hows the failure rate? ive only seen lauriejennifer on youtube with issues and the 351.

 

Welcome back!

 

It's where the weight is. You want to feel upside down you should ride a KLX650! That's what made the KLX250 feel like a mountain bike to me.

I should say I really don't know that there is any difference in cooling. I'd think the wet liner would be best since it is in direct contact, where there is a joint, in spite of being an interference fit, in the dry liner. But probably minimal at best.

 

This is likely about like sales. One content buyer will tell one or two others, but a dissatisfied buyer will tell a hundred. You will hear loud and clear about failures, not so much with the successful ones. And in this case you never know what the actual assembly process may carry in the work.

As I've said, a big bore is really no different from a stock bore when it comes to what is there - a bored cylinder, piston and rings. The one variable that could affect some would be if the piston is higher compression. I am not sure yet, but I will likely do a big bore maybe this fall. I have total faith in the parts.

 

I recently fixed up and sold a klx400, and I've been daily riding my '14 klx250s since July. I found the 400 suspension superior to the 250s. Power goes to the 400, plus BB and cam kits are plentiful and cheap vs. 250s. Making 40+ hp is relatively cheap on the 400. Way better low end and top end torque. Ergos are better on the 400 IMHO, but I'm 6'2 so the 250 does seem a tad small for me. The 400 has a larger aftermarket. The only thing better on the 250, imho, was flick ability, weight distribution. The 400 seemed a lot heavier to pick up and while going really slow. The klx250s is a great entry level dual sport, but if I buy another jap DS it will be the drz400 or wr250r. But I have my heart set on a ktm 350 exc, so ymmv. Cheers

 

the drz is just too big and heavy..the wr250r needs to be revved to the moon to create power..if a klx 351 with pipe and desmogged is near stock drz400 power..i will be happy...suspension on both is poor for tough off road but spring are cheap

 

The DRZ400 still has only a 5 speed tranny. A point for the KLX.

 

That's one thing rhe 400 lacked, but the klx needs to be geared right down to be usable in nasty off-road so it off sets, I'm at 13/45 on my klx currently and wish I had a 7th above 80kph, but she power wheelies in 3rd with a bit of a kicker.

 

i would think a manufacturer could really make a coup by making their small bore with a seven speed. Heck, Jeep has a 9 speed auto. It would be the ideal small bore dual sport transmission allowing enough gear for everything.

I actually rode a Hercules GS250 enduro with a 7 speed - shifting and shifting and shifting going faster and faster and faster. Of course it was a 250 two stroke, but still, it would be great!

 

The klx351 is about 7 hp short of a stock 400. You can also make 40+ hp for about the same price as a 351 bb kit.