I don't want to get too autobiographical, but I just made my 18th car payment, which means I have exactly 2 1/2 years before I can buy another bike. I put 10 k on the KLX in the first two years, so the bike will probably have 25 k on it before this happens.

I know that big displacement touring rigs join the 100,000 mile club pretty routinely these days, but a little hummingbird motor like the one in the KLX is going to wear itself out a lot more quickly. Do you think 25 thou is possible with nothing more than oil changes, a few valve adjustments, and maybe a cam chain and a few other parts?

I enjoy spirited application of the throttle but I don't abuse the bike. I do mostly roads and fire roads, I'm not jumping over logs or riding the Rubicon Trail. It has had the 300 jug on it since 9000 mi, so there's a bit more vibration and stress. Just curious.

 

Interesting on the vibration comment. I have a 300 jug on my '06, and I didn't notice any more or less vibration after the change. I always run DOT knobbies on mine, so maybe I don't notice some additional engine vibe.

It's hard to tell how long these bikes will run. Aren't there one or two around here that had 20 or 30K without issue?

 

I got 17,500 on a XL600R before it needed a top end redo and it was good for 15,000 more miles before it puked the piston. I had an old NX250 that had 28,000 very hard miles on it and ran as good the day I sold it as the day I bought it, so who knows. I did all the proper maintance on both. Both were Honda's but the NX was water cooled so maybe it compares.

 

The increase in vibration is nuanced enough that I only noticed it because I was paying careful attention after the change, but it's there. More at lower revs while accelerating, 2500 - 4000, smoother at running speeds (probably the same as before). I don't get numb hands or feet or anything.

 

ive got 19,3?? miles or so right now, bike runs fine other than i need to do the valves again (spending to much time on the car, shes getting jealous i guess). i change my oil every thousand or so with syn-blend, valves normally by feel, but most the time its 4-6K miles or so, did the coolant at 2 years, need to order a cap cus i didnt get one at the time, spark plug when i feel frisky. major maintenance has been fork seals at 7k, suspension lube at 7k, chain at 14k. things i need to do (in my mind), refresh the suspension, get her carb tuned perfect, maybe get the head rebuilt (how many valve checks can i get away with lol?), maybe re-ring the thing at some point (or go big bore). the bottom end can take a beating it seams, the jug is super thick, just take good care of the thing and it'll take care of you. trust me, im in the same spot, ive got almost 20k in twoish years and have 3 years left to pay the thing off .

oh yea, forgot to add, i beat the hell out of this thing.

 

I know several guys who have gotten 50,000 miles out of KLR650s with just clutches, tires, brake pads and the usual stuff. I think a well-maintained KLX250 should do the same (but watch the valve clearances and camchain tensioner). I think the engine is overbuilt and the 300 jug is it's designed displacement. Ride it hard and don't worry about it.

 

I got just over 30k miles on my 06 klx with a 300 and 351 jug, not a hiccup .... and I beat the snot out of her. If you drive her like deej does...you should get 100k

 

LOL!...like the deej observation. FM, I thought you were one of those who had racked up some mileage on the KLX.

 

That's good to hear as I know you do ride hard.
I have 11K on my 2006 and the bike runs better than new. I don't see why it wouldn't go to 50K without any problem.



Ouch!

 

This is good to know. I'm no mechanic, but I've become adept at spotting symptoms at an early stage from owning older cars. I habitually ride solo into remote areas of the EDNF with limited or no cell coverage and few recreational users, so an abrupt onset problem without symptoms like a broken cam chain or something would entail a long hike to the nearest road. Which would be problematic if it happened at 3 in the afternoon in winter, when it's dark by 5:30.