KLX to EXC
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From: SW Ontario, Canada
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Well, my Husky is 75 lbs lighter and makes double the horsepower, so it's obviously the better bike?
Each one serves a purpose, and we should just be happy that we have so many good choices.
When I was originally looking for a dualsport, it was between a new KLX250s, and a Husky TE250. They were the same price, and it was the last TE model before BMW bought them. Those were stout motors that lasted forever. I wonder how it would have turned out of I'd bought one.
Ironically, it was the Husky dealer (same guy I eventually bought my CR from) that talked me out of it, because I wanted a true dualsport, not a street legal race bike.
If I could find a decent 08 or earlier TE250 now, I'd probably buy it.
Each one serves a purpose, and we should just be happy that we have so many good choices.
When I was originally looking for a dualsport, it was between a new KLX250s, and a Husky TE250. They were the same price, and it was the last TE model before BMW bought them. Those were stout motors that lasted forever. I wonder how it would have turned out of I'd bought one.
Ironically, it was the Husky dealer (same guy I eventually bought my CR from) that talked me out of it, because I wanted a true dualsport, not a street legal race bike.
If I could find a decent 08 or earlier TE250 now, I'd probably buy it.
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From: Delaware, Ohio
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Cycle World test of 2010 Husqvarna TE250:
"Husqvarna claims this mini-Thumper is 13 percent smaller than its previous 250cc engine and weighs just 48.5 pounds. It’s cradled in a new backbone-style steel frame that’s also lighter, helping bring total bike weight down to just 250 pounds dry. Up front, a 48mm KYB fork replaces the usual Marzocchi, though it’s Sachs as usual at the rear. Brembo brakes matched with Braking rotors are a nice, top-quality touch, along with Excel rims."
I only thought the difference Canadian to U.S. was between currencies. Are you using devalued pounds or is your Husky a two stroke?
Part of the reason I did the research and the myth busters thing. Lots of imagination and devalued pounds bouncing around the Euro-bike area slamming the Japanese bikes as way too heavily.
"Husqvarna claims this mini-Thumper is 13 percent smaller than its previous 250cc engine and weighs just 48.5 pounds. It’s cradled in a new backbone-style steel frame that’s also lighter, helping bring total bike weight down to just 250 pounds dry. Up front, a 48mm KYB fork replaces the usual Marzocchi, though it’s Sachs as usual at the rear. Brembo brakes matched with Braking rotors are a nice, top-quality touch, along with Excel rims."
I only thought the difference Canadian to U.S. was between currencies. Are you using devalued pounds or is your Husky a two stroke?
Part of the reason I did the research and the myth busters thing. Lots of imagination and devalued pounds bouncing around the Euro-bike area slamming the Japanese bikes as way too heavily.
Last edited by klx678; Jan 3, 2016 at 04:31 PM.
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From: Maple Ridge, BC Canada
Cycle World test of 2010 Husqvarna TE250:
"Husqvarna claims this mini-Thumper is 13 percent smaller than its previous 250cc engine and weighs just 48.5 pounds. It’s cradled in a new backbone-style steel frame that’s also lighter, helping bring total bike weight down to just 250 pounds dry. Up front, a 48mm KYB fork replaces the usual Marzocchi, though it’s Sachs as usual at the rear. Brembo brakes matched with Braking rotors are a nice, top-quality touch, along with Excel rims."
I only thought the difference Canadian to U.S. was between currencies. Are you using devalued pounds or is your Husky a two stroke?
Part of the reason I did the research and the myth busters thing. Lots of imagination and devalued pounds bouncing around the Euro-bike area slamming the Japanese bikes as way too heavily.
"Husqvarna claims this mini-Thumper is 13 percent smaller than its previous 250cc engine and weighs just 48.5 pounds. It’s cradled in a new backbone-style steel frame that’s also lighter, helping bring total bike weight down to just 250 pounds dry. Up front, a 48mm KYB fork replaces the usual Marzocchi, though it’s Sachs as usual at the rear. Brembo brakes matched with Braking rotors are a nice, top-quality touch, along with Excel rims."
