just got back from co. rode 5 days in rampart range and the 250 preformed perfectly. have done all the mods and run a 118 main
jet for that altitude, needle clip on 2nd from top. although the altitude cut some power, the 250 had no trouble keeping up with
the other bigger bikes. there is all types of terrain there, tight woods, steep up and down, rocky, wide open, and whoops, lots of
them. the 250 did a great job with all of them. rode a klx 300 there the last 3 years (love that bike) and the 250 preformed very
much the same. the only exception, power of course, would be the handleing. noticed the front end wanted to wash out in the
corners more so than the 300. just had to allow for it. they changed the angle of the forks between the 300 and the 250. dont
have a clue why. here is a picture from bear mountain.

 

sorry, didn't up load pic.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1371/C29E0409B9354B4A9C6D497352775521.jpg[/IMG]

 

Nice pic and thanks for sharing your personal experience between the 250S and 300. I had the same issue with the front on my 250S wanting to wandering ... changed out the stock tires for something a wee bit more dirt aggressive and it solved the problem.

 

I suspect that's it more than anything else. According to the Kawi web site, the KLX250S and the KLX300R have the exact same rake angle and trail. Same wheel base and front and rear suspension travel also. The KLX300 is about 30lbs lighter though, and has a higher seat height and about 1 inch more of ground clearance. For specs are different so maybe that is contributing to the handling as well.

 

i checked the specs and you are correct about the rake and trail being the same, but with the two bikes standing side by side the forks look different. i'll have to get some measurements and see if they are different.

 

I will second what Bonafide said. I also had the same problem with the front washing out so I changed the front tire with a more aggressive tire and problem is solved. the back tire is OK in the dirt, but when mine wears a little more I will be replacing it with something other than stock.

 

The forks are different according to the specs - they KLX300 forks appear to be more adjustable which tends to indicate different internals, probably something more suitable for off-road since the KLX300 is sold as off-road-only.

 

I read somewhere (not sure where) moving the forks in the triple clamps will give the bike more aggresive turning (less washing out). Of course you would only move it a couple of mm at a time and try it out