I really think the Jap mfgs are lazy or just don't care about the dualsport market in general. How hard would it be to lighten the XR650 by 14% or the DR650SE by 18%, throw a 6th gear on it, and revamp the suspension with modern technology. They do make other bikes they could pull parts from. The US market loves sport utility vehicles. The dual sport bike really is the SUV of bikes... IMO.

 

Ohhh I love the Dr650se ...definetly will be my next bike so sexy. (if I ever grow out of the klx250, which I doubt). Lighter would be better. Right now people are more concerned with the sport bikes, thats why even suzuki came out with their entry level naked GW250

 

That's my first look at the GW250... um yuck.

 

went and checked out the crf250l yesterday...im sold.if feels no heavier to me than the klx.(still going to shave 20 lbs off). the front suspension doesnt feel as soft as the klx(nose dive),seat more comfortable. the rear spring can be adjusted to accomadate for the riders weight...and FI. im 80/20 street/dirt so im probably less fussy about its "inferior suspension"..I loved my klx's..but for me its Honda time

 

If you're riding 80/20 street/dirt, the CRF250L is the best choice. IMS is rumored to be working on a larger fuel tank, which might become available in late February or March.

Spud

 

Cycle News did a comparison of the three, Japanese, 250cc, dual sport motorcycles.











It's nice to have choices. Each of these three bikes will appeal to different riders, based upon their preferred riding.

Spud

 

Incidentally, Honda has announced it will be building a supermoto version of the CRF250L called the CRF250M.

Honda CRF250M: an affordable supermoto | Hell for Leather Hell for Leather







Spud

 

Thanks for posting the article. An interesting read. I have no regrets about buying a KLX for my first bike. My second choice was a DRZ250 but it looks dated.

 

Nice read, but still doesn't change my original thought process in buying the KLX. The WR is too expensive and too tall. The CRF250L is more of an 80/20 bike and I would have gone with a bigger motor if I wanted an 80/20 bike. Once you learn how to start the carbureted KLX, FI has less desirable drawbacks than the warmup time of a carb... IMO. The DR250 and XT250 were not even mentioned but are too dated and are closer to being plated trail bikes. When I say trail I mean the kind that go from the RV to the camp store kinda trail.

 

drz400 was quite bulky, top heavy and lacked the 6th gear...
wr250 was my top choice for fi and power, but the price was more than i wanted to pay...
klx250 was slow, but in the 300 lbs. range i was looking for....it looked like a fun bike to learn to wrench and modify....had the most modern looks and line...