09 Klx250s

[jharrissocal]

I'm considering the purchase of a new KLX250S. I own a KLR but the bike is just too big and heavy for single track and riding up hills with rock ledges and ruts. Also, if the bike goes down, I want something easy to pick up. I've noticed that my local Kawi dealer is selling a new 09 for hundreds less than MSRP. How does the KLX perform in the rough stuff? I know that the power is on the low side but I'm more intersted in light weight and good suspension. Any opinions?

[RandyG]

Same here, I am doing more off road and want something lighter, selling the KLR, bought a 09 klx 250 yesterday. Somebody buy my 06 KLR!! Check out in classifieds, 06 KLR 8392 miles asking $2775 located in East TN.

[debby]

Me too! I'm about to pull the trigger on an 07 KLX 250. I sold my KLR650 last fall - just too big and heavy for me. I think I'll like the 250.

Wish me luck negotiating with the seller...

Debby

[buff36]

MMM Where to start. I bought an 09 last year, I was dissapointed at first. I am just 6ft 220lbs so it suffered on the bottom end it would not pull into a wheelie no matter what. BUT I installed a HMF Slip on exhaust Stage 2 Dyno jet kit, a uni filter and 5 pre filters. Then it was a totally different bike. 1st gear into 2nd on the rear tire off road up any slight hill 3rd would come up. 0 to 70 pretty quick not a top end beast maybe on flat ground. At dry weight around 265 it is a blast off road. I really got into this bike then some asshat stole it. If I was looking at another bike for single track I would get another.

This was my baby

[jharrissocal]

All,
Thanks for the input. I feel the KLX will better suit my needs. Also looked at the WR250R, it's a nice bike but the cost is much higher than the KLX.

[buff36]

Just keep in mind there is a big bore kit for the 250 but after the mods to mine it would keep up with ease beside the klr

[buff36]

This is what I have for single track now KLX400R

And for everyday use
09 KLR 650

The 400 is as light as the 250 was but twice the power

[Ruderupp]

Originally Posted by buff36

This is what I have for single track now KLX400R

And for everyday use
09 KLR 650

The 400 is as light as the 250 was but twice the power

Nice stable!

[trainman]

Buy a used Suzuki DRZ 400S or a Kawasaki KLX 400SR much better bike for your dollar and you should be able to purchase one in the $2500-$3500 range. These bikes are pretty much the same since they started production in 2001 and best of all they are bullet proof much like the KLR 650.

John

[dirtdreamer50]

currently ride a klr650-09, and have no trouble riding on pavement at 60+ mph for 75-80 miles one way, to get to the closest off road areas. will a klx 250s work for me similarly in the same hiway situation, or would the sustained speed be too hard on the engine, and my butt? i would like a lighter bike, also, but cannot trailer. the klr is a blast on gravel and two track roads, but i know taking it onto single track or unexplored areas is just asking for big troubles (400 lbs is tough to pick up). tom p

[gaklx250]

No the klx will not be much fun on a long highway trip. but once you get to the ride area the 5 or 6 hours will be be a blast. my klx does ok up to 65 or 70 mph
doing the math I would rather be a little uncomfortable for a hour than be misirable for 5 on the nasty singles.works for me . your results may be diferent. The smaller bike will force you to find some nice back roads to get their . dualsporting rules

[dirtdreamer50]

Originally Posted by gaklx250

No the klx will not be much fun on a long highway trip. but once you get to the ride area the 5 or 6 hours will be be a blast. my klx does ok up to 65 or 70 mph
doing the math I would rather be a little uncomfortable for a hour than be misirable for 5 on the nasty singles.works for me . your results may be diferent. The smaller bike will force you to find some nice back roads to get their . dualsporting rules

ordered a red klx 250s this afternoon. got a clark mfg clear 2.7 gal gas tank coming for it , too. should be able to get at least 100 worry free miles before looking for a gas can. w the rain from hurricaine alex, it's gonna be a while before anything around here is rideable. guess the jet changes come soon. thanks for all the info. tom
has anyone out there put renthal or protaper bars on his/her bike? if so which taller models work best?

oh yeah, the dealer in katy, tx is selling klx450r's for $4999. one sold while i was there this afternoon. modded to be plated, that would be a real d/s bike.

[gaklx250]

Originally Posted by dirtdreamer50

ordered a red klx 250s this afternoon. got a clark mfg clear 2.7 gal gas tank coming for it , too. should be able to get at least 100 worry free miles before looking for a gas can. w the rain from hurricaine alex, it's gonna be a while before anything around here is rideable. guess the jet changes come soon. thanks for all the info. tom
has anyone out there put renthal or protaper bars on his/her bike? if so which taller models work best?

oh yeah, the dealer in katy, tx is selling klx450r's for $4999. one sold while i was there this afternoon. modded to be plated, that would be a real d/s bike.

