HI
I am new here and I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.

I have a '94 Honda XR250L. Not a bad bike, and truthfully I'm not sure why I'm looking for a change.
It is a bit of a dog, but really dependable and fun to ride.

I have had Kawies in the past, my KDX200 being my favorite bike ever.

I started looking at the new KLX250s and it seems like a wonderful bike, but I'm really interested in something a bit tamer. I want to ride mostly on the road, but I want to be able to head into the mountains as well.

Is the KLR a nice bike? Any thoughts?
I'm 6'2" 190. I'm 50, and my aggressive riding days are behind me.

 

The KLX250s is tame... I have a KLX250R w a ith a light kit and I'm upgrading to a KLR650c now that my 6'2" 310lbs is used to the 250. If you are 190 the 250 should be just nice for you

 

What do you like about the KLR vs. the KLX? or visa versa

 

The KLX250s is a much more modern design than the KLR250 and in particular it has a better suspension and frame.... I think the engine is better though by no means is it over powered

If you are compairing the KLX250s to the KLR650 then that is a different matter to some extent but I still like the KLX better execpt for these two things, the KLR is bigger/more powerful and carries a wack more fuel. Those two items make the KLX650 a much better hwy bike which is why if getting one. My KLX is no fun on the hwy, around town is great by hwy no so much.

 

DUDE!!! Headdammage, the KLX 250S is the bike you want. You will not be disappointed. Yes you have to do some of the mods to see its potential, but its worth it in the end. Here's a link to a few pics of mine, notice the tail light mod, the new pipe and I also had it jetted. Changed the gears from the stock 14-42 to the 13-45. Got rid of the stock turn signals, and added front fender extensions. Get over here and read what the 80-100 of us have discovered. The bike absolutely rocks now, and I weigh in a 230 lbs and am 6-1 so it should really be nice for you.

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_52587/tm.htm

 

Don't know if this thread is still alive or not, but for what its worth:

I used to have a '96 KLR250 ... up until last month. Now I have a KLX250S and don't regret the change at all.

In stock form, the KLX250 looks vicious, but is almost as tame as the KLR250. The difference (as deej pointed out) is the KLX has the potential to be vicious with a few simple and inexpensive mods, AND it has the ability to cope with that unleashed power (e.g.: better handling, better suspension, lighter feel, etc.).

I was first drawn to the KLR250 because I was at the right place at the right time and got a good deal on it. I did a little bit of research and found that the bike was rock solid and reliable, and because of that was chosen by the US military (Marines I think?) as their "2 wheeled utility vehicle". So I was sold.

Engine was reliable, handling was Ok ... nothing to complain about. Except that there wasn't a whole lot of power, so the mediocre handling didn't matter that much (If you can't push it hard, you can't ride it hard.) Getting the front wheel off the ground was next to impossible (not for showing off or stunt riding, but even in "legitimate" trail situations). And not that I'm a "big air" fanatic (although secretly I wish I was), every time I got in a situation where both wheels were off the ground, the landing always sounded like a car wreck!!!

Don't get me wrong - the KLR250 is a good bike and it can do more than just putt along the fire roads (not much more, though), so there's lots of fun to be had. One big plus for the KLR over the KLX, though, is the fuel capacity ... the KLX gas tank is seriously too small for venturing too far from civilization.

My suggestion is that if you're looking for a reliable dual-sport in the "tame" category, get the KLX250. The only exceptions would be 1) you can get a GREAT deal on the KLR250, or 2) you NEED the extra fuel capacity and can't be bothered installing an after-market tank on the KLX250.

So that's comparing the KLX and the KLR.

I can't talk about the KLR650 since I've never ridden one, but my impression is they're not comparable because they're in 2 different categories. So rather than comparing the bikes to each other, you should look at comparing the 2 different categories and decide which one suits you best. Are you looking for a nimble bike that you can use around the woods as easily as you can use it around town, or are looking for something more comfortable for a longer distance cruise that might include a fire road or two?

Anyway, best wishes in whatever direction you take!

Mike

 

Go the KLX, you won't be sorry

 

Thanks Mike... You said what I have already found out.

Thanks to this fourm, I have decided on the KLX hands down. The KLR would be a little too tame, and the seat height is too low.

The KLX sounds awesome! I should be less than a month out now.

I just read that the KLR may be coming back in '07.