Would like anyone who knows about the KLX 250 to comment on how they perform.

Would also like to know how they compare to other DS models.

Thanks

I assume you're talking about the 2006 or later KLX250, which is similar to the off-road KLX300. I've never owned or ridden one, but from what I've read and heard, they are ok trail bikes, probably better than an XR250 or DRZ250, or TT250. But, they are not in the same league with the current round of high-performance thumpers such as the CRF250, YZF250, KX250F, RM250Z, or the KTM. Of course, none of these come as a dual-sport. I think the KLX would be a good choice for a beginner, or someone who is small and/or lightweight. That's my 2 cents. These bikes seem to be pretty rare in these parts.

As always, it really depends on what type of riding you want to do. If you plan to spend anytime on the highway, you probably want something bigger. Or riding long distances on dirt roads, or riding at high altitude, more displacement = more fun.

Thanks for the reply.

I do agree low displacement DS bikes have many disadvantages, particularly against the big displacements bikes, like highway travelling. However, the big displacement DS bikes all appear to be over 300 lbs in weight. Highway use good, tight trails not so good? Do non-beginners looking at DS bikes need displacement and then live with their weight?

Any comments others may have about how the 2006 KLX performs, good or bad, would be appreciated.

Ace, my question is what do you plan on doing with the bike?
If you plan on making it street legal to ride from trail to trail then I think the KLX is fine. To me anything other than woods riding you would regret it.
If you listen to Rocketman keep in mind that if he rode his 650 in the woods he would leave a large Matchstix house behind, complete with flushing toilet. He can make his bike dance a polka if the music is right.
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Me, I have dual sported an 03 WR450 and I love it except when it come to highways and 60+ mph. The bike can handle it but the gearing is not set up for that. If I stay around 60 mph I am fine but over that it sounds like the bike is going to blow. I could change the sprockets but then I would loose some low end. My bike weighs 260 with gas and it does great in the woods.

Thanks again for the reply. All input about the KLX is appreciated, both positive and negative. I'm just trying to learn more about the model. I have an 04 CR250R for blitzing trails and tracks.

Thanks for letting me know Rocketman can put the power down, even on the heavier models. I guess after he kept flying by other riders you gave him a proper nickname.

I notice from the signature info, Rocketman and you have big bore race-able models and converted them to DS. Is this because you wanted certain specs for your DS bikes that the street ready models didn't have? Power and handling? I noticed at a cycle shop the XR650L feels top heavy when leaned just a little but the XR650R did not feel that way at all. If you could explain a few items on why you have made your selections it would be appreciated. I'm learning. My last 4 stroker was an 85 TE510.

I have a KLX 400 Factory DS (re-geared for +low-end)and I can keep up with my buddy in very tight, quick riding on his land where we have a bit of a track through trees. He is on a CR 85! Of course that is a quick bike and he is about 41 yrs old and maybe 5 feet 1 inches in size so the 85 is about right for him. He has a Harley BS and other bikes as well.
Also I have over 30 yrs experience riding and he is of similar tenure.

Ace.....In the 60's all I wanted was a Hodaka, but never got one......Over the years I've finally got past not getting what I consider the best bike available for the type of riding I want to do.....All thanks to my "Super Sport Wife" who indulges me in my riding addiction.....

In 2000 I happened to mention to her that all the test reports said Honda's XR650R was the best desert bike made to date....I'd raced the Baja 1000 on an XR600 and had a long lived love of Honda products.

Well one day she borrowed my truck to pick up some furniture and came home with the 2000 XR650R.....She'd gone to the dealer and told them she wanted one of those "Big new super Dirt Bikes her husband was talking about" and they understood....

As I've been heard to say many times....."If you want to Dual Sport ride, and always be able to go anywhere, anytime with anyone, the XR650R cannot be beaten.......If you are a novice you can put-put around......If you are a pro racer you'll be right at home...If you are really short you need to modify the bike to suit your height and then put-put or race around.

Having said all that.....All my riding friends do not ride XR650Rs and they all go the same places I do and they all have as much fun as I do.....The riding part is the great equalizer...I guees Nike said it best " Just do it"

Steve

just to make it clear, the KLX400 and KLX300 have nothing in common except for 4 strokes and green plastic. The KLX was originally a Suzuki DRZ.

I haven't ridden a modern XR650R, the last one I threw a leg over was probably a mid-90's version XR600R. Nice bike, but I hated to kick it. I have ridden the XR650L, and I thought it was a major pig. Different strokes... I find the DRZ400 (dirt version, not the factory D/S version) to be a good compromise unless I'm trying to keep up with people like Steve on XR650's in open terrain.

I don't know when I'll be able to make another ride, but I'm thinking about it. Too much work and too much kids' activities...

Thanks for the many replies. As mentioned before, I'm still learning.

Rocketman, ... since you and your friends ride XR650R's ... on the street ... you have experience in what to do to make this model street legal. Can you highlight the items needed? Do you run wires for the horn and brake light direct from the battery, etc.? Are all items from the XR650L model? And I know this deviates further from the KLX thread ... is their a notable difference in power output between the 650R and 650L?