I learned that too when I rode with my friends on their Z1s and me on my little S3 400 triple. They would smoke me on the straights, but I'd be there or ahead when we hit the tight stuff. I've done about the same thing with my 650 riding with friends on sport bikes and even an SM'd XR650R and an Aprilia 550.

There's a certain amount of pride when you are right there on a bike that shouldn't be there.

 

If wanting to keep in stock trim, that would probably be a better choice. however the KLX seems to have a bigger power ceiling when mods are concerned and the bikes can be had quite a bit cheaper as a baseline.

YMMV

 

This was why my brother bought the KLX. The prices on WRs ran around $4500 asking price in the general area around east Ohio out about 100 miles. He found a pristine box stock 07 KLX for $2800 asking, bought for $2400. With the jetting, a 300 pipe, and all, he is still well under $3000 including tax/title/plate.

Sure the WR250X is faster with a weight/handling edge, but then a KTM450 supermoto is faster with a weight/handling edge over the WR, yet a plated WR450F supermoto is faster than the KTM, but then a KTM690 supermoto would possibly trump that. I'm just saying you get the biggest/fastest/etc there always seems to be something to beat it, plus the cost to do so.

Reminds me of riding my Nighthawk S with a bunch of friends riding their sportbikes back in 89. Passed one rider on his GSXR750, his comment afterward was that he didn't know an S could corner like that. Another rider was a known mediocre rider with the relatively new ZX7, he would pull away on the straights, but I'd catch him quickly as he would have wisps of smoke from his locking rear tire (medocre, remember?) taking up the whole lane with his unpredictable lines. Finally hit a long sweeping corner with full line of sight and I rode around him on the outside in the left lane (no traffic in sight anywhere). Two bikes with over 100 hp and significantly better chassis passed by a shaft drive 80 hp air cooled in-line 4 standard layout motorcycle.

Just sayin' hot motors and trick bikes aren't the total package - plus wheelies are in the skill, not just the motor:

 

i can get my bike up in 3rd gear with all my mods(s model) but stock you might as well be on a 50cc scooter

 

Awe c'mon. Quit holding back, tell us what you really think.


Actually, no joking aside - go ride a 50cc scooter...

They're fun too! I could yank a Honda Spree up on the back wheel!