OK, I'll post regarding the KLR250

[TheQuick]

I'm one of the few guys that has the KLR250 (two 2001's, one is my wife’s) as well as a KLR650 (2002). Glenn will probably remember that I posted regarding the 250 a couple of years ago, but there wasn't much interest, just like there isn't much interest in the KLR250 after-market. What I stated back in 2001 was that the KLR250 is a very under rated bike and I guess that sales are good enough that it survives long after the Sherpa. I guess that Kawasaki lost a considerable amount of money on the Sherpa, tooling up for a new bike that was only produced for three years. It’s interesting that back in 2001 when my wife and I bought the 250’s I really encouraged my wife to go for the Sherpa. Her reasoning was two fold; she didn’t care for the looks (beginner bike stigma) and was concerned that it may lack performance. One important fact regarding the Sherpa is that since it is air-cooled and the compression ratio is only 9.3:1 to prevent detonation. The liquid cooled KLR250 on the other hand runs a c.r. of 11.0:1 since detonation is better controlled by the liquid cooling. I think that it would be reasonable to assume that 2 points of additional compression would equal 10% more horsepower. It’s also interesting to note that the KLR650 runs a c.r. of 9.5:1 even though it is liquid cooled. The reason for this is flame travel, a big bore engine is typically more prone to detonation than a smaller bore engine. Additionally a smaller bore engine can generally rev much higher than an equivalent design with a larger bore, hence the KLR250’s 9500 rpm redline vs. the KLR650 @ 7500. I’ve always maintained that the KLR250 is high performance little package, much more highly tuned than either the Sherpa or the 650. I never could understand how the sherpa would survive if even my wife didn’t like it. I would think that if you bought one as a beginner it would take long until you wished you got the KLR250 instead. My wife says she can always tell what kind of ride is in store for her by which bike I pull out. If she sees me with the 250 there will be lots of fire roads and trails, if it’s the 650 there will mostly street and light fire roads. But the bottom line is that I intend to keep the 250 since I enjoy the woods/mountains. Oh, I did lower my wife’s 250 about 2” front and rear and yes she can kick start it. She’ll tell you that electric start is for pussies………

The Quick

PS - Glenn somewhere you have a video clip of my wife on the KLR250, maybe you can revive it for a few laughs.

[Chuckklr98]

The KLR250 is 5 mph top end faster than the sherpa. The extra clearance can't hurt. You can't beat the 250 in dirt. Feels like a little tractor sometimes. One time in the spillway (Norco LA) I passed a 4 wheeler stuck in a bog. Turned around after I got through the bog , and went back to him. Asked why did he get stuck when a street legal bike just made it. "I don't know" was his answer. Gave him a mud roost as I pulled away. Figured he needed it! The gas is your friend! USE IT!

[Glenn]

http://www.klr650.net/archives/videos/KLR250.WMV

[chuck98]

Your a lucky man Mr. Quick. I can't even get my old lady on my brother's ke100. She will ride on my daughter's pw50 though.

[BigThumper]

I haven't ridden a KLR250, but if it's anything like the KLR650 that I recently purchased, the sherpa is ALOT smoother and more user friendly. I've had it down some pretty gnarly dirt/mud trails and even with stock tires does pretty darned good. I can go places the 650 only dreams of going. I love both bikes as each has its own purpose. I really hate getting the sherpa out on the highway. It'll cruise 70mph all day long but it doesn't have much above that. It's so much better for small farm roads and the dirt. I know the sherpa will be in the stable for many years to come.

[TheQuick]

Big Thumper,

The KLR250 is nothing like the 650, it's probably more similar to the Sherpa. I think that the only performance differences between the KLR250 and the Sherpa is the KLR has a little more power and slightly better off-road suspension (KLR rear wheel travel 9.1", Sherpa rear wheel travel 7.3"), but I think the differences are small. I've never ridden or raced a Sherpa so this is all speculation on my part. But the differences between the KLR250/650 are significant. The power differences are obvious, I can ride two-up on the 650 without any performance impact, I can still cruise 75 mph effortlessly two up (wife weighs 125 lbs). But the KLR250 enjoys several advantages over the 650. The 250 is "very" nimble on tough trails, it has much less vibration, it's silky smooth in comparison. The KLR250 averages 72 mpg and is much less impacted by heavy cross-winds, the 650 can be downright scary in high winds. I think that the Sherpa is ideal for your wife due to the electric start and lower seat height, I did lower the KLR250 for my wife. I've cruised the KLR250 at 75 mph (indicated) on route 81 in Virginia, my guess is that it'll top out at around 90 (indicated), this is probably an honest 80+. My only complaint on the KLR250 is that in the Virgina mountains it has trouble maintaining 60-65 mph (I"m 195 lbs) on steep grades without down shifting. I wish they made a 350cc version of the KLR250 with identical size and weight.

The Quick

[BigThumper]

Thequick,
That's very good info to have. In a year or two I'll be looking for a small dual sport for myself as my wife will ride the sherpa. We want to go trail riding in the national forest. I've looked around at the 4 japanese manufacturers and Kawasaki is the only one right now that's offering a 250cc DS. From what you say I think the KLR250 would be a good choice for me to do tough trail riding. If the sherpa can do it I know the KLR can. I was hoping that the 650 would do it, and it might if I get better at handling it, but the smaller bikes are definitely alot better on the tight twisty trails.
It's a funny thing that the US kept the KLR and discontinued the sherpa and Canada did the opposite.

I agree about the 350 thing. I think a very good bike to have if I could find one would be the yammie XT350 they made a few years ago. I found one for sale in San Antonio for $1150 with 10,500 miles but sadly I don't have the money right now.

[compman21234]

Originally posted by TheQuick
Big Thumper,

I wish they made a 350cc version of the KLR250 with identical size and weight.

The Quick

And with electric-start, too. The PERFECT Dual-Sport!

Art