I'm looking to pick up a guest bike for woods and trail riding. Choice is between a 1998 KLX300 and a 99 XR250R.
The only thing I know for sure about the bikes is that the KLX300 needs a rear wheel bearing(s) and the XR250 refuses to start (kick) when cold.
Their both around the same price.
Any thoughts on what to expect as far as problems and repairs?
Which one to get?
Thanks
Rob

 

That's a tough one. I had 4 XR250R's from '84-'90 and currently have an '06 KLX250 with a stock OEM 300 jug. When you say "guest bike", I'm guessing it won't be one of "your" primary bikes for your own riding, correct?

If so, then I'd go for the XR, as it probably won't get the attention and service care of a primary bike. It's also air cooled, and the valves are fairly easily adjusted by screw adjusters...no cam removal required. It will be a simpler bike to live with.

I would not go back to an XR250R compared to my current bike, even for pure off roading. I liked XR's just fine, but I'll take the KLX any day for my own use.

 

Agree with TNC ^ on the XR. My buddy has a couple and claims they are bulletproof: "light it on fire, push it off a cliff, then get on and ride it." Simpler maintenance, forgiving, and lots of them out there for spare parts. Could the tough starting be due to tight valves needing an adjustment?

 

Yeah, that's my guess with the XR, tight valves. I have an XR100 (kids) and when the valves tighten up it's a bear to start. Agree, easy to adjust.

Whatever bike I buy won't be used as much as my KLX250s.
Is the maintenance on the KLX300 much different than our bikes?

 

XR250 is one of the bikes I looked at before I bought my KLX. I rode one, and knew right away. It wasn't for me. I didn't like it, and would go KLX 300 all the way. only problem with having the 300 is that you won't want to ride your 250 anymore. When I was riding MX bikes exclusively, I used to think the KLX 300 was an old mans bike, but thin now that they're probably one of the best trail/play bikes ever. They'll go as fast or as slow as you want, all day long.

 

What about maintenance and parts for the 300?
Looks like I might have to buy them both?

 

I would guess nearly everything that you can't get generically is still available for the 300. It only stopped production in '06. And then consider that the KLX250 is basically the same bike in the powertrain department, is still in production, and then you have a large field of available parts. The KLX is all over the world in one form or another, so it may be one of the more parts-available bikes around.

 

XR would be a nice guest bike. Easy going powerband and no radiators to damage in a spill. Experienced rider would have more fun on the KLX300.

 

Although I've always thought they were cool, I've never actually tried an XR250 so I can't really comment on them. But I was thinking one thing in favor of the KLX300 is that, since you already have a KLX, maintaining another KLX might be simpler, since it is so similar to your current bike.

 

Good point. You'd have a "spare parts bike" for emergencies.