The city of Nice seen from the surrounding hillside bathed in sunshine

Home Bike Reviews

KLX 250 The Little Bike That Could

Review Date 12 Mar 2019

By Bob Northern

The KLX pulls off a neat trick of looking like a full size bike (it is very tall) whilst weighing less than many 125cc machines. Some reviews will say the KLX is heavy at 131KG, but those reviews are comparing the KLX to hard-core offroad bikes. The KLX is a trail bike and in that company it is very lightweight, significantly lighter than the CRF250L which has now sprouted ABS to add a few extra KG.

Bob's KLX250 motorcycle set in a beach with steep rocky cliffs

The engine is well oversquare and the power characteristic is that of a tuned two stroke, it needs to rev, indeed given it’s small displacement it is surprisingly harsh at low RPM. In normal riding 5000 RPM is the lowest that can be used. Peak torque is at 7100 RPM and this combined with peak power at 7500RPM means the engine “comes on cam” in a pleasing way from 6500 RPM and pulls strongly through to 9500 RPM, when the power starts to tail off again.

It is essential to alter the inlet cam timing. For some reason Kawasaki have left the valve overlap the same as for the KLX300R, which is a screaming competition engine. On the KLX250 this means that the overlap is designed for an RPM which the engine never achieves due to the lower redline.

It is easy to add 10 degrees of inlet cam retard by removing the inlet cam sprocket, walking it round two teeth and re-attaching the sprocket using the other set of holes. In fact it’s suspiciously easy, one can almost imagine Kawasaki did it on purpose – maybe the bike won’t pass noise or emissions tests in its tuned up state, but the engineers left an easy back door for knowledgeable owners to unleash the full potential of the bike. The difference is like night and day, in standard trim the bike gains speed, in tuned form it actually pulls.

There is a further restriction in that the engine is limited to 6500 RPM in the top three gears. This is easily overcome by joining two wires together and then the engine will rev out in every gear.

On road performance in de-restricted form is punchy and enjoyable, within the restrictions of the speed limit there is a lot of fun to be had. In 5th gear peak torque is at 60 MPH so the bike loves hooning around twisty A and B roads. Out on the motorway the bike is less at home but it is certainly not lost. It’s quite happy to run along at 65 to 70 MPH with enough left to pull around middle lane hogs.

If I ever find myself frustrated that the bike won’t pull I just have to remind myself about the 7500 RPM peak power and change down a gear – it really needs to be revved to make power.

The six speed gearbox has a very wide set of ratios, there is more than a 3:1 difference between 1st and 6th gear. 1st gear is low enough for all standard green lane activities (some clutch slip required when it gets more technical) and 6th is an overdrive gear. In 6th gear 1000 RPM is 10 MPH. There is not enough torque to rev out in 6th gear, the bike will achieve a higher top speed in 5th than in 6th. On A and B roads 5th is the best gear, which covers 40 MPH to 70 MPH, peak torque coming in at 60 MPH, for the steepest climbs into the strongest headwinds 4th gear is sometimes needed and in 4th peak torque is at 53 MPH.

Fuel economy is usually around 80 MPG depending on riding style. The fuel tank is tiny, holding only 7 litres, with a warning light that activates when there is 2.3l of fuel left. Given the economy available this typically means the fuel light comes on around 95 miles and then there is 35 to 40 miles of range left. I feel comfortable riding 110 miles between fill ups and I think that is fine given the type of bike the KLX is.

The fuelling is perfect, no snatchiness no holes in the torque curve, Kawasaki really seem to have EFI sorted, the Keihin system used on the KLX250 is wonderful.

Handling is dominated by the supreme lack of mass, on knobbly or semi-knobbly tyres the KLX can get quite twitchy above 65 MPH, especially in a cross-wind. I have fitted a small windscreen which adds to the instability by acting as a sail which twists the bars in the wind. Cornering and braking are both immediate and quick, again due to the lack of mass.

It is possible to ride the KLX in a very sloppy manner, it’s not really necessary to set up for a corner since speed can be scrubbed off mid bend without causing instability. Riding in the wet or the dry is largely the same, sharp corners in the wet hold no fear because the bike is so light there is virtually no danger of sliding out.

The only worry about long term KLX ownership is that the next time I ride a “normal” bike I’ll end up in a ditch because I will be expecting it handle like the KLX handles.

Off road performance is superb, 10” of suspension travel, fully adjustable shock and forks and light weight make green-lane riding a real pleasure. Keep the revs up and it will easily spin the back tyre to help with steep climbs on loose surfaces.

Bob's KLX250 in a disused quarry

Having ridden a CRF250L on three occasions I suspect that the first-time rider would feel that the CRF was faster of the two, an illusion caused by the CRF having more torque available lower down the rev range. Get used to the KLX however, give it the thrashing it wants and the KLX will leave the CRF behind on road and off.

Comfort is a mixed bag. The bike is very tall with a good distance between the pegs and seat, which suits my long legs, but the seat is very narrow indeed. It’s in keeping with the dirt bike part of the KLX DNA but it does limit comfort to just an hour in the saddle before I find myself concentrating on my backside rather than the road ahead.

I fitted a Sargent comfort seat, which has a wider seat base than standard. The seat is narrow at the front for off road riding but has a much wider rear section, on a long ride I slide back onto the wide section and it is bliss.

The pillion pegs are mounted direct to the frame and they are quite high, pillions will need to be relatively small in stature, doubly so because the seat is not overly long. My 10 year daughter is quite happy back there but I suspect an adult would not be.

Luggage capability is poor as standard but a variety of racks are available, I fitted a cheap “Alpha Rider” item which adds very little bulk to the rear end yet provides a very secure and stable base to strap down my 35 litre airport bag. The rack also provides several much needed hand-hold points for manhandling the machine around.

Instrumentation is comprehensive for a trail bike. An LCD instrument gives RPM, speed, a clock, odometer and two trip-meters. Warning lights include fuel, temperature, neutral, high beam, indicators and EFI. Strangely there is no oil warning light, but the level is easy to check as there is a sight glass in the clutch cover. No oil should be used between changes.

Servicing is easy, the oil capacity is only 1.3 litres which I use as encouragement to change the oil every 1000 miles. The manual states 6000 miles but that seems like a very long time to leave oil in a hardworking engine.

All the cycle parts and suspension are pretty standard stuff, changing the fork oil in USD forks is always more involved than for conventional forks but well within the remit of the home mechanic. Valve clearances are shim and bucket which brings the benefits of long service intervals but also the extra work required when the clearances do need to be changed.

The air filter is washable and the fuel tank is no more difficult to remove than on a pre EFI machine, just one electrical connector, one fuel hose connector and two breather pipes.

Healtech make an interface which plugs into the diagnostic port under the saddle. Connected to a USB port on a laptop this enables full EFI diagnostics to be performed. It’s possible to read all sensor input values, run the fuel pump, activate the 2nd air solenoid, active the cooling fan and more. When I buy an EFI bike I always run a diagnostic to check for issues and in the case of one of my KLXs the Healtech revealed that the cooling fan was non-functioning. It had seized and blown the fuse. I assume a previous owner had made merry with the jet-wash and water had got into the bearings. A second-hand fan from an internet auction site cured the issue.

For those who don’t want to invest in an interface there is a basic diagnostic function built into the bike, by connecting a wire to ground the ECU will flash the EFI warning light to indicate fault codes.

The KLX250 was discontinued in the UK when Euro 4 came into force, but launched as a new model in USA in 2018 so parts supply is as good as for any current model. My KLX250 in its tuned state is enough bike for everything. It quite happily cruises for hundreds of miles on the motorways, carves through traffic, careens down green lanes. It’s light enough to ride in the snow and ice, it’s stone reliable, good on fuel, cheap to tax and insure, extremely easy to work on and massively involving and fun to ride.

We'd like to publish your motorcycle reviews, rides, guides or just entertaining tales here on Bikes And Travels. Contact ren@bikesandtravels.com

Reader's Comments

Keith m said :-
Nice review. I've always liked these but was always put off with the fact it only had a few more hp than a 125. Can't understand why it was potentially restricted as I think it's the same engine as in the z250sl which puts out about 25hp.
17/03/2019 22:05:13 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
The Z250SL is something around 27bhp. I have zero idea what the cam timing is though but I know Sharon's Z250SL goes very well considering it's humble capacity. I also consider it to be pretty grunty with power everywhere you need it. Journalist reviews say it's revvy but I've not found that at all.
18/03/2019 09:40:28 UTC

Bob said :-
I'd like to dyno the KLX now it's tuned - I suspect it's closer to the Z250SL now.
I mentioned the tendency to instability in the review, I don't want to overplay it as many lightweight trail bikes get a bit squirrely at high speed, but I wonder if that is why the bike is so restricted as standard.

In standard trim 65MPH is your lot because it won't rev above 6500RPM in 4th, 5th or 6th. I ran the KLX standard for a couple of months and it was OK but I was always having to make excuses for it and selecting routes which didn't include steep hills and overtaking wasn't an option. Now I can blast around anywhere and whip past dawdling cars on the A roads.
18/03/2019 19:45:03 UTC

Keith m said :-
What ever the reason it was clearly a conscious decision by Kawasaki to restrict this bike if it won't rev out in the top three gears. But it sounds like now after the mods it's the bike it should have been from the crate.
18/03/2019 22:34:17 UTC

Bob said :-
One thing I forgot to mention is that I've changed from O ring to non-O ring chain.
The difference in smoothness and performance is wonderful.
I have a Scottoiler which I usually have set to "Exxon Valdez" level, from the adjustments I've had to make I estimate the non-O ring chain will last probably 1/2 as long as the O ring version but since the non-O ring chain was 1/3 the price it works out better.
I had constant chain problems with the KLX when it was running O ring chain, lots of noise and graunching, all cured now.
26/03/2019 09:03:23 UTC

Wendy's Peters said :-
Where can o get my 2009 KLX250 de restricted.
I live near Portsmouth UK.
27/03/2019 19:22:08 UTC

Bob said :-
It's easy to do.
Link out the clutch switch and change the cam timing.
If you're not confident to do it yourself go to a non-main dealer motorcycle shop and get them to do it. I'd guess at a maximum of 2 hours labour for the work and no parts will be required. Use the attached image, if your chosen mechanic doesn't understand it then don't let them work on your bike.
Look up "Marcelino Cam Mod" - there is a lot of information out there.
Don't alter the exhaust timing. I've tried mine with the just the inlet altered and then with both inlet and exhaust altered and it's much better with just the inlet altered.
It will completely transform the bike.

28/03/2019 10:42:50 UTC

Glenn said :-
I'm questioning my CRF250l purchase now.
Nice in depth review.
28/03/2019 10:42:58 UTC

Bob said :-
To clarify, you drop the inlet sprocket off the cam and walk the chain 2 teeth around the sprocket so that the "IN" timing mark on the left disappears below the head and then pop the sprocket back on the cam.

You will then see that the threaded hole in the cam is now very nearly aligned with the "EX" marked hole in the sprocket (it was aligned with the "IN" marked hole before).

You then rotate the cam a tiny bit to properly align the threaded hole in the cam with the "EX" marked hole in the sprocket - this is where the 10 degree inlet retard comes from.

Finally, tighten the sprocket and torque down the bolts.

That is it. You will need to link out the clutch switch otherwise you won't be able enjoy the effects of the mod because the engine will not rev beyond 6500RPM.
28/03/2019 10:52:46 UTC

Bob said :-
Glenn, the CRF is a fine machine - I very nearly bought one (very nearly bought two actually), it was a test ride on a CRF250L which opened my eyes to the idea of running a 250 as my only bike, I'd always had 600 and 650 singles previously.
In the end I bought a KLX because it was cheap and I didn't know if my 250 experiment would work so I wanted to limit my investment.
I have to say that for normal road and green lane use "out of the box" the CRF is the better machine, it's certainly more comfortable and doesn't require any mods (as far as I'm aware) to make it every day useable.
But, mod a KLX and for me it overtakes the CRF, it's lighter with better (fully adjustable) suspension and the little engine turns into a proper Kawasaki screamer. I find the maintainence is easy, the bike is a real pleasure to work on too.
I've got five KLX250s now, one has only 800 miles on it and looks like it just rolled out of the factory, that sits in the corner under a sheet with superplus in the tank and battery tender.
The one I ride daily has just passed 19000 miles, 6000 of those in my ownership (since October) and it starts and rides like new.
28/03/2019 11:09:49 UTC

Henrik said :-
Interesting review Bob

I wonder, how comes you ended up with five KLX250's ? :-)
28/03/2019 13:21:10 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
Bob always likes to have several of the same model. It used to be Honda SLRs......
28/03/2019 13:53:34 UTC

Bob said :-
How? I like 'em that's how!
I admit I may take having spares further than most but I am convinced that having more than one of the same bike is a good policy. My daily rider recently popped a fork seal, I had the choice of fitting a spare fork or riding one of the others whilst I waited for the seal and the seal driver to arrive.
Several times is't paid off for me. I ride all year round, several times a week and I can't be without a bike.

I have in the past persued the idea of having a big cheap bike to cover the miles and save my favourite bike for Sunday best, but my favourite bike is my favourite because I like riding it. What would be the point of riding a bike I don't like to somewhere I want to be and then not being able to ride my favourite bike when I get there?

In my fevered brain this all makes perfect sense - I have so many KLXs because I ride a lot of miles and it's a small engine, which with the best will in the world isn't going to last as long as a 750 (although Ren's exploits with the 125 might speak otherwise) and they're not available new in the EU any more so I wanted to ensure my continued enjoyment of the machine. I'm still in love with it, I browse Ebay and Autotrader and visit the bike dealers and I haven't seen anything else I'd rather own.

