Not to get into a need it don't need it war as I am doing it anyways but curious if anyone has installed a cush into a non cush bike before. Can you feel a smoother anything on the street or just get the benefit of longer sprocket/chain/trans life?

Winter,snow and I'm bored....

 

A bike with a cush drive feels a little less snappy, if that makes sense. I've ridden two of the same bike, one with and one without...the one w/o seemed to respond immediately to throttle input, whereas the other didn't. In reality, one might not notice unless very familiar with the bike.
Extended chain and sprocket life are what I'd be interested in.
What hub are you going to use?

 

Thanks that's what I thinking it would be like. After surfing around looks like I will be going with Rad manufacturing.

 

I don't really think there is enough additional chain life - if any additional - to make it worth putting a cush hub on a 250. Honda doesn't put a cush hub on the XR650L. The steel isn't going to stretch and the wear due to friction will likely be minimal with an O-ring since it is the pin that wears. Besides if one lets the chain get that dirty there will be more wear from friction and dirt than will be compensated for by a cush hub.

But that's just my opinion, no proof. My 650 gets about 15,000 on a chain before it starts to kink up and the sprockets show hooking, due to pin wear. No idea with the 250 haven't had it that long.

 

The only bikes I see trash chains and sprockets quickly is the new motorcross bikes. My buddy's rmz250 will eat them up.

 

The only benefits for a KLX 250 would be lighter weight, from the money missing from your wallet.

 

Funny how a 650 doesn't have a cush yet my wife's KE100 does. Strange.

 

I think it's because that hub on the KE was originally on some of their early small street bikes. So in using the parts bin method they just keep using it.

I think if you plan to really pound the bike on the street, ala supermoto, it might have some benefit in the really long run for shock and all.

 

That was my thinking. Not supermoto but I am on the street alot and will BB at some point.

Well that and hooligans get older..but don't really grow up.