ya, a 250. and a kawi at that. ridden one, owned one, wrecked one ? cool, tell me about it. i just might pick one up for off road fun.

Well the 650cc big brother is suppose to be a pretty good bike. I would have gotten one if I hadn't run across my GS. I'm am glad I got a street bike to learn on but would still like to get one in the future. The 2008 model had the most upgrades/changes.Thats pretty much all I know. 

KLR 250, is that was was/is the "Super Sherpa"?
If so, my step-mom has one. I've ridden it before: took it on a little 150 mile trip with some dirt involved. It did fine, I remember having fun and not being able to go over 75 mph. Its not much of a dirt bike by dirt bike standards, but a good choice if you are height challenged or just going to put around some dirt roads. If you want it for dirt mainly go with something with a little more meat, like a DRZ400.

cool. thanks.

So that's what he's looking for....

no it is not the sherpa.  the sherpa is based on the "stockman"

After owning a KLR650 I would highly suggest NOT buying the 250.

Under power with a top speed of 140km/hr (that was the 650)
No bottom end for the dirt or soft sand.  Does not have the grunt to "float" on sand but digs in and digs trenches.
need to replace the "doohicky" (balancer adjuster) as it breaks and the parts fall into the abyss of the engine never to be seen again. (I went through 3 in 2 years)
Fuel tank is way undersized for a good day out in the dirt.

The bike is real easy to work on though so that is a plus being a single cylinder.
The bike is now 23 years old and nothing much has changed so there is ample spare parts
Good following and support at http://www.klr650.marknet.us/ and also ADVrider.com   Yes it is a 650 site but the 250 is the same bike with just smaller engine.  Some models have the kickstart (earlier models from memory)


If you want it for "off road fun" then you would probably get more thrills from a BMX bike.

In my world team-green are the crapest of the big 4 off-road.  If the bike has been worked hard and seen some serious action, and assuming the engine is up on PSI and dont burn more oil, than gas, the brakes will be shagged, the fork-seals will be shagged........and as for the suspension linkage...urrgh. If you are gonna spend serious dough get an XL/XR. If you are getting the kwak for nothing fair enough.......but your spanners are gonna get a serious rattling and a lovely shine.

+1 to the DRZ400  An awesome all around fun bike.. You can get it motarded or trail ready 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 29, 2009, 03:36:19 PM

+1 to the DRZ400  An awesome all around fun bike.. You can get it motarded or trail ready 

+2

Quote from: GeeP on May 28, 2009, 08:27:36 AM
So that's what he's looking for....

ya man. either a sv650, tl1000r or a klr/something-or-other

i'm leaning towards dual-sport weakness. sure, it just means it does both poorly, but you know



this thread is turning into something informative thanks guys !

BMW GS series are probably the most reliable.  Honda XR would then be a very close second if not equal in reliability.

DRZ400 
Yam WR450  (loads of power)
KTM duel sports  the most power out of the lot (yes even over the honda) but KTM engines are so highly strung things go bang a fair bit and need replacing.  Mainly engine seals.

KTM deff makes some of the best dual sports and even street legal full off road bikes as well (nice loophole on their MSOs allow street registration) 

KTM also has parts that on average cost 2-3 times more than what = jap parts cost 

Yep if you have the cash then the KTM 990 range can't be beat.

Road Trail on steroids.  Big and heavy but I have seen these things glide over deep sand due to their massive power.

The Motard is a cool bike.  If I was rich I would have me one of these  

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402977&page=2

Quote from: 08GSSteve on June 01, 2009, 10:15:12 AM
Yep if you have the cash then the KTM 990 range can't be beat.

Road Trail on steroids.  Big and heavy but I have seen these things glide over deep sand due to their massive power.

The Motard is a cool bike.  If I was rich I would have me one of these  

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402977&page=2

no way will i be spending the kind of stacks that are required for a BMW or KTM. we're talking about a dual-squirt motorbiek that might need a rebuild, might need a new front end, etc.

finances have been very 'interesting' of late, with tax men and SS men thinking they own me. there is light though, and they're beginning to realize the computers are wrong, we don't owe millions, etc



the dual sports are something i  want to transition into so the boy (eventually the girl too) can start riding soon, and i'll have a clue what i'm talking about

camping + kids + dirty bikes = wahoo oo o oo  o ooooo oo !

yea I know but they are nice bikes

The KLR for the kids to learn on will be fine.  Will give them a good understanding of both road and dirt.