Kawasaki Tecate 4

The Kawasaki Tecate-4 KXF250 all-terrain vehicle was produced from 1987 to 1988 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Powered by a powervalved 250cc 2-stroke engine, the Tecate-4 is rumored to be the most powerful of the 250cc class and still holds the title.sport quads.In a test done by Dirt Wheels magazine the Tecate-4 was the third fastest quad on the market with a 805 mph top speed stock, the only stock quads to beat it were the much larger displaced Yamaha banshee 350 twin at 750 mph and the not yet released to public Suzuki LT500 at 909 mph. Both Honda TRX250r and Suzuki LT250r came in at 710 mph. The Tecate-4 power plant is based on the championship-winning KX250 motorcycle engine with modifications to make it more rideable. The counterbalanced mill has a bore and stoke of 67.4mmx70mm. The finless cylinder is liquid-cooled, and the liner is made of Kawasaki's nikasil chrome plating. It lasts longer than steel liners, but can't be bored out. Kawasaki's Power Valve System (KIPS) kicks in earlier than it did last year to improve low-end response. The Fresh Air Intake System that drew air in front of the gas tank was dropped '88. The motor now gets draws air right at the air box cover. The Tecate-4 uses an electronic ignition and a six-speed manually transmission. Although the Kawasaki is the fastest of the 250cc two strokes it's handling was not on par with its competition. Which may have been the reason for it not being as popular as Suzuki's LT250r or the even more desirable Honda TRX250r. Nonetheless the Tecate 4 now remains as a legend for us old enough to remember or a myth for the riders who were not around when the Tecate's were in production.

Similar vehicles

In 1985, Suzuki introduced to the industry the first high-performance 4-wheel ATV, the Suzuki LT250R QuadRacer. Honda responded a year later with the FourTrax TRX250R. Kawasaki answered with its Tecate-4 250.