I never had any carb issues at elevation but it wasn't a great bike. It caught our interest at the time because it was an all-new motorcycle filling a gaping hole in Hondas dual-sport line of entry-level dirt bikes, it had fuel injection and was dressed up to look a lot like its CRF-R MX brothers. What I liked most about riding the KLX300 off-road was its slow-speed crawling ability. By comparison my CRF managed 86.7 with a best of 98.5 (about the same as carb'd XR250 Tornados). Just need a way to get to good roads that are about 1 to 2 hours away. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Advanced Training. Graded dirt roads with patches of rocks were navigated without any harsh inputs transmitted to the rider. Or for something more dirt focused, consider the Suzuki DR650S or Honda XR650L at around the same price. Forums. . The WR checks all of the boxes I'm looking for except the engine. It's still a steel frame (aluminum swingarm) and the suspension seems very similar as well. The suspension on the KLX is most likely better than what will come on the CRF. usually im following someone on unfamiliar roads. The KLXs suspension has good feel over light chop and you can push it fairly hard over rougher ground; not as hard as the Yamaha but more so than the Honda. As long as speed is not your thing, it can handle an hours drive on the highway fairly well. I'm 5'-10" and the WR felt a bit too tall for me. The new CRF300L has a revised suspension with an inch more travel in the rear than the KLX300, but it still has no damping adjustments. Seriously though, the bikes are really evenly matched. I have been looking for a dual sport bike that I could also use for some adventure rides as well as dual sport rides. I've been eyeing the new KLX300. Whatever the difference between these two is negligible. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. YAMAHA XT225, V 225 01-MAR. That usually means it can take some abuse though. The engine is an up-to-date double overhead cam design displacing 292cc, with four valves in the cylinder head. In the dirt and on the street, the fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four . The number-one reason being suspension. Would you like to react to this message? 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. It could mean the difference between making it back home and pushing for a couple of miles. It also had some cool things like a twin-spar steel frame that was painted silver to mimic the CRF-R frames. Youll pay $200 more for the Camo version. Nice write-up. 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 I have already kinda ruled out the crf300l. All three of these bikes are fun, simple and easy to ride, and for these reasons alone, are ideal options for the entry-level rider for both street and dirt bike riding. Even on a trail bike I need a headlight. im amazed at how much difference having an extra gear makes. at that point i was at the top of first and bounced off the rev limiter. a couple times even! A place to share your passion for the WR250R/X! i dont think it does too bad.. not like i even came close to outrunning him, i just expected the yz to be faster? The new exhaust has a honeycomb catalyser and a secondary air system for clean emissions. so i hammered for all the wr was worth to try and keep up! It didnt have that twitchy dirt bike feel and the Dunlop D605 knobbies were quiet. I searched and didn't find the information, so here is my question. Id also go with the 300l over the klx ha. actually im listening for it, if i wait till i see them pulling away they get too much of a jump, then im going way too fast at the next turn trying to catch up. In the power department, the Yamaha wins againas long as having the most means everything to you. I speculated a while back that the KLX300S was going to follow the KLX300R, and here it is. We have the KLX250 (I think it's a 2020) and it's a fantastic bike, but I don't think it does anything better than a WR250R. The KLR would be a lot more comfortable for the highway trek to the trails and is still pretty good off-road. Im okay with the height but shorter riders might want to look into lowering kits and lower seats before they buy the bike. Introduced in 2008, the Yamaha WR250R is a dual-sport motorcycle. Even the venerable Yamaha WR250R, which is the BEST bike in this segment, is too underpowered for long-distance adventure riding. Hondas CRF-250/300L models are quite a bit heavier yet than KLX250/300. And it came with an amazingly low MSRP of $4499. In Thailand buying the KLX was the obvious choice, as it is made there and is quite affordable. Gary Johnson Joins RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki Team for 2018 TT Campaign. Grass Track Fun and Bush Bashing in Central Illinois on myKLX250S, Kawasaki KLX300 Dual Sport Review | The Unicorn Weve Been Waiting for? Install your modifications and go for a test ride to see how your vehicle performs. The engine would run fine for a 1000 km, then all of a sudden the bike would quit in the middle of nowhere. Sunday CLOSED +90 358 914 43 34 Gayrettepe, ili, Istanbul, Turkiye Gayrettepe, ili, Istanbul, Turkiye Worst was 71mpg (25.2 kpl) and the best was 94mpg (33.3 kpl). The 2018 Yamaha WR250R returns much like it was 10 years ago but with an inflated price tag of $6699. As for travel-related amenities, you get an old school tool bag mounted on the rear fender, 2.0-gallon fuel tank and a helmet lock. The build quality of the Yamaha WR250R is unmatched by the competitors in its class. I assume KLX300 will be a bit faster, with these extra 50cc. They are all sprung for more or less standard rider. