It is obvious that the suspensions are different, but is the KLR250 as quick as the KLX250s?

 

Fireslayer,

You asked, I'll try and answer.




Let say this to start with . . . . I own one of each. Both my bikes have about the same level of modifications to them - carb, air box, gearing and such. Actually the KLR has a Cobra (read that very loud) exhaust system on it also.

I bought the KLR250 for a great price as I'm tired of having to pick up my KLR650 when I ride in the deep, deep sugar sand that is idigenous to the area I live in. Wrestling an almost 400 pound motorcycle is not my idea of a fun day. Oh, it can be done, but the next morning you will be asking yourself the same question . . . . "Why?"

The KLX250S is much more dirt oriented than the KLR. It sits higher, has better ground clearance, the suspension has more travel and it comes with true knobbie tires right from the dealership. There is one feature on the bike that works very well for me, electric starting, which is the reason I purchased the bike in the first place. My KLR250 runs very well, but there is always that time when it get finicky and does not want to start. I find this happens usually right after an "unfortunate incident" that normally happens with no one around, way back in the hinterland. I have an artificial right hip and I found out that it and the kickstart mechanism on my KLR250 are not quite compatible. So, necessity being the mother of invention, I started to look into putting an electrical starting system on my KLR250. That ain't gonna happen in my lifetime! I am not a machinist good enough to make a case to fit the KLR that would allow me to adapt the kit available for the Mojave. So I bit the bullet and bought the KLX250S as it was the cheapest and fastest way I know how to have a 250 cc dualsport bike with electric start.

I'm not a small person. I find the KLX250S is more spread out than the KLR250.


You will notice that the seat height on the KLX is higher than on the KLR.

If you look very closely at the above photo, you will notice that the KLR has a drum rear brake. The KLX has a disc in the rear.

There is no rear rack (regardless of usability) on the KLR250.

The KLR uses a 17 inch rear tire, the KLX an 18 - I think there are more dirt-oriented tires available in 18 inch diameter.


With a few modifications, I think the KLX is the perfect bike for my intent. Riding in the woods of the area I live in. It has far more dirt capabilities than I think I'll ever have. It kind of makes me look like I know what I'm doing when I ride off road! [sm=bounceybounce.gif]

Hope that answers your question.

 

Funny you should mention the 17" rear wheel. I met a fellow while riding a few weeks back on a KLR250. We ended up riding the afternoon together and exploring some trails than were unbeknownst to me. Anyway, one of the things he commented on about the KLR250 was that he wished he had the same selection of tires as we do with our 18" wheel.

 

That was a great write up Marty. Thank you for your comments.

You ARE the person to ask.... How much faster is the KLX if at all?

I have an XR250L and I like everything about it, except I'd like some more poop. I have a buddy with a KLR and when his is broken I plan to ride and race him. I'd like to know where the KLX stands.
I've looked at everything and I really feel that the KLX is the bike for me. Just a few more questions though.


thanks
Dave

 

Dave,

The KLX will kick the KLR's butt, big time!

With my mods in the KLX, it's almost not a contest!

Hopefully I can get some time to do some tinkerin' . . . I have another bit of magic up my sleeve!

Not talking until I get the time to . . . . Get R Done!

 

PCV valve? Or something even more [sm=ts.gif] ???

I heard the way to go on that is to cap off the airbox connection from the crankcase vent tube, attache a crankcase filter/vent on the end of the tube, then route it up under the seat near the rear suspension and fasten it. I haven't done it yet, but it is purported to keep all than engine gunk from feeding back into your carb, not to mention opening up the air flow a bit to boot.

 

The KLX will kick the KLR's butt, big time!

With my mods in the KLX, it's almost not a contest!


Yours is modified. What about stock? Will the KLX smoke the KLR with both being bone stock?

 

Yes!

 

I'm not talking . . . . yet! [sm=interesting.gif]

But I will say this, when I modified my KLR650 the engine turned into a rev happy piece of hardware! [sm=gears.gif]

So much so that I have to be very careful when I ride it. It just goes so quickly to 9000 rpm, way over the redline! [sm=nxsmile.gif]

I'm hoping that the KLX will get rid of that spot around 6500 to 7500 rpm where it feels like it hits something. I want it smooth all the way to redline.

I have the weekend of August 26th / 27th off and intend to do some semi-pseudo-scientific-experimentation. [sm=ts.gif]