I think I've got enough now, there are two more low mileage engines on the shelf plus fuel pumps, ECUs, throttl bodies, brake calipers, shocks, forks, instrument clusters etc...
28/03/2019 14:23:20 UTC

Bob said :-
Yesterday I took a test ride on a Versys X300.
It was interesting, the Versys didn't pull as hard as my modified KLX. It's top speed was higher because it pulls for longer through the rev range but it's incredibly low geared spinning at 7000 RPM for just 60 MPH.
There's a long 1:4 hill near here that I use for testing bikes, going up there the Versys wasn't able to hold more that 60MPH which is exactly the same speed my KLX will hold. The difference is the KLX will do it at 8000 RPM in 4th, the versys was over 10000 RPM in the same gear.
So given that the standard torque figure for the KLX and Versys are roughly the same, this is confirmation for me that the modified cam timing definitely increases torque on the KLX, it has a good strong midrange that's lacking as standard.
The Versys in comparison felt quite weak, it was a pleasure to get back on the KLX for the ride home.
06/04/2019 16:30:30 UTC

Keith m said :-
The Versys shares the same engine as my z300 be they are a rev hungry little number and 70 comes up at around 8000rpm. I wouldn't call it was lacking in torque but I have spent a lot of time on two strokes. What would be interesting would be a Dyno graph between your klx250 and the z250sl like Sharon's which doesn't appear to have any of the restrictions that the klx has or had.
07/04/2019 22:22:30 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
I've reviewed the Z300 on here and I agree, it's a revvy motor. I don't know if Kwakker changed the engine or mapping etc to alter the character of the motor on the Versys 300, but having seen reviews and your thoughts Bob it seems not. When Kawasaki released the Versys I was surprised they used the 300 twin rather than the 250 single, that would have been my choice.

I wonder if it was more to do with emissions? The KLX motor is "long legged" now but then Honda seems to manage with the 250/300 single in the CRF/CBR. There are many mysteries that are not revealed to the humble buyers like us (the truth is out there...)

In spite of our opinions it's also worth noting not everyone thinks like us! Keith m - are you loving your Z300?

http://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=857...
08/04/2019 07:36:39 UTC

Bob said :-
The main thing for me was the ridiculous impossibly low gearing! 1st gear was all but useless.
I'd be looking to drop a couple of teeth (at least) from the rear sprocket, assuming the electronics would allow it.
The engine was very smooth and did make power across a very wide rev range, but I couldn't use it because I had to hook another gear. I was in 6th gear at 40MPH. This spoils the bike for me.

Another thing and this is just down to my attitudes, but the KLX and the X300 have small engines.
Sooner or later your small engine will run out of shove when faced with a steep hill and/or headwind. When the KLX runs out of puff I don't mind because it is such a small and lightweight trail bike, I tuck down against the wind and grind up the hill.
Now, the X300 doesn't look or feel like a small bike, it doesn't weigh like a small bike either and with it's large fairing and windscreen it seems to me it's attitude is "writing cheques the engine can't cash" so when it runs out of power it feels much worse.

On paper the X300 has 19 odd HP over the KLX so I don't doubt that it'll cover ground more quickly, but I can't ride along at 8000RPM everywhere.
08/04/2019 09:25:55 UTC

Henrik said :-
Spares and multiple bikes:

Thanks Rob, I am a bit in the same boat, just with Hyosung XRX, got 3, one without plates just for ripping, first I got one as the only real cheap option available around here for being placed permanent in my weekend-house far out in the Swedish woods. I wanted nothing expensive, nothing to worry about being stolen, and nothing being to expensive to ensure

It then went downhill with Hyosung, spares drying quickly out, I could go two ways, get rid of it, or supply with spares

Next step was I realised the problems with the bike, quickly developing rust, especially terrible on the front legs, and electrical problems an-mass, stators puffing of, conectors and stear-contats being dead afte 24 mouths, etc etc

Long story, I am not sure I would do the same again, but I have passed the point of no return

250 vs 300 ccm:

Also a mystory to me, in general we see most 250ccm around 25 hp, and most 300ccm around 40hp

So these 300ccm's tend to be pushed so much more, (hp/ccm), much OVER the line I would say, I will question longevity

RPM on my Inazuma is more than enough as it is

KLX vs CRF250L:

KLX might have an edge, but is not realy an option in DK as there is simply not enough on the second-hand market, but I consider the CRF250L as it has become some new kind of "classic" already, hundreds of them are seen touring the world, with great success, the production still holds up, also in this part of the world, spares and support will be VERY long, no need to secure with extra bikes and parts for many years to come, in no way pefect, but just a damm good and universal bike still,..

To me it might end up with DL250 though, the Inazuma is fine for me it seems, same engine, but better seathight, better position, and larger tank, (18L vs 13L), nicer look, what is my greates wishes compared to the Inazuma

Both Inazuma and DL250 got a very comfortable seat, good luggage options, and might be better fit for very long road trips in Norway and Sweden, very remote locations, on the buttomline, compared to both KLX and CRF,..

Like said, in my case it would be CRF250L for a more agile off-road type, first problem would be to add permantly connected auxiliary extra rear-tank, I don't lots lots of small extra cans, it must be possible to drive around 500 km without refuelling, next thing would be seat-comfort, (driving over 10 hours, 8-900 km some days), then comes luggage-options for longer trips,... it all sums up,...

What I consider right now is to get rid of the KLE500-project also, its been two years delayed already, and then maybe only have one single DL250 for longer road trips, and a maybe, just maybe, an older CRF250L for smaller trips 2-3 days plus joy-rides in the local forest, (when the Hyosungs are worn out that is),..

Realy need to keep it more simple, and cheaper, focusing on getting the trips actually done, and optimise the long term economy becousre I might retire in 5-6 years, with a little luck :-) (but on a low budget)

Sofar just enjoy the Zuma, for some long distance road-trips :-)

08/04/2019 10:19:59 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
Size is a funny thing. The problem as pointed out is the KLX and CRF are both light bikes but the price is skinny seats. The Versys 300 and Strom 250 are (relatively speaking) huge, fat and heavy. The advantage is there's a proper seat (although the Versys' seat is very hard) and there's spaces and places for luggage.

In a perfect world a motorcycle would be as big as a GS1200 for luggage, high speed stability, and comfort. As small as a KLX125 for ease of use, economy, and off road ability. It would have a smooth V8 engine that has the torque and simplicity of a single. Everything is a compromise. Manufacturers make a selection of bike, each on compromised in some way. It's up to us to decide what compromises we make - hence the bike we choose.

Now - if we could get our heads together and create this perfect motorcycle we'll all be millionaires. Then we can all retire and ride around on our perfect bikes!
08/04/2019 10:52:35 UTC

Bob said :-
The KLX250 standard saddle is horrendous - absolute torture.
The CRF250 saddle is typical Honda - very comfortable.
I have fixed the KLX with a Sargent saddle but it cost me £340 do it.
As I said in the review I think the CRF is the more complete bike out of the crate, if you want to just buy and use a bike without messing then the CRF is better.
For me it's all about weight, if that Versys was 145KG I wouldn't be complaining. As it stands it feels like my old KLE500 but with half the power and hence a bit lackluster.
I did have a test ride on a CBR250R and that was much better, mainly because it was lighter but you're still left with the proposition of struggling up a steep hill but this time on a "sports" bike, which seems even worse.
I guess what I mean is that I can forgive the KLX it's shortcomings because nobody expects a trail bike to be fast on the motorways, whereas the Versys et al kind of look like they ought to be but aren't.

My seat of the pants dyno says the KLX is now over 20ftlbs and probably 23-24Hp, compared to 17ftlbs and 21HP. It feels even better because that torque is available from 6K to 9K RPM which in 5th gear gets you from 50MPH to 80MPH - perfect for "normal" roads and if I want I can potter around and never need to go over 7K.
08/04/2019 11:55:13 UTC

Bob said :-
Oh yes, I forgot - Henrik, you mention fuel range. That is a big issue for the KLX.
I seem to be constantly filling the tank. The fuel economy is very good, 75MPG is the lowest I've seen but the tank is tiny. I have been putting thought into how I could increase the fuel range but so far I'm stuck with the strap a jerry can on the back option.....
08/04/2019 11:58:15 UTC

Keith m said :-
Ren. Yes still loving the z300. The only thing I would change would be the seat which seems devoid of foam.
08/04/2019 22:33:04 UTC

Bob said :-
It's a Kawasaki thing.
The standard KLX seat is unusable.
The KLE500 I used to have had a hard seat on slope so it was like some kind of coccyx battering instrument.
The Versys X300 I rode the other day had a plank (or at least it felt like it) where the seat should be.
The Sargent seat I fitted to the KLX was the best £340 I've ever spent.
09/04/2019 08:27:26 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
Yeah the seat on Sharon's Z250SL ain't exactly "plush". Sharon's OK because she's not heavy enough to trouble even the thin padding.
09/04/2019 12:04:55 UTC

Upt'North said :-
Henrik, I don't think you're trying hard enough with the luggage, there must be a cm3 somewhere for another bag......
Upt'North.
09/04/2019 14:07:13 UTC

Henrik said :-
Upt'North, ass everyone knows very well. English is not my spoken language, but still, I am not more left behind than I can see the joke :-)

In my own defense, that picture was from my 6 days travel, very remote location, so many tools, tubes, air-patrons, 2 x 2.5L extra fuel, (one givi can in each side-bag), tent, sleeping bag, inflateable madress, food/cooking for most the trip, and last, but not the least, all my camera-equipment, unfortunately my foto-session on Lofoten was spoiled by rain
09/04/2019 18:59:39 UTC

Henrik said :-
Bob, I agree about Kawasaki and seats, the seat on KLE500 rides me like a nightmare, and its one out of several reasons that I might scrap this project to garbadge container. The seat is angled downwords to the thank, so as you ride along you constantly glide down to the tank, until your balls get flat, then you push your self back, and once again, and....

Some company in Grease remake the seats on the old frame, but they end up looking like something from a Goldwing, or a horse-saddle,... so not even if I did waste further into the project there is a solution,... and also no oversize tank

BTW I vaguely seems to remember there is a oversize tank available to KLX250 from acerbic or IMS,..

09/04/2019 19:25:33 UTC

Upt'North said :-
Regarding the fuel tank issue, isn't it the case that they're never big enough. I think I've got about 6 gallons available to me but at brisk Autoroute pace I'm still looking for fuel at about 200 miles and sweating at 240. I think it probably gets easier with age, who can ride that long without wanting a coffee and a pee. Not me. Also if you have a tank in the normal position it can get very top heavy, luckily mine is under my arris. I know riders of ST13's which have a two part tank regularly remark on the top heavy feel at low speed.
Upt'North.
10/04/2019 09:43:22 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
Ya'll need a CBF125. It holds around 13 litres which is good for a 125. It also returns good economy hence it has a 300 mile tank range - easily. I have managed 350 miles before I too was "sweating".
10/04/2019 20:33:23 UTC

Upt'North said :-
Ed, whether or not yours is big enough is really not for you to decide.
Anyway, can't stop, I've got potatoes to plant........and a Pan in the garage that requires a bit of graft. Still waiting for a new bottom hose from Silvers.
350 miles......pfffft.
Upt'North.
11/04/2019 09:14:11 UTC

Henrik said :-
300 miles is OK ,.... just about OK

Guess its the around the same with DL250 and its 18L tank

Right I go 500+ miles some days on the Zuma ,.. with only 13L ,.. and the need NOT to miss a gasstation in remote locations, (just to be safe), I find my self refuelling 5-6 times each day ,... sometimes planning my route due to the need to fuel frequently ,.. not OK

And then comes new plans to go at even more far out in the wilderness

Sometimes you comes to gasstation and its closed or out of function, there must be a margin for that also

11/04/2019 09:56:23 UTC

Bob said :-
A bit more on this.
I've just test ridden a CRF250L with Takagawa 305cc big bore, high lift camshafts, fuel controller, powerbomb header and (loud) FMF tail pipe. According to Takagawa in this trim the CRF should be pushing nearly 30HP.
I rode down to the dealers and back again on my inlet cam re-timed KLX so it was a good chance for a back to back comparison.
If the Takagawa CRF makes 30HP and the stock KLX is 21HP, then my modded one feels to me more like 25 or 26HP. The CRF had a bigger spread of torque, but when the KLX comes on cam it's not far behind.
Given that the former keeper of the CRF sunk about £1000 into the bike, I'm happy to stick with my KLX.
27/04/2019 16:52:47 UTC

Bob said :-
Interesting things I've learned about fuel injection on the KLX.
A popular mod is to fit an O2 eliminator, they are cheap enough so I thought "why not".
I removed the the O2 sensor, fitted the supplied bung and connected the eliminator to the plug in the wiring loom.
I was surprised to find that there was a not insignificant improvement in low and mid-range torque, the bike felt smoother and happier. I ran it round like this for a few days, there were no problems, I did notice that I was getting 5 to 10 miles less from a tank (but that could have been down to the way I was riding the bike) and that the fan was coming on sometimes.

I decided to investigate, I refitted the O2 sensor and connected a DVM set to 0-2V and taped this to the fuel tank. At this point the O2 sensor was only connected to the DVM, not to the bike. I found that on low throttle openings the voltage was 0.45 to 0.55V, indicating the perfect stoichiometric ratio and that on WOT (Wide Open Throttle) the voltage went to 0.8V indicating a richer mixture. This all looked very good and is in line with accepted practice.

