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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #46  
Old 13 Dec 2017
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Acerbis sell a 14 liter (3.7 US gallon) tank but I think it is for the older KLX?
Not your bike. Have you verified this?

Maybe there is a way to "adapt" the older tank to your bike? Possible? Dunno
Dirt Bike Gas Tanks - Kawasaki Gas Tanks - KLX250 - JustGasTanks.com

I'm sure you already looked at this so sorry, no real solutions.

The Fuel Bladders are a good idea! Only fill them when you need them!

Hope for the Future?
Keep in mind that Kawasaki USA are once again importing the KLX250S into USA. So, there is a chance that one of the several aftermarket tank manufacturers will produce a bigger tank for the current KLX250S model.
Acerbis, Clarke, IMS. Maybe one of them will do a bigger tank?

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  #47  
Old 13 Dec 2017
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Yeah the 14l Acerbis is for carburated older models. I have the 2009 Efi Version and already did some research on mounting an older tank on the new model. As far as I got to know, it not possible because too much workaround has to be done. I have no problem with fitting and changing stuff but it seems to be too much to change. If anyone knows a solution, feel free to comment


I hope as well that in near future one manufacturer sells a bigger aftermarket tank.
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  #48  
Old 25 Jun 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
The Fuel Bladders are a good idea! Only fill them when you need them!
I bought a 2018 US FI 250KLX. I'm coming up on 1000 miles. I love this bike! Granted, I just got my motorcycle license last year at age 51, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I also bought a leftover 2016 Versys 650 last year. That's a fun bike to ride and a bit more comfortable to ride than the KLX250, but not by much. I bought a Sargent seat for the KLX, which isn't exactly cushy, but I did 240 miles one day a couple weeks ago, and I think 400 miles a day on good roads would be fine with the Sargent seat.

Back to fuel bladders. Yeah, the 2.0 gallon tank is small. The low fuel light goes on when you have about 0.6 gallons left. I've ignored it for about 15 miles and I still haven't put more than 1.63 gallons in at a fuel up. I'm getting pretty awesome mileage with the bike though. This is based on the odometer readings (not GPS), but still great (averaging 78 MPG): My KLX 250 (Kawasaki KLX250) | Fuelly

I've been thinking that I may just get a 1 or 2 gallon Giant Loop fuel bladder and use it when needed. It would strap nicely on top of the GL Torngat dry bag that I plan on using on trips, then tuck it underneath when empty. I'll probably carry a 1.5l Primus bottle on a regular basis to eliminate the stress of riding with the fuel light on for lots of miles. I wish the GL fuel bladders didn't have black outer casings though; I understand that it would end up looking filthy over time if it was a lighter color, but having the sun beating down on a black bag filled with gas doesn't seem like a great idea. I realize that GL doesn't market them to be used as I'm describing. Anyone have experience with the GL fuel bladders?
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  #49  
Old 25 Jun 2018
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Sounds good, glad you're liking the bike.

One tip I can offer to reduce "stress" is to run your bike DRY ... so you know exactly how far you can go on a tank. Of course, once the light comes on, grab a 1 gallon gas jug and strap it on ... then ride, see how far you can go. Only way to fly. Really nice to know for peace of mind when on the road in remote areas.

I think you might be really surprised at just how far you'll end up going!

Also, since Kawi just started selling the KLX again, I'd keep a close eye on the after market fuel tank companies ... see if anyone is making a larger tank for your bike. Main players in USA:

Acerbis
IMS
Clarke
Safari

Those are the main ones I'd watch ... or contact them to see if they have plans to produce a bigger tank for your bike. Both the Honda and Yamaha 250 dual sports have choices of aftermarket tanks.
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  #50  
Old 22 Dec 2019
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I just purchased a 2009 KLX250S for the wife. She spent two years riding a TTR230.... and then we graduated her to a Versys-X 300. She loves her 300 and does well riding dirt/gravel roads, but she has missed her TTR.... so I purchased her this KLX.

We are going to use the bike on camping trips to explore the local areas.

I've got to figure out the fuel range issue. We are going to ride the White Rim Trail in Utah this coming spring and that is a 145 mile loop. I wish I could find a 4 gallon tank for the bike, but cannot find anything larger than 3.0 gallons.
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  #51  
Old 22 Dec 2019
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I suppose I know the answer, but I wonder what is better about the old KLR250 than the 300?

I decided it was not worth the expense the IMS (or whoever) tank for the modest capacity increase. A $10 can from Walmart did me for the amazing WRT (below) and exploring the Southwest and Baja.
I would assume the newer efi KLR now sold in the US might have a better range.
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Kawasaki KLX250s As a D/S Tourer - My Report-p1150960.jpg  

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  #52  
Old 22 Dec 2019
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Yeah... at nearly $300.... it is hard to justify a gas tank that only increases from 2 gallons to 3 gallons, but I might have to do it. I hear that it is common for these little KLX's to get 40mpg riding off-road. If that is the case, I will need closer to 4 gallons to comfortably complete the WRT loop.

I do have one of these, so if I spring for the 3 gallon tank, I have my 4 gallons.


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  #53  
Old 22 Dec 2019
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  #54  
Old 22 Dec 2019
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If you're keeping the bike a while (I wasn't) it's a worthwhile investment to save faffing with containers.

I find it hard to believe a KLR250 – a much under-rated machine – could get as low as 40 USg. In dunes maybe.
Mine was a ropey but averaged mid-70s US, or 125 miles to a tank.
For the most part the WRT is easy – GS12s were doing it.
I seem to recall topping up from the can when I got back to the 191.

It's also one off the most spectacular day's off-roading on the planet, topped off by a good feed in Moab. But you probably know that ;-)
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  #55  
Old 23 Dec 2019
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Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
I suppose I know the answer, but I wonder what is better about the old KLR250 than the 300?
I don't have the old KLR... I have the 2009 KLX250S. But with that said....

To answer your question...... I'll start with about 100lbs less weight. That's a big deal off-road. She rides the heck out of the Versys 300.... This past fall, running about 35 miles of canyon twisties... I had to run her down and slow her down, as she was running 15-20 mph over the speed limit and wasn't paying attention to the speedo.

Off-road, she got to where she could really throw around that little TTR230. She likes the lower weight and nimbleness of a dirt bike, rather than an adventure bike, when doing a lot of off-road work.


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