Have any of you ever seen even 1/2 of these Kawi production 3W'ers?

[Huffa]

I have this link in my "I spy" post but thought it deserved seperate post.


http://www.kawasaki.ca/museum_atv.html#1980s

I never knew they made so many and have a lot of features that all other brands don't. Read the model literature and you'll see what I mean.

A few are (on some): trick unlocking differental, the front end acts like a antidive suspension actually rising as you brake, and gas tank under the seat.

Not bad looking either.

I have never heard (not that I checked all post) one member talk about them except for the 250 Prarie.

They even had a POLICE model!!!

Quote: "Parks and beaches were safer after the Police 250 (KLT250-P) debuted. The special police model was based on the popular Prairie 250 ATV".

[chris200x]

That's a very informative website you posted there Huffa. Personally I think most of the models are fugly. But I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. lol My favorite would have to be the 85-86 tecate. I also like the green tecate 4. My friend had a white one a cuople years back and BOY were those things fast. Just my .o2 though.

[Lomax]

Yeah the Kawasaki's were a little odd, but I think thats its because we are all used to seeing hondas. I have a 4 Kawasaki trikes, a Klt110, Klt160, which are basically more "normal" trikes then I have a KLT200 and a Duckster. Those are really strange machines with all kinds of oddities, they even have a manual clutch!! I found one of those 250 praires the other day, I havent done much about it but I know that its not going anywhere and its safe and inside so I will worry with it later.

[Jeb]

Thanks for the link to that site! Very cool.

I'd like to have the first KLT200 pictured. Looks like it has gold aluminum rims!

[Huffa]

Yeah the Kawasaki's were a little odd, but I think thats its because we are all used to seeing hondas. I have a 4 Kawasaki trikes, a Klt110, Klt160, which are basically more "normal" trikes then I have a KLT200 and a Duckster. Those are really strange machines with all kinds of oddities, they even have a manual clutch!! I found one of those 250 praires the other day, I havent done much about it but I know that its not going anywhere and its safe and inside so I will worry with it later.

You have a Duckster!

Lets see it! You got one rare machine there.

Why don't you have the Mother Duckster listed as one of your trikes then?

I'd be proud to own such a machine.

[Huffa]

Thanks for the link to that site! Very cool.

I'd like to have the first KLT200 pictured. Looks like it has gold aluminum rims!

Your welcome Jeb.

..........and ya know the only reason they look odd is because most have them have the gas tanks under the seat and the "'shroud" is so skinny.

Makes the motors have a larger then normal look.

Really, I'd love to have any of them just because they are so rare.

Never knew the Tecate came in red also.

Well lookie here what I've done found! ............Auction - June 11

1750 miles away from me and yes, I'm lunatic enough to go out and bid on it


10’ Winnebago Pickup Camper, self contained

Kawasaki Duckster 3-Wheeler, 200cc

Elgin Wondermill Windmill, 30’ tower

(2) VHF 2-way Business Band Radios

[Huffa]

How the Duckster came about - quite interesting & funny too.

Mike Vaughan, Publisher

My first involvement in the ATV market began in 1979 when I was at Kawasaki. My then-boss, vice president of sales and marketing Chuck Larsen, was working mightily to convince the Japanese that Kawasaki should start producing ATVs--or ATCs, as they were referred to then. Nobody knew exactly how big the market was because sales numbers weren't reported. By and large these vehicles weren't registered, and for the most part they were sold in rural C and D markets and used on farms where they weren't terribly visible. It was hard to tell if it was much of a business.

Kawasaki's Japanese management agreed to produce a three-wheeler, called the KLT. By today's standard it was pretty primitive, but it sold well and looked good on the bottom line. Chuck was an outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing were two of his big passions. He told the Japanese that we needed to do one of the KLTs in camo for duck hunters. Chuck told them it would open up a whole new market. The Japanese said they would.
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A few months later, a camo-painted KLT was delivered to the R&D department at Kawasaki. It was just a short time from production, and the Japanese needed a go/no-go on the camo job. The only people from the product development committee not on vacation were Dave Dewey (now of Targa Accessories fame) and I.

We dutifully marched down to the R&D center; they unveiled what was to become known as The Duckster, and asked us if it looked all right. My only experience with camo was in the army, and I don't think Dave had ever given camo a moment's thought. Neither one of us were duck hunters. I looked at Dave, Dave looked at me, and we both shrugged our shoulders and told them it looked fine. The Duckster headed off for production.

Chuck Larsen eventually returned from vacation, got his own look at the Duckster and called us into his office. His first words were along the line of "What the (insert long and impressive string of epithets) were you guys thinking? That camo is all wrong! It looks like desert camo. It should look like wetlands or forest, and it needs to be a lot greener!"

