Hello everyone!

So, I own a Yamaha T7 and I’m in the market for a lighter, more trail-worthy bike that I can become a better off-road rider on.

Initially I had my eyes set on the DRZ400, but they are rare and very expensive in Norway. Today I suddenly came over another very rare bike, the KLX250S. I know his type of bike as my brother has the CRF250L.

The one I’ve found is an EFI 2010 with the FMF and EJK tuner, which I understand is important.

What I want opinions on is how trail worthy this bike is, as I learn and get better etc.

Any inputs are highly appreciated. I am 6’4 and 200lbs by the way.

 

The KLX is more trail worthy than the CRF. The KLX has a damping adjustable rebuildable revalveable shock on it and the fork has rebound damping adjustment too. The KLX is a hard bike to beat for the money.

 

Thank you for your response. Its ultimately the price that caught my attention.

How would you compare it to a DRZ400S? The cheapest I can get one right now is on with unknown miles, 9 owners from ‘03 with a BB kit for 4500$. The mentioned KLX is mine for 2900$.

Remember this is Norway, where everything is expensive..

 

The DRZ will beat the KLX in the dirt, if you really push hard, IMO. The KLX will be a better bike overall, unless you are going for pure speed. At almost twice the cost, you could get a 350 kit for the KLX, etc. that will give the DRZ fits!

 

I rode a stock engine DRZ400SM almost daily for road transportation for 11 years and over 35,000 miles and can testify to it's reliability. It's a simple crude bike with lots of power.

I would NEVER buy a DRZ that has had the engine mucked around with..

 

Thank you both for your answers.

If I get the KLX for a good price, I could see myself upgrading with the BB kit in the future, a KLX351 with upgraded suspension sounds pretty awesome

Yeah, the guy doesn’t even know who did the BB kit on the DRZ or when, so that not very promising. Also, paying full price for a 20 year old bike isn’t too much fun..

 

Right now, in the USA, both those bikes you are looking at are getting "like new" price due to the small ADV bike supply shortage. That's why I went with the latest year model I could find anywhere near me (drove 3 hours away to get it), a 2018 KLX250S. I originally wanted the new KLX300, but those are unicorns and exceptionally hard to find. Truthfully, I'd rather have a larger fuel tank right now (better option than the IMS 2.7) than the extra 50cc's of the 300 model.

 

@Neanderthal Yeah, those 300 versions seem to be of big hype. What I dont understand, especially the CRF, is that they have used a bigger engine, but left the suspension the same. Its softer than my kids tricycle.. They are also very expensive in Norway (assume they are in the states too), which defeats the purpose of buying a second bike for off road shenanigans on my part. How much did you pay for your ‘18?

By the way, I’m most likely picking up the mentioned 2010 KLX250S tomorrow. What mods should I look into to make it more off road ready? Already has the FMF pipe and EJK tuner. I would like to gear it down to 13 tooth in front as well. Anything else?

Again, thanks for all the help so far, helped me a ton!

 

Tell me about it!

I live in Southern California which is motorcycle heaven, and yet I had a real problem trying to find a KLX300SM.
Two local shops were out, a third one showed three in stock online. But when I went there they actually had only one left.
So I bought it on the spot for $8,000 cash out the door and still counted myself lucky to get one.

Shortages are not just limited to motorcycles. Everyone here has already had a taste of the "Venezuela" toilet paper chortage.

I'm an electrician, and Home Depot has been out of Siemens (the most common brand) circuit breakers for months. I had jobs held up waiting for breakers. It was like living in a "third world" looking at EMPTY shelves. Even Amazon had none. Breakers were being scalped by the few vendors who still had them on ebay for triple the price. HoDePo only just recently got some in. About 6 months ago it was outdoor electrical "Bell" boxes... NONE for months.

There are thousands of new Ford F150 pickup trucks sitting idle in lots because Ford can't get chips to make them run.

In my opinion this is going to get WAY worse. I'm old enough to remember the 1970's when the price of gas went through the roof. You could only get in line on alternate days according to your licence plates and had to wait at the gas station for an hour hoping to get some before they run out, There were shorgages of EVERYTHING then, and what you could get cost an arm and a leg.

Live long enough and you get to see everything happen twice....

 

I paid $4,200 USD. Bike had 890 miles on it.

First thing I'd get would be a good skid plate. I went with the Ricochet model. Then upgrade your fork and shock springs - easy swap, I went with CoGent Dynamics. Then some good handguards. They were a pain to fit, but I went with the Highway Dirt Bike guards w/mirrors. Then a Precision rear rack to tote crap. Also put a Seat Concepts "Low" seat on. Next mod will be an LED headlight bulb and USB port. Hoping IMS comes out with a 3.0 gallon or larger tank soon, lol. I'm not touching the motor or exhaust, but wouldn't mind a lighter exhaust as long as I don't have to mess with the fueling. I do have a 13T front sprocket ready to install, but eventually I'll go back to a 14T/45T combo when I replace the chain.

I also picked up the Tusk "Excursion" rackless luggage with the 22l duffle and a Wolfman "Enduro" tank bag. Plan to do some epic BDR's!