Jeff Ward won his first AMA National Motocross Championship on the KX125SR in 1984, and later went on to win the 250 and 500 championships as well. It was during the hard-fought championship of 1984 that Kawasaki developed KIPS (Kawasaki Integrated Power Valve System). The engine was sent to the U.S. at mid-season and Ward went on to win the championship. Other unique Kawasaki technologies included tall, single radiators mounted asymmetrically on the left side, aluminium fuel tanks with integral intake air ducts and pushrod-equipped Uni-Trak rear suspension.