i'm not a gear head, but i've done some engine work before (boat motors, lawn mowers etc..), my riding buddy has been doing this stuff for 20 years or so, he's got some tricks up his sleeve.

i sat on the gremlin at the dealership and i could touch, but, it wasn't flat footed by any means.

 

When I first read your username, I missed the "L". Thought it was Crapfinger.

I would suggest that when you get your new scoot, that you do only the following at first:
1. Set sag
2. Set idle mixture screw to about 1 1/2 turns.
3. Ride.

After you get to know the bike, you will be better qualified to know what (if anything) you will want to change.

Ron

 

Since you are new to all this I would suggest the Yamaha XT for your first bike. Both of these bikes are total entry level type bikes for newbs. The KLX will be hard for you to start until you figure it out. It is tall and while ok for some If you are new to bikes being able to touch both feet down will pay off. In stock form these bikes compare well it's only once the mods start that the klx really stands out from the other.

 

I also have a 30" inseam but weigh about 155. This bike is not too tall. Standing there like a chump with both feet flat on the ground isn't riding, it's standing there like a chump and you don't need a bike to do that. With electric start the height of the KLX is even easier to deal with.

If you are at a dealer you are probably looking at new bikes. Most of the diehards on this site are still riding the old 2006-2007 bikes which are different in a few ways. The 2009 and ups have a little less suspension travel, a more plugged up exhaust with a freaking catalytic converter and maybe even worse jetting making them harder to start.

I live in wet western washington and this bike is hard to start all year in our moderate climate. I believe that all KLXs are hard to start (cold blooded) and some owners are more tolerant of this. Getting it to start is hard enough, but you need to let the dang thing warm up for an eternity before you can shut off the choke and ride away. While warming up, for an eternity, the engine RPMs will be at about 4000. So imagine yourself sitting on a bike outside of your workplace on a wound out dirtbike, for an eternity, waiting for it to warm up enough to come off choke so you can get on the road. Carb mods are required to eliminate this. The mods are easy and Kawi screwed up by releasing the bike the way they did.

Once upon a time the engine size of the bike meant a lot more. Before the KLX I rode the snot out of big open class 4stroke dirt bikes. 500cc and 400cc bikes. My crashes while riding the big bikes and while riding the KLX are not due to power level but are due to balance and mistakes. Modern 250cc bikes can be wicked fast. My point is that the KLX is not a beginners bike, like a TW200. It is a full sized dirt bike, tall and capable of good speeds. You won't be limited with the KLX as you would be with a little mini like the TW or CRF. The KLX is a step below the race bikes for sure but not that far.

Can't wait for spring. We had a freak snowfall this morning, in April!.

 

Just be mindful that if you can't touch the ground very well, just watch the low side of trails, that will tip you off the bike in a split second.

 

"i'm 5'8" (ish) 220lbs, am i going to have suspension issues or power complaints"

Hard to tell since suspension and power are somewhat subjective.

I'm 5'8" 250lbs. I have a mostly stock 2009 KLX250s and can tell you I think the bike makes good power for what it is (a 250). Its great offroad. On the road, I have hit 80mps (speedo) with my fat a$$ on it.

As for suspension, I'm not a good enuff rider to overwhelm the suspension (yet )

Also, for a reference point, my other bike is a Suzuki DR650. The 650 definitely has gobs more power. However, the weight of the 650 is a bit of a burden on rocky, techical trails and singletrack.

To sum it up, the 250 can go everywhere the 650 can go. On the road, the 250 will be a bit slower than the 650 and requires more thought on gear selection when approaching steep hills. Offroad, the 250 can get away from the 650 in most/all cases. You will feel very confident with the KLX offroad. Its a very easy bike to handle.

Good luck,
Ed

 

thanks for all the info guys, it really helps to get actual owner's info on this stuff...

it's especially helpful to see that there are other fatas....er.....short and round riders on the KLX....

just ordered a helmet today, then i've got to get a carrier (not always going to want to ride it to where i'm going) , then take the MSF course (takes $50+ off the insurance!), after that i'll be looking for deals on the bike...

 

I'm in the same situation than you...The KLX is my first ever bike (except for a blue BMX in the 80's). I bought a brand new 09 last year and I like it stock.
I had starting issues at the begining (first 500 miles) but everything came back to normal. Remember to pull the choke if the bike has cooled down for 30 minutes or more and you'll be fine. I like the fact that the bike is light, doesn't drink much gas, is reliable and look nice too.
I will never make mods on the carb or engine or exhaust since I like it to be quiet and have a great gas mileage.
Since I mostely drive on pavement or dirt road I added 1 teeth on the front sprocket and I'll be looking around to buy a Corbin seat to save my butt !
I'm pretty confident you'll have a good time on your bike...

 

I bought a klx250sf last month.....

Definitely on my Top 5 best decisions. For a few reasons.


1. It MORE than pays for its monthly loan payment in the amount of $$ I save in gas driving it.

2. It has a very high SPG rating (smiles per gallon)

3. I sat on alot of different bikes before I got the klx. For some reason it @felt perfect, I knew this cause I started snickering when I sat on it.

4. I like being different.

 

I bought a new left over 09 250s in march. I had some real problems with cold starts. If it's less than 40 degrees forget about it. Once it hits 40 9/10 times it'll start. I pull the choke slow until it sputters and take the tension outa the throttle. Very small amounts, almost nothing or it'll quit sputtering. Seems to make the bike fire. I'm 6ft 220. When the bike was brand new off the truck I thought about lowering it, but now that I have a whopping 7 miles on it I can get both feet flat on the ground. The suspension will set in. I'd love to ride my bike, but it keeps snowing and the temp seems to hover around 35 degrees. At 0200 this am when i got called into work I was goin to take the bike, but we had an inch of snow. At 0600 when i got up for work again we had two inches of snow, 30mph winds and a temp of 25 degrees. It's april damn it.