Hi everybody,

my name is Svenja and I'm from Germany. I don't own a KLX250, yet and after reading the test report in ENDURO Magazine 3/2009 I doubt I will ever buy one :-(

But let me give you some details.



They tested the Yamaha WR250 vs. Kawasaki KLX250. Both are EFI equipped here in Germany.
The Kawa was tested to be a very good motorbike but with an absolutely poor performance. It was so poor, that the testers even asked Kawasaki Germany for their statement. They said, that the bike is ok and performs as planned. It is due to the strong emission laws in Germany, that the bike is so poor in performance.
Top Speed: 106 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h not tested due to overall poor performance.
Fuel: 4,5 l/100km

I went to the local Kawa dealer and even the guys there persuaded me against the KLX250. That bike has no power at all.

I am so disappointed. What a great motorbike but it lacks power here in Germany :-(

 

very interesting; I would think...........(night shift has me doing that way too much)the Yamaha would have the same problems due to emission laws. I wonder what the big difference is?
I'm sure someone will chime in.

welcome Svenja!

 

It's a poor comparison really. The WR is a bang up to date trail bike (not enduro, see Wr250F) while the KLX is a trail bike that has evolved over approx' 16 years. The initial bike (1992) KLX250R put out about 28 Hp, a healthy figure for the time. It also proved itself a very competent bike. Modern emission laws have strangled this bike to almost an unbuyable proposition. I feel the FI is the last nail in the coffin for it. At least with the carb' model 28HP is attainable quite easily. Truely it is an unfair comparison.

 

sorry, I forgot to mention it:

The Yamaha has got 32 PS and runs like hell:

Top speed 128 km/h at 8710/min
0-100 km/h: 8,0 sec.
fuel: 4.7 l/100km

Regards,

 

What is the price comparison in Euros?
AUS $10'000 for the WR250R. AUS $6'500 for the KLX250S.
That's a lot of $ difference.
Down here a WR250F can be had for AUS $10'500. (40PS stock and easy to gain 5PS for little$.)

There really is no market for the WR250R down here.

 

Wow, sorry to hear that. At least you have a good option in the WR250R/X.

If you are mechanically minded, there should be a way to defeat any power robbing emission control devices. Not sure how stringent inspections are in Germany in that regard though, so maybe doing that would be more trouble than it's worth?

Reports from Thailand are that somebody has alread successfully bypassed some sort of power limiter. Maybe you have the same thing on the German model.

 

Kawasaki KLX250: 4.565 EUR
Yamaha WR250R: 6.195 EUR

 

WTF. You guys are paying top dollar for your bikes. Sorry to hear that. The WR is still 1630 euros more the KLX. If you're serious about a bike with some "snap" you should check out the entry level Gas Gas Hobby 200. Great reviews from down here. Price should be less than WR. (AUS $8'000.)
http://www.gasgasmotoren.nl/de/motorrader/enduro

 

Top speed 106kms??? Thats gotta be bull****.
And whats with the 'Acceleration 0-100 km/h not tested due to overall poor performance.'
Who was 'testing' them? A grandmother??
Anyway, unfair comparison - the WR is a totally different bike, How else can you explain a price diff of NZ$4000 (US$2000)?

 

I can imagine germany would let a 2 smoke (GASGAS) on the streets if they have problems with a little 4 stroke.