hey guys, just want to say great forum!! glad i found it!! my question is, i will be a new rider, i love the klx250s, but i also like the klr650. would the klx250s be a better ride for me at first? i know it is lighter, and smaller. i'm 6-1 190,i also looked at the yamaha xt225, but i really like the kawasaki 's better. i appreciate any info you guys can give me?? bs1001

 

First, for you, the XT is a definite "no go". As far as the others are concerned, If you will do mostly paved roads and dirt roads, 650, if you like goat trails and in-the-woods stuff, the 250.

 

Double post? LOL

 

I guess I'm bored and decided to paste my answer in this one too, sorry.

Good question. I bought my KLX as perhaps the first one on the site. Picked it up back in November, and then in July I bought the 2006 XT 225 for my wife. For your size and weight stay away from the XT. I am 6-1 and 230 and it is way under powered for me, and yet is actually fun to ride all at the same time. The difference between performance on the KLX and the XT in the stock form is incredible. Also the KLX is 4 inches taller than the XT. Now on to the KLX, even in the stock form it is a really fun machine. Some simple mods are the carb jetting, air box, and sprocket changes, along with a new exhaust. Now all of that sounds like a lot, but a couple at a time and you're on your way. After all of the changes on my bike it has twice the acceleration of the XT. Let us know what you decide, oh and welcome if nobody has said it yet.

 

I finally figured it out, if you live in a small town or have just a couple of miles to get to the trails and fun places, (which I do) then the KLX is perfect. If you have a 40 mile commute just to get to work, or a couple of hours to find fun places to ride, (which I don't) then the 650 might be better for you. But then when you get there and look at the trails and realize that the bike is never going to make it up that single track trail then you want the KLX at that point. Can you pull a motorcycle trailer with the 650 and bring the KLX behind you? That way you would have what you need when you need it. There probably isn't a perfect bike for all occasions, but I guess that's why there are so many choices out there.

 

First of all, welcome to one of the best Kawasaki dual sport forums on the net!!!

Now, as far as which is the better bike for you, that depends on what you're looking for regarding on-road / off-road riding habits.

If you're going to be doing more long distance cruising, then the 650 is probably a more comfortable ride. If you're looking for somthing that's street legal and will get you to the trails, the 250 is the better choice. The other factor is what kind of off-road riding do you see yourself doing? On dirt roads, logging trails, etc. the 650 is great ... in the woods and on 2-tracking paths, the 650 could be a little on the heavy side, so the 250 is a better choice. (It seems that gravity has a stronger effect when you're off-road, so picking up the 650 a few times can get pretty tiring.)

If you're concerned about the 250's power, like others here have said - don't worry, the 250 has the potential, but it needs a little encouragement (read: "a few modifications"), so don't base your decision on that.

Good luck and best wishes, no matter what you choose!

Mike