I am new to this forum, and I know that this topic has been rehashed to death, but here it goes. I need help deciding on the purchase of the KLX250S

I live in the mountains of western Montana, about 13 miles out of Helena.I have lots of bike experience. I currently drive a 2002 BMW R1150RA on the street. In the dirt, I have an old school, 1982 IT465 Yamaha. I am handing the IT down to my son.

Most of my trips to town on the pavement will be on the BMW, but I expect the occasional trip on my new dual-sport.

There are tons of jeep and atv roads and trails within 5-10 miles of the house. I want to go dual sport so I can be street legal getting to the trails and back.

There are some other trails that I ride that are managed by the State of Montana as exclusively dirt bike. These trails are very narrow, with tight brush and steep difficult runs. These trails in particular are tough on the IT465 just because of the bulk/weight/suspension of the old bike.

These mountain trails range in altitude from about 4,000 feet to about 10,000 feet.

I'm 6'3" and about 220lbs. I don't need this bike to do more than 65mph on the street. I don't need anywhere near the power that the IT465 delivers for the dirt.

I also want a quiet bike, since I will be using if for sneaking into my favorite hunting and fishing spots.

Do you think that the KLX250S will be enough bike for me, or should I move up to the DRZ400?

The KLX250S is about 25lbs lighter than the DRZ400. Does that make up for the displacement disadvantage? Is there a significant handling advantage to the KLX250S compared to the DRZ400 in the dirt?

Thanks in advance.

 

Can't help you with the DRZ but I lovemy KLX. I too have a powerful street bike so I didn't need a road burner DS. I just wanted a nice lite bike to have fun on. It will hold 65MPH just fine and has enough power to get you there off road. And it's a Kawasaki!

 

You will not be disappointed with the KLX 250. Trust me I'm 6-1 and weigh 230 and its so sweet. You may want to change the gears from the stock 14-42 to a 13-45. That will help on the trails. Keep the pipe stock if you want it to be the stealth machine.

 

YA, and if you change the gearing it will still hold 65 fine. One thing the KLX has over the DRZ isa sixth gear! It's like an overdrivewith stock gearing.

 

For hunting, the stock klx 250 is awesome. I have been able to come within 10 yards of many black bears without them knowing I was there. I was even able to use the bike to track and approachone during season.

 

You will be disappointed with the klx at your weight and proposed use, I will also not recommend a drz look at a Husky or ktm450 street legal. BTW I weigh 170 and rideour klx 250and occasionally ride with ex MX'ers and I got a 300 jug and it's still a dog or a pig......period.....beat me up if you will..........and at your weight get a 450 ktm or husky. Just my humble opinion. If you really want a slow burrow to get ya to huntin spots and nothing else the klx will do just fine, because it WILL get you anywhere.

 

Ho hum, just because you are disappointed doesn't mean he will be. I would suggest taking one for a test ride.

 

I guess happiness is a relative thing, because I weigh more than most guys on here and at 6-1 I wondered if the bike would be all I thought it would be, and guess what........IT IS ALL I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!!

 

Thats Good! It's all I expected too. As long as you don't expect too much it's a great bike.