We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. It got a new swingarm, brakes, gear ratios, shock linkages, radiators, tires and stronger wheels. I ride a tall bike, an Africa Twin, but the KLX puts me on my tip toes. We compare the latest entry-level 250cc dual-sport bikes from Japan. Make this thing street legal and I'd be highly interested. No doubt youll be happy with the klx, especially the 300. There really isnt one in this bunch. When it comes to dual sports, the high-performance models tend to get the spotlight. Some of us value extreme reliability over extreme performance. Easy to brake on a mild crash! Hi Rob, What an excellent excellent write up and review on the KLX300 ! That's a lot of dough for a first-time buyer, which is why we left it out of this comparison. That must be a metric conversion error. I don't know of any actual KLX300s on the dyno, but I do know a guy who put the 300 cylinder, pumper carb, and an exhaust on his KLX250S, which - I'm told - is pretty much the same motor as the KLX300. Although the suspension can get overwhelmed as speeds increase and it starts to fight with you a bit as the suspension tries to catch up with what you are doing. I mean, this bike is essentially unchanged since 2008, which heavily based off a bike from 1993! I plan to put a Rade Garage fairing kit on it. Hey Rob. The WRR isn't going to have nearly the same grunt as that KLX300. Coming in at just over 4000 in the UK, it's a cheap bike to start off with compared to the performance enduro models at almost double that. https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/research-tools/dealer-locator Changed the oil every 3000 km, and didnt have any engine issues, pretty good for a 250? The 43 mm inverted cartridge-style front fork has compression damping adjustability, while the Uni-Trak rear suspension has a gas-charged shock with preload and rebound damping adjustments. Dislike. Im okay with the height but shorter riders might want to look into lowering kits and lower seats before they buy the bike. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. This is a liquid-cooled 4 stroke motor. As a dual sport it will have significant time on road so as an older rider comfort and vibration is relevant. But not every rider is looking for a hard-edged enduro. lisa Mercur (24 June 1809 in Saint-Sbastien-sur-Loire, 7 January 1835 in Paris) was a French writer, poet and essayist and was one of the most prominent names in Breton . As before, the engine is a water-cooled single, featuring dual overhead cams with four valves and a 34mm throttle body EFI system mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The all new KLX 300 dual sport is essentially EXACTLY the same as the current KLX250S, except with a bored out motor and some extremely minor updates. Heavy discounts too. . Youll pay $200 more for the Camo version. My motocross days are over. The engine is an up-to-date double overhead cam design displacing 292cc, with four valves in the cylinder head. The KLX250 dual sport changed to EFI recently. In addition, the new KLX300 receives slimmer-profile radiators, optimized ignition timing and engine balancer, updated gear ratios and some additional suspension tweaks on the damping. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. It takes lot more to get the Yamahas suspension to bottom out compared to the Hondas or Kawasakis. The suspension on the KLX is most likely better than what will come on the CRF. Even so, it still put a grin on my face launching it over table tops. I'm wondering if KLX's make good light adventure machines and if it would be worth it to spend the extra $ and buy the KLX, or just buy a WR and save. Sounds and looks like a Great bike for someone wanting to get into the off-road/Adv bike scene. Its sweet spot is slow to mid-range speeds on rough terrain. I also don't know when they'll be getting more in. A step up from most 250cc dual sport singles for sure, but not quite on par with a BMW G310GS or Kawasaki Versys-X 300 in full-throttle acceleration. Trail protection consists of engine deflector rails welded to the frame and a small skidplate that mounts underneath the engine. Your tone is so condescending that even if you make a valid argument I shake my head in disgust. The drz not having a 6th gear is pretty lame too. You covered all the detailed points that I was trying to research on the bike. Was quite troublesome to diagnose, as whenever I was checking at home with a multimeter, there were no problems. This is progress? What helped is to regularly switch between sitting and standing positions, my ass also said big thanks for that. A dual sport is not a racing bike and anyone who thinks it is will be disappointed. Glad you found it a helpful review. So much so that I've put a deposit down. I want the new motor version even more. Copyright 2023 CycleNews. And Im considering both bikes.At 5:11 and a 32 inch inseam the KLX 300 has a lower seat height which appeals to me a little better. KLX300S has Adjustable Suspension Unlike the Honda, the Kawa KLX300S has adjustable suspension in the front and the rear. Thanks in advance for the responses guys. Rider Spotlight Video Series Launches Ep. Introduced in 2008, the Yamaha WR250R is a dual-sport motorcycle. on a KLR tell me how he was all over me on a street ride. The IMS tank works perfectly fine on ours. