Long term KLX250S review

[MaverickAus]

and only 20 mins from the track I rode up

[MaverickAus]

OH NO ITS DIRTY !!!

[MaverickAus]

Originally Posted by megad

The honda is cheaper, used at 3400 $

vs the klx250s at 4600 $


I already have 2 kawasaki's in the garage, a kx125 for setra, and a kx80 for my son

it's not an issue of what brand is better


but which bike is better, the crf250x or the klx250r, I'm no expert, I'm a VET C rider, so if they are close I wouldnt even notice the difference

Sorry thought ya meant they both new

[charleshmosesii]

Originally Posted by bmwhd

WOOOOO HOOOO! It's back together and it ROCKS. Now we're cookin' with gas!

Here's what I did this week again:

2) Air valve plumbing removed and all holes plugged.
3) Pilot air screw out 2.5 turns.
4) Slide vent hole drilled out to 7/64ths.
5) Swapped in a pre-'06 KLX300 49 state needle (N1TC) with clip in slot 2 down from the top.
6) #122 Main Jet.
7) Air box snorkel replaced with Kawasaki partn #14073-1577 high flow unit
8) 1/2" hole drilled in the first baffle plate in the muffler.

Now THIS is the way this bike is supposed to run! Night and day difference! YEAAAA HAAAA!

I'm such a loser, I wish I understood this language of valves and vents and air screws and needles and jets and snorkels and baffles... One day I hope I will! I'm not dumb, just ignorant, I need a friggin' video tutorial or something. Anyway, I've got my sights on one of these bikes as my first small bore bike, woohoo!

[Nobiman]

Originally Posted by charleshmosesii

I'm such a loser, I wish I understood this language of valves and vents and air screws and needles and jets and snorkels and baffles... One day I hope I will! I'm not dumb, just ignorant, I need a friggin' video tutorial or something. Anyway, I've got my sights on one of these bikes as my first small bore bike, woohoo!

Nope, your not a loser. As they say, ignorance is bliss. Thats the cool thing about these forums, there's ALWAYS someone with much more knowledge about a certain subject than us but on the other side of the coin, there might be a few souls out there in neverland who can benefit from our somewhat limited experience too. So give what you can and take what you need, thats how it works my friend.

Catch ya later, Randy.

[Nobiman]

Nice pics Mav!! Looks like you have a cool place to stretch the 'ol KLX's legs. Oh, go ahead and order that Staintune exhaust and have 'em sent to me. I would hate to see you seize the motor in your new bike 'cause you over reved it before it was properly broken in. By the time yours is ready, I'll have the pipes heat stress tested and they'll have a nice light blue patina coloration, then I PROMISE I'll send 'em back to you.

Todd, tommorow I'll be heading off to the local Kawi-shop to order the parts that you are using while I'm waiting on the aftermarket guys to answer me on the exhaust. Who knows, maybe the low cost mods will be enough to keep my sweetie on my tail when we're out kick'in around on the Dualsports!

Randy.

[megad]

Originally Posted by bmwhd

As much as I like my KLX, you're talking apples and oranges here. The Honda is a much more modern design and closer to a race speck enduro than the KLX. That bump in offroad performance is going to come at the price of more frequent maintenance and less street ablity.

Damn, I was hoping the klx was on par with the 250x

performance isnt really the issue for me, suspension, handling are far more important on these bark buster trails

I'm using a 2003 kx125 now, some of the hills are too much for it when it's wet, otherwise it works well

[bmwhd]

Originally Posted by megad

Damn, I was hoping the klx was on par with the 250x

performance isnt really the issue for me, suspension, handling are far more important on these bark buster trails

I'm using a 2003 kx125 now, some of the hills are too much for it when it's wet, otherwise it works well

The KLX will work fine for what you want. However, if you can pick up a street legal 250x for less, I'd go that route as long as you don't plan to ride too many street miles. The KLX is going to be a better choice if you need to hump down the road for 50 miles or so to get to the trails. The 250x is going to be better if you just plan to play in the dirt.

[MaverickAus]

Originally Posted by megad

Damn, I was hoping the klx was on par with the 250x

performance isnt really the issue for me, suspension, handling are far more important on these bark buster trails

I'm using a 2003 kx125 now, some of the hills are too much for it when it's wet, otherwise it works well

From what I have read about the Honda it’s a MX bike with lights, the KLX is a very capable dual-purpose bike, fine for road and trail, so I would echo what Todd said. I took my KLX up some steep hills stock standard (see the pix on page 13) and I was very impressed. It certainly could do with lower gearing for the hills but the point is it made it easily just as it was, no mods, no reducing tyre pressure, nothing, gas it and ride.

Wow I know this doesn't apply to you megad but I just looked up the price on the 250x here in aus (new) and its $4800 dearer than the KLX

Garry

[happyboyc]

HI again everyone........Hope I can clear a few things up for some of you!

The snorkel (part# 14073-1577) that has been talked about on here is from the following bikes: 92-99 KDX200, 92-05 KDX220, 94-96 KLX250 and 93-96 KLX650 Currently on back order here in canada, cost about $34.00 canadian!

