My wife tells me I have issues.
She thinks I'm a little OCD when it comes to buying stuff.
In particular, toys.

Whilst I was cleaning up my computer I found these docs I created before I bought the KLX.

I had to laugh.
And, remember, you need toview this from the perspective of a middle aged, balding dwarf.

TRAIL BIKE PURCHASE SUMMARY[/b]
[/b]
[/b]
1. Kawasaki KLX250R[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

New bike with warranty
Electric start
Low seat hight
Light
The most “dirt” orientated 250cc trail bike under $8000
Looks the part
Well priced $6490 plus GST (was $8200) last year)
Easy and genuine upgrade to a 300cc bike
Plenty of other performance upgrades available

Disadvantages

New bike
More than we may want to spend
Not as powerful as a XR400
Water cooled (better temp control but something extra to go wrong)
Fuel tank is only 8L (bigger ones are readily available at a cost)
Green



2. Suzuki DRZ250[/b]
[/b]
Advantages
[/b]
New bike with warranty
Electric and kick start
Low seat hight
Reasonably priced
Air cooled
Very reliable
Good sized fuel tank
It’s a Suzuki (deep down still my favourite)

Disadvantages

250cc with no genuine upgrades
Limited performance options available
Still a lot of money as per any new bike
Exhaust looks like it would be easily damaged


3. Honda XR250L[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

Reliable
Low seat
Electric start

Disadvantages

To road oriented
To expensive for what it sis


4. Yamaha TTR250[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

Electric start
Proven performer
Reliable
Probably a better dirt bike compared to Suzuki and Kawasaki

Disadvantages

Too expensive
Tall


5. Honda XR400[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

Good power
Very reliable
Probably the best “trail” bike under $10k ever
Plenty around

Disadvantages

No electric start
Tall
Expensive to repair
No electric start


6. Suzuki DR350[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

Good power
Very reliable
Almost as good as an XR400
Cheaper than an XR400

Disadvantages

No electric start
Tall
Harder to find
Getting old now (finished production in 1999)
No electric start


7. Suzuki DRZ400E[/b]
[/b]
Advantages

POWER
Electric start
The best trail bike under 10K now.
Can be turned into a weapon

Disadvantages

Way too tall.
Not cheap new and s/h similar to XR400











Important Stats









KLX250R
DRZ250
TTR250
XR250L
XR400
DR350
DRZ400E










Capacity
249cc (300 for $750)
249cc
249cc
249cc
397cc
398cc
398cc

Price
$6490+
$7000+
$8000+?
$8100+
$4000+
$3500+
$9290+ or $5k s/h

Year/Age
2006
2006
2006
2006
2000
1999
2006/2000

Warranty
1yr
1yr Unlimited


Nil
Nil
1yr Unlimited

Weight (dry/claimed)
116kg
118kg
120kg
128kg
117kg
118kg
119kg

Seat Hight
885mm
890mm
910
875mm
929mm
920mm
945

Starting Method
Electric Only
Electric & Kick
Electric, optional kick
Electric, optional kick
Kick only
Kick only
Electric

Fuel Tank Capacity
8L
10.5L
9.5L
9.7L
9.4L
9L
10L

 

oops,
The important stats were in a spread sheet but that didn't copy too well.
Sorry.

 

Ignore

 

I think we all (or I do anyway) make all of those comparisons in our mind, just don't put it in writing. It actually looks like a helpful tool. OCD? maybe just a little

 

turned into a weapon??? i think the xr would make a better weapon... plus i hate suzuki

 

The XR400 is one of the great bikes.
Dare I say, a place in history??

But, IMHO, and I have ridden both often, the E model DRZ is a "better" bike.
Buy better I mean more powerful and responsive, and, better handling.
But so it should be.
It's a much newer design.
And it does have the electric leg
Retro fitting electric start to the XR can be done but it'snot cheap or easy.

Weapon may have been an exaggeration but heh it can be improved substantially.

 

Too funny, one of my initial reservations about the KLX was "green", but since it was a spur of the moment - completely out of character for me - purchase I figured what the heck..

Have to admit it's grown on me since, to the point that I actually like it now. Throw in a green/white HJC lid and some green D-Flex barkbusters and I look like an atomic asparagus. One can never be to visible on the road.

 

Yep. I didn't like the green.
But, it was a nice looking bike even so.
A bit of theropy and, cured mate. Gotta love the green.....