Next I reconnected the O2 sensor to the bike (with the DVM still connected) and I was surprised to see that the voltage was 0.8 to 0.95V most of the time, indicating a rich mixture most of the time. At tick-over I saw the oscillating 0.1 to 0.8V signal that I'm used to seeing on my car, everywhere else it was 0.8V or above.

Hmmm, why is it like this? I connected my Healtech to the ECU and went for a datalogging ride. When veiwing the data with the O2 connected and with the O2 eliminator connected one measurement leapt out - the coolant temperature. I have a test run near my house, a dual carriageway of 5 miles which includes a 2 mile climb. During that run with the O2 sensor connected the coolant temperature peaked at 95C, with the O2 eliminator the coolant temperature peaked at 111C.

So I think Kawasaki set the bike up to run a rich 12.5:1 to keep it cool. These bikes are well known as cool runners and now I think this explains why I noticed the cooling fan coming on (I've never had it come on before in 9000 miles of road and trails).

Therefore I've decided to re-instate the O2 sensor and accept the standard performance.

What's really interesting is that on the forums everybody says that the O2 eliminator improves performance by enrichening the mixture when in fact it's the exact opposite. So all those people who fit a loud exhaust, remove the airbox lid and then fit an O2 elimininator assuming this device counteracts the leaning effects are in fact running their KLX250s horribly lean and horribly hot!

Live and learn.......

12/07/2019 09:58:06 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
That is surprising as you say Bob as generally the manufacturers seem to set the A/F lean particularly around the 3000 rpm point.

Some years ago I had a Triumph Tiger 955i and these were notorious for bogging down in the 2-3,000 rpm area. I had a Tuneboy setup which allowed me to look at the a/f maps and not surprisingly there was a real weak point in that area. The Triumph ECU used that setting to control when it ran in closed loop mode - ie used the O2 sensor output to adjust the fuelling. According to the best information I had, it only ran in closed loop when the target was 14.5, which it was in that rev range especially with smallish throttle openings. Closed loop running tended to make the system hunt as it would alternately over- and under- fuel.

Using Tuneboy to adjust the A/F ratio to 13.0 across that range meant that it was no longer trying to run in closed loop and would just accept what was in the map and effectively ignore the O2 reading. It improved rideability no end.

I must say this was all several years ago so I may have some of the details a bit wrong.....

This picture is the standard map:

12/07/2019 10:47:43 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
Where's my pic?

This should be the modified one:

12/07/2019 10:48:43 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
Didn't give the standard one time to upload: here it is.

12/07/2019 10:49:28 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
I did say it was a long time ago - this is actually the real improved one.

12/07/2019 10:51:02 UTC

Bob said :-
I did see the A/F ratio lean at low RPM, presumably for emission tests, it's everywhere else it was rich.

I thought about an EJK / Powercommander, but there'd be nothing to gain unless I changed the exhaust or intake arrangements and now I don't believe the cooling system would keep up anyway.

I suppose if I put a free flowing pipe and filter then used the EJK to richen it back up to 12.5 or 13 then it wouldn't get as hot as I found with the O2 eliminator but then I'd be forever faffing with the maps and logging the temperature and messing with the O2 feedback - with my obsessive personality I'll give it a miss and run it standard (cam timing notwithstanding)
12/07/2019 11:28:08 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
I find it fascinating reading this. If this had been on the old carburetted machines all you can do is best-guess the mixtures based on experience and "feel". Today you two seem to be capable of accurately calculating what the computer is up to and, if you wish, manipulating this in a repeatable manner. And they say FI is far too complex.

Bearing in mind Sharon'w Z250SL which shares a lot (but not everything) in common with Bob's KLX I'd be curious to know what hers is up to. But only curious. It is working, it works well, it returns 90mpg and more and Sharon is happy. I think it more than just wise for me to leave well alone for now.
12/07/2019 13:54:04 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
It's actually much easier, once you have the software, to tweak the maps using a laptop than it is to swap jets, do plug chops, swap the jets again..... Yes there's a learning curve but once you get to grips with it essentially you're just looking at a spreadsheet, and there's lots of information on dedicated websites. Of course there's lots of misinformation as well.

Essentially those maps show throttle position on the Y axis and rpm on the X. There are other tables which deal with ignition advance as well as mixture correction for temperature but I never touched them.

When I was working on the Tiger, I started with someone else's map then adjusted till it felt right. As long as you don't go silly there's not too much harm to be done. And what I ended up with wasn't actually a million miles from where I started, the key point was eliminating the closed loop running. The advantage over using a power commander or similar was that I was using the ECU itself to effect the changes rather than something plugged on afterwards trying to fight against it.

Actually a lot of people did have success with simple O2 sensor eliminators on the Triumph but I preferred a more (to me) sophisticated approach.
12/07/2019 15:00:16 UTC

Bob said :-
Now, if I just had a rolling road, an exhaust gas analyser, a programmable ECU and a broadband O2 sensor I'd be sorted.
It's interesting that the solution for your Trumpet was to eliminate closed loop control. I think many of the fixes and mods that we see are along those lines.
I was surprised to see the effect on engine temperature when I was running the KLX in open loop (using the O2 eliminator), this also shows that the Keihin EFI system used on the KLX uses closed loop control most of the time, excepting the widest of WOT.
12/07/2019 22:30:35 UTC

Bob said :-
I'm getting the hang of this now.
My KDX200 snorkel arrived from Cradley Kawasaki - this is a well known power mod on KLX250s.
I put the DVM back on the O2 sensor and went out.
Wow, what a difference! Much better performance throughout and pleasingly increased torque on the mid-range.
The O2 sensor confirmed that the ECU has adjusted for the new snorkel, on WOT the voltage was well above 900mV and after a right royal thrash I didn't notice any excess heat and my Healtech diagnostic says 89C for the coolant temperature.
Lovely jubbley!
13/07/2019 16:40:35 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
So what's the difference between the 2 snorkels?
15/07/2019 07:37:21 UTC

Bob said :-
The KDX snorkel has an inlet that looks at least twice as large in terms of area and it is also much shorter. The bike is unusable with no snorkel, it is far too loud. With the original snorkel there is no discernable inlet noise, with the KDX snorkel there is some inlet noise apparent but now it just sounds like a bike breathing properly.
I wouldn't have said the bike felt like it was struggling for breath with the original snorkel, until I tried the KDX snorkel - it's a very much happier beasty now.
15/07/2019 08:16:56 UTC

Bob said :-
I've just returned from another 4 day, 700+ mile trail riding trip in North Wales.
As 1 year of ownership and 12500 miles ridden approaches I thought I'd share my experience of long-term (long-term for me at least) ownership.

In the year I've run the bike the faults have been:
- Chafed wire on the ECU multi-way plug, this is a known fault on early bikes where the loom rubs on the frame. It manifested as fluttering on the secondary throttle butterfly stepping motor. Rectification involved chopping out and replacing the chafed wire and re-wrapping the loom
- Bad connection on the coolant temperature sensor. It manifested as variable tickover, racing up and down. The fix was to clean out and degrease the connector.
- Bad camchain tensioner. Obvious from the loud slapping noise on the right hand side of the barrel. The bike was like this when I bought it. It is very common on KLX250s the fix is to fit a Krieger manual tensioner, I did this and I've had to adjust it only 4 times in 12500 miles.
- Fork seal failure. I put this down to trail riding, easily fixed and I added gaitors to keep the grit out of the seals. The seals have been fine since then.
- Gearbox O/P seal leaking, easy to fix on the KLX as there is a removable sleeve over the O/P shaft, it could be done by the roadside if necessary.

I've also had the odd indicator bulb blow but I don't count that as a failure of the bike.

It has never let me down out in the field and I have ridden some pretty knarly trails through deep water and dropped the bike several times.

The bike continues to be an utter joy to ride, perky and fun with a furious engine characteristic (in it's tuned form) and stunningly capable off road.

It now has 25000 miles on the clock.
Posted Image

02/10/2019 08:05:26 UTC

Upt'North said :-
Bob, very nice looking Kwaka 250.
Id love to thrape that across a beach or two.
Upt'North.
02/10/2019 10:02:08 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm glad to hear the Kwakker 250 is surviving your abuse Bob. Sharon's similarly be-engined but not tuned or abused so much Z250SL has only required the basic maintenance at 25,000 miles. I reckon it'll be due a tappet check soon though.
02/10/2019 14:10:07 UTC

Bob said :-
I would make it clear that any abuse the bike has suffered is within it's design remit - it is a trail bike after all.

I do look after it though, in the year I've owned it it's had:
12 oil and filter changes
Swingarm, suspension linkage and headstock bearings greased twice
Fork oil changed three times
Two spark plugs
Air filter cleaned three times.
Valve clearances twice
Coolant changed.

I would say you definitely should check those shims. I did them on this bike at 13000 miles and now at 25000 I've had to re-shim one exhaust valve again. If they've never been checked on the SL I'd get in there quick.
I bought a Hotcams shim kit off the Evilbay, £79 I think it was - money well spent to have all the sizes you need in one box.
02/10/2019 19:40:34 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
12 oil changes...!!!...???...!!!

Sharon's shims were checked by the shop at 8k as it was still under warranty. We did them at about 16k. At 24k they'd be due again. However once a bike has bedded in I am of the opinion (and it is just an opinion) that I don't need to be quite so strict with the checks.
03/10/2019 09:04:46 UTC

Snod said :-
My Z250SL is over 19K and I haven't reshimmed it yet (not checked for about 10K or so), this is making me nervous..
03/10/2019 20:07:59 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Chill Snod, if it was OK at 10k it won't be far out now. It is due a check though so give it the once over.
04/10/2019 08:51:45 UTC

Narong said :-
Hi Bob, could you give me the Sargent Seat measurements/specs?
Thai Seat Magician is gonna make me one for a few bucks...
10/10/2019 15:33:11 UTC

Bob said :-
It's 280mm wide at the widest part. It's 40mm thick. The problem you'll have is that the Sargent saddle uses a different moulded seat base, which is wider to accommodate the wider foam.
Seatconcepts do a kit which has new foam that fits onto the standard base, but it's not as wide as the Sargent.
Posted Image

11/10/2019 20:22:18 UTC

Narong said :-
I see... What about the side of the seat. Is it straight vertical or even bent a bit outside?
Thanks for the measurements. Also is the foam softer or more firm?
04/11/2019 11:44:05 UTC

Narong said :-
And the last question. The seat-contact surface looks slightly bent. Is that true or flat?
04/11/2019 14:02:18 UTC

Bob said :-
The sides of the seat slope outwards and up at the back, the sitting part is wider than the bike's frame.
The sitting area is slightly dished, so it feels a bit more like sitting in rather than sitting on the bike.
The foam is very firm, but I find that's usually best for long distances - soft foam seats feel good at first but after many hours the foam compresses and you end up sitting on the hard seat base.
The best £340 I ever spent on a bike - I can't stress enough how different this is from the original torture device that Kawasaki fitted!
04/11/2019 17:14:36 UTC

Herb said :-
Hi Bob just trying to clear something up here at the top of this article you say RETARD the inlet cam 10 degrees and then further down the diagram clearly says ADVANCE the timing so which one is it ?????? slightly confused (only about that)but otherwise a great read mate
Posted Image

08/07/2020 21:43:16 UTC

Dave said :-
I agree the KLX stock seat is horrible/un-useable. I see many guys going with the Sargent, and all shudder at the cost. (aprox. $430.US). I've compared the Sargent and SeatConcepts seat side by side and couldn't call either one more comfortable than the other, and saw no quality difference. Personally I feel the SC seat is more attractive, offers more fabric options and is much cheaper ($175.US) if you buy the foam/cover kit. Mine was a first attempt at motorcycle upholstery and turned out perfect. Took about an hour in no rush. Seeing as how most guys reading this will do cam timing mods themselves, why spend so much on a seat???
Posted Image

10/08/2020 23:08:57 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well it looks very smart Dave. You say "foam/cover kit", I'm guessing you receive a new piece of pre-shaped foam padding and the cover? You remove the old cover and the old foam and fit the new items?
11/08/2020 08:45:14 UTC

Upt'North said :-
Nice work Dave. The top looks anti slip?
I also think some of the seats out there are ridiculously priced.
I think riding discomfort is part and parcel of motorcycling. Yes some seats, like our own rework, may help on comfort but sitting on your arris for long periods can cause discomfort, it's a fact.
But who said motorcycling was comfortable.
Hell, someone on here rides his bike for,
Long periods.
Then cooks his own dinner.
Then sleeps on the ground.
Then does it all again and again.
He likes it too!
If you're in the States Dave, whereabouts are ya. I promise not to call unannounced. Maybe.
Upt'North.