Pipes: I spoke with MUZZY in Oregon and my contact there confirmed that a KLX 300 full system will fit the '06 KLX 250. SOOOO.....one would assume that any aftermarket full system (muzzy, big gun etc.) will fit the KLX 250. With the larger head pipe and free flowing can it is going to make a big difference. I can't even get my little finger in the outlet of the stock pipe for the north american market (canada, us).

Rad Gaurds: I checked on the Kawasaki site and the part numbers for the KLX 300, 400 and 250 are all different. If you look at the pictures they also look a little different. Will the rad gaurds from these other models fit...Maybe? Might require a little modification!

Skid Plate: The skid plate from a 04-05 KLX 300 will definately fit the 250. I tested a Moose plate for a KLX 300 and it fits perfectly.

Big Bore: I have also confirmed that the part numbers listed to make this little 250 into a 300 from Kawasaki are good and it will work. I checked a couple of other companies for cost on these parts as apposed to kawi but here in canada the price was almost exactly the same! Better to stick with the genuine kawi stuff!!

My thinkin' is....if you open up the air box, put on a pipe and jet the carb you should easily get 6-8 horse. If you also do the 300 kit thats gotta be 10+ horse! That would put this bike somewhere in the early to mid thirties, now this bike is going to ROCK!!!!

[tipstall]

MaverickAus,

Do you know how many bikes you sold with your pictures? Count me in as a soon to be owner.

[happyboyc]

Hey Mav...
Coffs looks like a great place to live, fantastic pics. Bet there are some great beaches in your area. Seen some nice pics from Byron Bay, also home of my favorite bikini maker (wicked weasel). OOHH....sorry, almost forgot this is a bike forum!!! Anyway, Good on ya, Cheers mate etc.

[Nobiman]

Originally Posted by happyboyc

HI again everyone........Hope I can clear a few things up for some of you!

The snorkel (part# 14073-1577) that has been talked about on here is from the following bikes: 92-99 KDX200, 92-05 KDX220, 94-96 KLX250 and 93-96 KLX650 Currently on back order here in canada, cost about $34.00 canadian!

Pipes: I spoke with MUZZY in Oregon and my contact there confirmed that a KLX 300 full system will fit the '06 KLX 250. SOOOO.....one would assume that any aftermarket full system (muzzy, big gun etc.) will fit the KLX 250. With the larger head pipe and free flowing can it is going to make a big difference. I can't even get my little finger in the outlet of the stock pipe for the north american market (canada, us).

Rad Gaurds: I checked on the Kawasaki site and the part numbers for the KLX 300, 400 and 250 are all different. If you look at the pictures they also look a little different. Will the rad gaurds from these other models fit...Maybe? Might require a little modification!

Skid Plate: The skid plate from a 04-05 KLX 300 will definately fit the 250. I tested a Moose plate for a KLX 300 and it fits perfectly.

Big Bore: I have also confirmed that the part numbers listed to make this little 250 into a 300 from Kawasaki are good and it will work. I checked a couple of other companies for cost on these parts as apposed to kawi but here in canada the price was almost exactly the same! Better to stick with the genuine kawi stuff!!

My thinkin' is....if you open up the air box, put on a pipe and jet the carb you should easily get 6-8 horse. If you also do the 300 kit thats gotta be 10+ horse! That would put this bike somewhere in the early to mid thirties, now this bike is going to ROCK!!!!

Now thats what I'm talking about!!! More solid info from one of the gang, thanks Hap!

Honey! Where's the check book, we're ordering parts for the KLX ASAP!

Randy.

[MaverickAus]

Originally Posted by happyboyc

HI again everyone........Hope I can clear a few things up for some of you!

Rad Gaurds: I checked on the Kawasaki site and the part numbers for the KLX 300, 400 and 250 are all different. If you look at the pictures they also look a little different. Will the rad gaurds from these other models fit...Maybe? Might require a little modification!

interesting, I'm not going to argue however I just checked the parts catalog again @ www.kawasaki.com and they look the same to me, the parts numbers that is KLX400 & KLX250 both quote right rad P/N 39061A and left rad P/N 39061. Is that the P/N you got happyboyc ?

Originally Posted by tipstall

MaverickAus,

Do you know how many bikes you sold with your pictures? Count me in as a soon to be owner.

Wooo hooo maybe I should ask Mr. Kawasaki for a percentage

Originally Posted by happyboyc

Hey Mav...
Coffs looks like a great place to live, fantastic pics. Bet there are some great beaches in your area. Seen some nice pics from Byron Bay, also home of my favorite bikini maker (wicked weasel). OOHH....sorry, almost forgot this is a bike forum!!! Anyway, Good on ya, Cheers mate etc.

Believe me Coffs is a great place to live, great beaches, warm most of the year, scantily clad women and great trails to ride 5 mins from town, Byron ain’t bad either

[Moat]

Hi, folks - I just have a thought or two re; the muffler - I wonder if drilling the baffle plate might be rendering the spark arrestor inoperative? I'd (legally) need a spark arrestor here in Michigan, so that's a concern.

So, I also wonder if the Aussie muffler has a spark arrestor, and if so - might it make a worthy, (slightly) lower back-pressure alternative to aftermarket offerings? Stealthy, quiet OEM-looking/fitting alternative.

Just wondering out loud!