It always makes me laugh when I hear people talk about gas milage and buying or riding a bike to save gas. I know a lot of people do it, but saving gas was the last thing I was thinking about when I got the klx(or any other bike I have owned). A big smile on my face was number one and having fun was number two. I mean if you really want to save gas walk, ride a bicycle, or if its to far take a bus.

 

Well, the fun factor definitely outweighs the mileage factor. It's a chain reaction in my family: if I drive the Honda Civic Si, my wife drives her 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban (with the 454) that she has for hauling a horse trailer. If I ride a bike, she uses the Honda. 12 mpg in the Suburban, 60 on the KLX. Also, a lot of people in Europe deal with high gas prices by commuting on bikes. It's fun also, but saves money and pollutes less. Around here I see more people riding during the week than I used to. Lots more bikes parked at businesses too. It is one way to get around and have fun/burn less gas. The KLX pays for itself if I commute on it. I would actually ride a bicycle if the road system here was safe, as I've been an avid cyclist for years. But, Arkansas is stingy with asphalt and the road ends at the white line. Not too safe when people can't get by you easily!

 

Hey thanks for the facts dude!
Will hunt around for a 300 barrel and possibly look at the bore and re-nikasil.
With the muzzy and jetting the bike is ok but flat.
In the last enduro I had a fun time up gainst a stock 08 ttr 250 and had no horsepower advantage, I just had to outride him, bounced inside on a tight corner. I was losing ground to a 250 KTM at about the rate you would expect, but he slowed down and we ended up riding together for about 15 miles at the end of the ride, it was good to practice some passes with someone that didnt panic when you went near them!
Lee

 

Ok I've just had the bike fitted with the 300CC kit, and I have to say it's the best money I've spent on it so far.

I'd be lying if I said it flew like a rocket. It isn't super fast, but it's fast enough. This is the bike I've wanted all along.

I jumped ontomy stock KLX250 (I have two of them) for a ride today and I kept thinking, "WTF is wrong with the bike?". Riding the bike after the upgrade the performance difference wasn't so obvious for some reason. Jumping back down tothestock 250 bike after a week on the 300 the difference was very clear.

Engine needs to be run in again so it's a little tight, I can expect a more aggressive response after run in. I can cruise comfortably at 100-110kmh on the highway, and be a bit more flexible with selected gear on the trail. Might mess around with sprocket changes to see if I can get a little more trail grunt out of it.

I can't get a KLX450 roadlegal where I'm living right now, so this is as good as it gets for me. Can't say I'm disappointed.

 

With street tires and stock gearing on my 250 I can cruise at 105kph as long as I'm not bucking a strong headwind. The rear tire is a 120/90 which makes the engine turn about 6500 rpms at 105kph (65 mph). Sure would be nice to have a few more kilowatts of power though.

 

Just to keep my impression less wordy, the 300cc upgrade makes each gear feel like the former gear minus one. 3rd=2nd 4th=3rd...etc That's how much easier the bike goes through any given gear. Sixth gear actually becomes useful. I haven't felt the need to downshift on hills (street).