Hi guys,
Even before asking this I know i have told others that modifying the crap out of something to make it better will always cost more than just buying the better bike (and in most cases the better bike will still be better...)

But here is the situation:

I have an 06 KLX250, uncorked with trail gearing(13/45) and the usual bush mods (b'busters/bashplate etc).. and riding trails its just fine, suspension has been adjusted to suit me and the only thing i need is more power as I am around 95kg butt naked, so she struggles up hills in higher gears.

SO..dilemma.

option one: 350cc kit with pumper carb that gives it about 30hp at the back wheel and way better response...$1500(australian) plus fitting (might do that myself otherwise add $500)

option two: Sell up, should get about 4k(great condition new tyres/sprockets and 11 months rego), then add the $1500 from the intended upgrade and buy something worth about 5-6k (klx450/wr450/250/ktm*? needs to be rego in aust)


Thing is so far the ONLY thing about the klx that I gripe about is the power, and i have sunk a fair bit of money into it...but I know a wr/crf/ktm would be a better all round bike plus the power i am looking for.

Keep in mind I dont intend on thrashing it round a track and launching anything more than 10 foot in the air, I prefer trails and hills etc.

 

If you can sell your KLX and buy a KTM or something in the 450 size (no replacement for displacement, no matter how many mods you do) and keep it around 1500-2000, you're well worth it. I sold my KLX and got my 08 EXC-R for dirt cheap and paid virtually nothing for it aside from a couple accessories.

KLX is a dandy bike, but if you're looking for bigger power, you better trade up in displacement otherwise you'll never be happy. Believe me.

 

Sell up! Go for a DRZ400.

 

Not sure about the cost ratio in Australia to U.S.A. but 4000 for a KLX here would be way optimistic... especially on an 06, no matter what accessories are on it. Here you can buy a brand new one for under 4000, much less a 4yr old one. Otherwise, I guess it depends on how much more power you're looking for and what your other purposes for the bike are.

Is this ONLY a trails bike, or do you do some street riding/commuting on it? If you do any street riding, I'd probably stick with the KLX and enjoy the benefits of it being street friendlier, do the mods and enjoy the compromise that it is as a dual sport. If you ONLY ride off road, and money isn't a huge issue, going to a more purpose built dirt bike makes sense in a few ways.

On the practical side of buying new (used) bikes, I can see the benefits of the trade into a better bike platform, but for the riding it sounds like you want to do a few more CC's and a pumper might get you what you need and then you're keeping your used bike instead of buying someone else's and getting a fresh motor in the process. From what I've read on this forum, guys with the 351 have no problem riding and keeping up with other guys on WR's and the like.

If I were you, I'd actually look for someone on here that has the 351 kit who's willing to let you take a spin on it and give you a feel of what you could be in for, then way the street issue, and buying used issue and make whatever choice. At the end of the day, youre looking for 2 wheels not 4, and that should be plenty of fun.

 

It really depends on where you want to be with the bike. If you want to take your riding to the next level, get a different bike. I had about every mod done to my klx, and if I were to do it over again, I would not have put a dime into it. I would have rode it for a year and then sold it and got something different.

 

Yeah, we all love our KLXs but you should trade up to a different bike. You can never make it faster than a 351 so there's no need to keep it.

 

4k is probably around the correct price range here in Australia..... although no one has any money at the moment so you'll be lucky to get a buyer.

I don't know where you did the maths but Bill quoted me about 700 US dollars (about 800 or so Au dollars) for the 351cc kit + you return your old cylinder and get about $150 back. I think it worked out to cost around 600 au dollars for a 351cc once you returned the cylinder. you then get a TM36-68 on flea bay for around $200 and install it your self. Total cost would be less than a grand.

Or you could go by a KLX450 or similar (these are 100% DOT approved in AU) but your looking at probably 7 grand second hand or at least 11 grand new.

Personally I cant afford to upgrade the whole bike and at the moment with all the free mods, I have plenty of power....... but then I'm pretty new to the bike world...... In the future a 351cc + pumper will more than likely be added.

 

With bill's carb and postage it worked out to just over $1300 Aust...still a good price, but will prolly be looking at a wr450 i guess.

 

Thats weird.... ill have to pull out the quote cause im sure it was cheaper than that although i didnt ask for a quote on the carb.