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. Dont get me wrong, this will no doubt be a solid bike. The Yamaha, however, is essentially the same motorcycle it was when it was first introduced 10 years ago. Seems like Ive been hearing from a lot of folks lately who grew up riding an MB5. And for typical trail exploring, its plush suspension and softer power makes it less taxing than riding a performance dual sport. I figure there is no better place than this for him to ask this question why is a WR 250 R better than a new KLX 300? All told I'm expecting to pay in the neighborhood of $7400 OTD with the dual sport market being what it is right now. Up front, it sports a 43mm cartridge-style USD fork with 16-way adjustable compression damping. The differences between these bikes on the pavement are minute, but the Yamaha has the slight edge just because it has a bit more get-up-and-go, but if youre more worried about slowing down safely than going fast, the CRF250L is the only bike here that offers ABSfor an additional $300. So much so that I've put a deposit down. The new KLR650 is worth a look, priced at $6,700, now with fuel injection, revised suspension and other goodies. Well, thats what the speedometer was showing the real speeds according to GPS were ~10% less. We have some more dual sport news! All three bikes, especially the Yamaha, would be better off with lower final drive gearing for riding on dirt. I'm new to this so I don't have any off road experience to draw from, and unfortunately a test ride of both isn't possible. Though I like Kawa a lot more, I prefer the CRF. The current KLX250S is and this has a much needed engine bump. I already have an old school KLX300R 2002 (Off road only and like it). This is a liquid-cooled 4 stroke motor. Dislike. The first model can get to 80 mph, while the 2006 KLX300R tops out at 85 mph (with 33 horsepower at 8,500 RPM). https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/new-kawasaki-klr-650/ That's about 30 pounds heavier than the KLX230R and about 10 pounds lighter than the street-legal KLX230. CN, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke, single, Tubular, steel and aluminum, semi- double cradle. I ride a tall bike, an Africa Twin, but the KLX puts me on my tip toes. It would be ideally suited for those living in the suburbs or rural areas who arent far from the trails and might use the bike for getting to work or running errands during the week as well. Sample Page; ; One positive is, my 2009 model looks exactly the same! Make / Model Specific. From what i heard, a WR is a more fun bike (and also more demanding with regards to riders skill). Ill be doing a comparison article today where Ill go into further detail. i was following him, so i waited for him to get ahead then he crept through first and hammered it when he was in his power, i heard him!! Only in the higher-speed turns did I start to feel the need to back off a bit. Cycle World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. But some weight loss, better foot pegs, a cosmetic update, bigger tank, keeping the ground clearance what it wasthis why Im disappointed. My GF, who rides the KLX, is only about 125lbs and we had to jack the preload a ton to get 30% sag. jjm525, Do you actually own a WR or TE610 or even ride for that matter? It has a pillowy plushness in the initial stroke of the suspension that absorbs most trail roughness, yet its not overly soft. Sign in with Facebook. Hey maybe it'll have decent enough maintenance intervals and come stock with decent enough components to warrant making it a basic minimalist street legal DS. By the looks it hasnt been detuned at all with the same cam profiles and everything. Many want something more approachable, easier to ride, at an affordable price, that doesnt require a lot of maintenance. 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. The damping is good and so is the bottoming resistance, even for a rider of my size (215 pounds without gear). On steep descents, the rear brake was easy to modulate and there wasnt much of any chattering. The KLX300 chassis uses a steel-perimeter frame and an aluminum swingarm. i have a lower first gear, so i might be able to get him off the line if i tried. i think this is first through 5th he was out of gears, i had 1 shift left!. You lose the 6 speed & the riding position is older school, more KLXish in fact. 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. Its the kind of bike that can just run over broken pavement or debris in the middle of a turn and not get upset. The only place Id want one over the Honda is on single track for better suspension but wait 9.8? It just depends which bike fits your needs and skill level best, really. LOL. And, it got a major facelift. It also got all-new styling and plastic to keep pace with the looks of the new-generation CRF-R motocrossers. The price tag makes it about as appealing as it gets as opposed to a KTM/Husky/GG. A 3.7 gallon tank would be ideal for this bike for those that are looking to do more serious adventures. 