I see a lot of posts about mods - really expensive mods - to give a 250cc tiny little engine more guts...My question is why didn't you bought a 400cc bike and keep it stock ? a 650cc ?
I like my stock 250, pretty silent, low maintenance, low on gas consumption...
If some day I feel a need to a more powerful bike I'll probably change to a KLR650 or something like that.
I might not know the real reason underneath...please tell me !

 

For many it is a hobby.

 

The same reason you repeatedly play with it, because you can.

 

Because Kawasaki does not offer a street legal 450 in the United States.

I plan on getting a DRZ400 next year or so but will keep the KLX. The DRZ will be motard and the KLX will be the dirty bike.

 

For me it's because I am only 5'6" and the KLX250 is the perfect fit...just doesn't have the same power of some of the other "taller" 250s. And I know i could lower it, but then that would be taking away from the suspension...so mods., mods, mods....lol

 

For me, it's weight and physical size of the bike. Oh, and price. I've had a DR350, which is like a little tractor engine. But, man, that bike was heavy for a 350. I have a KLR650, and it's heavy for a 650...but, it is GREAT on true dual-sport rides, now that I have new front and rear suspension. I don't see any reason to do anything to it's engine other than carb tuning...which I have done.

I also don't see needing to do anything other than carb tuning and exhaust massaging on the KLX. Upper teens in HP is enough to get me up any hill that I want to try (since it's geared so low).

I just sold an XR650 that was a monster in comparison to the KLX...but, I need to stay alive. The XR would easily run in the 70 mph range through the desert. One day, I know that would catch up with me. I'll be safer on the KLX picking through single-track, boulders, and ridgelines with the ubiquitous "washes" everywhere out in the desert. When it's time to cover lots of ground, which might include paved roads...I'll hop on the KLR.

For street riding, I get on a CB919. 95-100 HP can be scary after being on these little thumpers!

 

Almost universally people that get a KLX soon afterward realizes it is gutless. I expected a 250cc dirtbike to have more power. When I bought mine I was only able to test ride it around the parking lot. Once home and out on the street I was disappointed with it.

 

It actually does a bit better than I expected. Especially in the 5500-7000 rpm range. Then again, I think I knew exactly what to expect...it's a carburated, 300 lb., 250cc 4-stroke, with a penchant for reliability, longevity, and simplicity.

Still, I ride with guys on larger KTM's, 450 Yamaha's, etc., and the tougher the trail, the closer I am to them, to the point that their superior Power is not usable at all...and is sometimes a hindrance...especially when feathering the throttle is required to maintain traction on a ledge, or a powdery surface with marble-sized rocks underneath.

Wide open desert? Sure, I'm in their dust. That's OK with me, as I just ride on past them when they're at a rest stop. The longer the ride, the less the difference in power matters, as it's the tortoise and the hare story. I often finish before they do. I don't need as many rest stops as most people.

 

Wanted to replace the '84 xl250r I bought for the wife w/ a newer bike that didn't get massive head shake when decellerating (which scared the heck out of her).

I was able to see the 09 klx250s at the international bike show before it went on sale in california. Seemed like a good fit for the wife as the wr250r/te250 were way way to tall for her, the xt250 was air cooled/old school, dr250 & tt250 not plateable, crf230 was old tech. Nothing else on the market fit as well and had a plate.

Not able to get to test ride the gut less wonder before the purchase and since this was a first year offering here also, I was amazed/bummed that the old 84 xl250r kept right with the broken in klx.

So rather than get another bike, it was modify the hell out of this pig (weighs 15 lbs more than my 07 or 09 te450s). What else was there to do?

 

fixed