Hey everyone I am new to the forums. I am looking to get a small bore dual sport for commuting during the week and some pleasure riding on the weekends. This will be my 3rd bike but my first dual sport.

Ive looked at the yamaha xt250, honda crf 230l, and of course the '09 KLX. I like the KLX because it:

1. Looks the best, hands down.
2. Is full sized and feels like sitting on a real bike...where as the honda and yamaha kinda felt like "play bikes".
3. Liquid cooled motor seems like it would put out more power.

Some questions I have about the '09...

1. Highway performance...I know these are not freeway bikes but can they handle 2-lane 50-60 mph state highways in reasonable comfort? By "reasonable comfort" I mean not revving its guts out or numbing my hands with vibes.

2. Does the bike feel stable and planted at these speeds (50-60)? Any wobble or instability issues? Ive never owned a dual sport before so im not sure what to expect.

3. How are the stock dunlops for street use? My riding will be 90% street, and since im a dirt newbie it probably would'nt see anything more than fire roads and other mild stuff.

Thanks for the advice!

 

1. Highway performance...I do 60 to 70 on the highway. Not the greatest thing in the world but not terrible either. Its stable, and my hand only get alittle numb on a long ride. I prefer long rides on back roads about 50 mph.

2. Does the bike feel stable and planted at these speeds (50-60)? Like I said, its stable. At first it seemed alittle funny at 65 but I raised the tire pressure in the back tire to 25 lbs since I weigh about 250 and it smoothed right out.

3. How are the stock dunlops for street use? Tires are great, good traction, dont feel vibration from the knobbies. I fly around curvy roads and lean far and its just fine.

 

Hey Ferret,

With your intended use of 90% street and 10% gravel/fire roads....the klx and other 250 thumpers may not be the best choice for you. Take a look at a drz 400 supermoto.....that may work better for your intended use and is still a smallish bore thumper.

I think of the klx like a tamed down street legal dirt bike that longs for tight single track and sugar sand....and thats how I treat her..or rather flog her.

When I want to ride like you described, I take my 640 adv for a ride. Just my opine.

Btw you did not mention that new yammi xr250 ... it a real nice bike..unlike the xt.

 

Yeah 50-60 is about the edge of comfort to me. Anything over 60 and it starts to feel less stable (to me at least). It'll run above those speeds and hold it, but not very comfortably IMHO. The stock tires are really good for the street and gravel, and if you do 90% street I'd say you'd be OK. I'm starting to do more trails, offroad, and deep sand/mud/gravel roads, and they're starting to show their weakness on that end of the spectrum. But I've leaned prety good on mine and they haven't given up on me (only "speed" fall was because I hit some sand mid-turn, can't fault the tire for that).

You definately might look at the DRZ-400SM though. Lot more guts, especially for someone who has had a few bikes. My dad's S-model DRZ-400 blows me away on the street, I'm sure the SM is even sicker.

 

The DRZ400E is essentially quicker than the DRZ400SM. The SM model has the DRZ400S engine. Milder cams, different carb' parts/ignition. The SM model does get the swingarm and forks from the motorcross model though.

 

The throttle on the 09 model sucks compared to the 06 and 07 ones. It's built into the switch housing and held in place with nubs that fit into the stock bars. If you swap out the bars you have to modify the switch housings on both sides and they won't really tighten down as well as a standard throttle with pinch bolts. Plus you can't use an aftermarket throttle tube without modifiations. Other than that it's a great little bike.

 

Hey welcome to KF,,, yes the KLX for what it is is an awsome bike,, but like Finger Mullet said, it longs for dirt and single track,, and as far as handling on the street its awsome as well.. but In my own opinion for pretty much street,, I would deff. look at the Suzuki,, it does have a lot more power but better slab feel as well..

 

Can't comment on the '09 since I have an '07, but these comments are spot on for my bike.

Two additional comments. Regarding concern #1 don't worry about high revs at highway speeds - 6th gear is one tall ****, at 60 the motor doesn't seem to be laboring at all. I wouldn't want a steady diet of freeways, but state and secondary roads are a pleasure.

Regarding #3 I have a feeling that once you take the KLX down that fire road or trail you'll find yourself actively seeking more of the same. The stock Dunlops will handle both, and once you find out what is most important to you there are plenty of aftermarket choices better suited for road or dirt.

Now all you have to do is decide which ride is best for you. Good luck.