11/08/2020 09:36:48 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What kind of fool on here likes to do the things you speak of Upt'?
11/08/2020 10:11:39 UTC

Paul said :-
Great review Bob, relevant and direct without any BS. Top read!
If I'm reading it right you have confirmed most of what I found myself.
My KLX250 came with an aftermarket exhaust and O2 eliminator. I didn't ride it before buying (threw the dice), I then found out that the fuelling was horrible. It was snatchy and hesitant off the bottom and hunted at tickover, it was only really rideable with the throttle pinned - not only that but the exhaust was wayyy too loud for trail riding in the UK. (I'm a trf member and noise on the trail is a big reason why we have been targeted for extinction by ramblers and nimby's)
I returned everything to stock, buying a standard exhaust, and refitting the O2 sensor, and what a difference! The bike is now smooth, quiet, and actually feels more powerful. The only mod I've done is linking the clutch sensor, but may well do the inlet cam mod soon (did you take the spring off the exhaust decompressor as well?).
I also have the Kreiger cam chain tensioner. I am wary of running too much tension, as a result, on startup I have a little cam chain slap which goes away when the bike warms up - is that your experience? Or would you recommend that I give it a 1/4 turn or so more?
Great thread (for KLX'ers) I've bookmarked!
22/08/2020 13:23:15 UTC

Mitch said :-
Bob. You said you liked the bike better with just the inlet modified and not both inlet and exhaust. Can you give a discretion of how the bike handled differently between the two?
27/09/2020 17:46:40 UTC

Marco said :-
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your review. It is helpful and interesting. I own a low mileage (around 1200 miles) 2016 KLX250 FI. I’ve only covered around 400 miles with it over the past year or so on and off road. I live in south Eastern France and find the bike is stable on small but relatively good roads even at speeds above 70mph. Off road it does well enough but is perhaps a little heavy on difficult terrain. The rebound probably needs adjusting for my 65kg (10 stone) but otherwise the suspension is not bad.
My main complaints: the seat gets uncomfortable after 20/30 mins and it lacks power for overtaking and climbing the many long hills around where I live.
I’ve decided I will try the Marcelino cam timing mod and KDX200 airbox snorkel. But I want to keep the bike as quiet as possible.
I had read about the Marcelino mod before buying the bike but until reading this review was not convinced that gaining a couple of horsepower was worth the time and effort. How many HP does the standard KLX250 have? 17 or 19bhp?
I have a couple of questions:
1. Did you adjust the automatic decompression unit on the cam or disconnect it?
2. What year KDX200 airbox snorkel did you fit?
Thanks in advance.
Mark
05/10/2020 22:25:51 UTC

said :-

Hi, and thank you to everyone for their contributions on this very active thread.

I live in France and early last year (2019) I was fortunate enough to come across and buy a near new (2016, 900miles/1500km) KLX 250 with EFI.

After reading articles about the Marcelino cam mod last year and recently reading this review, I finally decided to take the plunge.

This article recommends only changing the inlet cam, replacing the inlet snorkel for that of a KDX200 and leaving the EFI alone (why and how are described in the comments section of the article). This is what I did as well as bridging the clutch switch.

Ideally what I want is plenty of low down pulling power while maintaining the low noise of the the original bike. All on a shoestring budget.

Before buying the KLX I tried the Suzuki DRZ400: I loved the engine but did not find one with low mileage and in great condition. Also it feels a bit long in the the tooth. The KLX looks and feels more modern. It also seems more adapted to dual sport riding: the DRZ seems more at home on the dirt but less so on the road. But I really miss that engine (could it not be fit into the KLX
https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/klx-250-300-camshaft-mod-marcel...
Posted Image

12/10/2020 06:07:43 UTC

Mark said :-
Continued...

... But I really miss that engine (could it not be fit into the KLX
Posted Image

12/10/2020 06:12:16 UTC

Mark said :-
...

But I really miss that engine (could it not be fit into the KLX
12/10/2020 06:13:30 UTC

said :-
Please excuse the reposts. There is a bug on this forum that cuts off the text when an emoji is inserted. And I can’t go back and edit the original comment. Sorry :-)

...But I really miss that engine (could it not be fit into the KLX :-D ?).

With the above mods now done (inlet cam and snorkel removed while awaiting delivery of the KDX200 snorkel) there appears to be an improvement in responsiveness. Although the power now disappears at 9000 rpm. The snorkel-less inlet box is too noisy however.

But I am still left wanting more power; I am guessing that 30bhp would be nice (but still a long way from the DRZ400’s 40+bhp). I believe the original exhaust can be modified? Anyone tried this?

And I am looking into the 300cc upgrade using Kawasaki OEM parts (for reliability and so as to not mess with the EFI). But will there be a worthwhile gain?

Your advice and experience would be most welcome
12/10/2020 06:17:52 UTC

Rusty said :-
Enjoyed the read, did the same mods in reverse order and found a significant improvement with just the snorkel. Did the inlet cam mod and as said power disappears at 9k, but much stronger mid range torque making for a more relaxed ride. Considering changing the exhaust and fitting an EJK or Power commander, not for noise as not a fan of booming exhausts but for weight and efficiency. Any reccomendations for a sensible option for the rear silencer?
When I first got the bike somewhat deflated with performance, have 2 strokes in 125 and 175cc configurations that are relatively peppy in tuned form, but with the mods more than happy and so far only cost £30 for the snorkel (used).
Will give a non oring chain a go when its replacement time also.
Thanks
18/10/2020 22:46:34 UTC

Bob said :-
Rusty, as you found the inlet cam knocks the top end down but gives a great improvement in driveability lower down. I don't want to ride around everywhere at 11K RPM trying to make power. I also found the fuel economy improved.

I did recently try a Delkevic BSAU "Tri-Oval" silencer, I fitted it with the O2 sensor in circuit, but to increase the fuelling I modified the IAT sensor circuit so that I could add in 5%, 7% or 9% fuel by altering a pair of switches. I found the bike went best with 7% more fuel and there was a slight increase in performance at the top end.
However, the noise was too much for me. Delkevic state 90-100dB and I'd say it was every bit of 100dB. So I returned to the standard silencer.

So I am running as I have been, KDX Snorkel, Marcelino inlet mod, clutch switch mod. Everything else standard. The bike has done 24K miles in this trim.
18/11/2020 11:13:06 UTC

Bob said :-
...and as I mentioned above I would leave the exhaust cam alone.
I tried it and it totally killed the top end power, for only a tiny increase in mid-range.

18/11/2020 11:19:32 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
Interesting you mention the inlet cam retard - I've just read an article about Enfield Bullets where the same thing is advocated. What's the standard timing, and what is the result of the mod?

I might try it on the mighty Norton but would I be able to handle the extra power?
18/11/2020 16:48:36 UTC

Bob said :-
Marcelino mod retards the timing by 10 degrees I believe.
Marcelino did all the maths on it - the rationale is that the cam profile and timing is the same as used in the KLX300R which makes good power at 10-13K RPM, but the KLX250 has lower compression, more conservative iginition timing and much more restrictive in and out gas flow, so it never gets a chance to make the power.

In standard trim the engine will rev out freely enough, but it really makes no torque anywhere - it's just revs and screaming. With the inlet retarted there is useful mid-range torque and the fact that it doesn't realy want to rev out doesn't matter because you never need to go up there.
As I say above in standard trim 6th gear is an overdrive, any hill or headwind will knock you down to 5th. Modded bikes can be short shifted into 6th and the bike will accelerate up to and sustain motorway velocites with ease.
19/11/2020 18:49:08 UTC

Bob said :-
Another bit of KLX lore I discovered.
They can make a pronounced clacking noise at low RPM, when pulling away or climbing technical sections off road. The way to avoid is to always keep the revs above 5K. People say all sorts of things are the cause, cam chain or piston slap (really?)
They all do it, it gets louder with higher mileage. On my high mileage bike I swapped out the clutch basket when I first bought it because there was play between the inner and outer basket, the new basket made no difference.
Recently I put a new camchain in this bike, necessitating the removal of primary drive gear and clutch basket. I thought I'd have another look into the noise so with the clutch basket removed and the bike in gear I wrangled the gearbox input shaft clockwise and anti-clockwise and there was the noise clear as day. It's caused by backlash in the gears in the gearbox and the lack of cush drive in the KLX rear wheel.
I guess when this engine was in the KLX300R, running on dirt and flat out nobody noticed or cared, but in the road going KLX this has been the one thing about the bike I always disliked.
So the solution is, there isn't a solution - keep the revs up!
I've taken to slipping the clutch when riding the technical stuff and it's been fine. When I had it apart for the camchain I put a set of clutch plates in, they were worn but they've done 35K miles. Given that replacing clutch plates is easy and cheap and rebuilding gearboxes is not I will carry on slipping the clutch.....
20/11/2020 08:52:59 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Is this a point in favour of rear cush drives?
21/11/2020 13:43:39 UTC

Bob said :-
For me it is, yes.

And another bit of KLX250 lore.
If your tickover is variable, sometimes racing and not returning to the base level, it's most likely to be the coolant temperature sensor which is screwed into the back of the cylinder barrel on the left. If the connection gets dirty the impedance will increase and the ECU will think the engine is colder than it is, which can result in the ECU going into it's cold start routine and increasing the RPM at tickover.
On mine I occasionally have to slide it on and off a few times to clean the connections inside, then all is well for a few months.
24/11/2020 14:47:29 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That's a perfectly good explanation Bob and I suspect it would apply to most computer controlled FI vehicles. We've not had that problem with Sharon's Kwakker but thanks for the heads up.
25/11/2020 10:20:47 UTC

Rusty said :-
Thanks for the advice, looks like I'll be staying with the standard exhaust then. Did email Kawasaki UK to enquire if the new klx300 would be available, and told no plans for inclusion in 2021. Asked where I might get one, told USA, not going to Europe either. Would have bought one but not having the Honda crf300, sticking with the klx250.
Ta
15/12/2020 15:02:53 UTC

Adrian said :-
Rusty

My local Kawasaki dealer told me the same.

I would like a KLX300 as a dual sport adventure bike. Lighter than the CRF, better off road and better looks.

I read that without ABS it is not Euro 5 compliant. Also poss probs with emissions...

I am UK based. Used KLX250s are hard to find. I guess I could import a KLX300. Or buy one in SE Asia and have an adventure riding it back...

I wonder where would be best to buy and if the Euro 5 probs would spoil final import to UK.

29/12/2020 11:48:23 UTC

Bob said :-
I think you'd struggle to register a non-compliant machine, although I'm not fully up to speed with the latest regulations (the last time I registered a bike it was an SRX400 in the 90's).

The KLX has done 36000 miles now, still going strong.
I went out just before the latest lockdown, had a good long ride and did lots of trails but then I got cocky and this is the result!
The bike went down hard. Damage was limited to my trolley bag contraption which got bent and it's handle snapped. One third of the number plate snapped off and one indicator was smashed.
I was pleased to discover that rather than bending the bars they simply rotated in the bar risers. I have two sets of risers fitted, giving 100mm of lift and 80mm of pull back and I'm pretty convinced that if the bars had been fitted in the clamps on the top yoke they would have bent.
Finally, a couple of advantages of EFI came to the fore - 1) the bike cut itself out when it went down, 2) it started straight away when it was back upright, unlike a carbed bike which would have flooded.

Anyway, all fixed now and ready for the end of lockdown.
Posted Image

09/02/2021 13:20:34 UTC

Bob said :-

Posted Image

09/02/2021 13:21:15 UTC

Ren - The Ed said :-
There's a lot to be said for a "crosser's" ability to survive multiple drops. If that had been my 500 I'd be deep into thousands of pounds of fairing panels, engine cases and bent bars. Looks like fun, where is that?
09/02/2021 15:41:38 UTC

Upt'North said :-
That looks like it was probably painful Bob.
Just imagine if it was a new 18K R1200GSA, I'm sure it'd be written off.
Be careful Bob, they bite.
Upt'North.
09/02/2021 16:24:09 UTC

Bob said :-
This was on a lane between Foolow and Eyam (Plague village).
Picking bikes up is exactly why I ride a KLX - my back is knackered and pickng up anything heavier would put me down for a fortnite. The crash didn't hurt at all, I went down on my thigh and leg and kind of slid out from under the bike - I got very muddy though.
Yes the KLX is a tough little bugger, I've only ever lost indicators and now a numberplate in all the numerous times I've dropped it. It literally looped over backwards trying to get up a trail at Capel Curig, on that day I'd ridden to Wales from near Sheffield and I rode it home again at the end of the day's trail riding.
The best bike I've ever owned.
09/02/2021 19:32:43 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
We used to use that iane on the Colonial trials run by the Midland Classic Club. It's near some of the old sections such as Hollinsclough. Have you ever thought of joining them Bob - although I don't know if they still run those events.
10/02/2021 11:36:55 UTC

Bob said :-
I'm an occasional member of the TRF because I support the groups aims but these days I always ride alone.
10/02/2021 12:37:34 UTC

Bob said :-
More things I've learned.
I've just fixed the first EFI related running problem I've seen on a KLX250 in more than 40000 miles on several bikes
.
I took the bike I keep as backup bike out for a good run, to empty the tank and cycle some fresh fuel through. All seemed fine until the engine properly warmed through then it stalled at some traffic lights. It did it a few more times and also it needed starting a couple of times after I'd filled it with fuel.

Back home I plugged in my Healtech diagnostic, it showed a fault logged which was "fuel pump relay sticking". I looked at the relay and the top corner had melted off and there was a hole through to the contacts inside. The relay lives in a rubber boot attached to the frame tube, just above the exhaust header. It had obviously fallen out in the past and landed on the header pipe and the previous owner had just shoved it back up and hoped for the best. Now, I've had this bike connected to the diagnostic many times and that fault wasn't there before, so I guess some corrosion had just recently got into the relay. Pleased with myself I fitted KLX250 spare fuel pump relay no.1 and went back out for a test ride - no better. Hmmm.

I swapped ECUs (KLX250 spare ECU no.1) and ran it up again. This ECU activated the EFI warning light on the dash board, but didn't log any faults in the ECU memory. So now I knew something was definitely amiss but couldn't see what. A couple of years ago we had an old Vitara 1600 that lead me a merry dance with a faulty O2 sensor and other issues, so I'm well aware of the finicky nature of these little buggers. Strangely (and dissapointingly) the Healtech diagnostic doesn't allow me to look at the O2 sensor volts and it seemed to make sense that the mysterious no-fault ECU light might match to a mysterious sensor I can't read either, so I swapped to KLX250 O2 sensor no.1 and tried the bike again - cured!
Thinking about it, the last time I rode this bike, my friend who was following me told me the bike smelled rich - so that tallies.
Swapping back to the original ECU didn't cause any further problems.

