I've only had my 2006 klx351 for a little while and I just noticed it doesn't have a cush drive on the hub for the rear wheel. My 94 klr250 has one, as well has my f800gs. I figured maybe they didn't think a 250 cc dual sport would need one, but yet my older klr 250 has one. I know the cush drive helps to absorb the shock of the acceleration put on the transmission and other drive train parts. I know most pure dirt bikes don't have one but when ridden in the dirt there is considerable wheel slippage which limits drive train forces. I plan on riding this bike on both the street and dirt for many miles. I have over 40,000 on the klr250 and I'm hoping for the same with the klx351. So has anyone put an after market rear hub with a cush drive on their klx?

 

You're still probably on the right track with one of your ideas with the power issue. Weight may be another element. Yes, the KLR250 doesn't have explosive power either, but it really is normally used more on the street than pavement. Cush hubs aren't just available to ease power delivery for potential damage. They also just smooth the power delivery for rider comfort. Since the KLX is more dirt oriented...or at least intended so...there's just not much reason to require one. I've had bikes with both setups. For dual sport applications, I have a hard time distinguishing between them.

 

It might be that at 17rwhp stock the little motor poses no threat to the trans or rider.

 

I would like one to preserve my chain and sprockets from my hooligan riding style when I run the Shinko 705s...their extra grip seems to wear out chain and sprockets a little faster, it's why I stick with knobbies.
Anyone fit a KLX650C hub? It has a cush, the hub looks the same, not sure about the axle diameter...

 

XR650L didn't have cush hub either.

I happen to have a KLX650 cush hub, I haven't checked yet, but I am fairly certain it has the same brake rotor, not sure about the axle, I'd need to measure it. I have both front and rear hubs for the KLX to make some supermoto wheels, just haven't done it yet.

 

Well a little bit about that

My B/F had a WR250F and it did not also have a cush hub

what happened to his was the gear stripped the output shaft

so he welded the gear onto the output shaft not even 200 miles later he blow apart his transmission

now that being said

i believe that the KLX must have some kind of cush system intergraded in the transmission its self

other wise we would be seeing the same results as my B/F's bike

 

Leaving all other bikes and situations out of the discussion...how many blown hubs and drivetrains have we seen reported here and elsewhere on the KLX250R, KLX300R, KLX250S, or KLX250SF?

Zippets, I'll contend that you BF's problems weren't a result of the lack of a cush hub.

 

No cush anywhere in the transmission. Solid gear to gear, metal to metal, power transmission all the way to the rear wheel. I know this because i had every last bit of my engine apart last winter after I cracked one of the cases. I even bought a used transmission gear set off eBay beforehand, just in case I found a trans issue once I got into the engine.

Dan

 

excluding Dan888, none that I know of capt'n

 

Just lower the tire pressure...it'll be nice and cushy :P