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Advanced Training. (LogOut/ Enough to make passing and maintaining speed on the highway less of a concern, and on the trail, the extra power gives you the ability to take on bigger hill climbs or lighten that front wheel over obstacles more easily. A tick over 6' and I beat the shit out of my wrr. Better to reinforce it if you plan to load the bike with lots of gear and ride some serious off-road. I had handlebar risers (I think 30 mm ~= 1 1/4) installed which helped. All rights reserved. The rear tire grip suffered a bit under hard braking but that is pretty common with knobbies. Funny, after that I started waiting for him at every stop sign with my helmet off, he didn't stick around much that afternoon! Just so I would know what agility is supposed to feel like. Much appreciated! However, I never experienced any hard bottoming of the suspension, even launching it off jumps with flat bottom landings. My last bike, a Honda XR250, had M8 bolts there. I'm going to go out on a limb and say you haven't. Tuned for riding trails the KLX300R will have good power but will not rip your arms off. In comparison, the KLX250Sthe Yamahas number-one competitor at the timesold for about a $1000 less. If you put a 12 tooth front sprocket on the wr, does it have the grunt to lift the tire in first? Compare All Motorcycles. Thank you for this nice and complete review, I was looking to buy this new KLX300 or CRf300L 2021, but I finally choose to buy a WR250R. After a chilly morning ride, exiting the freeway was a big relief and we soon got onto some backcountry roads that traveled through scenic rolling hills. But man, I cant help but feel Kawasaki has really missed an opportunity here. Incredible vistas, unique Im supposed to be writing an adventure story and bike review, but all I can Take a peek in your typical adventure rider garage and youre likely to see a Harley-Davidson Kicks Off Nationwide Demo Tour for Pan America, REVIT! Hey Gene. Smooth, precise and predictable low rpm throttle response is critical for riders new to motorcycling, and all three bikes have just thatexcellent throttle response. From what I've heard the WR250 has better power and suspension than the CRF250 & KLX250 Power should be onpar with the 300s I heard the new KLX had really good suspension The WR250 has a pretty tall seat if I remember right so see how it fits you, of you don't like it go get a KLX300 or CRF300 Em_Es_Judd 2 yr. ago Jumping up from the 250cc to 300cc range is one change that can make a significant difference, especially when it comes to dual sport riding that entails getting on the highway to reach the trails. I am 63 as well and the KLX was more or less ok, but not perfect. Yet it was a little touchy on soft terrain. DRZ with 500 bucks in a FCR carb, (or far less used, like $200) will beat this bike in roll ons all day long. i think this is first through 5th he was out of gears, i had 1 shift left!. And it came with an amazingly low MSRP of $4499. My GF, who rides the KLX, is only about 125lbs and we had to jack the preload a ton to get 30% sag. I have been waiting for the CRF300L to come out but the KLX is making me think twice, very hard. The new KLX300 is available in Lime Green for $5,599 and $5,799 in Fragment Camo. Enter the KLX300, Kawasakis replacement of its 250cc dual sport first introduced in 2006, which returned to the lineup in 2018 after a three-year hiatus with the addition of fuel injection, refinements to its suspension and a new digital dash. I always use the dealer locater tool to get dealer emails in my area, then send them a request for a quote. Ada Yamaha, Honda, dan Kawasaki. The wheelbase is fairly compact at 56.7 inches and it has a modest (for dirt bike standards) 10.8 inches of ground clearance. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Thanks for sharing your long-term experience with the KLX250. They arent the most powerful brakes for the street, but didnt leave me wishing for more. My KLX250 could go up to ~135 km/h (83 mph) on level terrain with 13/45 sprockets and a (slim) girl on the back. My KLX250s has got 55k km now and Id like to replace it soon. Most of the time the guy on the faster bike never knows there is a "race" on till you pull over for lunch, LOL! Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue. The KLX300 motor is a re-sleeved KLX250S motor that has been around since Adam was a boy, and that engine has legendary reliability. He's got some insane woods bikes plated in NC, including a 2-stroke. We try to be thorough. Some things to mention about the bike: Just shows how out of touch the Japanese manufacturers are. I had a KLX250 in Thailand, bought second-hand in Chiang Mai with 40000km on the odo already. crf250f vs crf250l. 46mm USD, cartridge, telescopic fork, fully adj. Compare All Motorcycles. Specifications and pricing are subject to change. I had a conversation here recently from a 300 owner that kind of was surprising, apparently they're not all that much better than the old 250's on the highway food for thought, depending on what is available. I have a klx300. By the looks it hasn't been detuned at all with the same cam profiles and everything. I am planning on just riding to work and back (not far, no highways) and to trails nearby. Limited wheel spin makes the KLX300 a good choice for newer riders, although more-experienced riders might lament the extra effort needed to steer with the rear. What I liked most about riding the KLX300 off-road was its slow-speed crawling ability. This is could be a deal-changer for somemainly beginners and noviceswho would just as soon sacrifice some suspension performance for being able to solidly and confidently plant both feet on the ground, or at least one foot without having to lean the bike over too far. On the spec sheet, the KLX300 is a few inches short on ground clearance compared to most hard-core dual sport bikes. The Kawasaki is the only bike that drives its odometer with the front wheel; the Yamaha and Honda do so via their transmissions. But like most small dual sports, it has some limitations for longer-range