Our defense was that we were ignorant of the nuances of camouflage. One type looked pretty much like another, and are ducks really smart enough to know the difference.

According to Chuck they were. The Duckster lasted just one or two years before fading away. I'd like to think Kawasaki was just too far ahead of the times, but the reality probably is that Chuck had a good idea, and Dave and I made a very big mistake.

Now we have a quad market that's full of camouflaged ATVs, one of which is even endorsed by Ducks Unlimited. Not only that, but it's a huge market, significantly bigger than motorcycles. If we want to keep this market healthy, buyers must be cognizant of the regulations regarding usage, passenger load and protective gear. Make sure that your sales staff is briefed on the laws governing ATVs, and that buyers are fully aware of an ATV's unique handling characteristics, and the necessity of keeping the product where it belongs: off the highway.

[TRI Z Racer]

i used to have a black klt160, liek the 1985 red one only it was black. i got it for xmas one year when i was in like 5th grade. that thing ran forever, the fenders were so thick and flexible, i never put one crack in it in the 7 or 8 years i rode it. never had a single problem with it. really really really well built. i ended up selling it to a kid down the rode from me when i turned 16 for money to buy a car, i got 500 for it. The kid ended up riding it up and down the road constantly and blew it up. it was in his yard for a couple years before he moved, now i have no idea where it is. Now that im looking back, that thing used to be able to pull better then my cousins honda 200s, whenever my uncle needed something pulled i always had to do it. plus it had reverse... that was the best! I was an idiot, i should have kept it. Luckily i still have my first ever three wheeler, the suziki alt 50 trail buddy. im planning on keeping that for my kids someday. I wish i could find my old kawasaki.

[NOS_350X]

Most those have have viewed (in real life or pictures) at some time.

[edog]

The 1984 Tecate,know thats what im talking about.I would love to add that to my garage.After i'm done with my dirtbike i don't think i will have anymore room.My next project is the 1985 Tri Z,just can't wait.

[90nut]

I actually like the 84-85 tecate better than the 86-87. I don't know if it is because I own a 84 or what but man do I like that thing. People say that they would not have one as a daily ride but the only problems I have had with it so far is that the master cylinder now leaks, and the clutch operation is a little goofy. Other than that she has been quite fun. I even got to do a little cart wheel on her the other night. I swear that thing is WAY more dependable than my 200x. I am almost going to be afraid to ride it again once I get it put together again because that old boy leaves me stranded all the time. I also may be able to get what I think is a 250 klt? It has some weird diff thing that you turn a screw and it locks or something like that. The only time it has ever run I rode it and it would lay black marks on dry pavement! I also just passed up a klt 300 for 300 dollars that ran. I am starting to like these kawis more and more.

[Huffa]

I actually like the 84-85 tecate better than the 86-87. I don't know if it is because I own a 84 or what but man do I like that thing. People say that they would not have one as a daily ride but the only problems I have had with it so far is that the master cylinder now leaks, and the clutch operation is a little goofy. Other than that she has been quite fun. I even got to do a little cart wheel on her the other night. I swear that thing is WAY more dependable than my 200x. I am almost going to be afraid to ride it again once I get it put together again because that old boy leaves me stranded all the time. I also may be able to get what I think is a 250 klt? It has some weird diff thing that you turn a screw and it locks or something like that. The only time it has ever run I rode it and it would lay black marks on dry pavement! I also just passed up a klt 300 for 300 dollars that ran. I am starting to like these kawis more and more.

Clarify (I'm curious) what things broke that stranded you on X?

[trikerider2oo7]

cool link huffa...thanks

[YAMAHA_Jim]

Thanks for that link. Nice trip down memory lane.I've only seen in person 2 or 3 kawasaki 3 wheelers that werent tecates.I've seen a dozen or so tecates.Kawi 3 wheelers werent very poplular in this part of NY back in the day..

[Howdy]

i used to have a black klt160, liek the 1985 red one only it was black. i got it for xmas one year when i was in like 5th grade. that thing ran forever, the fenders were so thick and flexible, i never put one crack in it in the 7 or 8 years i rode it. never had a single problem with it. really really really well built. i ended up selling it to a kid down the rode from me when i turned 16 for money to buy a car, i got 500 for it. The kid ended up riding it up and down the road constantly and blew it up. it was in his yard for a couple years before he moved, now i have no idea where it is. Now that im looking back, that thing used to be able to pull better then my cousins honda 200s, whenever my uncle needed something pulled i always had to do it. plus it had reverse... that was the best! I was an idiot, i should have kept it. Luckily i still have my first ever three wheeler, the suziki alt 50 trail buddy. im planning on keeping that for my kids someday. I wish i could find my old kawasaki.

I have a 160 here that I would sell you. I even have a 185 to go with it. If interested let me know via PM.
Howdy