Hi all:
First post here, new member, looking for help.

About to get real serious with looking for a used small dualsport. My goal is mostly light trail riding/gravel/dirt roads. Maybe some one track stuff, atv trails. Not interested in interstate/heavy traffic, though some is expected. I'm 200#, 6ft, and about to hit 50. Have had dirt bikes in highschool, and a cruiser 10 years ago. Looking to get back into pottering around on a lightweight easy to handle and own dually. Electric start I gotta have.

Up until now, I was leaning heavy on a Yam XT225 Serow. There seems to be quite a following there, since I understand that bike has been around for +/- 20 years? I thought the Yam was the only small thumper with electric start, until I stumbled on the Kaw. Was it always that way? What can you folks tell me about comparing these two bikes? I'm really not familiar with the Kaw at present.

Thx for all info/opinions.
Kindest regards to the forum.

 

welcome to KF

 

Hey Mark, welcome to the forum. Since I have both bikes I thought I would throw some good information your way. Both bikes are 2006 models, and I have ridden both on all kinds of terrain and highway speeds, While I really like both bikes, the KLX is a lot more bike than the 225. I bought the 225 for my wife, and the distance between the foot pegs and the seat leave your legs and knees a little sore after a while, but my wife is a lot shorter so she loves it. The KLX also in stock form has more power, not just cc's but over all power. If you really want a good bike, get the KLX, and do a few of the mods that most guys have done, jetting, any aftermarket pipe and change those sprockets. Thereare a lot of opinions out there, and depending what you ride, they all have merit. I changed my gears to the 13-45 and for me and my weight and terrain its absolutely perfect. I rode the 225 the other day while a friend rode mine, and I still was impressed how well it took me up steep fire roads, in fact because of its lower center of gravity I could drift around corners where if I was on my bike I might have slowed down. The 225 is a fun bike, but you should consider the KLX, you can always use less throttle, but if you buy a bike that is too underpowered you'll be wanting more.

 

Oh I forgot, a couple of pics of the bikes.

 

Excellent info and pics deej ! Wow, sounds like I better head over to the Kaw dealer and get a firsthand look at the 250. Still want to buy used, but there may not be many of these around just yet. Not ready just yet, but getting close.

Thx for taking the time to post a very informative reply. I'll keep checking in and reading more of this forum.
Regards,
Mark

 

Oh and I forgot to welcome you to the forum. Let us know what you end up with. However here are a couple of ideas, Craig's list and e-bay.

 

Go the KLX, the yam be too small for you

 

go the klx, many more after market products availanle, more powerful and will not feel like you are revving the crap out of it as you might feel on the 225.