In summary:
1) Regularly plug in your diagnostic, even if you don't think there's a problem. I diagnosed a seized fan when I first bought the bike and now this fuel relay, which would have eventually left me stranded at the roadside.

2) Swapping to a different ECU is a useful trick I learned a while back. If a sensor is gradually failing, the installed ECU will have been adjusting itself to try and compensate (Long term fuel trim, or "block learn" in the USA) and so the bike may be running badly but nothing is far enough out of kilter to turn on the MIL on the dash. Dropping in a new ECU can instantly show up the fault because it will be expecting everything to be correct and therefore it won't mask the problem by adjusting it's outputs (it might over time though if you leave it in there).

3) O2 sensors are trouble. The problem is that they don't tend to fail completely, they just tend to become lazy. If they failed completely the ECU would see it and turn on the MIL.

4) O2 sensors are now cheap enough (£16 for a universal one) that if your EFI bike is running "a bit off" try swapping your O2 sensor.

5) Kawasaki's O2 sensor implementation is very basic and it appears that with O2 sensor faults you are really only left with the replace-it-and-see option.

I imagine that a lot of the above applies to a lot of Kawasaki EFI bikes, certainly the Z250SL which has the same engine.
14/03/2021 20:36:50 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I haven't got a diagnostic tool for the bikes - my Honda or Sharon's Kwakker. Might look into that.

I wonder if all ECUs are of the "learning" type? I can understand that a smart computer will say "Hmmm, O2 is down but we're running, I'll adjust how I read the O2". Is my CBF125 that smart or does it just run "O2 = this, engine revs = that so squirt this much fuel". In which case a "simple" computer would run rough rather than trying to sort itself out - which would alert the rider to a problem.

Can you tell us where you're getting your universal O2 sensor from? Be good to line one up for the 500 and 250.
15/03/2021 09:22:08 UTC

Bob said :-
Learning type ECUs are closed loop, the non-learning type are open loop.

I had an early XT660R which ran open loop (no O2 sensor) and a later one which ran closed loop (with an O2 sensor).

Any ECU which runs an O2 sensor will have "block learn" facilities, otherwise every journey the ECU would have to adjust itself afresh, which would mean the first part of every journey would result in emissions outside the required range.

After my crowing about universal sensors I realised that the vast majority are an M18 thread, not M12 as required on the KLX. There are M12 sensors about but they're a little more costly. In the end I just picked up a pair of used sensors from the ZZR1400 for a tenner - the plugs are the correct ones for the KLX so it saves crimping the wires to the connector from the old sensor.

Kawasaki are masters at using the same part across many bikes, it makes buying spares easy - I'd think probably every EFI Kawasaki uses that same sensor.
I'd be careful with that Honda, my experience is that Honda love using non-standard parts on their bikes and then they change them just a little bit each new model variant to make it that much harder.
15/03/2021 12:58:06 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'm not sure that all ECUs that run in closed loop are "learning" - the one on my 955i Tiger ran in closed loop - which was something of a problem till I altered the A/F map - but don't think it "learnt" long term in the way you suggest.

I could be wrong of course. I was once......
15/03/2021 13:52:34 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I think we need some definitions here.

Closed and Open loop. Closed loop in this instance means the ECU is monitoring the O2 sensor and saying "hmm, bit rich, I'll ease off the injectors". Open loop means "I ain't listening to the O2 sensor I'm just squirting fuel as per my map".

Learning and non learning. Smart(er) ECUs keep a small database of previous recent settings (more fuel, less fuel, this revs, that temperature...). While it's not quite artificial intelligence the records are assessed at boot up and the best settings are decided upon. As the vehicle is used the settings are altered and the database is updated to constantly improve the map it is using. It is essentially re-writing the map. Non learning means that the ECU is just following it's fixed, always the same - map.

15/03/2021 14:10:42 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, about what I meant.

We do seems to have covered this ground before (and even in this thread) but useful for those of us with ageing and vanishing memory cells.
15/03/2021 15:50:45 UTC

Rusty said :-
Update 2021
Just ordered seat concept kit, going to be a while for delivery though.Now the warm weather is here (soft southerner) gave the bike thorough check and will be out again. Fitted Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Cross AX41 tyres late last year, a change from my usual TKC's, more noise but no complaints on grip so far. Still like to explore replacement exhaust that is not antisocial, mainly to reduce weight. Hope everyone has survived the year and may see you out!
01/04/2021 15:53:07 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Cheers Rusty!
02/04/2021 13:09:48 UTC

Bob said :-
With the Marcelino cam mod the KLX makes much more torque, so I wondered if it would pull a 1 tooth larger front sprocket. The standard is 14 teeth, so I fitted a 15 tooth and went for a test ride.
Well, it can do it!
The redline is 10750 RPM, I cruise at 6750 RPM generally and this is now showing 72MPH on the speedo. With the original 14 tooth sprocket 6750 RPM is 66MPH. That doesn't sound like much of a difference but it does mean that instead of being overtaken by most cars I'm now only overtaken by the fast movers. It's a very different motorway experience and the bike feels very relaxed at 72MPH (as opposed to slightly strung out on the standard gearing).

Nothing in life is free of course and the downside are slightly reduced acceleration in the lower gears, the 1st gear which is already a little tall for my plodding off road riding style is now simply too tall and it won't rev out in 6th gear now. It'll pull 80MPH on the flat as opposed to 85MPH with standard gearing.
On the steeper hills it's necessary to tuck in a little to maintain 72MPH, but it does it. If the hill is too steep dropping to 5th will get a fairly relaxed 65MPH at 7000 RPM (5th gear now being just slightly lower than 6th gear was before).

So I'll treat this the same way as I did with the larger sprocket on my FX650, it'll get fitted for the long runs (France for example) but I'll keep to the standard gearing for day to day riding.

If anyone wanted any further proof of the effectiveness of the Marcelino cam mod this is it. A standard KLX barely pulls 6th gear with the 14t sprocket, if a 15t were fitted 6th gear would be rendered useless.
21/04/2021 20:31:49 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I can see you're rather pleased with the cam mod Bob. Can you tell me what else it changes beyond power output? Fuel economy, where the power is (mid range, high, low), those sort of things. Personally I'm going to avoid doing anything to Sharon's Z250SL motor as "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but I'm curious.
23/04/2021 08:42:13 UTC

Bob said :-
The cam mod greatly increases torque in the mid range.
The sweet spot is 5.5 to 8K RPM.
The power falls off a cliff at 9K RPM, but it doesn't matter because there is sufficient torque to allow another higher gear to be selected.
It makes the engine feel like a proper single, good mid range torque and no need to rev out.

Fuel economy is improved, I guess because the throttle is not open as far as it was due to the torque. My 38000 mile KLX runs to 75MPG at 65-70MPH on the motorway.

From the videos I've seen on the Z250SL I don't think it suffers with the same gutless characteristic of the KLX250 in standard trim - whether it's airbox or other differences I can't say.
24/04/2021 20:52:09 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm curious Bob if Kwakker has possibly adopted the mod for the Z250SL. I should go look at the part numbers for the cam gears - if they're the same as the KLX then no, it must be as you say airbox or ECU tuning. Cheers for the info.

26/04/2021 08:31:36 UTC

John_ USA said :-
A very informative section. I'll be looking at the intake cam mod on my 2020 KLX 250 soon. More torque combined with my 13T front sprocket can only improve it off-road where it spends the greater part of its life. Thank you Bob
11/05/2021 00:29:21 UTC

Bob said :-
Let us know how you get on please.
I would hope that the inlet mod + 13T sprocket = lifting the front wheel
12/05/2021 09:11:42 UTC

Ade said :-
My KLX250 has been around the world and still going strong, not even so much as bulb blown! 29k miles and counting. I did fit a Corbin seat, seat & tank size were the only problems.
26/05/2021 23:00:00 UTC

Rusty said :-
Hi all, still waiting for seat concepts kit, should be in a week or so. Did fit Delkovic exhaust but as I have been told it was too loud. Took baffle out and wrapped about 2/3 with exhaust packing secured with copper wire. Now it's acceptable. Lighter than standard obviously and feel it breathes better too. Have posted a YouTube vid of riding but still working out GoPro so image quality lacking. Kdx snorkel and cam mod also for new readers!
https://youtu.be/-VGfpr5muXE

https://youtu.be/-VGfpr5muXE...
02/06/2021 01:11:38 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Sounds OK noise wise on the video Rusty - but then it's hard to tell as video tends to "flatten" the noise.
02/06/2021 10:46:40 UTC

Rusty said :-
It's definitely quieter with the baffle wrapped,subdues the booming as standard. Couldn't put up with the noise like that and didn't want to upset home owners where I ride. There's a 125 that rides past my house and I can hear him coming half a mile away in built up area, annoys me and I have always had bikes.
02/06/2021 16:22:25 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Agree Rusty. I do appreciate a fruity pipe, say a Termignoni on a Ducati, but there's a limit. A chap near my place sets out to work at 0630 with loud pipes and it's annoying and embarrassing - I don't want the other residents thinking it's me disturbing their peace. Anyway after 10 motorway miles with loud pipes you'll soon be begging for a legal can again.
03/06/2021 08:11:24 UTC

Bob said :-
I have had loud pipes in the past and I thought they were great. Then I grew up.
There's nothing more sad than the sight of middle aged men turning up at bike meets and blipping and blipping their stupid throttles on their stupid noisy bikes. You know the ones, they imagine we're all looking at them and think they're cool, when in fact we all think they're something else beginning with "c".
Sorry if that upsets anyone, but these people need to sort themselves out.
I've just been on holiday in the North, we went for a walk round a lake, a walk ruined by d**kheads on their stupid blaring motorcycles tearing around.
03/06/2021 23:00:35 UTC

Rusty said :-
The Meon Valley where I ride had a trial of the sound measuring camera for prosecution purposes. Not sure if it's still there or not, on main A32, I rarely use that road anyway preferring the small single track roads away from cars. Loud pipes alienate the locals with plenty of time to complain, painting the whole bike community as antisocial. Loonies have a planning application in with the South Downs park authority that is meeting stiff opposition because of that perceived antisocial element. I don't use Loonies but it's important to have somewhere known to welcome bikes in a sanitized world. Near or by houses I exercise restraint and always acknowledge pedestrians or horse riders etc with a friendly wave, sometimes I get a wave back! If you had a house near a popular route you would soon get pissed off with the constant noise of prats racing past Everytime you want to enjoy the summer. It's just showing a bit of consideration to others. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an angel and never have been, had big bikes but there's a time and place for everything.
04/06/2021 08:25:13 UTC

Bogger said :-
Loud pipes on bikes really annoy me. They just Pi** everyone off and get us a bad name. It's getting the same with loud pipes on cars now. D**kheads everyone of them.

Bogger..Just my opinion like
04/06/2021 10:13:54 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Did someone say loud exhausts........now there's a 300 post subject if ever there was.
Only surpassed by an oil thread.
I suppose we could say, live and let live, but, there are laws against such annoyances. And who lets these contraptions pass MOT's?
I am a little surprised the UK hasn't adopted the idea that vehicles should be as manufactured but ultimately who is going to enforce it? Anyone seen a Police check recently? No, thought not.
We all should obviously conduct ourselves in a way which doesn't impact upon others but when it comes to small number plates, loud exhausts, illegal headlight covers it seems that many couldn't give a rats arse for others wellbeing.
And all this is nothing new, since the populous had some equity in their newly acquired home owner status they all wanted to spend it on nonsense, the ladies probably bought shoes and prosecco and the lads decided to buy stuff they didn't need for their motorcycles. What was left was spent paying the fines.
Obviously I apologise for my blatantly sexist, homophobic remarks. They're meant to prove the point and if Ed's got his wardrobe full of shoes I apologise forthwith.
Our area is blighted at times by these reprobates and I fear there is little that could realistically be done to curb such behaviour. In the good old days the local parish council would write a letter to the Chief Constable insisting his hard worked traffic (remember them) department did something about it.
Can I suggest ear plugs.
Upt'North.

04/06/2021 13:24:51 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
To be honest I think it was ever thus. The only difference is that these days many people have more disposable income to waste on exhaust amplifiers etc. Remember mods & rockers? Razor gangs in Glasgow? Teddy boys with razors up their sleeves? I used to be scared witless walking down Newgate Street in Bishop and being faced with a gang of be-quiffed louts in drainpipes and brothel creepers.

Speaking of which, Upt' you should come round to see my shoe collection sometime....
04/06/2021 16:31:39 UTC

Rusty said :-
Correction it's Loomies btw, damn spell check!
06/06/2021 12:02:45 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
You were probably right the first time.
06/06/2021 12:44:11 UTC

Matt said :-
Hey mate,great read, just recently purchased a 2020 klx250s and looking at getting more out of it.
I'm not the most knowledgeable motorbike mechanic but I am good with cars and tools, im interested in retarding the cam to get more power and also was wondering what wires you connect to get the bike to rev out in every gear?
Also bit confused as I thought these bikes were fuel injected but it seems to have a carby
Cheers
Matt
16/06/2021 01:24:49 UTC

Bob said :-
You have a 2020 KLX250 with a Carb?
Are you in the USA?
They did have carbs over there until 2017 I think, then the bike was deleted and re-introduced with EFI last year.
Maybe you have an old stock carb model that's just been registered?
You can still do the cam mod and inlet snorkel.
I don't know if the revving out fix is the same but on the EFI bikes you link out the clutch switch wires.

