KLX 351 vs WR250r

[dirtnadvil]

Ok, so who has ridden both a modified KLX351 and a wr250r? I "need" to know how the KLX stacks up. I would also like to hear your opinions of how either bike compares to a KLR650....Thanks .......................John.
P.S. If any of you guys with either the KLX 351,KLX 250s  or the WR250R  live in So Cal I would l would love to go for a short ride and swap bikes for a few miles. I am getting ready to make a life changing decission!

[TNC]

dirt, do you own a KLX now or just in a decision mode?  I was asking the same question you're asking now last month after my Colorado off road trip on my KLR650.  One thing stood out as it pertains to the KLX and the WR.  They're both close in weight.  One big difference that was important to me was the more dirt worthiness of the longer travel on pre-'09 KLX's.  Right off the showroom floor, I think the nod goes to the WR.  It's a stout bike from the get-go.  The WR can be uncorked some more and a computer tweaker added, but at perhaps more expense.  The KLX is a bit simpler with a carb and the option of more than one gas tank.  It responds strongly to the intake and exhaust tweaks available.  I ended up buying an '06 KLX250 with all the mods short of a big bore kit.  The bike is quite strong as is, and I have the option of some very good displacement upgrades.  I really like the 11" of travel at each end, and this was a priority for me.  I am impressed with the dual sport WR250R.  It's a great addition to the small bore DS category.

[dirtnadvil]

I am in decision mode at this time. I have a KLR that I have done some trips on with my friends but now I am looking for something smaller that I can do some single track on and explore a little more. I am also starting to ride with my son so I need a bike that I can pick up by my self. I would like to hear how the 2 bikes ( KLX with a 351 kit and the WR250R) compare. Like the old saying goes ;There is no replacement for displacement. I would like to see how the KLX compares. I can get a KLX for around 3500 and a WR for 4500. There is a 1000 dollar difference to use on mods to bring the KLX to it's full potential and then some. My bro has a DRZ400 and another friend has a DR650, these are also nice, but maybe a little bigger than what I am looking for.

[Guido]

Boy, tough decision. I can't help you because I haven't ridden either one. Well, actually I did ride a WR2 briefly and felt the engine was a little snatchy down low. I also have slightly modded KLX. I would bet the 351 will have more torque and bottom end but the WR is decidedly more modern - valve adjustment at 26K miles. Wow! Digital dash - cool! One thing to consider is that you'll probably end up modding the WR anyway if you go that direction. You'll probably get a power commander and maybe a bigger tank.  Aqualine out of Australia make a 3.75 gal tank for the WR2 but it's pretty expensive because of the need for a fuel pump - and shipping. Here's the link: http://www.rvaqualine.com.au/page.php?sId=3. It's the 7th tank down.

Good luck. You won't go wrong either way. And you know, I bet you can get a nice pre '09 KLX for more like $3K.

[pauley2000]

I have an '09 KLX stock engine except for some a/f tweeking.
A 49T rear sprocket (stock is 42T) and o/s knobbies really twist it up a notch.
It'l still do hwy @ 70mph and really rockets about in the tight stuff.

I have no probs keeping up with the DRZs etc. on the 'bonked' stuff.
The weight/power issue was solved with gearing, although I would probably do a 47T next time...

[09Xfactor]

I dont know how much help this will be but all the same i hope it will get you just that closer to your decision. I Had a KLX300R for a long time then my dad bought the 250S. once some of the small things were out of the way and when he installed the 300 hundred kit it really woke up i was very impressed for what it was it could keep up with my 300. from what i have gotten from you intent on riding. both will be great. The klx does have some more support on aftermarket stuff and a little older so you dont get the the newest suspension or frame but worthy opponent. Now i have not ridden an Yahmaha or for that matter the WR250 but you get all updated technology so it all Down to how much you really want to pay. I would buy kawasaki over yahmaha but that is strickly my oppionion. good luck and have fun with your sun he will kick your butt soon. truct me

[BakerDT]

The 351 will out run a stock DRZ400. I've done it.  The WR revs higher but doesn't have near the grunt of the 351. Using D/S tires on graded dirt roads, I can break the back tire loose in 5th gear. It's a tremendous boost in low and midrange torque. The flip side is, the 351 isn't a high rpm engine . You can see dyno test runs for 351 with and without after market pipe here: www.bandbcyclerestorations.compage 2
Good luck

[TD]

In decision mode too. The stock WR suspenders/no carb are a powerful argument. 

[10r]

Sounds like there are a bunch of us thinking the same thing.  I would love to stick with Kawi, but the 250S is so bland.  It will cost me about $1,000 to get a KLX250S close to a WR250R and then my warranty would be void.  So I would have to ride it the first season without mods.  Why can't they offer a KLX450R for dual sport?....so what if they only warranty it for six months....I understand that I will have to rebuild the top end more frequently.

[Feral Donkey]

What made the decision for me was the fact that I got a brand new '09 out the door with tax, title, set-up, etc for $4300.  The WR has an MSRP of over $6K.  Now that's a hell of a savings.  Not to mention Kaw always builds a nice rig.  It might not be the fastest thing, but it'll hold together.  Kaw mostly builds stuff for regular people to use and Yamaha tends to build stuff to be raced. 

How much maintenance has to be done on each and how often? 

[TNC]

I don't think overall maintenance on the KLX250 and WR250R will actually be much different.  The WR250R is not the 5-valve racing series engine.  It is its own separate design.  Cost between the two models is usually found to be about $1000 at least and more in some cases.  The KLX is a pretty good bargain.  If you look in the March Dirt Bike issue, they do a review of mods on the WR250, and it appears that those guys feel the WR needs about as much work as the KLX to make a more dirt worthy bike.  They both need suspension internals modded.  The WR needs a computer add-on like a Power Commander...and probably a pipe/silencer to take full advantage.  The KLX can get a big bore kit and pipe to match or exceed the WR's power after tweaking the WR's computer.  Both bikes need an aftermarket tank to extend range IMO.  The WR is limited a little by the fact that because it's fuel injected, it requires the fuel pump to be mounted in the tank.  Not the end of the world, but something to consider.

For me, both of these bikes are great.  After using my '06 KLX for quite awhile now in some really tough singletrack conditions, I'm thoroughly impressed after doing a few critical mods.  I wouldn't own either bike without Race Tech valve and shim mods for the suspension.  It brings the off road performance to another level...dramatically.  On the the KLX, the airbox, exhaust, and jetting mods wake the bike up in a big way.  I could easily live with my '06 in its 250 engine size with the suspension and uncorking mods.  I will probably do some level of big bore kit in the near future just to get more torque, but I could keep it as is with no complaints.  Uncorking mods and suspension are what really make this bike come alive.  If you're a more pavement oriented rider for commuting and just some dirt and fire road riding, the suspension can probably pass muster as is, but the uncorking is necessary IMO as the engine is downright anemic in stock form.  Serious engine maintenance and durability on both the WR and KLX are very good IMO.

[NC Rick]

Interestingly, the basic internals of the WR and the KLX are really similar. the WR forks are valved better. Once your in them to modify, both could be the equal. This fact and the better low down grunt along with lower price made me decide on the KLX. The Klx is a bit lighter, both are quite heavy IMO.  I measured the KLX at about 300 lbs.

[TNC]

Rick, when you come from a KLR650, the KLX feels like a feather...or at least a KTM200 2-stroke.