Man I want a 450
went out today and rode @ 100 miles on a tank of gas. and there is still @ a 1/4 tank left. getting @ 65 mpg . 50 miles on tight single tracks and some forest srvice roads.I am really tired the klx did amazing . the video is real good.

[gaklx250]

Bars,
I am running a set of "henry" bend protapper 7/8 " bars on mine. Moose bark bussters or acribess a must for serious woods work. Have the same bend on my yz . gives real good hand position and overall position for the 3 or 4 hour adventure. make sure you drill the control position holes after you have set the bars to your riding position.

[Rey & Vann]

I bought new late in 09, both a KLR and the KLX 250 S. I love the KLR on the forest roads and decent 2 track and trips linger than 1 day, but dollar for dollar, the KLX is a heck of a lot more fun, crisp, agile, and exciting. I ride it down the hwy at 60~70 for about 30 miles to the Capital Forest in Olympia WA, and hit the OHV trails (ATV and smaller).

Since I'm new to the offroad/adventure ride scene (formerly crotchety-rockety only), I thought I'd suffer a stiff learning curve, but this bike has been super forgiving.

1st trail ride, 11 miles, fell 11 times, nothing broke.
2nd ride, 17 miles, fell 6 times.
3rd ride, 27 miles, fell 1 time, bent license plate bracket, melted hole through right inner calf against header pipe cause I was laughing so hard when I fell, left leg stuck under bike, relaxed right and pressed the pipe. Still makes me laugh, it's so much fun!

No regrets on purchasing either bike, and because I got them late in the year, after the '10's were delivered, got the KLR for 4200.00 and the KLX for 4000.00. CAN'T BEAT THAT!!!!!

Anyone in my area interested in Cap-Forest rides, let me know. I always go alone, but after the calf burn, my wife's not very keen on my solo adventures!

[BeenThere]

Rey & Vann, which dealer did you buy from?

Norm

[schmidtle]

Dr. Greg Frazier, famous RTW motorcyclist, chose the KLX250 for his trip to Alaska.
Here is an interesting read about what he did to prep the bike for the trip:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/284/63...re-Tourer.aspx

[Scott Shipman]

Originally Posted by buff36

MMM Where to start. I bought an 09 last year, I was dissapointed at first. I am just 6ft 220lbs so it suffered on the bottom end it would not pull into a wheelie no matter what. BUT I installed a HMF Slip on exhaust Stage 2 Dyno jet kit, a uni filter and 5 pre filters. Then it was a totally different bike. 1st gear into 2nd on the rear tire off road up any slight hill 3rd would come up. 0 to 70 pretty quick not a top end beast maybe on flat ground. At dry weight around 265 it is a blast off road. I really got into this bike then some asshat stole it. If I was looking at another bike for single track I would get another.

This was my baby

Dont you wish you could catch somebody when there ripping off somthing,,,,I can see why some people become vigilantes ,,,makes me think of CHARLES BRONSON in any of the death wish movies.It's sad that is a condition of some people,,,,but remember: WHAT GOES AROUND,,,,COMES AROUND. The scum that stole your bike will get a "just reward" for his/hers actions someday,,,KARMA.

[dirtdreamer50]

got the klx today. clarke said the tank would fit, when trying to install, nothing fit. called clarke, they now say it doesn't fit and pulled the info from their web site. guess i need a rack and extra gas can. in stock form, its a slug on the road, but feels like, when broken in, will work great off road. intake and exhaust changes in the future, for more performance. sadly, it will never pull like the 250 maico i raced . not even close to the 125 rickman metisse, either... 2 strokes are hard to beat. gotta love the epa.....tom

[Rey & Vann]

Originally Posted by BeenThere

Rey & Vann, which dealer did you buy from?

Norm

I got them at Paulsens in Lacey. They treated me right on the buy, thats for sure, but I gave up going there for parts and gear. They never have simple stuff like oil filters or clutch levers, and I was in there again 3 or 4 weeks ago looking for handguards and the guy behind the counter didn't even offer to order any...

BTW, the clutch lever was for the KLX. My son was here on leave over Christmas last year (first time riding) and had a 5 mile an hour panic tip-over and busted the knob off the end of the lever. Same lever as the KLR, too! Can't believe they didn't have them at Paulsens... My son is stationed at Whidbey NAS. He'll be back from his deployment in January (I hope)!

Rey.