Hope I don't start any arguments here ! I have an 06 and love it. I actually like some of the older features that got changed in 09. The only thing I don't like is the instability at highway speeds. A buddy of mine is looking at getting either an 07 or an 09. I'd like to hear any opinions good or bad from someone who has had or ridden both as far as handling goes.

I'm mainly interested in how much more stable the 2009's are at highway speeds. I know that most of the other changes are just cosmetic.

Thanks.

 

Where's IG when you need him?

 

LOL I was thinking the same thing!

 

He didn't put enough miles on either of them to know the difference

 

Instability? Hmmmm maybe I don't have that problem because of my weight. 230 lbs keeps the bike in a perfect line. Anyone else having trouble on the highway?

 

Stability and KLX250?
Not a quality that leaps right out at ya.
My 06 is like me, unstable at all speeds.

 

I agree the bike is pretty twitchy at speeds above 55 mph. It wants to weave a little. I changed front tire, it still does it. But I took off the front fender and it calmed down. Not totally, but it did help, noticeably. So, some is the flexibility of that stock fender. I've replaced mine with a UFO Universal. It helped.
This bike responds real well to the addition of a steering damper.The WERunit worked good on my bike, but we haven't figured out a way to use it with the stock headlite. If you chnage to the UFO Mini headlite, you can use the WER. I need a Scotts, and I need the $$ to pay for it.

 

you need more rear sag.maybe preload the front spring.maybe both.my 2007 331 is stright as a arrow at 80+ gps .

 

I have no stability problems

 

I can't tell you about the 06/07 models. I can tell you that my 09 is stable at speed. When I had the stock gearing and tires I'd blast down hwy 33 west WFO at an indicated 84 mph and no problems with twitchyness or headshake. I think one of the reasons Kawasaki reduced the suspension travel on the 09's was to improve stability on the slab.