I am looking for a good solid dual pupose bike that will be used mainly on pavement on long trips of
100 to 300 miles. Am trying to decide if I should buy a 250 or a 650? Does the 250 have more vibration?
Does the 650 hold the road better?

What is the gas mileage on each model?

I could live with the small tank on the 250, but really want a quality bike. I'm 6'4" 210 pounds.

Thanks

 

I had a perfect solution to that dilemma!

I purchased one of each!

On the road, the KLR is a much better choice. Off road, there is nothing as good as the KLX.

Like night and day!

Your riding sounds like you're a KLR650 guy! Nothing wrong with that. I've done 600 mile days on mine.

 

If you are looking to do long trips I would get the 650 Its much better for that style of riding. The 250 is good for short trips and trails. Hope this was helpful.

 

I can see where the 650 would be better at Freeway speeds and passing, but the 250 looks very good at highway
speeds of 60 mph, but I don't suppose the 250 stock seat is very comfortable and there could be more vibration
with the 250?

 

Sounds like you are definitely a KLR650 guy. You may want to look at the DR650 which to me seems like it would be better offroad than the KLR650. If you are going to do mostly pavement, I would go KLR650. The aftermarket support on the KLR650 is a force to be reckoned with too.

 

The KLX250 is more than fine at 60mph with me on it(185 lbs).

No stock DP seat is comfortable but the seat on the KLX250 is better than it looks. I also sit on the passenger seat when I ride on the highway.

The 250 is extemely smooth for a little thumper in my opinion. After about 1200 miles, it has really gotten smooth as it must have broken in.

 

Thanks all posters. It sounds like the 250 will be fairly smooth at highway speeds of 55-60 mph, and since I want to
be economical the 250 sounds super. I am still a bit concerned why a lot of people want to bore out their carb jets
to get more power of the KLX 250 ? Some even call the stock 250 anemic.. ? Has anyone taken the 250 on rides of
around 100 miles or more? How did it do on the longer rides?

I can get by with a smaller dual purpose bike, and because of my height 6'4" I will need a high seat on my future
Steet bike, hopefully the Vulcan 750 with th4e 80's retro style. Will take getting used to the gear shift and brake
so far forward making balancing different than anything I have ridden before.

 

i have rode both as my dad had a klr650 and it is a lot better to me at highway speeds. sure the 250 can handle it no problem, but the 650's torque dominates for long cruising and for highway passing ability. also, corbin and other companys make aftermarket seats for the 650 to make it comfy for long trips. dont get me wrong, i LOVE my 250, but i wouldnt drive 100-300 mile trips on it on a regular basis. just my 2 cents. keith.

 

Almost put my money down on a Dual Purpose Kawasaki, but then I read a thread at KAWASAKIFORUMS.ORG and
was startled to hear that Kawasaki has been making either the 250 or the 650, or maybe both in THAILAND for the
last about year or two and their has been several quality problems. Anyone know when exactly when they started
using the Thai factory? and what bikes are made their?

 

Do the 650.
My 2002 650(40K miles) and the KLX(4K miles) are both labled 'Thailnd'. No problem with either one. KLR 50mpg 6 gals of fuel, KLX 60mpg 1.89 gals.