even in the restricted versions, and had a tendency to oil up the plug under slow riding conditions too. Apart from this there no other major problem with the bike, it would return 60 mpg as standard.
Technical information;
Manufacturer - Kawasaki
Model - AR125
Year - 1982
Engine - 123cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled
Power - 12 bhp @ 9,500 rpm
Bore / stroke - 55 x 51.8 mm
Transmission - 6-speed gearbox, chain driven
Top speed - 75 mph
Suspension - Front; oil-damped telescopic forks
- Rear; single shock
Weight - 107 kg
Brakes - Front; 232 mm single piston calliper front disc
- Rear; 130 mm drum
Tyres - Front; 2.75 x 18”
- Rear; 3.00 x 18”