Did I go with the wrong bike?
#12
08-29-2007, 04:25 PM
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
I just put a 2 bro's pipe on mine, along with a 125 jet/adjustable needle,Kouba adjustable fuel screw, opened up airbox, removed smog and a 13 tooth. Bike is great. Just rode about 170 miles or so last weekend in Utah high mountain desert terrain, primarily offroad, with about 25 miles on 60mph+ highways. Bike was perfect. Great power for the offroad, and happy running at 60 on the highway. Pulls decently, in 6th gear, going uphill. This was atelevationbetween 7500-10500 feet. I'd consider gearing it down a little more, but I liked hitting roughly 60mph at 7k rpm. I probably have about $500 in mods, and the bike is night and day from stock.
Anyway, your decision sounds based mostly on where you will be riding, not which bike is better for off road. If you will be on road 90+ percent of the time, I'd get more of a road bike. And an old beater for off roading. Although, some roadfriendlier tires, and the low cost mods (<$500)would likely make the KLX just as much fun/capable on road as anything similar.
Remember, no bike does it all well. Put your money in to something that will suit what you do mostly, and realize that it won't be able to so do some things as well, or maybe at all.
Anyway, your decision sounds based mostly on where you will be riding, not which bike is better for off road. If you will be on road 90+ percent of the time, I'd get more of a road bike. And an old beater for off roading. Although, some roadfriendlier tires, and the low cost mods (<$500)would likely make the KLX just as much fun/capable on road as anything similar.
Remember, no bike does it all well. Put your money in to something that will suit what you do mostly, and realize that it won't be able to so do some things as well, or maybe at all.
#14
08-29-2007, 05:38 PM
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
ORIGINAL: kawikathy
"It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got."
- Sheryl Crow, Soak Up The Sun
"It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got."
- Sheryl Crow, Soak Up The Sun
ORIGINAL: UTRoss
I just put a 2 bro's pipe on mine, along with a 125 jet/adjustable needle, Kouba adjustable fuel screw, opened up airbox, removed smog and a 13 tooth. Bike is great. Just rode about 170 miles or so last weekend in Utah high mountain desert terrain, primarily offroad, with about 25 miles on 60mph+ highways. Bike was perfect. Great power for the offroad, and happy running at 60 on the highway. Pulls decently, in 6th gear, going uphill. This was at elevation between 7500-10500 feet. I'd consider gearing it down a little more, but I liked hitting roughly 60mph at 7k rpm. I probably have about $500 in mods, and the bike is night and day from stock.
Anyway, your decision sounds based mostly on where you will be riding, not which bike is better for off road. If you will be on road 90+ percent of the time, I'd get more of a road bike. And an old beater for off roading. Although, some road friendlier tires, and the low cost mods (<$500) would likely make the KLX just as much fun/capable on road as anything similar.
Remember, no bike does it all well. Put your money in to something that will suit what you do mostly, and realize that it won't be able to so do some things as well, or maybe at all.
I just put a 2 bro's pipe on mine, along with a 125 jet/adjustable needle, Kouba adjustable fuel screw, opened up airbox, removed smog and a 13 tooth. Bike is great. Just rode about 170 miles or so last weekend in Utah high mountain desert terrain, primarily offroad, with about 25 miles on 60mph+ highways. Bike was perfect. Great power for the offroad, and happy running at 60 on the highway. Pulls decently, in 6th gear, going uphill. This was at elevation between 7500-10500 feet. I'd consider gearing it down a little more, but I liked hitting roughly 60mph at 7k rpm. I probably have about $500 in mods, and the bike is night and day from stock.
Anyway, your decision sounds based mostly on where you will be riding, not which bike is better for off road. If you will be on road 90+ percent of the time, I'd get more of a road bike. And an old beater for off roading. Although, some road friendlier tires, and the low cost mods (<$500) would likely make the KLX just as much fun/capable on road as anything similar.
Remember, no bike does it all well. Put your money in to something that will suit what you do mostly, and realize that it won't be able to so do some things as well, or maybe at all.
