Newbie here- lots of questions
#1
04-13-2006, 09:26 AM
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Posts: n/a
Newbie here- lots of questions
I just want to say hello, I picked up my new KLX earlier today ($4675 otd). Sadly, it's still in my truck as I haven't got to unload it yet and haven't even ridden it yet. I use to race motocross some 15 years ago, switched to jet skis and then to crotch rockets, then finally to Harley sportsters. My 6-year old daughter (1 of 3) has a little jr50 suzuki and wanted dad to ride with her. I almost bought a new YZ 125 until I found this little bike. Seems perfect, dirt bike that is legal to ride on the streets. I do have some questions and by the looks of things, you guys probably have the answers. Here I go:
What type of horsepower are we talking here?
Is this just a Ninja 250 engine in a dirt bike frame?
Is this bike tough, can you jump it and ride it like a motocross bike?
Will it wheelie? Please say yes.
Does it have a powerband? I have not even ridden it, bought it on word of your mouths and looks and versatility.
What is the first and most effective mod. Is the 14 tooth front spocket imperative?
I want to keep my footpegs, what pipe should I get that fits PERFECT?
Basically, what can I expect when I ride it. I am 5'7" and weigh 145lbs. I am use to a '88 KX 125, that was my last dirt bike- how do they compare? I know this is no big bore sportbike or torquey HD or zippy 2-stroke, but does it have a little oomph? I did own a Ninja 250 for about 3 weeks and it was not much fun at all. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. My bike was still in the crate, I got it straight out of the crate so it never sat on the floor. I'm kind of **** like that. They're only new once. I must say that this is one beautiful dirt bike though. Kawasaki's fit and finish is top notch. Thanks in advance.
Travis
What type of horsepower are we talking here?
Is this just a Ninja 250 engine in a dirt bike frame?
Is this bike tough, can you jump it and ride it like a motocross bike?
Will it wheelie? Please say yes.
Does it have a powerband? I have not even ridden it, bought it on word of your mouths and looks and versatility.
What is the first and most effective mod. Is the 14 tooth front spocket imperative?
I want to keep my footpegs, what pipe should I get that fits PERFECT?
Basically, what can I expect when I ride it. I am 5'7" and weigh 145lbs. I am use to a '88 KX 125, that was my last dirt bike- how do they compare? I know this is no big bore sportbike or torquey HD or zippy 2-stroke, but does it have a little oomph? I did own a Ninja 250 for about 3 weeks and it was not much fun at all. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. My bike was still in the crate, I got it straight out of the crate so it never sat on the floor. I'm kind of **** like that. They're only new once. I must say that this is one beautiful dirt bike though. Kawasaki's fit and finish is top notch. Thanks in advance.
Travis
#2
04-13-2006, 01:30 PM
RE: Newbie here- lots of questions
Hi Travis,
welcome to the forum and KLX ownership. Sounds like you are used to performance bikes so I'll say this str8 up, you may be disapointed with the power when you first ride it. It is a great bike but quite docile in stock trim. The good news is it doesn't take much money or time to get it performing better.
There are lots of free mods (or low cost) to start you off, BMWHD (Todd) has written up quite a bit of detail (carbie and airbox) on this here and in other forums.
Then you can move onto cheap mods like gearing, cheapest is a 13 tooth front sprocket which may accelerate chain wear slightly, next is new rear sprocket but then you need a new chain.
Next is the $$$$ mods, like new exhaust and carbie. Most of the guys here have the Muzzy full system and there is also a Mikuni TM33 pumper carb mod that needs a little frame grinding to fit.
Hope this helps and I may have forgotten something but have a look round there is plenty of info here and other forums
Oh yeah there is also a 300 cc kit available in Australia or of course you can just buy the individual parts from your friendly Kawasaki dealer, the part numbers are in this forum
welcome to the forum and KLX ownership. Sounds like you are used to performance bikes so I'll say this str8 up, you may be disapointed with the power when you first ride it. It is a great bike but quite docile in stock trim. The good news is it doesn't take much money or time to get it performing better.
There are lots of free mods (or low cost) to start you off, BMWHD (Todd) has written up quite a bit of detail (carbie and airbox) on this here and in other forums.
Then you can move onto cheap mods like gearing, cheapest is a 13 tooth front sprocket which may accelerate chain wear slightly, next is new rear sprocket but then you need a new chain.
Next is the $$$$ mods, like new exhaust and carbie. Most of the guys here have the Muzzy full system and there is also a Mikuni TM33 pumper carb mod that needs a little frame grinding to fit.
