after selling off my klx, i entered drz400s land...I was highly entertained by the power, but the honeymoon didnt last forever...after 2 drz's i realized...there are some things i really do NOT like about this bike...too tall, too heavy,too top heavy,ergonomically feels off/outdated thus poor handling.. basically the power is all i liked. I thought to my self that the bike for me is a klx250s with stock drz400 power.This is where I need you all to chime in. I loved the size/height of my klx I had..is a klx351 or 331 the answer to my needs? plz discuss

 

350 klx is available in boise right now. IMO, short of a full on dirt bike the klx is hard to beat.
If i was buying new right now, I may consider the bergs, beta, orange or similar, but I am not.

 

those are way too much $$$ for me..09 klx for sale locally asking $2800...im curious as to the 331 or 351 BB kit slip on,dj kit,snorkel removed being close to oem drz400 performance.

 

351 + exhaust + DJ kit ~ 26hp ...... $534 + $525( Full FMF) + $65 = $1,124.00
351+ exhaust + TM-36 ~ 28hp ...... 1124 + 330 = 1454 ( keeping the CV..)
Add Clutch Upgrade........................... $120.00 (Barnett) = $1,574.00


Add webcams ~ 30hp ...... $1574 + 438 = $ 2,012



Add porting - 32+ hp ...... $500 and up

So take a stock KLX 250 motor, Add $2500.00 and you have same HP as stock DRZ400 (33 to 35 for both)
Turns your new 2015 KLX250 ($5000.00) into a $7500.00 bike.. Get a new 2014 KTM 350 EXC - with over 45hp - on sale for less than 2k more.

 

351 vs 331? thought it was rumored the 331 was slighty more hp

 

I've ridden both bikes and I prefer my well set up 351 KLX to the Drz, sure in a drag race it was faster. But I don't drag race much, the BB kit adds a ton of torque to the stock bike and it is less tall and better handling than the Drz I rode. I got quite a bit of time on it as I wintered it in my garage and was able to ride it anytime I wanted. Also I have around $1000 in my engine mods.

 

I find the thought that the DRz felt dated a shade humorous since the KLX is actually based on an older design - the KLX300 - which predates the DRz400. But I do understand what you are saying, Bigger, heavier makes a bike feel clumsy. The DRz has very good suspension and always got good reviews by the media But thta doesn't make it right for everyone.

I went to the KLX because they feel light as a feather compared to the 650 and will feel lighter than the DRz too.

Back to your topic, I think TNC is running the 331 kit with a pumper. When I do something with mine - I suspect I will, just because more power no added weight is hard to beat and my 650 is a big bore already so I know what to expect - I will go 351. Just makes sense to me, but that's me. It runs a wet liner due to the bore size, I think the 250 has some aluminum between the liner and the water jackets, not sure about the 331.

You could go to the source for these things - call Bill Blue and see what the differences are, since he makes them. That's what I'd do.

 

not buying new..$2500 klx plus $500 BB kit..about drz power,better handling,lower height...no orange bikes for me

 

its weird..the DRZ almost weight wise feels like the bike is upside down. if theres no real difference between 331 and 351 kits other than price, guess 331 for reliability..even though i do not live in a hot climate so the 351 wet sleeve would probably be fine.

 

I run a 351 in AZ, don't get much hotter than here.
TNC & I never actually had a head to head, I would say they are very close on performance.