Klr
 

I rode with a guy who said he had a KLR250, I made a fool of myself saying those were 650's. But I was wrong, I know but there is always that first time!
What is the diff between KLX250 vs KLR250?

KLR250 was first made in 1984 and received little to no updates through its last run in 2005. It was a underpowered, undersuspended, overweight street bike marketed as a dual sport.

In 2006 the KLX250S officially replaced the KLR250 as Kawasaki's mid weight dual sport. The first generation KLX250S (2006-7) was based heavily on the proven KLX300R trial bike. The second gen KLX250S (2009-15) received suspension and plastic updates designed to lower seat height and create a more modern look.

Thanks, so is/was the engine about the same or did that get a workover too?

KLR250 and KLX250 (KLX300R) engines are not the same.

The KLX300R (engine and frame) was introduced in 1993 as a completely separate model from the KLR250. The motor and frame and suspension were different between the two model lines.

Kawasaki made a dirt only KLX250R in the mid 90's which was the same bike as the KLX300R, but with a smaller cylinder (same frame, bottom end,ect). This dirt only KLX250R version was similar to the KLX250S introduced in 2006, however the S model had reworked plastic, wiring for street lighting and other small difference such as added rear footpegs.

To my knowledge, the KLR was never a street bike based machine at all. I believe, at least in the U.S., it was always a dual sport, in competition with the XL250R. I was selling Hondas during the mid-late 80s and we did Kawasakis after around 1989. The 250 Kaw did was the EL and EX, the Eliminator and the Ninja, both with the twin.

For the time, the KLR was pretty trick with the liquid cooled engine and Uni-Trak suspension. The suspension was pretty much on par with what all the other Japanese bikes were running in the dual sports at the time. Kawasaki had the same approach with it as they did with the KLR and the Concours - make it for the long run keeping the price down.

The comparison of the 250s was pretty much exactly what the comparison was between the KLX650 and the KLR650. KLX has always been the hotter performer between the two models. (The KLX650 still, after being out of production for over 10 years, is the strongest dual sport 650 Japan has put out - at least for the U.S.)

The KLX250R actually started in 1994 using the present engine. It was kick start only and off road only. Pumped up to the KLX300R shortly there after in 1997, per the Kawasaki web site for parts.

There was an air cooled KLX250 that I believe was based on the street bike 250, but not totally certain of that. It was a pretty trick bike for the time.

thks again

I worked at a Kawasaki dealer in 1989 also. I've owned a KLR650 and ridden several KLR250s. While marketed as a dual sport the KLR250 was weak on all fronts, especially suspension. The XL250 was a better machine if comparing apples to apples. I hesitate to call it a true modern era dual sport. Suzuki had the first respectable dual sport with the DR350S.

You may be thinking of the KL250 (without the X), better known as the Super Sherpa. It had an air cooled engine and quasi-trials styling.

1985 KLR 250 was my first bike. as stated, not the same bike as the KLX at all. I did have a lot of fun on the KLR though. :)

KLR Posing with its replacement "07" KLX in 2008
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Hey Dan, how bout you let your 351 off the leash - put in a K152 main and pull the lid,,?

I don't remember ever seeing one of those KLR's. It looks like a good bike, but probably was hard to compete with "the force" (2 cycle bikes).

It has a radiator and cooling fins?