So i have decided that i might need a KLX250S. Mostly because my Ninja 250 dosnt like some of the trails i have taken it down (and i dont like hitting my cranck case on rocks either). So anyway i whent to the Kawi dealer and sat on one, they had one with the lowering links installed but i think i like em stock better. Anyway what should i know about these guys? Are they capable of doing 70mph? And also how do they do loaded with around 100lbs of gear? Thanks.

 

LMAO. What the heck? Why on God's green Earth would you take a racing sport bike down a trail? Is this a joke?


The bikes are awesome, a little low on power, but nothing a good set of tools and a couple of bucks can't fix in a hurry. And no... I wouldn't be loading this......or any bike for that matter, down with 100lbs. of gear. Your asking for your power to be sucked down the tubes (not to mention your suspension and handling). I can't imagine riding a technical trail with 100lbs of gear. Thats like 60% of my body weight. Holy freakin crap. What are you hauling? Gold bricks?
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F-series super duty

 

I love my KLX250S. I bought it for a specific purpose, commuting to and from work and getting up to the single track trails in my area for some weekend fun. However, if you're looking for a bike to lug around 100 lbs of gear on, you might look at a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. They are similarly priced (maybe a bit more) but they make a great low cost adventure touring bike. I've attached a pic from a ride I went on to the Lost Coast in Northern California. My bike was loaded with gear and even has a sack of firewood on it! Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not knocking the KLX in any way. Just figure out what kind of riding you are going to do before you make a purchase.

 

If I remember correctly, the majority of utility four wheelers don't even have an onboard rating of 100lbs cargo weight. I can't imagine that any 2 wheeled machine would be rated, let alone safe, to haul 100lbs. Especially a detuned 250cc 4-stroke. That is ridiculous. If you need that much gear to haul, take your SUV.
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Gay asian

 

100lbs is probly a bit exagerated, all my camping gear only wieghs in at 40lbs. I was just testing waters to see if i could tie a deer carcas to it and maybe get away with it. I figured if it could handle two people it would handle 100lbs of gear (my 250R Ninja has a total payload of 342lbs, I weigh 210 with all my gear so that leaves 132lbs). Anyway will they keep up on short highway stints? And also my Ninja 250 being used off road is no joke...

As far as bigger bikes go, i dont realy like em and dont feel comfortable on the ones i have sat on. I like a bike that is 300lbs or less so if i get into trouble off road i can pull it around and right myself. Also a smaller bike hurts less when it lands on you...

 

oops sorry meant to edit other post and quoted myself...

 

Stock my bike was anemic. With about $500 invested it goes like a scalded dog. I rode it from Lovettsville, VA to Ortanna, PA a few weeks ago (65 miles each way) with no issues, including a 6 mile stretch on I-70 at 70-75MPH. As for hauling gear...I have yet to find any bags that would even work on the bike. I usually take either my computer backpack or a hydration pack - carries enough gear for a day trip.

My last (and first) bike was a 1999 Honda XR400R, race-prepped. It was an awesome bike, but a little ill-tempered (didn't like to start cold, didn't like to restart after being dropped, liked to stand on its hind legs and throw me around, etc). The KLX250S was a disappointment in comparison...until I modded it. It's not quite up to the 400's power and torque, but it's more that adequate and very well-behaved on the street or on the trail. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Where's that pic taken?

 

there not bad lil bikes,, I say you would want the stock height because once it wares in then it will be right,, as for loading it down,, chit,, look at some of deej's pictures,, I think he had more than 100 lbs on his bike,, but as far as the trails... PERFECT The KLX is so nimble in the woods.. I freaking love it.. short on power, but that can be changed..

 

wow the slab ***** do get dirty...LOL

 

Right on man, nice ammo boxes. Now all you need is a rear mounted turret to handle dust makers in front of you

Seriously though, this bike is good like I and others have said. A little low on power to start (the factory chokes and detunes it so badly) but with very small effort you can bring it to life with a few bucks and some tools, no biggee. But I can't see loading it down. If your going to do that I would advise either going to the DRZ 400 or maybe getting a KLX 300 and making it street leagal, or getting a used 250S and putting the 300cc kawasaki factory kit that is used on the KLX300 (same parts are interchangable), or the 331 big bore kit or something. I just can't see overworking this little 250 like that will come out with any positive results. On the road you'd be having a hard time pulling the gears at higher speeds and off road it would be hard to keep the machine nimble with all that extra weight. It's worse to have a lighter bike overloaded with "unatural gear" than it is to have a heavier bike that is naturally heavier and balanced loaded with lighter gear and already has more power and speed.

Don't get me wrong, I like my 250S and I have yet to put the mods on it yet. I'm still accumulating the parts so I can do it all at once, and maybe I'll perk up a bit. But as of now I'm kinda wishing I took advantage of the DR 650 that I was looking at when I bought this bike. 18hp vs. 43hp. And yes it was a little heavier, but nothing I couldn't handle. I think the power would have been worth it. And they use those bikes for touring all the time.
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