Hope this helps and I may have forgotten something but have a look round there is plenty of info here and other forums
Oh yeah there is also a 300 cc kit available in Australia or of course you can just buy the individual parts from your friendly Kawasaki dealer, the part numbers are in this forum
#3
04-13-2006, 03:14 PM
RE: Newbie here- lots of questions
Welcome!
Like Mav said, this bike feels a bit down on power when new. Two things to look forward to: First, when it starts to break in (aroudn 500 miles) it loosens up and performs better. Second, there's a much better bike hidden inside just waiting to be set free with simple mods to the airbox, carb, and exhaust. Check out the posts at the top of this forum for lots of good info.
Like Mav said, this bike feels a bit down on power when new. Two things to look forward to: First, when it starts to break in (aroudn 500 miles) it loosens up and performs better. Second, there's a much better bike hidden inside just waiting to be set free with simple mods to the airbox, carb, and exhaust. Check out the posts at the top of this forum for lots of good info.
#4
04-13-2006, 03:22 PM
RE: Newbie here- lots of questions
Some bad news. The Ninja 250 makes a lot more power than this bike. However the power is much "peakier" on the Ninja. This is mainly because the Ninja has 2 cylinders, while the KLX has a single cylinder.
Viewed within a narrow range of performance, the bike does very well. With the most common modification including differnt gearing and the Muzzy, the bike accelerates very well up to 60mph. But yes, a full on sportbike would have gotton to 100mph in the same amount of time, but it can't go 70mph down a gravel road, ride over 12" logs or fly off 10' jumps.
The bike should perform well due to your light weight. To be honest, due to your attitude with owning the Ninja 250, I fear a little for your safety. Ride safe!
Viewed within a narrow range of performance, the bike does very well. With the most common modification including differnt gearing and the Muzzy, the bike accelerates very well up to 60mph. But yes, a full on sportbike would have gotton to 100mph in the same amount of time, but it can't go 70mph down a gravel road, ride over 12" logs or fly off 10' jumps.
The bike should perform well due to your light weight. To be honest, due to your attitude with owning the Ninja 250, I fear a little for your safety. Ride safe!
#5
04-13-2006, 06:45 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Newbie here- lots of questions
Not sure what you mean by my attitude about the Ninja 250, but all I meant was it just was not fun. It ran like a moped and had no power. I bought it as a second bike to the HD, but it was so pitiful I sold it fast. Now understand I had been riding GSX-R's, Ninja ZX's, one Buell 1203cc rocket Harley, and then to get on that thing was just bad. I know this little KLX is no KX450, but I'm at least hoping I can take it off road and jump, do wheelies, and climb some hills. I know it isn't a motocross bike, but I think I can have fun on it. I will be riding it for the first time around 1700 hrs this evening. I will let you guys know how I feel about it then. Thanks for all the replies.
Travis
Travis
#6
04-13-2006, 07:00 PM
RE: Newbie here- lots of questions
ORIGINAL: Iowaguy
Not sure what you mean by my attitude about the Ninja 250, but all I meant was it just was not fun. It ran like a moped and had no power. I bought it as a second bike to the HD, but it was so pitiful I sold it fast. Now understand I had been riding GSX-R's, Ninja ZX's, one Buell 1203cc rocket Harley, and then to get on that thing was just bad. I know this little KLX is no KX450, but I'm at least hoping I can take it off road and jump, do wheelies, and climb some hills. I know it isn't a motocross bike, but I think I can have fun on it. I will be riding it for the first time around 1700 hrs this evening. I will let you guys know how I feel about it then. Thanks for all the replies.
Travis
Not sure what you mean by my attitude about the Ninja 250, but all I meant was it just was not fun. It ran like a moped and had no power. I bought it as a second bike to the HD, but it was so pitiful I sold it fast. Now understand I had been riding GSX-R's, Ninja ZX's, one Buell 1203cc rocket Harley, and then to get on that thing was just bad. I know this little KLX is no KX450, but I'm at least hoping I can take it off road and jump, do wheelies, and climb some hills. I know it isn't a motocross bike, but I think I can have fun on it. I will be riding it for the first time around 1700 hrs this evening. I will let you guys know how I feel about it then. Thanks for all the replies.
Travis
BTW, another person on this forum races his on AMA motocross. See the thread by 'sdunne' - "tribute to the toughness of the KLX". Sdunne claims that, while of course it is not an MX bike, it does approach one in capability with only a few compromises of course to maintain street legality.
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