KLX250S

[Feral Donkey]

Anyone ride one?  My primary bike is a '07 KLR.  I've been trying out other littler bikes for farting around in the woods.  I had a KDX200 that I really liked but I didn't like how the 2 smoke made power and the suspension needed some help.  Well, I ended up getting a '99 WR400 that's in really nice shape.  That's an awesome bike.  I had a lot of fun with that but I'm going to man-up and admit I'm not of the skill level where I can ride that thing safely the way that bike wants to be ridden in the woods.  I proved this by getting 6 weeks off work and $20,000 worth of metal put into my right leg last August.  I don't want another race bike.   

So here I look at this KLX250S.  The suspension looks pretty damn nice and the chassis measurements all seem pretty close to the KDX, which fit me well.  It's 265# dry and it has e-start.   Anyone ran one of these?  I'm looking to use this as a woods bike and maybe 10% pavement.  Just enough pavement to get to where I'm going riding without having to load the bike in the van.  We do a lot of slower, tighter, curvier trails up and down hills, over logs, around stumps, through blackberries, etc.  250ccs is plenty for that.  My friend's CRF230 does great but the bike's size is a little small for me.   Let me know what you think?     

[jj white]

I have a KLX250s. Love it. Going to make this my primary offroad bike. Like the KLR for mild easy stuff but too heavy for me to manuver and pick up. On the KLX I have full FMF exhaust, 13 tooth front sprocket, stage II jet kit, D-606 knobbys, brushguards, engine pan and guards, and acerbis 3.7 gas tank. I am well pleased with these mods. I also put lowering links on and cut the seat down 3 inches. Being low to the ground is where I am most comfortable. 

[10r]

Anyone ride one?  My primary bike is a '07 KLR.  I've been trying out other littler bikes for farting around in the woods.  I had a KDX200 that I really liked but I didn't like how the 2 smoke made power and the suspension needed some help.  Well, I ended up getting a '99 WR400 that's in really nice shape.  That's an awesome bike.  I had a lot of fun with that but I'm going to man-up and admit I'm not of the skill level where I can ride that thing safely the way that bike wants to be ridden in the woods.  I proved this by getting 6 weeks off work and $20,000 worth of metal put into my right leg last August.  I don't want another race bike.  

So here I look at this KLX250S.  The suspension looks pretty damn nice and the chassis measurements all seem pretty close to the KDX, which fit me well.  It's 265# dry and it has e-start.   Anyone ran one of these?  I'm looking to use this as a woods bike and maybe 10% pavement.  Just enough pavement to get to where I'm going riding without having to load the bike in the van.  We do a lot of slower, tighter, curvier trails up and down hills, over logs, around stumps, through blackberries, etc.  250ccs is plenty for that.  My friend's CRF230 does great but the bike's size is a little small for me.   Let me know what you think?      

Feral Donkey...we live pretty close..check the map.  I too have been mulling this over for the last few months.  Ken's in Kaukauna had new  09's for $3,600.  That nearly did the deal for me but I just couldn't pull the trigger.  I keep going back to the WR250R or a 530 EXC-R.  (Compare the frame, weight, motor, CDI on the WR, etc..) What I would really like is if the KLX 450R could be licensed in Wisconsin.  I just emailed the DMV and they categorically rejected me from taking any off road bike and turning it into a dual sport bike.  Another friend of mine bought a dirt bike from Michigan that had a street license, but he had trouble when they renewed his plates.  They appear to license based on VIN number alone.

But considering your leg maybe the KLX250S is a mistress you can live with?  After the warranty expires, and you find she no longer excites you.....there are several big bore kits to give you a little more grunt.  Have you ridden a 2003 KLX300?  I have seen a couple for sale around here. Good Luck in your decision.

[anomad]

Bummer about your leg feral_donkey... heal up proper... lose any excess body fat and ride a bicycle or bike trainer everyday.  Been there myself, still working on the body fat part.

I had a KLR650 and ended up eventually trading into a KLeeneX 250..... So far its been a great bike for me and the riding area that I enjoy.

My favorite riding is just what you describe, street legal so you can leave from the garage, and then good enough to handle the tight trails.  With street tires its a GAS on super tight paved back roads and returns great fuel economy (like 80mpg)

Its not a lightweight race bike, mine weighs in at damn near 300lbs all gassed up and loaded with tools, spare tube etc.. (actual weighed in my garage weight ready to roll). But it has the advantage of longer service intervals etc.. I'm mostly a fart along and look at the scenery rider, but I enjoy doing so on challenging singletrack trails. I get around 50mpg trail riding.

Forum member TNC has been really impressed with his fairly well modified KLX and particularly the suspension re-valve/rebuild. Plenty of folks sing the praises of the Bill Blue 351 big bore and a pumper carb. As finances allow I will go the BB 351 route and also have my suspension done up right.

[waddskee]

Take care of the leg!!! I am due for a chop, cut, rebuild soon. I got an 06 250 and its a great bike! I also ride a KLX 450 but not as much as I would like, it is a bit much for trail rid'n with the wife and kids.

I plan on put'n a engine kit and exhuast on the 250. Between my 996 suzuki rocket and the 450, the 250 needs a little more juice. But overall its sweet and everyone I come across like it.

[Feral Donkey]

I got one.  I got a '09 brand new for $4300 out the door.  I just did a pipe and jet with a better air filter and snorkel removal.  Let me tell you this.  Out of the box it's a moped.  After uncorking the Kalifornia EPA stuff it's like a whole new bike.  I also went down one tooth on the front sprocket which also made a difference.  It really snorts now in the woods and it works ok as a road bike too.  I would very highly recommend this bike to anyone wanting to get a street legal little brother to their KLR.  But you have to uncork it.  It's so choked off from the factory, it isn't even funny. 

I'm going to get new fork and shock springs then a larger gas tank. 

[TUFFGONG]

  were are the pics 

[Feral Donkey]

These are from a few weeks ago when I first got it home and pulled it out of the van.  All that snow is gone now.