16/06/2021 10:02:15 UTC

Biggles said :-
A huge thanks to Bob for all his efforts in making his KLX great, and again for his efforts in writing about it all. Thanks also to Ren for this really nice website. Its so clean and simple. Great! Plus its so nice to read about ones passion without having to deal with ‘social media’. Each to their own, but I’m not a great fan of F etc. Anyhow, lets talk Kawasaki 250’s. I have a different kind of KLX250 called a DTracker 250, which is a Motard style version of a KLX, in same way as the Honda CRM250 is to the CRF250. EG: Ex factory... 17” rims front and rear & slightly less front fork travel. I agree with Bob, these bikes are huge fun, with heaps of potential from the light weight, sweet handling and quality of the fundamental important components. I’ve had 3 x Ducati’s including a TT2 600, and the Kaw 250 is just as much fun, with huge and wide ranging potential. Since buying mine secondhand with 7,000km on the dial, I’ve totally replaced the whole seat with a totally different solution (see photo) yes it has a mockup cardboard and tape glove box space filler), plus the front fork operation has been reworked, plus I’ve changed both rim & tyre widths front and rear for more old school agility, from the motard width originals. Next mods planned are Bob’s cam timing advice and/or a 300cc upgrade using KLX300 parts, under swept exhaust (as where I live is way hot), enabling me to hopefully cut weight off the original muffler yet keep it quiet, close to or better than standard, as I too hate overly noisey bikes. Underswept exhaust = No more burnt right knee, and I can fit balanced luggage front and rear, and maybe hidden secondary fuel tank between the frame rails at rear.

I have four questions for Bob.

1. What is the model year of KDX200 snorkel you recommend, or perhaps its part number? (I have a KLX Parts Book and WorkShop Manual, but nought info for the KDX200). Are you talking about fitting just the KDX200 rubber snorkel on its own, or fitting a new KDX200 airbox top cover with the said new snorkel in situ?

I have been thinking of increasing the engine size by fitting the standard Kawasaki original KLX300 piston & cylinder....

2. From what I can glean from your EFI explanations, it seems the ECU will adjust itself automatically for the bigger piston / 50cc increase in capacity. Is this correct?

In describing the Marcelino cam mod, you seem to suggest its a great mod for a KLX250, as its ex factory cam timing was actually designed for the KLX300, (& they never got around to resetting it to suit the 250).

3. Reading between the lines of what you have written can I therefore assume that if I were to fit the KLX300 piston & cylinder, then DO NOT do the Marcelino cam mod. Correct?

4. If I fit a KLX300 piston & cylinder, does that means best not to do Marcelino Cam Mod? = not do both. If so, would you choose Marcelino Mod, or the KLX300 piston & cylinder?

Best Regards in advance from Biggles
Posted Image

15/07/2021 18:53:38 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Seeing as you state your DTracker's odometer reading in KM I'm guessing you're not in the UK Biggles? We did get the DTracker 125 here so I've gotten a handle on what they're about. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. Sharon's Z250SL has, as far as we can tell, the same engine and she has little trouble keeping up with me on my 500.

Hopefully Bob will drop by soon enough and thanks for the comments regarding this site.
16/07/2021 10:20:01 UTC

Biggles said :-
Thankyou Ren.

I really like my 250 DTracker. Thailand is where
I live and write to you all from. Great mountain roads and tracks. Living
here became a dream after MC riding here in 2008 on holiday.

Now I live here full time. Looks like you have contributions
from many places, and thats great. Always a new perspective.
Excellent!

They make the KLX & DTracker, and also CRF 250 & 300
here in Thailand. Then there is the KLX & DTracker 150, which
is maybe a progression from the 125’s, which are here too, but older.

Then there is the 140G, a dull name for an enticing little bike.
Its air cooled engine is no powerhouse, but its total weight is about 100kg,
and it has far more nicely made top shelf lightweight bits than the KLX150.
As soon as I get a few larger projects sorted, I may buy one.
Heres a photo of the 140G attached.

At 61YO, this is my perfect MX bike, and reminds me somehow of the
first Elsiniore 125’s friends had when I was a teenager, whilst I tried
to chase them on a Hodaka Dirt Squirt, an interesting USA / Japanese
made bike.

Posted Image

16/07/2021 14:24:22 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Biggles,
I do like the look and price of that 140G.
100 KG, how on earth did they manage that?
Nice.
Upt'North.
16/07/2021 18:46:53 UTC

Biggles said :-
Good to see some one with discerning taste Upt’North.
Based on USD$ to THB exchange rate which is higher of
late the 140G is about USD$3,000.00.

Not cheap, but its low sag makes the KLX150 heavy by comparo.
Its parts are really a cit above, a very nice thing.

I’ve added a photo of a Hodaka 100 Dirt Squirt, which is
named after Mt Hodaka in Japan, a bit like the name
Fuji was used a lot in days gone because of Mt Fuji.
I have actually saw Mt Hodaka once, whilst standing
on a rock in a crystal clear stream. Sounds like a song.
I owned a Dirt Squirt when I was 15YO. Great bike.

Must go. Dinner time. That KLX 140G is yummo. See
you all soon. Bye from Biggles.
Posted Image

18/07/2021 14:40:05 UTC

Biggles said :-
Apology. 'Low sag' in my last entry should read 'low kg’, and ‘cit' should read 'cut’. I’m not sure why that occurred.
Maybe tired. Apology folks.
19/07/2021 06:13:38 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I expect the 140G is so light as it has no lights, it likely has a small tank and won't be encumbered with emission controls and other road-legal equipment. Sharon's Keeway is around 115kg complete with big tank, catalytic exhaust, lights etc. The KLR250 is also liquid cooled. Still, 100kg is very light!
19/07/2021 08:34:45 UTC

said :-
Talking of lightness, how about 1981 dt125mx, from what I could find 95kg dry & 103 kg wet. Feels like a heavy pushbike, old skool rools!!!!
Posted Image

19/07/2021 13:32:16 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Do you remember the DT 175 of the late 70's, that was a rapid little two stroke.
Upt'North.

19/07/2021 23:13:28 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh gawwwd, we're onto 2 strokes...
20/07/2021 08:22:07 UTC

Biggles said :-

Upt'North

Yes I remember the DT range. I had a DT1 250. Strong engine,
but the handling, brakes and suspension were lacking.
The later cantilever ones were far better, like the one in your photo.

Ren - The Ed

You mention the Keeway. They used to make a bike here called Keeway,
along with things like GPX, Stallions, Tiger etc, which are all made
or assembled from bits made largely over the fence. Can you
put up a photo of the Keeway, and I’ll put up a photo of the Tiger
I once owned, which is a sort of remake of a Cagiva F4-150 with
200 and 250cc motors. Used by Thai Police Dept.

All the best from Biggles.

20/07/2021 09:17:38 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The Keeway I'm talking of is a Brand from China who make a range of (mostly) smaller capacity motorcycles. Sharon's Keeway is in fact a 2013 Keeway RKS125. We chose this make and model primarily because Sharon is somewhat small and this machine allowed her access to the floor without requiring a stepladder.
Posted Image

20/07/2021 15:27:26 UTC

Bill said :-
I do indeed remember the DT175 Upt, I passed my test on one after several other bikes on L plates. A great little trail bike, traded it for XT500, both now collectable and silly money.
Posted Image

20/07/2021 15:32:45 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
Back in the early 1980s I had a DT125E (for "Electric start") which it mainly didn't. It was quite a useful winter bike although I did look a bit daft on it.
20/07/2021 15:36:34 UTC

Ian Soady said :-
I also later had an XT500 but never thought it was as good a bike as the Suzuki SP400 that preceded it. Again mostly winter commuting.
20/07/2021 15:38:24 UTC

said :-
Ren

They sold the Keeway here for a few years, but you don’t see them much anymore.
Ive added a photo of a bike I used to have called a Tiger 250 which is a remake of
a Cagiva F4 150 from the 90’s I think. They were made here in TH Ian using engines and
other bits from over the fence. Your Keeway looks good, but my Tiger was so bad,
I had to sell it after 800km having had two blown head gaskets, and many other
dreadful issues. I bought it from the Tiger factory in BKK 800km away, via a photo
on the net. It came in a truck via Thai Post. As a Ducati lover thought I was buying a
sort of Cagiva. Pretty bike, but dreadful. Swing arm had rigidity of filing cabinet sliders.
Staunchions & hard chrome on shocks rusted within first 30 days. The only way to
get the air box out was to undo the shocks & remove the back wheel...and thats
just the start. Mine was identical to the one in the photo I’ve uploaded.

Bill, Ian & Upt’North

Yes, I too wish I had an XT500, you can get SR’s here, mainly 400’s from Japan,
but the books are the issue. No legal paperwork = Cannot register,

Posted Image

21/07/2021 12:54:31 UTC

said :-
The electric start failed & even the kickstart bent.
21/07/2021 12:55:44 UTC

Biggles said :-
Heres the model before mine. The Boxer 250. Love the trellis swing arm.
Posted Image

21/07/2021 14:20:35 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The Tiger LOOKS smart Biggles, I quite like the style, but if it lacks substance then it is indeed useless.

I know very little of Thailand. It sounds like you have similar levels of bureaucracy as most other countries which makes importing and registering motorcycles a, err, challenge. I do know that Triumph and Honda make bikes there, my own CB500X is Thai. I figure just because it's made there doesn't mean you can buy them there or perhaps they are ridiculously expensive?
22/07/2021 09:10:43 UTC

said :-
I’m working now, and will write more about your question later.
But a quick answer...

Thailand import duty is huge on private or commercial items.

If its mainly made in Thailand, and they have themselves historically well organised with the Thais. EG Honda, Yamaha & Kawasaki & Suzuk,.its cheap here.
If its made in ASEAN, and they have themselves historically well organised with the Thais.Same Big 4, cheap, but not as cheap.
I’ll explain the others later. Heres the Tiger Police Bike in Brown, complete with crash bars with truncheon holder. Thai Policeman with back to camera.
Posted Image

22/07/2021 10:41:16 UTC

Biggles said :-
Hello Ren

Bikes made in Thailand include 140/150 & 250 KLX & DTracker all sizes. CRF 250/300. CBR150R, CR150, CB250R before & now 300’s all models. CB500 all models. They also partly make or at assemble BMW’s here (make is unclear as to what), & the same for lower end Ducati & Triumph. They build lower end Mercedes & BMW cars here too, but again (make what parts in TH is unclear). Toyota, Nissan, Honda & Mazda all make cars here too. At its peak a few years back, maybe 2016-18, Thailand exported over 3000 cars a day, for each day of the year, & had become 12th largest car making country in the world. Thailand supplies more cars to Australia than any other country. These stats are from Thailand Board of Investment Annual Reports. I spent 6 weeks researching all this stuff maybe 3 years ago for another reason, which was fun as its interesting. With all this, its hard to know how many parts are made here, but Thailand Board of Investment have minimum standards expected and perhaps audited. One needs to know how to do this, as Ducati has had a difficult time being competitive in the market on parts prices, which a already high in other parts of the world, but higher here, with an even longer wait From memory, there are over 700 OEM vehicle industry component makers in Thailand, some are Japanese owned, maybe some Chinese, I have no idea. You may also have the reborn MG cars in UK. This is a joint venture Thai / China project with the Thai side run by a man who local Thai’s tell me is probably the most well know businessman in Thailand, who owns food brands, supermarket chains and many other things.
Last I read a few years ago, Thailand was 2nd largest maker of computer HD in the world with Western Digital & Seagate making theirs here. The photo below was a rare thing when I found it 4 years ago, such pics may still be rare, I have no idea. That girl is in Ducatis Thailand assembly plant, assembling the bottom end of a new Ducati twin motor. I also have a photo of Triumph’s frame building shop in Thailand factory if anyone wants to see it, and if I can find it. As I say, all these stats are from Thailand Board of Investment Annual Reports. All the best from Biggles.
Posted Image

23/07/2021 17:29:54 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Triumph motorcycles being made in Thailand did make it into the motorcycle press here. As far as I am aware they are sold back in the UK.
I can't explain why, but it seems stranger that Ducatis are built there. Although perhaps they're not exported back to other EU or Stateside markets?
Upt'North.
23/07/2021 18:55:49 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I remember as a child almost all my toys had "Made In Japan" on the box or the item. As Japan's success blossomed so did their wages which meant it became less economic to make things there. China and Thailand are now the manufacturing centres but I suspect at some point in the future these places will (hopefully) achieve a good standard of living for their population. This will mean higher wages and therefore less economic reason to make things there. This will lead us to the next underdeveloped country with a hungry labour force with no choice but to work for $1 a day. Maybe Africa? China is already investing there.

History may guide us but we know not what automation and artificial intelligence may bring as yet. Africa may not get its moment in the spotlight because the robots will make everything? One thing history does show - change is inevitable.
24/07/2021 09:00:48 UTC

Biggles said :-
As far as I know, most base level Ducati’s made in TH go O/Seas. I have mates in MC industry in Japan, who tell me that over decades its been a well kept secret that there was much trade of vehicle parts in-between China, Korea and Japan, including MC parts. But I think the Japanese & Koreans are now perhaps doing it less, due to to pressure from their own govs. & QUAD which also involves India, and AU etc. Theres also been encouragement to follow same path from both the current and previous USA gov. There were many reports of Pompeo putting pressure on US Co’s to make / source their bits from alternative locations or face bureaucracy / tax penalties, and I think his counterpart is doing similar, but using the new regimes slightly more softly softly approach. Makes me think of that old TV show....

As far as I can establish, the big international companies are here for low regs, low wages and low tax, but I know they also need their own department to look after that and keep the playing field as level as it started, to stop deal creep'age.. Its a complex thing to explain.

