welcome the the crf family!

 

250L vs KLX330

I braved the subartic temperatures and went out for a quick ride with a buddy. Keep in mind the crf has 70 miles on it the KLX has 12,000. We did a half *** drag race until 3rd gear and a 3rd gear pull. First off I lost the drag race, the crf hung in there like a champ while the klx was walking away. I also lost the 3rd gear pull by about the same amount. I was way to low in the revs almost chattering but it pulled through. Again we were just messing around trying to keep from freezing to death so it's not a very fair or scientific comparison. I do believe the crf with a fuel controller and pipe would probably keep right along side the KLX with its pumper, big bore, exhaust and "restriction" removals. Now take a CRF with a bore, tuner and exhaust and you will most likley walk away from the KLX.

Either way I had fun swaping bikes at every second stop sign letting my buddy go in front so I could watch my babbies perform. I honestly can't say either bike is overall better or my favorite and will have to flip a coin to choose wich one I want to ride.

 

CRF 34 5/8" KLX 35 3/8" with worn suspension bushings. I do Like the lower seat and will probably lower the KLX to match. I feel more in my comfort range. There would be mud but the snow washes it off

 

bill blue made a 283cc big bore..rumor is there may be a 320cc in the works!

 

Now we need a stroker kit to make a 370+cc

 

I knew about the 283 kit. I figured I would wait until the 300+ kit came out and was proven by someone with a bigger wallet. So far I just cut down the spark arrestor tube, removed the chicken wire filter, hacked down the levers and did a home brew fender eliminator. I want to add a programmer, Power Bomb and see about putting my other R1 muffler on to match the KLX. The muffler is 2 pounds of Titanium and was 10$.


Speaking of stroker kits can you still get one for the KLX? I have searched the entire internet and can't find any leads. I'm curious about the price.

 

I haven't found any information about one. Does the kx450 use a slightly larger stroke perhaps?

 

My son just bought a 2013 CRF 250. $4500. No room to negotiate as Honda is keeping them scarce. It is a nice machine and he is thrilled as he is coming off of an old Pantera 125. My comparisons are simple and not scientific. I ride strictly in the dirt. He will ride 25 road/75 dirt. We put it next to my 2012 KLX ($4700 new last August) and compared a few things.

His is start and ride. The KLX is given 5 minutes (while I gear up) and ride. The plastic tool compartment and license plate holder are doomed when (not "if" but when) he lays it down hard. The rear turn signals may survive going down in the soft stuff but not the gravel (not as flexible as the KLX).
I took a hacksaw to my plate holder and bolted the plate directly under the taillight. It was ugly anyway. I have been down numerous times and the side plastics and rear turn signals have taken a beating and are scratched but not broken. One turn signal lense is now secured with 100 MPH tape.
We rode together and the KLX goes right by the CRF, with no effort. Mind you I have a FMF slip-on, jetted carb, and opened the air box. As for performance on the track, we will have to wait till he changes his tires then we can talk about the suspension as well. Then I will report. Oh my wife has a 2005 CRF 150. That is an impressive little machine. Good luck and enjoy your new bike!

 

They can't get any at my dealer till next years model? Kind of odd.

I love the start and ride option. My KLX starts easy enough but it needs a good warm up or it farts and skips. I generally don't take it to work because I'm to tired to deal with erratic driving and to late to wait 5 minits.

Crf is probably a bit lesss rugged but I really don't crash much anymore. More prone to tip overs because the KLX is to tall but I like the ground clearance. FYI a set of side plastics are 70$ for the CRF klx is 50-70$ for one piece.

Are the new KLX's faster or slower than the Origional?

Curious about the track, not that I like or can race but I took the KLX to Templeton MA and did a practice day. I was tired overwhelmed and couldn't feel my forearms afterward but I thought it handled it fine.

 

No idea and engine voodoo is not my thing. I wouldn't go with anything that wasn't a proven bolt on so it's kind of a dying dream for me. I got into a discussion with a coworker about stroker kits and I had to research it. I guess cams will be the icing on the cake for the ol KLX.