just for info...
I got rid of my two 2007 klx250 and got a 2009 450

this is the text message my 14yo son send me, after he tried my KLX450R, standard with full FMF system, ap. 120 kilo
His bike is a 1996 KLX 250R with 300ccm, FMF full system and a standard 32mm carbie, ap.104 kilo....
many of you will say, this is all crap.. or made up..i don't care.. this is a straight copy

Dad, the klx450 doesn't have that much more power than my bike

Just more torque

-I told u so, maybe 8hp difference

Nope
Try 1 or 2 hp difference

have to say, rear tire on the 450 is a tad worn, so he didn't get full grip...

and no..not going to discuss this anymore... this is just for info...

 

What is it that you're not going to discuss anymore?

 

huh ?

 

There's nothing wrong with more torque is there?

 

He's not going to discuss the 450s power vs the 250/300 he had prior.

There are some KLX450s in town; I think they're rated at 35hp online.

 

He's not going to discuss the 450s power vs the 250.

There are some 2009 KLX450s in town. I think they're rated at 35hp online.

 

yeah, I think 35-40 was the norm for that bike in bone stock trim. However, I remember reading a big, long term write-up in Thumpertalk a long while back. If I recall, the KLX450R was California "green sticker" compliant which may have hampered it a bit. It was easy to improve on the "as delivered" power. It's a KX engine at heart, just with a tweak toward a broader, torquey powerband. The pipe/muffler on the KLX is quiet, so there was another "choke point". For those wanting more power, there were quite a few mods that provided it. I know it would have been enough for me in basically stock trim. It really was a great bike, but it didn't sell well enough to stay in production for the U.S.

 

I test rode a KLX 400 maybe it was a 450, here for sale a couple years ago before I had the KLX250, and it felt heavy-good power but not remarkably quick. It looked the part, but just didn't do anything for my need for speed.

A guy that rents KLR650s here has 3 2009 KLX450s and said the buyer of the bike I test rode hit something, bending the forks...later asked my friend if he knew where he could get replacements.

I just heard there's a like new 2009 KLX450 further down the road from there for sale, but he wants about 9000 USD for it (!).

 

The difference can also be the gearing, and obviously the weight. 109kg to 120kg? That's 15 lbs or so. I know when I ride my klx compared to my drz400e, the klx doesn't feel that much slower, it has a GREAT torque curve, but when I run them side by side (my brother on my klx) there is no contest, the drz has a broader curve for sure, but it just flat out leaves the klx behind.


(I understand we are talking R not S model, but I feel a klx250r and a klx450 as comparable like a klx250s and a drz400e)

 

The KLX400 to the 250 would be like DRz because the 400 WAS a DRz in green.

TNC hit the nail on the head, the KLX450R was a true enduroed KX450, but consistent with what had to be done on all the enduros for EPA, they were choked down with lean jetting and stuffed up mufflers. I remember selling the KLX300s, the trick was a slide Mikuni and a less restrictive pipe to unplug several horsepower. No doubt the KLX450 was the same. I think the WR-R and CRF-X models suffer the same. Ya gotta screw with them to get the real power.

It would be great if Kaw would do the 450 in an actual dual sport, but it'll be a cold day in July in the mid west before they do - you have to sell what you make and it just hasn't happened with any of the Japanese enduros so they won't take the chance with the dual sports. The guys go buy Euro bikes instead.