A Swiss man I know whom have strong respect for told me he had spent some time in Rayong, (which is the vehicle making epicentre of Thailand), and he took a few tours with a mate who was in the vehicle industry there. He said the Japanese employ the same methods in TH they do in Japan...EG. Company House, School, Gym, Sport, Recreation, Kindergarten, School, Social Club etc, all paid for and supplied to good loyal employees. Great if you like that lifestyle. As far as wages, the last I heard for a base level with a few years experience, and a good record of production and quality would probably get about THB 600 per day, which is about USD 18 a day. Keep in mind cost of living is cheap here in most things, as long as you buy Thai made, and also like anywhere, if you know the best place to buy it. Thailand’s most famous vehicle industry OEM / manufacturer supplier also has car parts manufacturing plants in South Africa & USA. It was making chassis for Tesla a few years back, not sure about now.

I agree with a fair days pay for a fair days work, and in racial and religious equality & tolerance as well. I was brought up Christian, and here in TH I have Buddhist & Muslim mates. We rib each other about it sometimes. Thailand is great like that, a very tolerant fun country, as long as you play the game by TH rules and law. As an expat of 10 yrs here, I know Thais like to run things their own unique way, & on that, they do not debate. Thats the way it is, and that way is protected by Thai law.
26/07/2021 18:05:47 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Where are you from originally Biggles?
27/07/2021 09:40:32 UTC

said :-
I’ve always loved early 70’s music and muscle cars. Here is the factory sticker image that appeared on my all time favourite muscle car, the 1972 GT351 V8 Falcon, which as the super high performance version was called the GTHO Phase 2 or Phase 3. A real deal 150mph family car in 1972. Fastest production four door car in the world at that time. That sticker tells you where I am from. How about you Ren?
Posted Image

28/07/2021 14:44:01 UTC

Biggles said :-
This was my last MC in my home country. Maybe the only road registered Chrome Moly 7kg Verlicchi Space TT2 Frame Ducati in Australia. I built it from ground up using most parts from a 'bought new for the purpose' Ducati Pantah TL600. I added 38mm Marzochi Forks (from 35mm) with 08 Brembos (from 05) & Marzocchi PVS1 Rear Unit, custom subframe for light pillions. One of best handling bikes I’ve ever ridden, beaten only by bikes like the DB1 Bimota and a few others. A fine hills bike, with just a thought on 60-110km corners you can go up the inside or the outside of near anything, and change line at a whim. Having built it from its new bare metal frame and owning it about 35 years I sold this after before I moved overseas. Emotionally it was the hardest task of the move.
Posted Image

02/08/2021 09:47:34 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
You, SOLD IT!?!
NO......
Upt'North.
02/08/2021 09:55:15 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
WOW... just wow.
02/08/2021 11:41:00 UTC

Biggles said :-
Broke my heart selling it, but I could not
bring it to TH. Kings ransom import duty,
no parts for it here, even a 600SL & no IP,
and not a safe place anywhere to store it.
I had no choice. Its also not a great ride
for TH. Best bike for that is a 250-500cc
Japanese bike made here, for price, parts
availability & IP.

Would you like to see a
photo of it as it appeared in a magazine
called Australia’s 20 Best Ducatis? I
promise you it does not look the same.
In that guise its a Ducati like no other.
115357...
05/08/2021 12:27:06 UTC

said :-

1. What is the model year of KDX200 snorkel you recommend, or perhaps its part number? (I have a KLX Parts Book and WorkShop Manual, but nought info for the KDX200). Are you talking about fitting just the KDX200 rubber snorkel on its own, or fitting a new KDX200 airbox top cover with the said new snorkel in situ?

Kawasaki Part Number 14073-1577, just install it in your standard airbox lid (otherwise you'll lose your IAT sensor)

I have been thinking of increasing the engine size by fitting the standard Kawasaki original KLX300 piston & cylinder....

2. From what I can glean from your EFI explanations, it seems the ECU will adjust itself automatically for the bigger piston / 50cc increase in capacity. Is this correct?
No it isn't, you'll need a fuel controller.

In describing the Marcelino cam mod, you seem to suggest its a great mod for a KLX250, as its ex factory cam timing was actually designed for the KLX300, (& they never got around to resetting it to suit the 250).
Yes, the timing was actually designed for 300cc and open inlet and exhaust breathing.

3. Reading between the lines of what you have written can I therefore assume that if I were to fit the KLX300 piston & cylinder, then DO NOT do the Marcelino cam mod. Correct?

No, you will not achieve much by fitting the 300cc piston if you don't also improve inlet and exhaust breathing. Marcelino works fine on the 300cc top end.

4. If I fit a KLX300 piston & cylinder, does that means best not to do Marcelino Cam Mod? = not do both. If so, would you choose Marcelino Mod, or the KLX300 piston & cylinder?
As I stated above, all I've done is the Marcelino and air inlet snorkel. I don't consider it worth the work and expense to fit the 300cc top end, since I'd also then have to fit a fuel controller and silencer to make it worth doing - and then I'd be forever fiddling with the mixture settings trying to get it right.
30/08/2021 17:12:57 UTC

Bob said :-
..and I've just clocked 30000 miles since doing the cam mod.
75 MPG, 70MPH cruising - get it done.
30/08/2021 19:14:12 UTC

Biggles said :-
Thank you Bob.
Apologies not reply sooner.
I will read it all with enthusiasm,
and get back to you soon.

02/09/2021 12:39:31 UTC

Biggles said :-
Heres my Ducati
in early 1990’s.
Its that same TT2.
Posted Image

02/09/2021 12:41:55 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Early 90's! Cor I was young back then. That's an odd looking Duke.
02/09/2021 19:21:37 UTC

said :-
This bike ended up in Mags all over
the world. I was in Japan once at a
Ducati National Function and a locla
man came up to me and asked if it
was me and my bike. I said yes.
I built it because Ducati’s are often
too perfectly built, and many not
ridden. At that time I was making
parts for fussy Ducati owners
worldwide. This was my way of
saying things can be different, &
they can have more variety. I
loved Green Frames, Bevel SS,
F1, and Hailwood’s (my era), but
the show bikes got boring, too
much same same. Verlicchi this,
Malossi that, etc etc, I rode that
bike 1700km return to a round
of the World Superbikes. A great
bike, maybe the best I’ll ever
own, but on a backroad, a well
set up DTracker 250 is not far
off the mark in 40-90km twists.
So Ren or anyone on here. Who
has a photo of their fave bike
of their misspent youth?
04/09/2021 06:19:51 UTC

Bill said :-
As requested pic of bike from misspent youth.
Not far from Ren HQ visiting Ashton in Makerfield.
The piper exhaust was so loud that my brother in law had enough time from hearing it coming to have the coffee ready and waiting.
Posted Image

04/09/2021 12:12:05 UTC

Marc said :-
Hi Bob I have just got a 2013 klx 250 efi,
I have done the mod to the clutch wire I am interested in the cam!
Do you have a link or any more information like a guide how to do it please
.
04/09/2021 17:47:27 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There ain't many images from my "back in the day". Film was expensive, cameras were poop and I was too busy trying and failing to chase young ladies to take images.

My Honda CD200 Benly complete with ape hangers and sissy bar is about the best I can offer.
Posted Image

06/09/2021 10:37:39 UTC

Ross said :-
Home made sissy bar, Ren? I can't quite make out what it says...something about 2cv's!?

Here's a bike from my past, Honda CB750FB, taken en route to the Dutch TT at Assen, around 1984 or 5. Probably not the best bike I've ever owned but it made some of the best memories of travels with the then girlfriend...the bikes has gone but she's still around!
Posted Image

06/09/2021 15:10:16 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Aaaah Ross. Remember the good 'ole days when a "fast car" could get a sticker that said "Bye Bye GTi". This implied the bestickered vehicle was FASTER than a GTi, referring to the rapid Gold GTi. Obviously being a CD200 Benly with a staggering 15 or 16 bhp even an enthusiastic plonker (me) could see I was not ready to take on a GTi.

The writing, done in white wall paint, stated...

...remember I was young...
Posted Image

06/09/2021 15:58:02 UTC

nab301 said :-
An old newspaper cutting from 1979 is the only photo I have ..... apparently, according to those who know me, I haven't changed much .

Nigel

Posted Image

07/09/2021 09:55:22 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You won an MZ! What did you have to do to win an MZ?
07/09/2021 10:09:43 UTC

nab301 said :-
Ren , I entered a competition placed in a local tabloid by the newly established importer at the time (1979). I was more of a broadsheet reader and the entry form was given to me by a tabloid reading friend of mine who quote " I wouldn't be seen dead on one of those!" I was already an owner of a 125 MZ which I had purchased new from a back street bike shop much to the consternation of the importer .
The prize was supposed to be presented to me at a bike show in Dublin ( The mansion House) by Mike Hailwood but unfortunately he had to leave before I arrived....
Nigel
07/09/2021 11:57:59 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
By golly you missed your claim to fame that day nab301.
07/09/2021 12:25:08 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
On that note Ed, I was lucky enough a few years ago to speak to two giants of motorcycling. The first was Phil Read, interesting enough chap with stories to share, but he came over very bitter and disillusioned with his lot. The other was probably one of, if not the best racer of all time, Giacomo Agostini. He was an absolute gent, full of humour and enthusiasm. The contrast between the two couldn't have been more profound. Both nice blokes but you'd only invite one back home for dinner.
Nice memories though, I don't know if they're still above the sod, hope so.
Upt'North.
07/09/2021 18:44:42 UTC

Rusty said :-
Never meet your heroes as they say, had a similar experience but no names, gutted really as always followed his projects (a clue?) but too busy dicking with his phone
Posted Image

07/09/2021 22:14:08 UTC

Rusty said :-
Lost some text there!
Seat concepts kit arrived and fitted by a customer of mine (an upholsterer)
Mot pass today so out for an extended test at the weekend in a bit more comfort hopefully. Quality looks very good so far. Also took the Delkevic can off and back to standard, seemed to be runing real hot on the exhaust downpipe and discolouration on the exhaust outlet as well, can't be good!
07/09/2021 22:19:28 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm afraid I have no claims to fame. I... errrrr... Billy Beaumont the rugby player came to our school once? Lars Ulrich from Metallica was in the same club as me? I've been through the village where Carl Fogarty lives/lived? Nope, nothing. I suppose I can console myself with my own worldwide fame.

The seat looks right enough Rusty. I'm sure it sounds more sociable too now but that hot exhaust concerns me. Have you been givin' it large ont back wheel hoodlum style?
08/09/2021 09:04:54 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
I also had a brief chat with Read at one of the National Motorcycle Museum events. He was only there to flog his memoirs. Like you I found him quite a bitter character - I think that he always lost out to Mike Hailwood not only in the riding stakes but also in charisma. He came across as feeling he should have been better treated. I didn't buy his book.....
08/09/2021 10:43:00 UTC

Biggles said :-
Great stories of who some of you met. I like that Excess 11 as we called them, the Benly with Ape Hangers and the MZ. Great fun. My best meets would as be young pit dork / gopher for Hailwood who was riding a square case 750SS at a race in an Australian Production Bike Race. He would not have noticed me, and I was so young I had no idea of the magnitude of who he would be in my lifetime. He was one of the few guys I ever saw grind the kickstart of a bevel SS whilst cornering the bike. That race was one of many he did to warm up for his hugely famous legendary run at the IOM on the Sports MC Ducati.

Theres some real stories behind that bike and on that day. Another would be going for a drive for lunch with Jimmy Adamo National Twins Champion of USA in his massive early 80’s Oldsmobile Wagon with some huge 4-5-6 litre engine. I asked him how fast it would go. He said he’d done 120mph in it, but it was frightening at that speed. I believe him, that car floated like all those big USA cars of that era. I also met Davide Tardozzi from Ducati Factory Team at Phillip Island WSB in about 92’. I had a little Ducati business at that time, and he took me into Ducati garage, gave me his card, even showed me their combined staff office in like a transportable container thing. It was amazing. He’s the real deal. Very nice man.
Posted Image

08/09/2021 18:23:20 UTC

Rusty said :-
I was enthusiastic on my ride to the mot station, socially responsible of course! Have met Matt Le Tissier (Southampton and england player, former) in a professional capacity, he was pretty good to be fair even if he did play for Southampton. Best moment for me was being on the grid at Donnington pre race for 600cc race with a pal whose son was racing, loved it and spending the weekend in the pits. One of his support team had to run through the pits in a lime green mankini after losing a bet, funny as hell! Also met Rik Mayall and Ade Edmundson on the I o Wight ferry while they were filming Hotel Paradise, both really good and posed for pics for me to give to my son, I was on way home from business on the island. Seen a few other famous people on my travels including Daniel Day Lewis coming out of an off license in Petersfield, suspect he had a six pack of Buckfast in his carrier bag!

08/09/2021 21:28:37 UTC

Rusty said :-
P.s
Also saw Erica Roe of national exposure fame many years after, gravity is a cruel mistress, that's all I will say on that one
08/09/2021 21:32:46 UTC

Biggles said :-
Heh Bob

Hope you are well. Can you please reply to the question I wrote a few entries above here,
in relation to the KLX/DTracker 250. I’ve done the best I can with photos & text
to basically ask if the snorkel on my air box is the standard original one, or if its
been replaced with the KDX200 snorkel. As I say in that entry, no point in ordering it, & going to
pick it up, and wasting the time/money if its already on my bike. Thanks in advance

Biggles.

