Got home from work @7:30 & my landlordtook his car out of the garage so I thought I would take my KLX out for the 1st time. I put 10 mines on the clock by taking it down the road & around the block a few times. It reminded me of riding my old Honda XL185S. It has been years since I ridden this type of bike & it makes me feel like a kid again. Maybe that’s what makes this bike so popular with others.
I don't know how anyone can follow the recommended break in. I warmed up the motor on choke for about 1 minute, another 2 minutes at idle & off I went.Ran the bikethru all the gears the 1st 2 miles no more than 4k rpm & the last 8 miles varying between 4-6k rpm & one run to 7k & plenty of decelerating with the engine.

All in all I am quite happy with this bike & the smile on my face was enhanced by the fact that I was like an ice cube from the cold. My hands were sore from gripping the bars & my butt hurt. Would a set of bar risers help with the comfort of my hands & forearms?

I think my 1st mod is going to bein thebrakes. I’ve seen the kx master cylinder mod posted herebut I would like to find a solution using the stock parts. The front & rear brakes, although having no problem stopping, were not up to my expectations. Ideas anybody? Is it in the valveing of the master cylinder or leverage in the grip? Pads, Discs? Are the 09's using the same rotors, pads, master cylinders, and calipars?

Suspension. Possibly right after the brakes. I amalmost 250# it could use some improvement.

Any recommendations for the comfort & braking would appreciated.

 

Congrat's on the new ride...I'm glad you like it!

The Master cylinder's piston AND the leverage is different on the KX master cylinder. The piston is smaller greatly reducing the effort needed to stop, and the lever camming ratemakes the brakes apply much quicker.

I'm just not sure how much improvement can be made using the stock steel rotors though. The KDX220/200 rotor combined with the KX master cylinder seem to be a match made in heaven. It's something that my dealer over here in Japan did all of the leg work on, since he had all of the parts to play with.

It will be interesting to see what you can do withstock components. Some people have reported improvement by adding abraided steel brakehose, but the improvement is not dramatic.Somebody on this board...either Kgwld1 or Mustanghasreplaced the stock pads with different ones, but I never heard the results.

AllI know is that I'm very satisfied with my brakes now. Time to move-on to other mods

 

I replaced the pads, fluid, and added a braided line. The stopping distance was greatly improved! Also you'll want to replace the stock springs at both ends due to your weight. Start hammering on that engine after a few more heat cycles, and have fun!

Kevin

 

1st mod for me was the 13 tooth sprocket. Then of course the others followed like the pipe, jetting and the rear sprocket. Add a set of folding mirrors, and the hand guards that will actually hold up and your all set. I am puzzled that people are not satisfied with the stock breaking power, at any given moment I can lock up either set, and so what advantage is there to putting money into something that is already there. Any thoughts?.....Anyone?

 

I agree with deej on the oem brakes. I could do endos at will and slide it sideways with the rear whenever. It isn't sportbike performance, but it will flip you over the bars if that's your desire and to be right honest, I thought it stopped as well as or better than all my MX bikes I used to have and it's got about 70 lbs. on a KX125. Also, the 13-tooth front sprocket is a must, it changes the whole bike- seriously. It's only a $15 mod and needless to say is well worth it. Congrats on your new bike.

 

Congrats on the new ride, personally I thought the brakes were fine although after fitting the s/s lines they improved quite a bit. The lever no longer pulls right into the bar when braking hard and you have more control. I'd do that first as a low cost mod and see how you go. Iguarantee you won't take it off [8D]

 

That's my problem....The lever pulls too far IMO.Yesterday while prcticing stoppies with my Dunlops on in a large parking lot i think that the front brake is pitiful for street use with the D607 on the front.From 35-40 mph I can stand up and mash the front brake to the lever and it will only lift the rear tire off the ground for maybe 5 feet....the rest is just dive.The front rotor will also make some horrendous howling noises sometimes when you do this.I guess it's time to install all my other brake parts.I just wanted to see just how hard the stockers could be pushed.They would be great for a knobbie tire up front but that's about it.

 

Part of itfor me was riding another KLX with these mods. There's no comparison once you do that. I don't know why someone would rate brakes soley based upon there ability to lock-up anyway.A responsive, conltrollable and strong set of binders is what I've always wanted from this bike. To me, I didn't feel any serious stopping powerfrom the stockers until you were really squeezing on them, and up until then I wasn't impressed at all.My impression of the KLX stock brakesis that they are eitherbarely appleidor all the way on, with not much in-between.

Part of my frame of referencemight come from being spoiled with the Brembos on twin rotor sport bikes. However,if you're used to dirt bikes brakesand the stockers rank among thebest you have experienced, then all the better because it will save you some money.

In the end it all comes down to personal preference anyway, so whydo people have a hard time understanding why everybody doesn't think the same? [&:] Some people feel a 13T spocket is geared too low while others swearthat they wake the bike up and have the single biggest 'bang for the buck.' Who's right? Who's wrong?....Who knows? Who really cares? 'Live and let live''I'm OK,you're OK''Can't we all just get along?' [8D]

 

I've found that at a stop I can squeeze the brake lever all the way to the handgrip relatively easily. However when rolling if I pull it in a bit once and then grab it a second time its got a lot more pressure to it and really clamps down on the rotor. I have 7200 miles on and the front pads are just about done based on the thickness specs.

 

I’ll be looking into rotors, pads & hoses.


I tried some emergency stops towards the end of my riding last night. I wanted to get a few miles on the rotors & not get the pads glazed. 40 to almost 0 stops. The front brake was almost to the bar & the rear seemed like there was a lot more I could push it.

Maybe I just have to get used to it but never did I feel either were going to lock the brakes. Remember my last dual sport was in the mid 80’s & I also ride my brothers ZX9R. These are the things I base my thought on.

Kevin,
Looking out my door at the monsoon is keeping the bike inside & me also. I would have been out bow hunting without the wind though. The front springs are definitely getting changed when I start taking it off-road. I’m going to gave to wait & see about the rear & see how it feels. It clears up tomorrow, I’m going to try & put 100 miles on her. Making a few ½ hr cool down coffee stops.
That’s why I asked here, everyone has their own experiences to share. I have only ridden maybe 3 or 4 different bikes in my life so that I don’t have much to compare with.

When I hammered my brakes, at 1st I thought they were antilock brakes! They brought the bike to a stop but they never felt as though I could lock them on the street. I know I have to spend a lot more time on it getting used to it. Again, this was my 1st time riding except testing one in a dealer’s parking lot.

That’s exactly what I am looking for, more control. Where did you order lines & were they direct replacement or did you have to rig them?

I am hoping to get some upgrades as a direct replacement. I just received an email from IMS Products about my inquiry for a larger fuel tank. They don’t make one or have plans to but they gave me a link to our site to a kx tank on a klx frame that had to be modified.

I see Clarke tanks listed for the KLX250S. I hope it is a straight swap. I don’t want to be removing wiring tabs from the frame to make it fit.

I hope the aftermarket opens their eyes to this bike. I have been browsing aftermarket sites & don’t see many listing for the KLX250s