I'll be getting a new dual sport bike after we move to the Big Island of Hawaii. I had been considering the Yamaha XT250, TW200, the Suzuki DR200, and the Honda CRL230F. Hadn't considered the KLX250 due to the added complexity of water cooling and the shim adjusted valves. I rode a 2001 KLR250 for some years and did the valve adjustments myself as they were screw type-though the water cooling made the job tougher due to having to remove the radiator etc.

So, practically speaking, how often do you have to check and adjust the valves on gthe KLX? Where we are moving the Kawasaki dealer will be 125 miles and two and a half hours away.

Jon

 

Well I've had my valves checked 3 times in 5 years, and with 15,000 miles on my bike, all 3 times they were right on the money. I guess I got one of those bikes thats just perfect I guess. LOL

 

just following this 2010 Kawasaki KLX250SF Specifications - CleanMPG Forums

"A bike needs more preventative care than a car or truck. In particular, the KLX SF’s maintenance schedule asks for an oil change at 600 miles and every 7,500 miles thereafter plus valve adjustment inspection at 7,500 miles and each additional 7,500 miles thereafter. Additionally, a host of minor items require checking and adjustment at each and every interval. A $200 charge takes care of these items every 7,500 miles at Motorcycle shops in the Chicago suburbs. You can expect tire replacements at 10,000 mile intervals costing roughly $200.00 for a pair installed. The Chain can be expected to last at least 24,000 miles -- replacements are $150+ (including labor)."

 

I bought my '06 used with about 3000 miles. Had the valves checked by a local trusted independent shop (for $40) and they were right in spec. I'll probably do it myself next time as part of my annual, winter-time maintenance venture (grease bearings, coolant flush, etc).

If you search the other posts and threads here on valve adjustments, I think you'll find they are far and few between. I wouldn't let the valves steer me away from the KLX250 if this is the bike that otherwise impressed me most.

 

Ride some used ones and continue to do research. The DR, XT, and the KLX are all close with the KLX being higher tech than the other two. But things like price, seat height, power delivery, and ease of maintance need to be considered. In stock form the klx is weak but very reliable even though higher tech. than the others. One bike you left out is the Yamaha WR 250, while the most expensive it is fuel injected and overall higher tech. than the ones you have listed.

 

I debated the same questions over the past year. I always liked the KLX, but have been a die hard yama guy all my life. The xt 250 is a street bike compared to the klx. It's the same cost around here. The crf 230f/L doesn't even come close. The only bike that can really be compared to the klx is the WR. The klx is leaps and bounds better than the CRF and XT. You'll apreciate the water cooling of the klx. Off road my fan kicks on all the time. It's in tight stuff running the hell outa it tho.

 

Yes, I'm aware of the Yamaha WR250, but it is very expensive-though it sounds like a great bike.

So, I had decided to add the KLX250S and the Suzuki DRZ400S to the mix for a do-it-all dual sport for the Big Island. We leave Monday. Today (Saturday) I drove to a couple of dealers so I could plant myself on a DRZ400S and a Kawasaki KLX250S. For me, as a bike that may sometimes be ridden on some fairly rough trails, the DRZ400S just feels a bit too tall. Also, pretty heavy. Drove to a local Kawasaki dealer and sat on a KLX250S (and a super moto model too). The KLX250S felt managaeable for myself. The seat heighth was a little lower than the Suzuki. Don't know the seat heigth specs, but this KLX was definetely shorter than the DRZ I sat on. I could ride the DRZ on the street, but off road on bad and uneven surfaces, I think its too tall, and those magnesium cases will break easily if the bike gets dropped.

So, for now, the DRZ has been taken off the list.

I believe I am going to find that prices are noticeably higher in Hawaii also.

Don't get me wrong-I've ridden haevy dual sports (KLR650, SP500, XL350-1975 model), but the KLR and SP were ridden almost all street miles. The XL350 was taken on some trails, and I found it more hard work than fun. I rode a 2001 KLR250 that did quite a bit of off road, and it was fun to ride. It also made a pretty decent street bike, and would even do some freeway.

jon

 

Frankly, I think the KLX250S and the WR250R are really the only two 250cc DS bikes worth considering if you're really going to go off road to any degree...and heck...even if you're not...the SF and WRX being great choices. Everything else is either a race bike with a plate or very old technology, that while serviceable and useable, they just have zero excitement factor. I know there are some die hard penny pinchers who want the absolute cheapest, old, air-cooled POS and then put a milk crate on the back and use the bike like a commuter mule...but...where' the fun in that?

 

I really enjoyed riding the 2001 KLR250 that I put about 15,000 miles on. One thing that took me by surprise about that KLR was how well it handled on very twisy roads. Even the stock tires gripped well, and I really laid that bike iover in the corners more and more as I gained confidence in the bike. That is when I got a lot of respect for what you can do on a light weight dual sport bike on the street.

So, as I started looking for youtube videos with the KLX250S in them, I found ones like this that kind of took me back to that KLR250:

2009 KLX250S Garden of the Gods - YouTube

I can tell I would have a blast on a KLX!!

Jon

 

I guess you have received your answer by now. But if that doesn't work yet, please PM me and I will check with my brother, he knows much more than I do about this...