Upsets me a bit that they didn't make them the past couple years, do they plan on ever returning to them?

 

They have to develop a new design and figure where they plan to be in the market. Right now Honda has the low buck market, but it is a low buck bike. Yamaha has the high line Japanese market, I doubt any Japanese bike will compete with KTM and Husky due to the fact that those buyers won't buy Japanese, even if it is on par or better, for the same price. It's like BMW riders.

 

Kawasaki is showing this Versys-X 300 at EICMA:
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 2017 - Motociclismo

I suppose it is a type of dual sport.

 

No, it's a twin cylinder street bike with longer travel suspension to dabble on dirt roads... aka an Adventure Bike. Dual sports are significantly lighter and more off road oriented. 21" front wheels, lighter more agile.

That bike was derived from the EX300 sport bike, where the KLX250 was derived from the off road only KLX250/300R. Big differences.

 

Where did the 250s series fit into the market when they were still being sold in the us? About where Honda is now?

 

It was the first of the newer look - MX look - of the 250 dual sports. The Honda XR, Yamaha XT, and Suzuki DR series - with the exception of the DRz400 - all had the 80s look. The Kaw had the MX style perimeter frame and the KLX300 stuff. It was pretty much on its own until the WR250R came out. The WR was more upscale with hotter performance from the engine and better suspension. Then the CRF came along - actually down scale with less performance (against a jetted KLX) and less quality suspension - no adjustability other than preload.

Really it's a shame that Kaw couldn't bring the engine up to EPA standards, possibly make it a 300, and bring the looks totally into the 21st century MX look.

I still think from the value/dollar the KLX was the best buy. The carb needing jetting being the only negative point The suspension is worth far more than the $500 difference between it and the CRF. Compared to the Yamaha, there is around a $1500 difference which could be spent to have a big bore flat slide pumper equipped KLX with tricked out suspension - and money left over.

 

Maybe Trump will make Kawa dezyn us a new KLX300S, with EFI, and make it in 'Mericah !!!

 

Yep. He kin do anythin'.

 

I heard they're coming out with a perimeter frame, KTM lookin' low slung translucent tank. 10" travel front and rear using a new 4 valve air cooled v-twin based off the KLX 140 motor so it will be 288cc's. Street legal and weighing in around 230 lbs. Yep, that's what I heard...Oh yeah, seven speed tranny.

 

Have you been testing out the WV cash crop?