I need an opinion on my front factory sprocket. What I mean is, my bike runs *******, piped, jetted, shed some weight, did what I could so far. On a GOOD day in summer up here, MN, humidity plays a HUGE factor on the way my bike runs day to day. It's not really something you can adjust, carb wise, not no Kouba screw or mixture. If that was the case, I'd be adjusting every 2 hours, but, I'd be running in circles! My bike as it sits from this last season, WILL DO 82mph give or take on a perfect day. You might be saying what more does this guy want from that tiny 250?? Tell you what though, when I hit freeway traffic where 75, 80 is the norm, we all know this bike likes it, but still it's screaming let up before I burn it down. I'm 3 turns out on my Dyno Jet kit. This bike LOVES 3 turns out. If I go up one tooth or two....will it completely cut out my low and mid range??? I guess I just need a sprocket, and some opinions on how my bike can do 80mph comfortably daily, and like it without the threat of burning down. Seems like I'm always driving it wide open, just to the point of where it hurts....not beating the crap out of it. Any freeway riders??? Suggestions????

 

I feel like I'm outgrowing it FAST! And I'm sorta walking on egg shells with the top end??!!! I LOVE MY BIKE, mad respect for it!! 10mph might be the answer, and do me a TON OF GOOD!!!

 

Drop a big bore kit on it.

 

I bumped my front sprocket up a tooth and max out at 80 mph (actual). I feel the torque is sufficient for city driving, which I mainly do. I suspect it will be fine on fire roads and other light terrains I might traverse. Some change their front sprocket as needed.

 

if you use it daily on highways, it'll benefit to switch up to 15t (+1) front sprocket to keep the rpm down...for mostly flat roads, even against wind, cruising 80 mph seems fine...if i keep full throttle, it'll slowly creep up to about 90+ mph (very slowly)...i stay in the #1 lane on the highways, so when i'm going up hills, i have to downshift to 5th to maintain 80 mph...steeper hills...i'll have to keep it at 5th full throttle..and it'll go about 70 mph to 75 mph max depending on the steepness...speed and rpm shown on 0:54...i think it's like 79 mph at 7,500 rpm...after installing the monster tires...the speedo is actually accurate....

 

Big bore kit....I knew that was coming

 

ahnh...that sounds about right. Even now in a wind or slightly up hill, it'll still stay on top of that gear. Even in heavy wind, top gear will still hold....SLOWLY build, or at least maintain with some reserve. I think ONE tooth up would definitely be a challenge for that bike, but, IT MIGHT be the answer I'm looking for??!!

 

I am at 1000m above sea level (3300 ft) and in my experience taller final gearing won't give you more top speed on the KLX. *Above 120kmh (75mph) you're pushing so much air that the little 250 just hits a wall. Taller gearing will only exacerbate the problem by dropping your revs down below the power peak range and all you'll be doing is downshifting to maintain speed.

Because the KLX will never hit redline in top gear due to wind resistance, I have ironically found that reducing final gearing with 1 less tooth up front will actually give you marginally more top speed in top gear (about 5-10kmh or 3-6mph). The downside is that you'll be spinning more revs on the freeway.

Even if you can get the KLX up over 85mph you're getting out of it's high-speed stability comfort zone.

Bottom-line is that if you are looking to seriously cruise freeways, the KLX is not the tool for the job.

 

for scooting around town and highways...15t is fine...but, as soon as you hit any hills on the highways..you'll need to downshift to 5th to maintain speeds of 75+ mph...your 1st gear will feel sluggish...but, i've stopped and gone on some of the steepest san francisco hills and stairs without problems...with the 15t, it won't hit redline on 5th either..

 

This ^^^

Get the right tool for the job, you'll both be happier.