Kawasaki Mojave 250 Specs and Review

With its four-stroke water-cooled motor, agile and comfortable design and a top speed hitting around 55 mph, the Kawasaki Mojave 250 has become a standard choice for riders who prefer small racing vehicles. Need to know more? Find everything about its specs, features, and more in this article.

The Kawasaki Mojave 250 has been one of the most popular vehicles in the ATV universe since its production. It has easy-to-find parts and accessories, is exceptionally durable, and can rival its newer counterparts given the right upgrades.

Its four-valve engine, long-travel suspensions, and triple-disc brakes give it the highest performing chassis in its category, making it especially suitable for off-road adventures.

So whether you’re a beginner deciding on making your first ATV purchase, an enthusiast missing that heart-pumping adrenaline rush or someone just curious about all the off-road fuss, read on to learn more about the Kawasaki Mojave 250 as well as get answers to some frequently asked questions about your favorite 4-wheeler.

What Is the Kawasaki Mojave 250?

The Kawasaki Mojave 250 was named after the rugged desert in Southern California and is the 4th release of 4-wheeled ATVs by Kawasaki since it launched Bayou 185 in the ’80s. It is third in the Mojave series next to Kawasaki Mojave 110 and 110E, and was made available to the market from 1987 to 2004.

The Kawasaki Mojave 250 was initially intended for farmers and hunters who wanted to enjoy recreational trail rides, and just, later on, became one of the more popular choices for sports racing.

This sport ATV is built with very tough materials, making it very reliable. It is a single-operator vehicle by design and, apart from racing, can also be used for hill climbs, navigating gravel pits, or joy rides in the winter with peers – just about anything that speaks adventure. Despite being considered an old quad, some of the newer sport ATVs can still outrun some extra care and ingenious modifications.

Kawasaki Mojave 250 Specs & Features

Engine

It is powered by a four-stroke, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams. It has a bore of 74mm and a stroke of 58mm. The engine’s displacement is 249cc, and its compression ratio is 11:1. Fuel tank capacity is 2.2 gallons/8.3 liters and delivers a Keihin CVK34 carburetor. This engine type packs lots of low-end power, is more fuel-efficient, and can withstand a good beating much longer than a vehicle with a two-stroke engine.

Drivetrain

Power is delivered via a five-speed transmission inclusive of a reverse gear – which is a bonus. Shifting is handled by a manual, wet type, multi-disc clutch. Its final drive ratio is 3.58 and is powered by a shielded chain. For most advanced riders, the kick-starter mechanism is a fair trade-off for a sport ATV with no electric start as they prefer better suspension, and the clutch gives them better control.

Ignition

It has an electronic CDI ignition with a kick-starter system (no longer the norm these days).

Tires

The front wheels are equipped with AT21 x 7-10 tubeless tires, while the rear wheels are mounted with AT22 x 7-10 tires. The vehicle’s wheelbase is 44.3 inches, and it weighs 379 pounds – still okay to fit at the back of your truck.

Brakes

Front dual-disc and rear enclosed wet disc brakes provide stopping power.

Suspension

Its suspension is comparable to any other 250/300-cc sport ATVs. The front suspension includes double A-arms with shock absorbers that allow 6.9 inches of travel. It helps keep the vehicle in control on say, high-speed fire roads, and is a preference of more aggressive riders. The rear suspension is made of steel and utilizes a swing arm with a single shock absorber that allows 8.5 inches of travel.

Dimensions

The overall length of it is 68.28 inches, and the width is 42.9 inches. Its height from the ground is approximately 40.7 inches; seat height is 29.7 inches. Its wheelbase is 44.3 inches. Its ground clearance is 4.6 inches and 8.5 inches at the center of the chassis.

Exterior

It has a steel frame, and the body material is plastic, which helps the Mojave 250 stay light. The hull further serves as an unlimited canvass for those who want to get more creative with their sport quads. Protect your things and keep them dry with the ATV TEK Arch Series Rear Rack Utility Pack (view on Amazon).

How Much Does a Kawasaki Mojave 250 Cost?

The original price of its 2004 model was at $4,099 and was comparatively higher than its 250-cc counterparts. The good news is that second-hand Mojave 250s have relatively low retail prices, ranging from $500 to a little over $2,400. However, this would depend on the year, condition, and whether it has any mods.

Mid-condition ones would typically be models produced from 1994 to 2002 and would cost around $1,700 tops. Older models would be sold cheaper but may require some parts for replacement. Should you decide to buy a Mojave 250, it is advisable to check on the carb, cam chain drive, balancer, and air filters, among other things. A lot of dealers and trader sites are selling OEM replacement parts that make rebuilding easy.

