My money is on the KLX250.

 

OK, my knowledge of the CRF230 is lacking. I was rolling it together with the CRF250 which is a totally different animal.

After digging around on the net, I found this dyno chart. The blue line is the stock CRF230 curve; the red line is after installation of a 250cc large bore kit.

Looks like it produces about 17hp in stock form which is pretty much the same as the KLX250. He's got an aftermarket pipe, so do you. He weighs less (238 vs 262lbs), so I think he will still out-accelerate you.I think you will still take him on top end though because I thinkhis bike is built for low-end grunt in stock form, where ours has a better mid-to-upper range hit.

So whatchu waitin for, Willis? Get out there and challenge him to a race!

And to those who say the KLX250 is slow if it can't beat the CRF, don't be surprised. The KLX isn't exactly a powerhouse.

 

My friend has a 2003 or 2004 CRF230, pure stock. Stock to stock my KLX out accelerates his 230 on the street, in the mud and in the hard pack. The KLX has more ground clearance and overall better suspension. We switched bikes, sure enough, the CRF feels like my lawn tractor, very industrial feeling. It is a nice bike, but the KLX is much better.

 

I have a 06' KLX 250 that is dead stock save for a 13t counter sproket, and a buddy with a dead stock CRF 230 (at the time). There is a dirt drag strip at Durhamtown plantation where we ride, and we have drag raced from a dead stop a few times to about 50-60mph. The bikes are nearly equal, but I would pull him at the top end of the strip (3rd gear or so) and won each race by less than a bike lenght.

He just added the power-up jet kit and removed a baffle in his exhaust and I have the HMF pipe and dyno-jet kit being installed in the next week or so. I will let you guys know how the drag race goes once both bikes are opened up a bit.

Geoff

 

Hey welcome racer!

 

A year ago last December when I got my KLX my son had a CRF 230 and naturally we had to see who was king! My KLX was stock at the time and his had a FMF pipe on it. I outweigh my son by about 80 pounds. Off the line we were dead even and after third gear I could pull away from him. After a few mods on the KLX there was no comparison. The KLX is much more bike!

 

Thanks EMS. Been lurking a while, but I haven't had much to say here. I am just getting back into bikes after a 10 year diversion withtracking sportscars (roadcourse stuff).

After about 2 months riding dead stock, I am ready to wake up the KLX! My buddies have an xt225 and the CRF 230 and we are all pretty even on skill level. I was expecting the KLX to have the edge on woods riding and single track, but that hasn't been the case so far. Hopefully the HMF/Jetting plus some trackmaster II's will help but in the end I am more focused on honing my skills rather than worrying about modifying the crap out of it.

 

i think the best race for the rider on the klx is a second gear rollng start because the bike seems to get going alot.........alot quicker epecially around 5,000 rpm where the 230 is built for low end torque and the 250 will win the race on top speed so its that much closer to top speed at a second gear rolling start. the only problem is keeping the bikes even and knowing where to take off at if they're rolling. i'll race him from a stop to make it easier but i gotta wait on him to get back from michigan and for my pipe to get here. hopefuly next week.

 

well he gets back today so maybe i'll race him!

 

Guys,

The CRF 230 is an ole XR 200 motor from the mid 80's bored 30cc[&o]. Its a farm implement for chrisakes. The KLX is a more modern overhead cam, 4 valve, watercooled motor. Sadly however its also slow as molasses and the advantages of the KLX don't come into play until the upper end or the CRF runs hot. The KLX is also stock isn't it? breathing through a straw with lean jetting. The CRF though is better set-up (carb jetting, gearing, etc.)out of the box than the KLX.

I'm betting it should be close for these two.