Hi guys!

I've recently bought a 2009 KLX250S EFI bike. It is in pretty good shape with 33.000 kilometers, but it has some problems.

- It starts really difficultly, I assume that a bike with EFI should right turn up with a flick of the button. But sometimes I have to hold a button for 5-6 seconds, sometimes it doesn't even starts for the first try. It has the stock air filter which was really dirty when I bought it. I washed since then, but I'm gonna a new one soon. I checked the spark plug and to me it seems to be too dark, so I have the feeling that it doesn't get enough air.

- The bike makes a kind of rattling noise between 4000 - 6000 rpm especially during deceleration. After some research I think it could be the automatic chain tensioner, but not sure. Haven't checked the valve clearances, but gonna soon.

- The exhaust has terrible sound, it makes a kind of whistling noise which makes the sound of the bike pathetic. Is there any way to get rid of this sound? I don't want to buy a new exhaust yet.

 

that plug is wayyyy to black, looks really rich to me

 

I think the same, but with EFI I can’t do anything elso then changing the air filter.
Am I right?

 

I'd wait to check the valves to see how those look. My plug was heading this direction but both exhaust valves were out of spec by a tiny bit open. After the valves changed and a new plug it starts soooo much easier

 

Regarding the sound of the exhaust, it is what it is, the only thing you can do is to buy an aftermarket muffler. You can check Delkevic, they make almost inexpensive exhaust systems for this model. You can buy the full line or you can only buy the connector pipe from them and a china's muffler for 30/40€.

Regarding the rattle, mine does that too and it could be the automatic tensioner. Try to remove it and install it again to see if gets better, I usually do this and it gets better for a while.

 

The rattle is likely the automatic cam chain tensioner. I don't recommend removing and reinstalling, or trying to force an adjustment. Get the manual one from Krieger and follow his instructions for installation and adjustment.

Check, and if necessary, adjust valves and replace that plug.

As said above, the exhaust is what it is. Do some research and plan on replacing it or leaving it as is.

 

I checked the exhaust you recommended, the only problem with them is the lack of the E-mark, which is here a requirement to use the bike in the traffic.

I am thinking about buying the chain tensioner, but with the shipping to Hungary it is pretty costly.

The valve clearances will be checked as soon as the feeler gauge arrives.

 

If you let the cam drive get too lose you can have the timing skip a tooth at the crank, damaging parts that are a whole lot more expensive than the shipping to Hungary. I will tell you one trick - get a couple other riders to pick up tensioners, Four can fit in one box. They can be for a KLX, KLR250/650, CRF250L, WR 250R, and others. That defrays shipping over two to four parts.

I wish it wasn't so expensive for shipping. That has been the only increase in the kit cost. I've never raised it since started in 2009. Still, $36.70 to ship half way around the world isn't too bad.

 

I am gonna ask around if anyone else needs a tensioner, but unfortunately these models are quite rare here.

It is getting really cold here so the riding season is over. My bike is not in danger of tooth-skipping

 

I also do Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, so it isn't one model or brand.