travel that need to be addressed like its 2.0-gallon tank and lack of windscreen, hand guards or luggage rack. . No, but they're faster in both acceleration and top speed. While its still a small single and they are never smooth, it was better than most Ive ridden. I'm 99% sure it's the same guy that got booted off of advrider for his attitude. On Dirt Rider's in-house dyno, the KLX300 produced 23.4 hp at 8,100 rpm and 15.4 pound-feet at 8,000 rpm. There's an electric start, but no backup kickstarter. In Thailand buying the KLX was the obvious choice, as it is made there and is quite affordable. Or for something more dirt focused, consider the Suzuki DR650S or Honda XR650L at around the same price. Hopefully Suzuki will surprise us with one of its own 250cc entry-level dual-sport bike some day so we can do this comparison all over again. The engine run/stop switch was almost the last thing I checked, would not have thought it can crap out. The WRR with an exhaust, airbox mods, and a FI tuner is in the 28-29hp range, so I don't think you'll be missing anything except the kick-starter. I'd love to keep my Street Triple, but I've only got room in my garage and in my life for one motorcycle until I'm finished with school. We waited & waited, did you turn around & leave? crf250f vs crf250lshane richmond cause of death santa barbara. It was announced this morning by Kawasaki. Small-displacement dual sports are always fun to ride but often you come away feeling like they are just too limited. However, new carburetion changed all that in 09for a while at least. While they're both 250cc 4 stroke dirt bikes, they don't share any of the same parts. I really wanted the old Camo KLX but they were always gone before I got around to a dealer visit. Most 250cc bike launches tend to avoid the freeway completely, but the first two minutes of our test got us straight onto Highway 50 heading up into the Sierras. Im 6ft tall and I sat on a KLX300 the other day and it is a really tall bike. I have been looking at the WRR also,What kind of hp does it put out stock? I sat flat-footed on the ground but did notice a few of my fellow journalists in the 53 range shimmying from one toe to the other at a stop light. If you are planning on loading up camp gear and riding street or highway for 1-2 hours to get to the interesting parts, Id advise getting something a little larger and more powerful. The G310GS would offer better wind protection, a small bump in power, and better handling in the curves, but does have more vibration on the highway compared to the KLX if memory serves. Its quiet, stable, and keeps vibes to a minimum. Hoping Yamaha comes out with a WR300. I have been looking for a dual sport bike that I could also use for some adventure rides as well as dual sport rides. Maybe you should pack less crap? Stopping power is provided by a 250mm front disc with a 2-piston Nissin caliper, along with a 240mm disc and single-piston caliper in the rear. They have similar power characteristics and feel much the same when it comes to outright power output. Its mellower power output makes it less intense to ride than a serious motocross bike, allowing you to focus on your turns and maintaining momentum. We have some more dual sport news! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I wouldnt want to do 1-2 hours of highway miles on a CRF450RL. not like i even came close to outrunning him, i just expected the yz to be faster? But I guess every modern bike these days uses plated cylinders. Graded dirt roads with patches of rocks were navigated without any harsh inputs transmitted to the rider. new to duel sports, and dual sport bikes. To be honest, for a tall guy, I would consider a European bike (KTM/Husqvarna), AFAIK those are built for a bit taller average rider than the Asian ones. Well report back with more details on what we find out! I have already kinda ruled out the crf300l. What surprised me the most on the highway was the lack of vibration. Especially with the Yamaha WR250R going the way of the Dodo and Honda announcing some pretty good updates for their 300L. The build quality of the Yamaha WR250R is unmatched by the competitors in its class. Although, getting into more-advanced hill climbs, second gear could benefit from lower overall gearing. Archives Column | Honda VF750F V45 Interceptor, Eli Tomac Confirmed For Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross Championships, 2022 Scouting Moto Combine Set to Broadcast on MavTV, John Ashmead To Be Honored Prior To The 81st Running Of The Daytona 200, Details Announced for 2023 WMN Racing Womens Motocross International, Fisher to Pilot Rackley Racing Indian FTR750, Nitro Circus and Round Room Live Announce Multi-Year Partnership, Brayton Named Grand Marshal for 2023 Daytona Supercross, S&S Announces Bagger Racing Contingency for 2023 Season, Twin Power to Sponsor Live Stream of Sons of Speed Race during Daytona Bike Week. Even so, its capable of scooting through all but the gnarliest of dirt bike trails. I value reliability too, got to rememeber I own a KLX250S! While the KLX300 doesnt have much in the way of aerodynamics, with a high-speed tuck behind the dash I was able to achieve an indicated 85 mph on a slight downhill. All things motorcycling with a touch of humour and unbiased honesty. The 2018 Yamaha WR250R returns much like it was 10 years ago but with an inflated price tag of $6699. There is also a pipe guard, rear brake caliper protector, and heat shield but no hand guards. Home. The KLX has had the airbox lid removed, and the suspension re-done by Mx-Tech. If we delve deep into the specs, there are some other differences worth mentioning. LOL. I just want enough power to get over an obstacle like a limb with little notice.