I just completed adding a 2 brothers slip-on and 13 tooth front sprocket to my KLX and went for a 2-1/2 hour ride with my brotherand hisHonda XR500.

First let me say that my bro says his XR500 is nearly as powerful as his recently stolen KTM 525exc.

We rode for about an hour and I was keeping up just fine. He claimed he would "destroy" the KLX in a drag race so we got to a nice straight stretch of hard packedlogging road and let the bikes rip from about 10 mph. We were even until about 30 mph and then he grabbed about 1/2 a bike lenght on me. I am assuming that he was spinning more than me due to bigger torque which kept things even up to 30. From there he maintained the 1/2 lenght lead until we shut things down at about 65 mph.

He was stunned that the KLX held its own. We had raced before, prior to any mods and he blew the KLX away.

His Honda should be making around approx35 hp (crank).

I can honestly say that the KLX is now a pretty quick little bike and really comes to life above 6000 rpm.

Anyone thatquestions whether the KLX can satisfy without a big bore should do some mods, get the jetting sorted out and then re-evaluate.

It will be interesting to see how this bike moves once I do a big bore kit....

Note - I rode his bike later that day and it feels significantly more powerful but its mostly low-end.

 

Cool! My KLX250 will easily take on my KLR650 off the line (of course there is a big weight difference). My front end wants to come off the ground in 1st and 2nd but what are your other "basic mods" and are you using the stock pilot? What elevation are you at?

 

I can understand the klx keeping up with a bigger bike no problem especially on logging roads, where I have 1000's of hours of riding experience.

Where the klx will fall short is on the hills and different terrene like deep sand or mud. It is just like the age-old argument of 600-class vrs the liter bike. It is all about the power after that.

Nothing wrong with the klx but if you bought one for the sand dunes or very steep hilly terrene you will be disappointed. If you bought one for going around town, the logging roads and trail riding you cannot go wrong. The right bike for the right terrene, its simple.

 

#128 main, stock pilot. See my sig for other basic mods. My elevation is mostly sea level to around 1500 feet when I ride in the mountains.

I know that initial wheel spin and weight was a factor. I wasnt claiming the KLX had more power than a 500 - my only claim was that on a flat out logging road drag it held its own with the XR500. BTW - his KTM did indeed feel quicker than his XR500 according my seat of the pants feel.

I haventridden a KLX with a full system so cannot compare things but the slip on claims a 2-1/2 whp increase which seems right. I've ridden a KLX with even deeper gears than 13-45 and yes it does add some big low-end. Regarding the argument of losing torque with a bigger head pipe etc. I'de need to see a dyno comparison before I made a 100% conclusive claim either way. There are some who swear by keeping the stock head pipe for torque vs aftermarket.There are also logical arguments for keeping the stock carb for a big bore vs a pumper. My experience with modding my car (300 whp VW Gti) tells me that some theories hold true on the dyno and others don't.

The KLX is a nice little bike and I'm completely happy with what it and didnt have extreme expectations. I was looking for a reasonably low cost dual sport that had the potential and parts availability for decent power and suspension. For someone who hasnt ridden in a few years it didnt seem sensible to spend twice the money to see if I'de actually start riding regularly again. I can tell you that my brother jumped right in and bought a KTM 525 and was regretting it shortly thereafter as its a lot of money to spend on a toy that he didnt use all that much.

 

That must be one slow Honda. I have raced the 450 EXC and the KLX side by side and there is no comparison. By the time the KLX is at 60, the KTM is a half mile away. These bike just can't be compared to each other. They are in a completely separate class. Both have there advantages.

 

I have always loved racing with my brother on bikes. Glad to see the KLX keep up!

 

It's not necessarily a "slow honda" but it makes only makes 32-35 hp and weighs 302 lbs according to specs I've read. Compare that to a KTM 450 exc which is somewhere in the 42hp range and 255 lbs. My modded KLX and the XR500 are a better suited match on paper than the KLX or Honda versus a KTM 450. The honda does make decent torque which gives the impression that it is quicker than it is.

Prior to the exhaust mod and 13 tooth sprocket, a KTM 525 pulled away from the KLX with ease, not a 1/2 mile to 60mph, but significant nonetheless.

For the record, I'm not saying the KLX is in the same class as any big bore bike, my point is that with mods, the bike holds its own pretty darn well for a 250.

Given enough time and money it could likely best somemuch bigger bikes, just not sure if I'm dumb enough to go there....

 

I dont know about all this hoopla, but after the 36 Mikuni pumper, I CAN keep up with buddies on real dirt bikes (Suzuki DRZ400 and a WR250f) NO problem. This carb truly brings the midrange to life. Now if only Icould do something that signinficantly improved the topend without a biggbore kit that will destroy the warranty!! It wont happen, but Im happy as heck right now anyway!!