Of course it's two different galaxies -- or should be -- but I'm assuming that those seeking more performance intend to use it on the road, 'cause 30-40mph on a trail is more than enough and first gear will get you up any hill that the tires can get traction on. You don't need to go fast for an off-road adventure, and thus you don't need more power than the stock KLX mill provides (although you may want to go to a smaller front sprocket).

I once had a well-used GSX1100G which I got got for under two grand with a complete set of GIVI bags and a Corbin seat. All I ever had to do to it was put new O-rings in the carbs (a Suzuki weirdness). I had it up to 130 once, and it was still pulling hard when I chickened out. Cheap thrills. Took curves like it was on rails, too.

 

I think Anciano is talking about the mods over and above a slip-on and jet kit - all of which are really expensive (compared to the bikes' value).. BB kits, Cams, Carbs, etc..


Going from stock power (16.5 ?) to right at 22 hp for the price of a slip-on and jet kit - now that's banging!

 

not to mention, 500 bucks for a 101cc increase and damn near 30 hp is crazy value too.

In my area, DRZ400's are extremely hard to come by. When they are listed they go for $5000 minimum (even as far back as 2002) I bought my 2009 klx250 for 3500 bucks with 4000km on it! If I dump the remaining 1500 into it to make it the bike I want (jet, exhaust, BB, Springs, seat), I'm still way ahead. The DRZ's are not amazing right out of the gate and need just as much love as the klx to get it to a respectable level of off-road worthiness.

Judging by what I've read here, it wouldn't matter if our bikes were perfect in every sense, we'd still be tinkering with them and modding them. That's just how the vast majority of motorcycle enthusiasts are I'd say.

 

I'd say speak for yourself! I want the challenge to go quickly, shoot out of a corner with the front wheel in the air, back wheel spitting some dirt!

Take it one step further. You don't need a motorcycle or bicycle for that matter, to traverse a trail. If I wanted to be mainly sight seeing, I'll get a pair of hiking boots and do it at 3 mph with a walking stick and a pair of binoculars. But that's not what I want. I also need to be able to legally ride roads as needed. I'm thinking I'm not alone on this either.

Not knocking your choice, just sayin' it ain't mine.

 

Hey Klxster I think you missed the part where he sold off his aftermarket pipe and plans to pull the Dyno-Jet kit and get rid of it too... going full on stock. I recommended he not go to the stock ultra-lean jetting and hard starting, but that's his choice.

 

Oh, yeah?.. Oooookaay.. Aren't we diverse - gotta love it..

 

The mod that got me thinking along these lines was putting in new heavier front/rear springs. I had originally planned on just doing this mod to help on my occasional 2-up road rides. After putting in the springs and seeing a world of difference I'm now inclined (dammit!) to go with new racetech valving too. And maybe get a set of motard wheels/tires as the bike handles twisty roads so much better now. So in short, mods to the KLX seem to be eye-openers first which leads to wallet opening again and again ;-)

 

Hard starting? I push the button and it starts. How hard is that?

As for lean running that's not much of a problem at the 5000+ ft level where I usually get on the trails. The PO lived down in the flatlands and had it tuned accordingly. If I left the fattened DJ jetting in place I could possibly foul a plug somewhere back in the woods, and since there's scarce cell phone service up there that ain't good. That's why I restored it to stock immediately upon bringing it home.

If I were going to spend any money on improvements it would be for a larger gas tank.

 

I guess you're way more fortunate than most, being at 5000 feet with stock jetting.

At 900 ft my bike would crank over 10-15 seconds, sometimes more, to start when cold and take a fair amount of warm up to be rideable. With the KLX300 jetting, MCM, and disabling the compression release it fires near instantly and can be ridden away in seconds, off choke in less than a minute. Well worth the less than $100 in "hop up". Heck, the MCM was free as was disabling the compression release. Plus more power in general.

Putt around if you like, but I like some hotter performance. The only reason I did a 250 was the weight, my KLX650 was just too heavy, but power was great. Wish I had that power in the 250.

 

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy a street legalizing kit complete with instructions for dealing with a particular states' red tape - not to mention the required components for a particular state.. Texas, for instance, would be nice..