Since there's no 16 250cc DS model is Kawi going to abandon the bike completely? Overseas seems to still offer the bike so parts should not be a problem. Is a complete redesign in the works?

 

I think they did the same thing in 2011. Then imported them again in 2012. I think they just flood the marked and stop for a year to catch up on sales.

 

In the US, there was no 2011 model, but in Canada there was (I have one). There was no 2015 in Canada, but I understand there was in the US.

So, supply and demand. If a market is oversupplied, or has low demand, then they won't release the model that year. Enough years go by without the demand and the quit selling to that market. Hopefully, it's just one year.

 

There was no 2008 either.

 

At the Cleveland show a Kaw rep I've known for about 25 years told me the bike didn't meet EPA standards and at that point the EFI version didn't yet either. He had no idea what was in the works from what I could tell, no hemming or hawing, just a shake of the head and the comments.

At this point only Kaw knows. We can speculate all over the place, like Honda's success with the CRF at the bargain price makes that market look good, which would entail some cost cutting measures. The other would be to go toward the higher performance market. Since it has to be reworked to meet EPA with EFI or the like, it would be pretty cool if they did a parts bin special making a KLX300, since the general stuff already exists and is successful.

But... who knows? Only Kawasaki knows.

 

A properly "uncorked" KLX300R is a really fantastic bike - I love my 07..
If it had our electric start, turn signals, and buddy pegs, with or without EFI, it would kill the competition..

 

So here's some theory for you guys - feel free to call me out and disagree.

1) The Honda Africa Twin is getting an absurd amount of hype this year. There's also a heavy increase in woods bikes offerings the likes of which we see Yamaha pushing out YZx's to compete with the euro offerings.

2) I can't speak for anywhere else but more and more provinces (like states) in Canada are requiring people to pay to register and plate their offroad-only vehicles (ATV's Snowmobiles, Dirt bikes). Why is this relevant? There's been a pretty big uptick in casual / non moto-cross riders buying dual-sports (mostly KTM and Wr's due to performance). More and more people are saying "If I have to register and plate my dirtbike, I may as well be able to ride it on the street..."

What's this all mean? Well I'm probably extremely optimistic and potentially wearing rose colored glasses. I'm gonna say it though. Kawasaki is clearing inventory for a brand new sub 400cc dual sport bike with EFI, updated suspension and a nice fat slice of the growing dual sport market.

/crazy

 

Possibly come back with some changes after a year or so.

 

In Texas, you can get your motorcycle license at 15 but are limited to 250cc and under un til 16. At 16 that restriction can be removed.. Point is, a 250 could have a larger market if it performs well enough to satisfy the needs of older/more experienced riders as well as the 15 year olds... Of course the price point would have to be acceptable - For instance, the $7000 WR250R is a totally unacceptable price to me...

 

What is an acceptable price point? 7,000 isn't that bad for a brand new bike. Besides my local dealers on the WR250R were close to the 5,900-6,100 mark.