I only thought the difference Canadian to U.S. was between currencies. Are you using devalued pounds or is your Husky a two stroke?
Part of the reason I did the research and the myth busters thing. Lots of imagination and devalued pounds bouncing around the Euro-bike area slamming the Japanese bikes as way too heavily.
Again, not sure of the source of this info, but they're quoting 233lbs: 2010 Husqvarna TE250 - Motorcycle USA
As I mentioned, the TE250 'feels' about 40+ lbs lighter than the KLX.
Sometimes, the 'dry' weight is everything but gas, sometimes, it's no fluids (no oil and no coolant, for water cooled bikes.) The TE250 only takes 1L of oil, so that's only going to throw things off by 2.2Lbs. Coolant is only .9L, so only another 2Lbs. Some larger bikes, with larger coolant and oil capacity can throw this number off quite a bit more.
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This is like a myth busters episode. Let's get the real picture on the weight claims:
My guess with the Cycle World claim is a half tank of gas and maybe just a slightly lighter bike. Makes me wonder if Dirt Rider just used Kaw's value instead of weighing the bike.
Once there was an article about dry weights and how they were figured. Some were done simply using the weight of a part based on engineering or weighing the part, adding up all the components - usually ending up with a lighter number than reality. Also the fact that parts will not always weigh the same, tolerance ranges can end up with parts being lighter or heavier. So claimed weight may or may not be accurate.
So the reality is 20-30 lib more depending on a variety of variables, between the little Kaw and the KTMs. One rather funny comment from Dirt Rider was to the effect that in a few more years the KTM will weigh nothing, since they seem to keep shedding weight. But regardless, there is a 20-30 lb difference. The one thing is how high the weight is carried as to how it will feel. That shows in any comparisons of any bikes, weight carried lower frequently feels lighter, regardless of reality.
Seems the street bike media didn't care for the lack of EFI and the handlebar bend, but Dirt Rider seemed to find it to be a pretty good bike for money spent. Not on par with the big buck bikes, but not bad.
Either way, the myths:
- Claimed dry weight for that KTM 530 is 251 lb, but with fluids and all it ends up 20 lb heavier at 272 lb as listed by Beardoge, which makes sense compared to some media true wet weights.
- The so considering the 20 lb addition, that would make the KTM 350 EXC claimed 242 lb (Dirt Bike using KTM specs, as did Dirt Rider) more like 262 lb,
- same with the KTM 450 EXC claimed 244 lb more like 265 lb.
- The 2014 Kawasaki KLX 250S oddly enough claimed at 297 lb by Kawasaki themselves has consistently come in between 287 (Cycle World) and 298 (Dirt Rider) in the media. Kawasaki seems to be actually claiming a reasonable proximity what the bike actually will weigh, gas and all.
My guess with the Cycle World claim is a half tank of gas and maybe just a slightly lighter bike. Makes me wonder if Dirt Rider just used Kaw's value instead of weighing the bike.
Once there was an article about dry weights and how they were figured. Some were done simply using the weight of a part based on engineering or weighing the part, adding up all the components - usually ending up with a lighter number than reality. Also the fact that parts will not always weigh the same, tolerance ranges can end up with parts being lighter or heavier. So claimed weight may or may not be accurate.
So the reality is 20-30 lib more depending on a variety of variables, between the little Kaw and the KTMs. One rather funny comment from Dirt Rider was to the effect that in a few more years the KTM will weigh nothing, since they seem to keep shedding weight. But regardless, there is a 20-30 lb difference. The one thing is how high the weight is carried as to how it will feel. That shows in any comparisons of any bikes, weight carried lower frequently feels lighter, regardless of reality.
Seems the street bike media didn't care for the lack of EFI and the handlebar bend, but Dirt Rider seemed to find it to be a pretty good bike for money spent. Not on par with the big buck bikes, but not bad.
Either way, the myths:
- Kawasaki KLX250 weighs 50+ lb heavier than the KTMs BUSTED! Seems the pound must be devalued in Austria.
