The official, complete Kawasaki part number is 13091-1856 (same number for all 'S' and 'SF' models), and Kawasaki calls it HOLDER,CHANGE DRUM.

I ordered mine from Bike Bandit in April 2011, and I got the 'good' design. But be warned: Bike Bandit's fiche really is pretty bad - don't trust their part numbers and descriptions to match OEM numbers and descriptions; you need to go just by the pictures if you're using Bike Bandit.

buykawasaki .com (the official Kawasaki page) and Ron Ayers are better from this standpoint, they use complete OEM part numbers and descriptions.

Anyway, from Bike Bandit if you're looking under the 2009 KLX250S fiche, 13145 is the one you want, which will give you the description below.
CAM-CHANGE DRUM
763668
Kawasaki 2009 KLX250T9F (KLX250S) GEAR CHANGE DRUM/SHIFT FORK(S)

If you look at the 2006 fiche on Bike Bandit, it calls the same part 13091 HOLDER,CHANGE DRUM, but the 'Bikebandit.com Part Number' is the same: 763668.

 

Thank you, Sir. Extremely helpful explanation that jibes with what I see, now that you point it out!

 

Ordered from BikeBandit as per Lutz' instructions. They sent the correct, better-made design. Thanks again!

 

Awesome. I'm glad to see that people seem to be consistently getting the good part now.

 

Done! I did this change to keep from being stranded and dying of exposure out in the desert some day. But, it really does shift better....that's an unexpected bonus.

Thanks again for this head's up...no telling how much trouble it will save some of us out on the trail some day.

 

How long did the swap take you? My bike gives me a hell of a time down shifting into first sometimes.

 

It's an hour job, not hurrying, for an experienced mechanic, including taking off and re-installing the skid plate. It took me 2 hours. I don't hurry when I'm in the guts of an engine doing something I've never done before. I also took a break and read some of the KLX manual, as well as printed off some instructions on how to do this. It's not hard, but, flying the space shuttle isn't extremely hard if you're an astronaut pilot.

 

Is this an inevitability? Does everyone's eventually fail?

 

I don't think there is any evidence to say they'll all fail by default. There are plenty of bikes out there that will live a very gentle life and will have no problems. And there are a lot of bikes/people that are just plain lucky. But it does seem very likely that the shift star will fail if the shifter ever encounters an impact.

 

Just a heads up for anyone thinking of doing this.
Your 09 may already have the upgraded part.
Anyone want a new shiftstar, lol.