Starting to reconsider whether or not the DRZ would have been better in my sort of offroad situation, that's all
#16
08-29-2007, 06:47 PM
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
Only the shadow knows. Dont even ask about that comment. It'san "old-guy" thing.
I test rode a DRZ400S after testing the KLX. For me there was not much to think about. Theklx was more fun, easier to ride on and off road, less weight, less money, and better looking.Me thinks you should keep and mod this bike as finances allow. As your needs change and your wallet grows buy another. I do understand the looking and wanting thing though. Just the other day i saw this really hot woman in the frozen food aisle and i was thinking....... never mind.
I test rode a DRZ400S after testing the KLX. For me there was not much to think about. Theklx was more fun, easier to ride on and off road, less weight, less money, and better looking.Me thinks you should keep and mod this bike as finances allow. As your needs change and your wallet grows buy another. I do understand the looking and wanting thing though. Just the other day i saw this really hot woman in the frozen food aisle and i was thinking....... never mind.
#17
08-29-2007, 07:09 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
look, no one said the KLX had tons of power and there was oodles of posts from myself saying that. in stock form, it's pathetic. i personally can't believe you're still riding it in stock form, why? you can throw on a 13-tooth front sprocket for under $15 and change the bike dramatically just by that one little mod. an exhaust will transform the bike into something you'll have to get off of and look twice to see if you're actually still on the same bike- seriously. at least that's how it was for me with my BG full system.
I loved my KLX, had it built just like I liked and even had a junk 300 cylinder I got off a guy here and was planning on sending it to kustomkraft.com and going 331cc. but one saturday i got a burr and went and rode a DRZSM accidentally. i was intending on buying a TE250. after that one ride i was hooked, i loved the torque of the DRZ/LTZ engine. it's really strong. I was torn, I wanted inverted forks but I wanted to go off-road too. I obviously bought the DRZSM. I regret selling my KLX in a big way. I'm a dirtbike guy at heart and not having dirt wheels/tires on my DRZSM, I haven't had much fun this summer on it. it's fun to ride and all, but anything you do on it fun is illegal. it will wheelie like crazy, but not off-road. i can buy the off-road wheels/tires for it off ebay, but i don't want to sink $800 more into it.
my KLX would pull real hard when it hit 6000rpms all the way up to redline. it wouldn't put you in your seat like the DRZ does, but it would rev like crazy. the DRZ is only a 5-speed and it seems like it runs out of steam real quick. ride one and you'll see what I mean. it will still run 105 w/stock gearing but it's screaming. it needs a 6th gear in the worst way. I think the KLX was better on the road for long highway cruises, simply for it's 6th gear.
the good news for me is i am selling my DRZ. I am supposed to be receiving a $500 deposit thru paypal friday morning from a guy in Kansas. and to top it off, there are two 2007 KLX 250's on craigslist here in central IA. one has 1000 miles on it, the other 198. one is priced at $3500, the other $4000. I will try and grab one of them after I sell my DRZ. I also have a lead on a 2003 KLX300 that is supposedly street legalized, but I have yet to see this bike. keep your KLX, mod it a little and you'll be happy. the DRZ is too big of a bike for you. it's tall seat height and heavier weight will make it difficult for you to have confidence riding on the street.but if you're still dead set on the DRZ, get the SM. it's lower seat height helps out and it's easier to sell. good luck.
I loved my KLX, had it built just like I liked and even had a junk 300 cylinder I got off a guy here and was planning on sending it to kustomkraft.com and going 331cc. but one saturday i got a burr and went and rode a DRZSM accidentally. i was intending on buying a TE250. after that one ride i was hooked, i loved the torque of the DRZ/LTZ engine. it's really strong. I was torn, I wanted inverted forks but I wanted to go off-road too. I obviously bought the DRZSM. I regret selling my KLX in a big way. I'm a dirtbike guy at heart and not having dirt wheels/tires on my DRZSM, I haven't had much fun this summer on it. it's fun to ride and all, but anything you do on it fun is illegal. it will wheelie like crazy, but not off-road. i can buy the off-road wheels/tires for it off ebay, but i don't want to sink $800 more into it.
