Hi,
First post here for me... I'm not a KLX owner yet but lately, this bike really get my attention. Before buying, I would like to know your opinion about the 2006 version of the KLX250s compared to the 2009 ones. I know the specs but that's only on paper. Does the newer version really worth it?

Here's the type of riding i'm looking for: wood trails and going to work with it (50/50) but also I want to try a to race in a local amateur enduro-cross race. I only plan to at least finish the race ahahah.

I don't want to get into modification too much but I'll probably put a bigger plastic fuel tank, light handle bar and wider foot pegs.

I'm a tall and skinny guy: 6'1" and 155lbs of thin but effective muscles . I have ridden 125cc Motocross few years ago with friends and my last motorcycle was a Suzuki V-Strom; good for traveling and gravel road but now with the baby I don't expect long weekend out of the house, my wife would not understand

Thanks!

 

The 09 has a stiffer swingarm and thicker spokes and a closer 6th gear,and no TPS, and IMO looks better, but it also has less suspension travel. The suspension can be relatively easily restored to the same travel as the 06-07 model if you want to, but the only real draw back about the 09's is no one makes a larger gas tank for them. Bake (a member of this forum) makes an aluminium reserve tank that will fit the 09's though.

 

I had to vote 06....I mean come on....LOL

 

Oh sorry Bill, I didn't realize it was your first post. So welcome, although you will get more welcomes to the forum in the new members area. Good luck on the decision.

 

Bigger tank? Just get a backpack and carry some MSR bottles. Works for me.

 

One of these days I will learn to put all my thoughts into one post, and not spread all around. For reals, this is how my thought process is all day long. HELP!!!!

 

You know you can edit your last posts

 

bill, with your height and your mention of casual competition, I'd recommend the '06-'07 model because of the increased suspension travel, and the fact that it would probably be a used bike and therefore not as prone to the crash anxiety of a newer bike.

I went with a nice used '06 model. I was able to buy the bike, up the engine displacement, do full Race Tech damping mods, add new springs to fit my needs on the front and rear, have full exhaust mod, airbox mod, and jetting mods, do a Nuetech tubeless conversion, and several other important mods, and still have noticeably less money involved if I had purchased a new '09 or later model. These bikes are absolutely awesome with some performance and suspension tweaks, but adding that to the price of a new bike was something I didn't want to do. Of course, you might find a nice, clean '09 or later model to do the same thing with, but I think you will appreciate the increased travel of the earlier model and wider availability of aftermarket fuel tanks. All of them are darned good bikes, so it's not a horrible choice which ever way you go.

 

Oh I know, but my laziness supersedes my OCD issues.

 

Obviously an 07 is best cuz I have one!... j/k
But I think if you're on a budget, the stated points about being able to buy (and modify if you wish) an 07 and start with the right suspension (which saves monies for power mods) is a pretty good assessment of how "I" would feel about it and even if I didn't want to mod, buying cheaper is just more money and the older ones are great bikes. I do really like the street aggressive looks of the 09' but I also prefer the simplicity of the 07 and actually like real gauges more than digital. You can find low mileage ones that are well cared for pretty easily it seems, in fact I think Deej is looking to sell his and I've heard it's never been dirty! j/k ... he's not looking to sell, but the dirty part might be true