If Suzuki would just put a light kit and 6-speed tranny on the DRZ-E it would kill the competition. Even the conventional showa forks can be made to work quite well with very little money. I miss mine but couldn't get it titled in here in Maine.

 

I don't think the Honda will be sold here in the UK. I do think they looked at the KLX for styling. I'm loving my KLX250 just covered 2500mls on it since Jan 2012 on an off road and it's been perfect. Only down side I split the rear Dunlop 605 so I'll be getting a new rear tyre this week.

 

I know it is not much of a competition with the KLX, but the 2013 XT250 is now fuel injected. Just say is all, I would never get one.

 

The new XT250 would be a really great bike if it had a asp tranny. I love that it's air-cooled and has a low seat height. It's also 29 lbs lighter than the new Honda. But the 5sp really limits its versatility.

Rob

 

I didn't know that the XT250 only has 5 speed. My XT225 had a 6-speed. I really miss the low seat height of the XT225, that was a really nice feature as I'm only 5'7". Despite having lot less power than my modded KLX, the XT225 wheelied a lot easier than the KLX.

 

Too bad they made this:


And not this:

 

Lotrat, I thought the same thing. I saw that pic of the second bike with Honda's comments..."we made this just to show what was possible with the new platform". What's possible?...yeah sure...a new fork, a new shock, and a boat load of other fancy bits. Let's see...that comes to about $7000-$8000...or more. They could have made that second bike at a decent price point but still having some better doodads for more serious off roading.

 

Had a a plate on a crf250x one summer. It really didn't make that good of a street bike. Klx is much better 50/50 bike and more comfortable to spend a whole day on. Honda is trail only now, There is no perfect DS bike because the category is so diverse with uses.
the other 250:

 

more competition is a good thing, and with the Enduro market becoming more popular here in the states this is a good thing.

 

I'd like to see something in the 350 to 400 range too.