Dafra Kansas 150 2011 — Specifications

In 2011, placing a saddle at 86 centimeters on a small custom was a choice. The Dafra Kansas 150 embraces this grand cruiser posture, but everything in its technical specifications whispers that ambition far exceeds mechanical means. With a 150 cm3 single-cylinder engine just capable of producing 13 horsepower, we are here in the realm of a custom-made suit for an adolescent frame.

The engine, a four-stroke air-cooled unit fed by a PZ26 simple carburetor, belongs to the robust and uneventful family. A bore of 62 mm for a stroke of 49.5 mm and a compression ratio of 9:1 promise more flexibility than fire. Reaching the announced 118 km/h will be a long negotiation with the gear lever, the latter likely being more stressed than on a motorcycle three times more powerful. The final chain transmission on a custom adds a touch of authentic Spartan simplicity.

The steel frame, classic telescopic front suspension and dual rear shock absorbers, as well as the mixed braking – disc at the front and drum at the rear – outline the portrait of a simple mechanism, designed for the city and small roads without pretension. With 123 kg all full and an 11.6-liter tank, the Kansas aims for a disguised utility leisure vehicle. Tires in 18 and 16 inch sizes confirm this vocation for riding steadily, savoring a look more than seeking it.

Facing a Honda Shadow 125 or the small Chinese customs of the time, the Dafra Kansas 150 plays the card of an imposing and accessible appearance. It will not shake up the landscape, but it offers the aspiring biker a platform to adopt the silhouette without suffering from complexity or cost. It is a machine for those who are starting out and want above all to feel in the saddle, not for those who count the seconds at the standing start 400 meters.