my KLX would pull real hard when it hit 6000rpms all the way up to redline. it wouldn't put you in your seat like the DRZ does, but it would rev like crazy. the DRZ is only a 5-speed and it seems like it runs out of steam real quick. ride one and you'll see what I mean. it will still run 105 w/stock gearing but it's screaming. it needs a 6th gear in the worst way. I think the KLX was better on the road for long highway cruises, simply for it's 6th gear.
the good news for me is i am selling my DRZ. I am supposed to be receiving a $500 deposit thru paypal friday morning from a guy in Kansas. and to top it off, there are two 2007 KLX 250's on craigslist here in central IA. one has 1000 miles on it, the other 198. one is priced at $3500, the other $4000. I will try and grab one of them after I sell my DRZ. I also have a lead on a 2003 KLX300 that is supposedly street legalized, but I have yet to see this bike. keep your KLX, mod it a little and you'll be happy. the DRZ is too big of a bike for you. it's tall seat height and heavier weight will make it difficult for you to have confidence riding on the street.but if you're still dead set on the DRZ, get the SM. it's lower seat height helps out and it's easier to sell. good luck.
#18
08-29-2007, 07:47 PM
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Land of Sun, Sand and Thorns - AZ
Posts: 1,484
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
IG, well said!
"Every bike I ever had, was the best bike I ever had, when I had it"
"Every bike I ever had, was the best bike I ever had, when I had it"
#19
08-29-2007, 11:35 PM
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
If you had gotten the DRZ first you would be asking the same question but in reverse. Sure the DRZ has much more power but that doesn't do it for everyone. The DRZ is taller, heaver, anda little more of a hand full off road. If you do the right mods as stated by IG you will be much happier!
#20
08-30-2007, 01:12 AM
RE: Did I go with the wrong bike?
You guys always talk about how dumb and biased Iowaguy is, and I believed you guys for a good bit of time. Especially on the "rider skill means nothing in motocross" remark.
But the more and more I read of his posts, the more and more I realize that he's quite right in most regards. I watched a motocross event on tv the other day (only time i've done so, I never really had much interest in motocross), and finally realized that he was right. It had absolutely nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with cranking the throttle and just holding on. Nothing like woods riding.
And the more and more I read of his oppinion on the KLX, the more and more I see that, while his oppinion is rather abrasive, it's true. The KLX is a bit of a pitiful bike in stock trim. Sure, it handles pretty damn well for a dual sport and will give you a good bit of fun, but the power output is freaking PATHETIC.
I say give him a break. Sure, he's not always the nicest of folks, and some of the things he says can be overly abrasive and at times, down right rude, but at the heart of it all, he's right!
I dunno guys, the Big Guns are starting to look mighty tasty over the Muzzys
K, time for a question. IG, how "throwable" would you say the DRZ was over the KLX?
And is it possible to get a 250 cylinder bored to 331? That seems to be a lot more "bang for your buck" than a pipe and a rejet.
Does anybody have any numbers on their Muzzy vs stock exhaust?
But the more and more I read of his posts, the more and more I realize that he's quite right in most regards. I watched a motocross event on tv the other day (only time i've done so, I never really had much interest in motocross), and finally realized that he was right. It had absolutely nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with cranking the throttle and just holding on. Nothing like woods riding.
And the more and more I read of his oppinion on the KLX, the more and more I see that, while his oppinion is rather abrasive, it's true. The KLX is a bit of a pitiful bike in stock trim. Sure, it handles pretty damn well for a dual sport and will give you a good bit of fun, but the power output is freaking PATHETIC.
I say give him a break. Sure, he's not always the nicest of folks, and some of the things he says can be overly abrasive and at times, down right rude, but at the heart of it all, he's right!
I dunno guys, the Big Guns are starting to look mighty tasty over the Muzzys
K, time for a question. IG, how "throwable" would you say the DRZ was over the KLX?
And is it possible to get a 250 cylinder bored to 331? That seems to be a lot more "bang for your buck" than a pipe and a rejet.
Does anybody have any numbers on their Muzzy vs stock exhaust?