Are the majority of people using their KLX 250 for "cross state loaded with gear" riding? If that was the kind of riding you were doing then a 250 is most definitely not the bike to have! hahhahahaha I ride 150 mile loops from my house to the San Bernardino National forest dirt roads/trails every week on my KTM and I have never had any issues with it. I am curious what kind of miles people are getting out of their motors for longevity. I know people who have put some serious miles on their DRZ but haven't seen much from the KLX 250 guys. I have seen guys put 20K on their KTM bike before rebuilding the engine. Valves usually need to be adjusted 5-10K. Seems relatively maintenance free to me, but I apparently don't have a clue.

 

Nice bit of constructive input there buddy. Considering every bike you list has no power...it is you who doesn't have a clue! Ride something with real performance and maybe you'd get one.

 

I'd also like to say that I did the airbox mod and there is NO difference before cutting out the screen and after the fact. In my opinion it is worthless and more trouble and perhaps more of a danger with no benefits.
I also drilled out the hole for the crankcase to breath but I also believe this to be worthless as the change in heat cycles is not fast enough for even the small hole to keep up with.
I did pull the smog lines but there is no power benefit to doing this. I did it just to clean up the bike and remove some worthless accessories and weight.
At Bill's request I did not remove the airbox cover as apparently someone tried removing it with the 351 kit and could not get the bike to run properly.
My air box cover did not have a snorkel as apparently the S version does. It does have a hole in it that is comparable in size to the snorkel to what everyone is upgrading to so I don't think the bike is starving for air.
I would be interested to hear what people have done to shed weight. At over 300 lbs this bike is 50 lbs. more than my KTM and has half the horsepower. I pulled the secondary pegs and the rack the previous owner put on. The new muffler should shed a few pounds as well. I think keeping the stock header pipe is as light as it is going to get. I am also going to bob the rear fender but the plastic doesn't really weight that much so not much weight savings there. My bike also has a fan that I never see come on so are people even bothering to use the fan setup? Does the S version even come with a fan? Doesn't seem needed to me. What about the overfill bottle for the radiator fluid? Does the S version come with that? I don't have them on my other bikes so is it really needed? What else are you guys doing to put the pig on a diet?

 

Show me some proof of that, and I'll believe you. I have the pipe installed. My bike is more powerful, faster, and easier to ride. I ride primarily single track, and not leisurely.

 

teeny car, sell the thing and give yourself a break. If we wanted a exc or te or wr or whatever we'd go buy one. The klx is what it is, your never going to make it into any more than what it already is. I own 9 bikes and they all fill a niche, the klx fills one nicely, it is what it is.

 

Doesn't really matter, cause Mav' live in Coffs Harbour, and you don't....Buddy!

 

You are comparing a 525 to a 250, but I'd bet the KLX charging system is still better. Have you done a load test on your bike? I have. We have a forum member who recently owned a 450EXC and although he's a big time KTM fan he admits that the electrical capacity is very poor without modifications. Just fitting a different headlight bulb to get more light doesn't amount to a hill of beans.


Great. I'm glad your happy with your KTM. I don't mean to knock them. If that's the type of bike you're happy with, more power to you. They are great for their intended purpose. I don't share your opinion of which is more comfortable though. There are many KTM, Husaberg and Husky riders in my group. When we do the longer slab rides, I drop the KLX into 6th and cuise in relative comfort compared with their buzz boxes. I did have my seat reworked by Renazco, so add that to the equation, but I still felt the KLX to be more comfy prior to that mod.

As I said before, there are apples to oranges comparisons within the 250cc displacement category, just as their is with larger and smaller engine sizes. Yamaha has more than one 'WR' the WR250F cannot be plated in most states. The WR250R makes more power on the top-end than the KLX, but is much newer technology. With that technology comes a bike priced at about $2,000.00 more than the KLX. Kawasaki might be able to spit out something with more power, but that would require a re-designed engine and suspension, so they would lose the price point advantage they enjoy now.

If you want to compare something to a KTM, look at Huskvarna Gas Gas, their sister company Husabery, etc. The KLX is in a heavier class of bikes that lean closer to 50/50 street/trail use.

In the end, it seems you've already convinced yourself and are here purely for the debate. KTM is a great bike in its own right. If you like them, keep pushing your girl until she gets one.

 

I smell a troll.

 

Oh I see...so because I don't come on here raving about a KLX 250 I have then I must be a troll? So this forum is for 250 lovers only? Maybe that should be posted as a sticky. Forum dedicated to those who have only positive things to say about their KLX 250. I thought it was for people who had or were interested in the 250? My bad I'll leave. Carry on raving about a piece of **** bike.

 

Well, that's only one in the crowd that is crying 'troll.' I've enjoyed the discussion so far, but I think you should be looking for what your girl wants rather than what YOU want. Most of the bikes in the performance category you are seeking have a pretty high seat height, so, yes, maybe you should let her get accustomed to the KLX before moving up.

Another note on the valves...my KLX now has over 20K miles and valves are still in spec since new. When the valves start to go out of adjustment, KLX riders are forwarned with hard starting and rough idling. If you let the KTM valves get too tight, grenade city because they are forced shut machanically rather than by spring.
This is one of the reasons the KTM makes more power though, so there's always a trade-off.

That said, the KTM is a reliable bike, but you MUST stay on top of the maintenance intervals...particulary the valves.

Good luck. I hope that you and especially SHE ends-up with a bike SHE likes. After all, the bike is for HER, isn't it?