- Kawasaki KLX250 is heavier than the KTMs obviously CONFIRMED! They are definitely 20-30 lb heavier than the KTMs including the big bores, and oddly enough the pound must not be devalued in Japan or should we say Thailand.
- Kawasaki KLX250 is not a good off roader because they are inferior to the plated enduros BUSTED! Actual off road media and a hell of a lot of those who have ridden them finding them to be totally capable off road.
- KTMs are better off roaders for riders PLAUSIBLE. For some riders they will be better, for others it is overkill possibly to the point of being too hard to ride. But for many they are the obvious step up if/when the time comes. They do perform at a higher level with a capable rider who can manage the higher performance capabilities of the bike and whatever the trade offs (taller seat and power delivery).
As a note, my TE250 was lowered by the previous owner (Low Seat concepts seat and professional suspension work) by about 1.5" - the seat is 36" - which is perfect for me. I don't think I'd want to ride the stock 37.4" seat height...
I'm certainly not arguing the fact that the KLX is a capable bike, on or off road - mine has spent most of its life (since I've owned it) doing some pretty difficult single-track trails, and has proven to be quite capable.
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From: Michigan
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I really should weigh my KLX and TE250 and see what my scales say - then I know what mine weigh on my scale. I agree that the manufacturers will often stretch the truth on the weights. The Husky service manual lists the dry weight of 226Lbs: http://www.outbackmx.com/files/Works...-TXC%20250.pdf
Again, not sure of the source of this info, but they're quoting 233lbs: 2010 Husqvarna TE250 - Motorcycle USA
As I mentioned, the TE250 'feels' about 40+ lbs lighter than the KLX.
Sometimes, the 'dry' weight is everything but gas, sometimes, it's no fluids (no oil and no coolant, for water cooled bikes.) The TE250 only takes 1L of oil, so that's only going to throw things off by 2.2Lbs. Coolant is only .9L, so only another 2Lbs. Some larger bikes, with larger coolant and oil capacity can throw this number off quite a bit more.
Again, not sure of the source of this info, but they're quoting 233lbs: 2010 Husqvarna TE250 - Motorcycle USA
As I mentioned, the TE250 'feels' about 40+ lbs lighter than the KLX.
Sometimes, the 'dry' weight is everything but gas, sometimes, it's no fluids (no oil and no coolant, for water cooled bikes.) The TE250 only takes 1L of oil, so that's only going to throw things off by 2.2Lbs. Coolant is only .9L, so only another 2Lbs. Some larger bikes, with larger coolant and oil capacity can throw this number off quite a bit more.
Weight them I'm quite curious now !
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From: Delaware, Ohio
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Not that I'm doubting you, but where did you get the 'actual' weights from? KTM's website claims the 2016 350EXC has a ready to race (no fuel, but I'm assuming includes oil and coolant) weight of 236Lbs. Add 20Lbs for 9L of fuel, and you've got a 'claimed' running weight of 256Lbs. The 250EXC-F has a claimed ready to race (no fuel) weight of 232LBs.
As a note, my TE250 was lowered by the previous owner (Low Seat concepts seat and professional suspension work) by about 1.5" - the seat is 36" - which is perfect for me. I don't think I'd want to ride the stock 37.4" seat height...
I'm certainly not arguing the fact that the KLX is a capable bike, on or off road - mine has spent most of its life (since I've owned it) doing some pretty difficult single-track trails, and has proven to be quite capable.
As a note, my TE250 was lowered by the previous owner (Low Seat concepts seat and professional suspension work) by about 1.5" - the seat is 36" - which is perfect for me. I don't think I'd want to ride the stock 37.4" seat height...
I'm certainly not arguing the fact that the KLX is a capable bike, on or off road - mine has spent most of its life (since I've owned it) doing some pretty difficult single-track trails, and has proven to be quite capable.
Cycle World, who usually weighs the bikes themselves got 251 lb as the dry weight. Add about 13 lb for gas.
But today the Feb/Mar 2016 Motorcyclist came in the mail. They did a short test and had the bike at 261 lb with gas, 247 lb with an empty tank. So there are two sources that actually weigh the bikes. Motorcyclist had the KLX250 in the shoot out a year ago at 289 lb if I remember right.