Kawasaki Mojave 250 Top Speed

For what others consider as a novice rider ATV, Mojave 250s are quite fast and can get up to 55 mph. If you put in a K&N jet kit and filter, you will gain around 5 mph more. Changing front and stock rear sprockets or placing in a pipe and sock air filter will also increase performance.

All in all, the speed requirements would depend on the experience of the driver. If the Mojave is in good shape, it would already do wonders for an 11-year old with enough practice riding on lower-cc ATVs. An adult introduced to off-road riding for just one weekend would already have fun with the vehicle.

Pros & Cons of Owning a Kawasaki Mojave 250

Pros of Kawasaki Mojave 250

Although some may call its engine laughably puny nowadays, the Kawasaki Mojave 250 packs lots of low-end power at higher RPM, is more durable, and doesn’t wear out as fast as its counterparts with two-stroke engines. It’s more fuel-efficient, quieter, and thus, more environmentally friendly.

Some mechanics tweak its compression ratio higher or lower to the current ideal (between 12.5:1 to 13.5:1 range) to improve stock-to-the-wheel horsepower and engine performance.

From a rider perspective, the Mojave 250 runs exceptionally well and has good suspension. Although recommended for users aged 16 years old and up, this sports vehicle is perfect for experienced 11 year-olds. It has a very light, comfortable design and is fantastic for long rides. It is even considered the fastest trail rider in its category by some enthusiasts.

Cons of Kawasaki Mojave 250

On the downside, the Kawasaki Mojave 250 can be a handful dependent on driver skill. For example, beginners are not a fan of the kick-start mechanism and manual transmission combo. Two-finger clutch users had problems shifting from first to second gear. Because it has a fuller engine, it may not be the right choice for riders without much off-road experience. 

For older models, a lot of work needs to be done, and scoring a Mojave 250 for $500 may not turn out to be a bang for your buck. For one, there are a lot of part failures in the balancer and cam chain drive. It also requires frequent valve adjustment to prevent the valve from recessing into the head. Because it has a more sophisticated design than ATVs with two-stroke engines, Kawasaki Mojave 250 parts and repairs cost more.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much oil does a Kawasaki Mojave 250 take? It usually requires under 2 quarts (or 64 fluid ounces) to fill up.
• What oil does a Kawasaki Mojave 250 take? Any 10w-30, 10w-40 or 20w-50 motorcycle oil will do. Old-time ATV users recommend Amsoil, Royal Purple, Maxima, Valvoline, Kawachem, and Honda Pro GN4.
• What is considered high mileage for Kawasaki Mojave 250? Six thousand miles is already regarded as high mileage for the Mojave 250, or for any ATV for that matter, and would require hours of hard driving. It would take a lot of time and effort to put those many miles of trail riding on an ATV. Not to mention that it will be more taxing for the driver rather than the machine.
• Where can I find the best prices for replacement parts? There are many nifty deals online that would allow you to keep your quad in tip-top shape without breaking the bank. For example, you can buy a new JDMSPEED Carburetor Carb replacement (view on Amazon).
• How much weight can a Kawasaki Mojave 250 pull? Given the Mojave is a sport ATV, it’s not meant to tow anything. However, if required, the Mojave can pull up to 600 lbs on full throttle and with the rope tied to the axle housing. It is also advisable to do it slowly so that your rear axle doesn’t come off.
• Should I buy a Kawasaki Mojave 250? It depends on your preference and skill as a driver. Generally, the Mojave is ideal for beginners, hobbyists, and those who would like to get some grip on the sport. But for really experienced riders, they lean towards higher cc sport vehicles.
• Is it worth restoring a Kawasaki Mojave 250? Again, it depends. The first thing to consider is the condition of the quad, followed by the year model. Older models would have suffered its fair share of wear and tear and would be more tedious (and albeit more expensive) to restore. Next is whether you prefer aftermarket parts to OEM and if you’re on a budget. Based on forums, most people would choose to restore 1994 and up models.

About Kawasaki

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is the manufacturer of Kawasaki Mojave 250. The company history dates back to 1878 when Shozo Kawasaki established his first shipyard alongside the Sumidagawa River in Tokyo. What then started as a shipbuilding business has grown into massive production of transit, aerospace and energy systems, hydraulic machinery, motorcycles, watercraft, and off-road four-wheelers.

The technical savvy garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and new technologies continue to reflect in the engineering and design of their signature ATVs, side x sides, and watercraft.

Conclusion – Kawasaki Mojave 250

In summary, the Kawasaki Mojave 250 is a 250-cc all-terrain vehicle used for trail riding and power sports. It is a single-operator vehicle with a nimble, comfortable design, great features, and made of super-tough materials that will last a long time given proper care and maintenance.

The Mojave continues to be a popular pick by beginners and enthusiasts alike. I highly recommend the Mojave 250 for anyone looking to get their four-wheeling fix.