Kawasaki KR 250

After the successful launching of its two-stroke, three-cylinder 500-cc. model, Kawasaki turned with greater interest to speed racing. In 1969 the company built a racing version of its Vis -liter production model. The following year it turned to the 250 class and built a two-stroke two-cylinder with rotating-disk distribution. This motorcycle was first shown at the 1970 Amsterdam Salon.

For the 250 model, with flanked cylinders facing forward, Kawasaki declared a power of 45 h.p. at 9,800 ,r.p.m. and a top speed of over 135 m.p.h. The engine was mounted on the chassis of a production model of the three-cylinder 500, while the front brake was that of the racing 500.
The Kawasaki 250 was not subsequently developed, because the company preferred to concentrate on the tougher but more profitable 750 class and the Formula Daytona. It was only in early 1974 that word came of another 250 in the works.

In 1975 the Kawasaki 250 finally appeared on European tracks. Its best placing was fifth at the Dutch Grand Prix, with Canadian Yvon Du Hamel in the saddle. The engine was still two-cylinder, this time longitudinal and parallel. The Kawasaki 250 had six-speed transmission.
Kawasaki announced that it would compete again during the 1976 racing season, but it made only sporadic appearances on the track.

Motorcycle: Kawasaki 250 Manufacturer: Kawasaki Industries, Tokyo Type: Racing Year: 1976
Engine: Kawasaki two-cylinder in-line, longitudinal, with distribution through two rotating disks. Displacement 249.1 cc. (54 mm. x 54.4 mm.)
Cooling: Water
Transmission: Six-speed block
Power: About 60 h.p. at 12,500 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: About 150 m.p.h.
Chassis: Double cradle, continuous, tubular. Front and rear, telescopic suspension
Brakes: Front and rear, hydraulic disk
 

The Kawasaki KR250 was a racing motorcycle built by Kawasaki from 1975 to 1982 for the 250 cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. It was powered by a two-stroke "tandem twin" engine[1][2] The motorcycle won four world championships, in 1978 and 1979 with Kork Ballington and in 1980 and 1981 with Anton Mang.

Kawasaki first started to develop the motorcycles in 1974, under the direction of Nagato Sato, and chose the layout in order to minimise the frontal area of the machine and allow a disc valve engine design. In its first years, it was ridden by Mick Grant and gained little success but in 1977 it won the Dutch TT at the Assen racing circuit.

The engine design was also used for a road going motorcycle inspired by the racer

Kork Ballington