Topic: Nicks other baby.

[nickjtc]

I got this KLX 250 at the end of June to spare the XT500 the rigours of dirty riding....and (wuss that I am) to enjoy the luxury of an electric foot. Yes I know it's 'only' a 250 and they are way easier to start than the 500..........but when you've just ended up on your ear for the umteenth time (having way to much fun) the push button is a godsend.

And way too much fun it is. I've put 4500km under its wheels, with at least half off (paved) road. This is the first bike I've had here in Canada that I will probably insure through the winter to take advantage of those odd sunny warm(er) days we get.

And for all of the nay-sayers and "that's too small a bike" people, let me assure you that at my skill level there is plenty of power to get you into trouble pdq! It will bimble along the highway very contentedly at 100kph and tops out at just over 130kph. But frankly I don't feel like thrashing it, especially when I can get 75+ mp(Imperial)g by being restrained with the right wrist. And in the dirt  it is, well, just too much fun.

[kghost]

Yup size has nothing to do with how much trouble and mayhem you can cause

[mrbreeze]

OK...my 95 Toyota Tacoma (Toy Taco) 4x4,v-6 ,5 speed manual....gets 20mpg......my 75k 750 gets 40-45mpg.........If I get a dual sport I could get 60-70? I might look into this.

[DarkRider]

Like im gonna raz you about it being a 250...quite the opposite...my question is this how much did that thing set you back? I have been considering smaller bikes a lot lately...either a 250 or 650 dual sport or possably an EX500 Ninja..would like to hear more about this KLX.

[okie]

Maybe you are learning something I recently discovered.

It is more fun to go fast on a slow bike than it is to go slow on a fast bike.

I recently acquired a XL250 for the same reasons. I'll take the big smile it puts on my face, any day, over the look of sheer terror that my old crotch rocket gave me.  Exactly how often did I need to go 130MPH?  In eleven seconds!!!!!!  My brain can't process stuff that fast.

DarkRider, I have had several 650 dual-sports and although I loved the power, those things were just too big and heavy for anything remotely serious in the dirt or sand.  Most of the time, when I dropped the bike, I was going less than 3 MPH.  The only injuries they ever gave me were muscle strains from picking them up after an unexpected get-off.  Uh, Oh.  I just remembered the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear power wheelies.  I DO miss that part. 

[nickjtc]

Like im gonna raz you about it being a 250...quite the opposite...my question is this how much did that thing set you back? I have been considering smaller bikes a lot lately...either a 250 or 650 dual sport or possably an EX500 Ninja..would like to hear more about this KLX.

List is $5799can. I got it for $5299can, and took advantage of the Kawasaki "don't pay any down payment, don't pay anything for 6 months, amortise the rest over as long as you want at not-too-bad interest" deal. The warranty us unlimited kms for one year with the option to extend for three years for $550can, or so. Haven't decided on that yet, but at the rate I'm racking up the kms I may well decide to do it.

[nickjtc]

It is more fun to go fast on a slow bike than it is to go slow on a fast bike.

Absolutely. The VTR250 we used to have was an absolute hoot. I'm very please to see that sales of Ninja 250s (sold out in Canada), CBR125s (we use them for training at the school I've bee working at), Hyosung 250s, and all of the smaller dualsports are going up by leaps and bounds.

[gregk]

Nick

i agree with your choice as i have a XT 550 and after it's bucked me off a few times, I barely have the energy to crawl out from underneath the bike let alone try to kick it over.

Good choice

Greg

[754]

I agree with Okie..
 Also,
 You can use a smaller bike to more of its potential more of the time & still be legal.

on a sport bike, you have very little fun while staying legal..

[nickjtc]

on a sport bike, you have very little fun while staying legal..

Hey Frank, tazzing down Highway 97 in the middle of Kelowna, during rush hour, on the rear wheel, isn't illegal is it??

[kghost]

on a sport bike, you have very little fun while staying legal..

Hey Frank, tazzing down Highway 97 in the middle of Kelowna, during rush hour, on the rear wheel, isn't illegal is it??

It sure was in Nome Alaska I can tell you that. Got a ticket for exactly that on an XL350

[DarkRider]

Thats not a bad price at all for a new one...Granted i cant afford new right now but the KLX has been around for a few years now i could probably snag an older one for a reasonable price.