In the same way Japanese automakers are renowned for their reliability and quality, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers are too. One of the big three is Kawasaki which has been making motorcycles for a long time with a racing heritage that makes the brand all the more popular.
But these two factors aren't the only things that make a Kawasaki a good motorcycle. Kawis are always at the forefront of new technology and their engines perform quite well without being too expensive to maintain or run. You essentially get a nice blend of performance, reliability and economy with neither of the three being on top. This is why protecting a Kawasaki bike is crucial.
Types of Plastic Kits
Standard
The standard plastics kit or the base one as people call it, is one that replaces your front fender, radiator shroud, side panel and air box cover and keeps internals safe from debris and weather conditions. Standard Kawasaki plastics kits are a good bang-for-buck option that covers most plastic parts on your motorbike and are thus the most common kits.
Individual
An individual plastics kit, on the other hand, is one that lets you pick one piece of trim to protect with it and that's it. These types of plastic kits are not as common but can do the job if you only need to replace a broken part.
Full
A full Kawasaki dirt bike plastics kit gets you every single piece you can replace on your Japanese two-wheeler. This includes the lower fork covers, rear and front fenders, air box covers, side panels, and radiator shrouds. These kits cost the most even though they are the most comprehensive.
What Matters in a Plastics Kit
Material
Just like your current Kawasaki plastic pieces, there are different types of materials being used with plastic kits. The most durable plastics kits are not going to fade and they are usually much thicker than lower-grade kits. Another indication of a high-grade Kawasaki dirt bike plastics kit is its color which matches the one of your bike exactly.
Thickness
Thicker plastics may be durable but they are not always the strongest. A thick piece of plastic usually lacks the flexibility needed to absorb and distribute impacts. Also, the thicker the pieces are, the more weight your Kawasaki needs to deal with.
Fitment
A plastics kit that fits your model bike is everything and without it, no matter how good-looking the pieces are and how durable they might be, they just won't be of any use to you.
Installation Process
Prep
Installing Kawasaki plastics kits is not that difficult but in order for that to be the case with your Kawasaki you should prepare it. Preparation is key here as it involves cleaning the areas where the plastics will be installed. Getting rid of dirt, grease and other types of residue can help improve adhesion.
Beginning
With a clean work area, take off the plastics currently on your bike by removing the fasteners and clips holding each piece.
Fasteners
Once you're done with the fasteners of the previous plastic pieces, get on with the ones of your new pieces. Also, ensure that you put back the clips you removed as these don't usually come supplied with the kit.
End
In the end, the installation process involves trimming any excess material, if needed, and installing some decals if you want to change the look of your Kawasaki. Make sure to double-check every fastener and clip before applying any decals though.
Plastics Maintenance Tips
Clean
The first and most important step towards having Kawasaki dirt bike plastics that last a long time and are in good shape too is to clean the pieces regularly. Cleaning your bike after every ride and removing dirt, mud and all kinds of debris helps keep it in its original state for as long as possible.
Protect
Protecting the pieces is also important especially when it comes to UV rays . By applying a UV protective solution in the form of a spray you get to eliminate the fade that occurs after a while.
Inspect
Make sure to check the plastic pieces for any scratches, cracks and dents so that you can repair them on time or replace the pieces that are damaged beyond repair. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals on the plastic pieces in order to maintain their structural integrity and shine.
Polish
Talking about shine, if you want to bring back the original one of your plastic pieces and keep it that way for a long time you should polish and wax them. Polishing plastic parts is done with a plastic polishing compound in a similar way you polish metal and other surfaces. Applying wax helps protect the plastics from damage in the future especially when it comes to scratches which means you won't have to do a lot of correction and repairs in the years to come.
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