hey guys, just want to say great forum!! glad i found it!! my question is, i will be a new rider, i love the klx250s, but i also like the klr650. would the klx250s be a better ride for me at first? i know it is lighter, and smaller. i'm 6-1 190,i also looked at the yamaha xt225, but i really like the kawasaki 's better. i appreciate any info you guys can give me?? bs1001

 

Good question. I bought my KLX as perhaps the first one on the site. Picked it up back in November, and then in July I bought the 2006 XT 225 for my wife. For your size and weight stay away from the XT. I am 6-1 and 230 and it is way under powered for me, and yet is actually fun to ride all at the same time. The difference between performance on the KLX and the XT in the stock form is incredible. Also the KLX is 4 inches taller than the XT. Now on to the KLX, even in the stock form it is a really fun machine. Some simple mods are the carb jetting, air box, and sprocket changes, along with a new exhaust. Now all of that sounds like a lot, but a couple at a time and you're on your way. After all of the changes on my bike it has twice the acceleration of the XT. Let us know what you decide, oh and welcome if nobody has said it yet.

 

thanks for the welcome!!! this forum is great!! i will be using the bike , mostly on paved roads, but also on the gravel type of roads. you guys don't think the klr650 is too big for a new rider?? i've been going through alot of cycles lately, and i think kawasaki have some of the best bikes going right now. why aren't more companies coming ut with dual purpose rides? thanks again for all the info.bs1001

 

depends on what you want. i have a klx250, my dad used to have a klr650. the 650 is a great bike for what it was made for. for mostly road use it is a lot more powerful/comfortable/ and mantains high speeds easier. cruising down the interstate on the 650 is much more comfortable than the 250 because of the power and also because its heavier so it doesnt get blown around by trucks, etc. on the other hand, if you dont plan on many long interstate trips and want to do some fun off roading the 250 is awesome. its light (compared to klr), has better offroad suspension, and is loads of fun just zipping around town on. even if you get the 250 and eventually want something more powerful, its a great bike to keep around then get a 650 for longer commutes.

there are lots of people that travel the country on klr650's, i wouldnt dare try that on the 250.

 

like the owner of the shop i bought mine from told me "if you are a horse power freak then you need the 650 but if your not going to do alot of highway riding and a good bit of trail riding then the 250 is a better choice"
And if you test ride the 250 dont judge it to quickly it has plenty of power hidden here and there

 

Can't speak for the KLX250. I had a KLR250 that I put 10,000 miles on, and now I have a KLR650.Both are great bikes.I had loads of fun riding the 250 on trails, fire service roads etc., and used it to commute 65 miles daily with lots of freeway riding at 55-65 mph.That bike always started easily and never complained other than one major warranty problem when a gob of gasket sealer plugged the oil line to the top end.Got lots of new parts from that. Back then, I had a large street bike too.Later, I had to trim back to one motorcycle only, and decided to go with the KLR650. The 650 is a very good street bike.It will cruise at 70-75 mph.I consider it to be very comfortable for solo riding.I would not hesitate to load it up, jump on it and ride it across the country.I was averaging 55-68 mpg.Then I changed jobs to one where I could ride some nice backroads at 40 mph, and now I just got 62.1 mpg.The setup from the dealer wasn't good at all.I haven't taken the 650 off road yet, but from riding many other dual-sports over the last 42 years, I would consider it to heavey to do the stuff I did with the KLR250.
I think a 250 will do about anything except lots of freeway riding including overnight camping trips.But if higher speed street riding is important to you, then get the 650.If riding knarly trails and rocky, rough terrain etc, then get the 250. Riding a heavy trail bike on really rough stuff takes much of the fun out of it to me.But the 650 should be great on gravel roads, dirt roads etc.

jon in puyallup

 

spot on jon, couldn't have put it better