I did the research. I did, in some cases, take the dry weight claims and add on 20 lb for gas/oil/etc since that was about what the one post gave, but mentioned doing that. So I was very close to reality. Gas and oil add darn close to 20 lb. I did not go with those devalued pounds that so many manufacturers use.
One source of confusion can be getting the right KTM 350 EXC, apparently there is the pure off road and then the dual sport.
Either way, what I said is spot on. Real weight 290 lb -260 lb ≠ 50 lb.
Last edited by klx678; Jan 4, 2016 at 09:57 PM.
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From: Maple Ridge, BC Canada
So, on my bathroom scale (correct me if I'm wrong, but the weighing technique is put the rear wheel on the scale, then put the front wheel on the scale, add the two weights and you get the total weight?), my 2011 KLX250s (skid plate, hand guards, rad guards and 3/4 tank of fuel, no tool bag/case) weighs 299 Lbs.
My 2010 Husky TE250 (skid plate, hand guards, rad guards and 3/4 tank of fuel, tool bag on the front fender with some tools, small aluminum rack and tool bag on the rear fender with some tools, and 25' of rope) weighs, drum roll..., 265 Lbs. The tools, rope, bags and rack might be close to 5 lbs - if they are, then it looks like almost a 40 Lb weight difference. It's too much time/hassle to remove the bags and the rack (rack and rear bag have to be unbolted etc.) and re-weigh the Husky, but I'm going to say that the rack/bags/tools are at least 3 lbs, maybe as much as 6 lbs.
I know from reading articles that the manufacturer weights aren't really to be trusted - some of the motorcycle magazine testers will weigh the bikes themselves and report their weight, rather than the manufacturer's spec weight.
If I get a chance, I'll try weighing my friend's WR250R some time and see what it weighs, just out of curiosity - although he has a LIon battery that's 3.5 lbs lighter than the stock one.
My 2010 Husky TE250 (skid plate, hand guards, rad guards and 3/4 tank of fuel, tool bag on the front fender with some tools, small aluminum rack and tool bag on the rear fender with some tools, and 25' of rope) weighs, drum roll..., 265 Lbs. The tools, rope, bags and rack might be close to 5 lbs - if they are, then it looks like almost a 40 Lb weight difference. It's too much time/hassle to remove the bags and the rack (rack and rear bag have to be unbolted etc.) and re-weigh the Husky, but I'm going to say that the rack/bags/tools are at least 3 lbs, maybe as much as 6 lbs.
I know from reading articles that the manufacturer weights aren't really to be trusted - some of the motorcycle magazine testers will weigh the bikes themselves and report their weight, rather than the manufacturer's spec weight.
If I get a chance, I'll try weighing my friend's WR250R some time and see what it weighs, just out of curiosity - although he has a LIon battery that's 3.5 lbs lighter than the stock one.
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From: Michigan
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So, on my bathroom scale (correct me if I'm wrong, but the weighing technique is put the rear wheel on the scale, then put the front wheel on the scale, add the two weights and you get the total weight?), my 2011 KLX250s (skid plate, hand guards, rad guards and 3/4 tank of fuel, no tool bag/case) weighs 299 Lbs. .
With a FULL tank of gas.
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From: Maple Ridge, BC Canada
A few more threads - a few saying the method doesn't work, but logic and the consensus seems that it does:
Weighing the motorcyle with a bathroom scale | Adventure Rider
Print Page - How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Beyond that, the resulting weights are right around where they were expected - if they were significantly off, I'd suspect my weighing methodology wasn't right.
One thing I thought of, but didn't do was to elevate the wheel not on the scale to the same height as the scale. I suspect this would throw the weights off slightly. So, both weights might be slightly low. However, my purpose was finding the difference in weight, which I suspect is accurate within a few pounds using this method.
Re Full tank of gas - I wasn't as much trying to find the full/true weights of the two bikes, but rather the difference. I agree that there's room for error, but I don't believe there's a lot of room for error.