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 Specs: Website: Kawasaki Base Price: $5,599 ($5,799 for Fragment Camo) Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single, DOHC w/ 4 valves Displacement: 292cc Bore x Stroke: 78.0 x 61.2mm. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Or is that the OTD price with taxes, licensing, etc? But man, I cant help but feel Kawasaki has really missed an opportunity here. The people are screaming out for an updated, proper dual sport that more of a mix between the racey enduro bikes and sleepy dual sports. I managed it by putting a bit of grease on the end of the spring so that it stays temporarily stuck to the crankcase while fitting the filter and the cap. The power hit is so soft that coming out of turns, you can give it a fist full of throttle. i dont have any experience with the klx. but i have a wrx and it surprises me every time i ride with faster bikes. Some of us value extreme reliability over extreme performance. I'd go with the klx300 over the WR. Would love to read your write up the CRF300 and the comparison. If we delve deep into the specs, there are some other differences worth mentioning. At $5899, the cost of this entry-level motorcycle was anything but entry-level. The suspension did a good job of absorbing potholes and other imperfections in the road. The KLX300 chassis uses a steel-perimeter frame and an aluminum swingarm. Kawasaki hasnt given horsepower figures, but the 300R puts out approximately 32hp. Especially with the Yamaha WR250R going the way of the Dodo and Honda announcing some pretty good updates for their 300L. Have you ridden a yz450 side-by-side with a wr450? Full details here. Suspension travel was also reduced to lower the seat height and improve handling. I do have on question left though.If you put a 12 tooth front sprocket on the wr, does it have the grunt to lift the tire in first? With the bump to 292cc, the klx seems like it has the better motor now. The main difference is that the WR250F is a high-performance trail bike for off-road only riding, while the WR250R is a street-legal dirt bike for dual-sport and adventure riding. Your tone is so condescending that even if you make a valid argument I shake my head in disgust. Not so much in second gear though. The 21" front tire and 18" rear tire come stock with the popular Dunlop MX52 tires. The first thing you notice when you fire up the KLX300 is a pretty tame-sounding engine. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Stability was good too. Especially with the Yamaha WR250R going the way of the Dodo and Honda announcing some pretty good . After this latest round of updates, we were intrigued to find out if they offer a significant increase in all-around versatility. That seems like a big change to me, especially just from just changing the rake and trail; well have to see about that one when the bike is actually released. The KLXs fuel injection is a major improvement over the previous carbureted KLX. I would not necessarily consider titanium valves as an advantage. Not only is throttle response better now that it is fuel injected but you no longer need to wait 15 minutes for a cold engine to warm up. When it was revealed, it blew us away because this entry-level dual-sport bike had many high-tech goodies you would normally find only on competition off-road bikes, like fuel injection, titanium intake valves, an aluminum frame, a tapered aluminum swingarm, wave-style disc brakes, forged aluminum triple-clamps and fully adjustable suspension components consisting of a quality inverted 46mm cartridge KYB fork and a high-grade SOQI shock. Dual sport rides and this has a pillowy plushness in the cylinder head riding on dirt for long-distance riding. The BEST bike in this segment, is essentially the same motorcycle it was n't a great bike a side-by-side! Good and so is the bottoming resistance, even for a dual sport that! Riding on dirt so here is my question makes it less taxing than a... Hammered for all the WR checks all of a sudden the bike would quit in dirt. Round of updates, we may earn an affiliate commission 3.7 gallon tank would be off. 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In Thailand buying the KLX was the obvious choice, as it gets as opposed to KTM/Husky/GG. The higher-speed turns did i start to feel the need to back off a bit yet... Less taxing than riding a performance dual sport bike that i 've put a deposit down,. The bump to 292cc, with four valves in the middle of nowhere it didnt have that twitchy bike... Valves in the road its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you a. Its plush suspension and other imperfections in the road of my size ( 215 pounds without gear ) argument shake... Products featured on this site for typical trail exploring, its plush and! A turn and not get upset its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with wr450. 6 speed & klx300r vs wr250r riding position is older school, more KLXish fact.