15/09/2021 07:53:54 UTC

Bob said :-
I think what you have there is a KDX snorkel that someone has cut down.
The ribbed part that protrudes down into the airbox is missing.
The KDX snorkel looks like the image in the parts book drawing and the standard KLX snorkel looks the same i.e. about the same length sticking down into the airbox (the ribbed part) as there is lying on top of the airbox.
The KLX snorkel however, has two very narrow (really very small) slots to breath through at the front, the KDX has a single large hole.
I think what you have there will work, but the lack of the ribbed part will probably make it very loud and could cause lean running.
I'd be looking to order a replacement KDX snorkel.

I've just tuned another KLX for a friend, Marcelino mod, clutch switch & KDX snorkel and the bike is transformed.
16/09/2021 13:19:18 UTC

Bob said :-
If you look at this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et-wTwfwl20
At around the 3:00 mark he's holding the original KLX250 snorkel and the KMX snorkel - you can clearly see the difference
16/09/2021 18:02:20 UTC

Biggles said :-
Its Sunday night now.
Just saw your message Bob. Thank you so much.
I will look at the video right now.

19/09/2021 14:45:50 UTC

said :-
I just watched it, & I see what you mean.
Thank you Bob.
19/09/2021 15:08:59 UTC

said :-

28/03/2022 00:37:29 UTC

Rusty said :-
Hello all, not sure if this thread is active but I am hoping some will read it. I have contacted Kawasaki today to ask if there are any plans to bring the 300 (or the 230!) To the UK . Imho the market is crying out for an affordable low capacity trail style bike that is both cheap to run and not so intimidating for newer riders (or older ones needing less weight and lower seat height) O have watched reviews of the KLX 300 and 230 and think both have a place here. In my case I would swap my 250 for the 300 and/or buy the 230 also (I am old and arthritic!) The 230 reviews are all positive and if you see the prices the Yamaha xt350Serow commands it is plain there is a demand for the softer machine. If you think the same way please email Kawasaki customer services and ask/explain this is what you would spend your money on.
customerservice@kawasaki.co.uk
Have a great day!
20/06/2022 11:29:12 UTC

Rusty said :-
Oh, and PLEASE share!
20/06/2022 11:30:21 UTC

madbatt said :-
Hi guys, Ren;
I was wandering between klx 250, and crf 250/300. Finally got voge 300 rally - it was on stock. They are very few, so does anyone here ride this Chinese?
Regards

Posted Image

04/11/2022 10:11:26 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
If it's anything like the Voge 500DS then your Voge 300 Rally will likely be a close copy of Honda's CRF300 Rally. I'd be interested to hear how you get along with this bike - if it's a guddun I'd be tempted.
04/11/2022 13:59:06 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Congrats on the new bike MadBatt. It looks well equipped and I'm guessing that's probably standard trim.
God or indeed the devil is trying to make me type something about the wheels, but I'm refusing to cave into the pressure.
Upt'North.
04/11/2022 17:47:07 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'll do it for ya Upt' - I think the 2-tone colours are actually quite trick. I'm not sure it's my taste per-se but at least it's interesting.
04/11/2022 19:51:28 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes, interesting. You nailed it.
Upt'North.
04/11/2022 21:03:06 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
That's one word for it. It would make me dizzy.
05/11/2022 10:18:00 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I hope you're not looking at your wheels while you're riding Ian.
05/11/2022 16:04:41 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
You have to check they're still there regularly.
05/11/2022 16:07:16 UTC

Rusty said :-
Another year and no new Klx update/release, have bought a Honda Rally instead. Still keeping the Klx and will be interesting to compare, went green Laning yesterday on the KLX and still impressed with cam mods letting me trundle along in a low gear,and only tipped over twice! The Voge is not for me, at least you can buy one though.
20/11/2022 10:18:23 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Rusty - I'd like to see the 300 available in the UK as an official model. I figure Kwak don't think it's worth selling them here but Honda seem to be doing fine with the Rally and CRF? I think Kwak is missing a treat here.
21/11/2022 13:56:50 UTC

madbatt said :-
Hi guys, Ren
I'm wondering if only mine, or all of them are so noisy and petrol thirsty?
4.5 l/100 km. 300cc?!
12/12/2022 00:14:43 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hi madbatt. Noisy? Sharon's Z250SL is no noisier than any other single I've ridden. Are we talking exhaust noise or mechanical engine noise?

4.5l per 100km translates to 63mpg according to the interweb. That's... high. We normally expect around 90mpg out of Sharon's Kwakker, higher on slow rides. Are you doing a lot of high speed motorway work, for example 75mph everywhere?
12/12/2022 12:08:36 UTC

ROD¹ said :-
That mpg figure is about the same as my r1150rt at legal speeds.
12/12/2022 14:55:39 UTC

ROD¹ said :-
As Ren posted. The mpg is dependent on how we ride.
https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=7175...
12/12/2022 15:17:00 UTC

madbatt said :-
No motorway here. Try to keep the speed limits. Same "biker" same routes, fuel efficiency of cb125f is 1.97 - 2.2 l/100 km.
12/12/2022 18:44:18 UTC

nab301 said :-
Maybe the chines bikes aren't as well "developed" in terms of mapping as the mainstream Japanese bikes . Although strangely I was looking in a local bike shop recently at a Lexmoto 500x which looked suspiciously like the Honda 500x . Technically the only difference I could see was the Lexmoto has twin lambda sensors which I would think was an improvement but on line write ups suggest 60mpg which isn't as good as the Honda version.
Nigel
13/12/2022 13:24:58 UTC

Bruce Fowler said :-
In Australia in 2023 we dont get the fuel injected engine, instead have the 34mm CVK Kehin and claimed 15hp at 8000rpm. Up to 2018 the KLX we got was called the KLX250, since then just called the KLX250.So.... does MCM mod apply to these bikes? Is the Aussie spec engine same as the pre efi Euro and US models ie 2009?
11/02/2023 10:38:42 UTC

Bruce Fowler said :-
Missed the S in the previous comment. In Aust we got the 250S up to 2028, then the S was dropped to just the KLX250.
11/02/2023 10:41:18 UTC

madbatt said :-
Hi guys, Ren
Got a noise around 4000rpm, on my klx 250. Have an appointment for a valve clearance. The bike is only 11k km?! Anything else, I could ask them to check?

PS Strange, but there's no more carburetor bikes available in EU dealership.
PSS Voges fuel efficiency went down to 3.6l/100km, after 2000.
08/04/2023 11:32:57 UTC

madbatt said :-
Happy Easter
09/04/2023 13:21:28 UTC

Rusty said :-
Just an update on my klx and new to me CRF rally. Having worked my way over the rally doing maintenance I have to admit being somewhat disappointed with some of the build quality. My first Honda, expected better to be honest. Klx is a relative pleasure to work on, straightforward and even obscure fixings release without a struggle. And the stock CRF suspension is woeful, increased preload to max and still so so soft. Have a hyperpro rear spring and ordering progressive fork spring, should you really have to do that on a new model? So far the klx is still the bike I love and have just fitted some Michelin trackers, I'll post an update when I have had some time on them. On the plus side the CRF has a decent sized tank, looks good on the black rims and better weather protection for longer journeys. To be continued......
22/06/2023 22:38:31 UTC

Peter said :-
Bob, can you tell me what O2 delete you used? Or the resistance values... If you still have it, I can tell you how to test it with a DVM.

I've had nothing but good results running the O2 delete, but they're not all the same. For instance, the EJK O2 delete uses 270 Ohm resistors, which don't make the air fuel as rich as the 330 Ohm resistor setup.

I run a radiator cap gauge, and my bike doesn't run hotter with the O2 delete. Running rich will usually make the engine run cooler, which is one of the reasons tuners striver for slightly rich, 13:1.

If the O2 delete doesn't make it run richer, then why would the O2 delete make noticeably more power with a slip-on exhaust, compared to the O2 sensor. You have to increase the fuel, to get more power out of an exhaust, and the O2 delete decreases gas mileage.
28/06/2023 02:01:42 UTC

Rusty said :-
Update on the Michelin Trackers, biggest difference off road is the front end grip is massively improved, I was running AX41 tyres previously (50/50). On road the front tyre tracks every imperfection in the road surface making for handling that is best described as scary! Have completed 55 miles, anecdotal reviews all agree that the tracking issue disappears after 100 miles or so. I have put the AX 41s on the Honda Rally, that was still on its original rubber, as no plans to go mad off road on that. Happy summer!

Posted Image

29/06/2023 17:55:09 UTC

Rusty said :-
My first component failure has occurred ?, fitted a lithium battery prior to my last 50 mile adventure, parked in garage and 2 days later completely flat. Had to jump battery to start charging (on correct charger). Charged back up fine and fitted to bike, engine running no charge voltage even at high revs. Tested coils on generator all good, removed reg/rec and that also tested fine? Cleaned all connectors but still no charge voltage, have ordered new reg/rec hoping that is faulty, definitely getting output from generator. On another track graphics looking very tatty so had a go at wrapping panels, not the neates job but acceptable (ish) for first attempt. Would like new genuine graphics ideally but I get bored easy!
Posted Image

12/07/2023 19:56:52 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Rusty, are you sure the Lithium hasn't just died.
Have you tried another battery?
Upt.
13/07/2023 09:12:28 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
I agree, can't you rig it up with a spare battery (even a car one would do) and check? Once you go down the route of changing components just in case you could be in for a long and expensive process.
13/07/2023 10:06:25 UTC

Rusty said :-
Hi, I did try another standard (yuasa) battery off the rally and same result, also fitted lithium battery to rally without any issues, voltage when running on rally 14v> but on the klx only shows battery voltage when increasing revs, on idle shows 13v> but drops as soon as you open throttle. Last ride before failure was very wet green lane ride, open to testing any other possible faults if you have any advice. Did spend hours going over everything and cleaning connectors, tested voltage back to rectifier and still low, tested coils on generator independently and they were within spec. My understanding was if reg/rec fails it usually supplies excess voltage, had that failure on my dt when it kept blowing headlight bulb.
Thanks for commenting, appreciate any suggestions, want to ride my klx!
13/07/2023 23:29:49 UTC

Rusty said :-
Had a good look at failed AGM battery that was on bike, plates distorted, hopefully visible in pictures, no visible sign of acid/gel so maybe it was overcharging at some point?
Posted Image

13/07/2023 23:38:38 UTC

nab301 said :-
I think you've covered everything, no melted or corroded connectors , charging coils are ok , have you checked the ac output from them? I've never used a lithium battery on a bike or car , as you mention, you used the "special" charger to recharge it off the bike , I can't understand how the normal charging system can then be ok on the vehicle.
It's never happened to me yet but I know of failures of the reg / rect as you describe so I'd imagine replacing it will solve your problem.
Nigel
14/07/2023 11:32:15 UTC

Rusty said :-
Hi, checked the AC output on each individual coil and resistance, all good. Have replaced reg/rec and still the same, downloaded wiring diagram so will be going through loom as soon as I can, family time today. Had a failed loom on a Yamaha dt125r where the earth had corroded badly in pvc sheath, I'll see if I still have a picture of that somewhere. I am missing something and sure I'll be kicking myself when I find it. Going back to standard battery for now though
15/07/2023 13:17:32 UTC

Upt'North ¹ said :-
Rusty....
I was just going to say check and clean the earth's first.
Upt.
15/07/2023 15:30:33 UTC

Andreas B Olesen said :-
Can I just ask where you found a vacuum nipple when you installed your scottoiler?
04/08/2023 19:35:22 UTC

Rusty said :-
An update on my charging woes, replaced everything (stator,rectifier) checked and cleaned everything and all earths, still only 13v ish, local bike mechanic who I trust and count as a friend suggested that stator flywheel may have reduced magnetism (?) have gone back to regular battery and completed 74 miles today without issue. I am wondering if the lithium batteries charge controller doesn't like a weak charging system? Open to any other suggestions, I'm not proud! Anyhow, anyone have any lime green panels? My preferred colour but when I bought my ebony bike choice was limited.
Thanks in advance for any help
09/10/2023 21:13:28 UTC

Rusty said :-
Just thought I would add only reason for lithium battery was weight saving, nothing else. Beautiful day down south today and I wasn't the only one bunking off to make the most of it. Two wheeled therapy!
09/10/2023 21:18:08 UTC

Rusty said :-
Photo on my mini holiday!
Posted Image

09/10/2023 22:26:24 UTC

Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I can see the logic that if the magnets in the flywheel were "less magnetic" than they once were then charging would be reduced. I'm not sure that's your problem as I've never come across that before. IF... if it is then I'd be asking how did the magnets lose their magneticness? I know vibrations will, eventually, cause magnets to become weak but I don't think you're bike is high miles and I don't hear of other bike's, no matter how vibey, losing their magneticness.

Is it possible, just possible, the Lithium battery, or more likely the controller, was "back feeding" or something that weakened the magnets? Or, more likely, you just gotta bad bunch of magnets.
10/10/2023 16:36:55 UTC

Ian Soady¹ said :-
Magnets in old style magnetos did in fact lose their magnetic strength - in fact on many models you had to put a soft iron "keepr" in the cavity if you removed the armature. Electrical repair shops would have special remagnetising equipment. But I don't think the same applies to modern m,agnets which I'd guess would be alnico? I wonder whether neodymium magnets are used on even more modern bikes?
11/10/2023 10:09:57 UTC

Rusty said :-
Thanks for the replies, I just don't know? I replaced everything even though the original stator tested fine, I went through it all repeatedly and that's what I'm left with. Frustrating tbh
11/10/2023 14:33:42 UTC

Post Your Comment Posts/Links Rules

Name

Comment

Add a RELEVANT link (not required)

Upload an image (not required) -

No uploaded image

Please enter the above number below

Home Bike Reviews

Admin -- -- Service Records Ren's Nerding Blog
Keyper Writer
IO