KLX250S or CRF2015L (on trailer tongue) to build up experience
 

Hello all,

I'm a (quick learning) newbie.

I work remotely and am beginning a nomadic lifestyle in the American west (for now), with hopes of an epic journey within several years.

I am looking at lightly used dual sports to help me get going on my first steps of this journey.

I have a Tacoma and a lightweight offroad trailer (being made) and want to get around on a bike to lower my overall MPG AND get to WAY cooler places... not to mention learn to be a good trailer rider.

Tongue-weight probably matters a fair bit. I think I've narrowed it down to the KLX250s and the CRF250L.

It seems the KLX250S seems to always need a mod to ensure that it starts up well... that is to bore out the enrichment / starter / pilot jet to 0.018" / #77 (using a pin vice drill). I'm not sure that rejetting for altitude would be entirely necessary after reading more. It seems like a "good thing" to do, but perhaps not a "necessary thing" to do. Though it's a bigger deal to run too lean, I gather that running super duper rich can effect the lubrication of the cylinder wall... but, I'm not sure that that sounds worth worrying about.

The CLR250R sounds heavy for the trailer, somewhat tame compared to the KLX, but really pretty practical between good MPG, EFI convenience, and easy riding. But, it has some cam chain tensioner issue that scares me a bit. It seems easy enough to get a manual one that is supposed to fix the issue.

Being that I'm going to be on the road and have minimal tools with me (I'm sure I can find some to borrow some way, some how)... minimizing fussiness is really high on my list.

Don't you think that both of these mods are pretty tiny and not something to base a purchase of or the other on?

If I was to do the rejetting, do you that's enough of a concern to choose one over the other?

Any input on this choice is highly welcome.

Thanks for your time and energy!
Ben R.

Hi Ben and welcome,
I don't have experience of either of the bikes you mention but one thing both manufacturers have in common is that they don't build bad bikes. Both may have minor niggles which can get blown out of proportion on forums but I expect either will be perfectly capable for what you want without any modification, I would test ride both and buy the one you feel most comfortable on.

I don't know much about the Kwak...

The Honda's are very popular though. They're light and easy to ride and give great economy.

Every bike will have it's issues. You just have to know about them in advance and always be prepared the best you can for it.

Have ridden both bikes as rentals in SEAsia (the Klx with carburator) and I would prefer and recommend the Honda from all points of view. Its solid as rock, relatively cheap, you get good fuel milage and there are heaps of aftermarket stuff to add on if you like. It feels like different classes actually.

I've done several 1000 miles on both bikes in SW USA (just back and selling the KLX in AZ).

My conclusions:

• Power: same (ie: both can indicate 75, or down to 45mph on high elevation climbs)
• Fuelling: efi Honda (Dyno jet kits for KLX - bought but did not fit)
• Economy: Honda up to 20% better (once fuel controller installed)
• Weight: KLX 10% lighter
• Suspension: Kawa hands down
• Subframe: Kawa stronger
• OE Seat: Honda is less bad
• OE fuel range: poor on both, but Honda 20% better
• Build quality: looks the same to me
• Reliability: no issues on either of mine, as expected

If it was between the efi KLX and the Honda (as it is in the UK), I'd get the KLX any day, just the for suspension and lighter weight. (KLXs new on ebay uk for £4k). Makes all the difference when the going gets rough. On roads/easy trails, Honda will be fine.
Starting on my KLX was always fine and - power loss excepted - it ran fine at up to 11,000'. Not heard of cam chain issues on the Honda, but I do know in US some bloke sells manual adjusters for both bikes.
I think the Kawa, which has been around since 2009 (last sold in the US, 2014) is a much under-rated and over-looked 250 trail bike, even the ropey US carb one. (I find fuel quality really varies in SW USA). WR-R is another contender, but expensive. Got one in the UK. See my website for more on these bikes.