I'm still on the fence about these bikes and even after reading the reviews that have been posted I'm trying to find out if it's really "better enough" to get rid of my KLX. I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has ridden both extensively and can compare power and weight. I would expect the WR's to make a little more power, but they also weigh more, they have good suspension but the KLX has more travel so why is the WR's suspension better?

Anyone have personal experience on both bikes? Not subjective opinions I can form those myself, I'm hoping to hear from someone who has had a decent amount of seat time on both of them.

My kids both ride KLX250s (2006), and I just got a WR250R.  It is much taller and a little more powerful, but the difference is not nearly enough to make a trade worthwhile.  Your KLX is a fine bike!

I am a diehard kawasaki fan i have owned 11 different models over the years.

Personally I wanted the fuel injection and if I had already bought the Kawasaki, yes I would trade it in to get the Yamaha.  

I like to ride my bikes to work and when I do so I go out and crank them up to warm up before leaving and have always hated dealing with chokes.  

For me it usually cost me riding days cause I would have a tendancy to not take the bike rather than having to deal with it if I was pressed for time.  

I too think the WR will make more hp than the KLX, does the KLX vibrate at all? Cause the yamaha does not at all even at highway speeds and the transmission is buttery smooth.

The KLX does perfectly fine commuting it's fairly capable off-road too. I ran it in one hare scramble last year and the only way I'd spend the money to trade a year old bike is if the WR250R is going to give me a better hare scrambles bike. Or I may just keep the KLX and get a truly worthy off-road bike. My only problem is I enjoy too many different types of riding and would ideally like one of each

Thanks for the feedback and I have no doubt the WR is going to be "better" just I'm having a hard time beleiving it would be ENOUGH better to warrant taking a loss on the KLX trading it in, plus spending more on the WR and I just don't think in the end it's going to be worth the difference. Yes the Kawi is carbed and but choking it for about 50 seconds which is what it typically takes mine to warm up isn't worth $2k between depreciation and increased cost of the WR.

I was in this same boat a few weeks ago. I have not ridden the WR, but ride my KLX to work every chance I get. There are people on this forum who want to argue that the WR is a better bike. Riding & working on bikes (being an engineer helps) for the past 20 years, I can tell you without riding it, just from the ride reports on here, that I do not have to ride it to know what it's like. I'm sure it's better, but just as I suspected, it has most of the same shortcomings as the KLX. It's a 250 d.s. for Pete's sake-not a YZ490.

I was faced with the same problem: Take a $2,000.00 hit on my KLX & spend an EXTRA $1,000.00 on the WR. I chose to stay. If I did not already have the KLX, I would buy the WR. However, knowing what I know, I would not take the 2G's in the posterior for a bike that is only marginally better. Better-yes. Heads-up, $1,000.00 better than a KLX-NO FREAKIN' WAY. It's in the same class as the KLX, with only a few up grades. The F.I. would definitely be super, but that's not $1,000.00 better. Everyone is screaming alum. frame, but it's still heavier than the KLX. Some are saying it will run with a DRZ-400, but that is horse shit. Everyone is just excited because it is new.

If I can work out something on a leftover at a deal a year or so from now, I might consider it, but no way in hell it makes sense to now. Most I've been offered for the KLX is $3,100.00 & I owe $3,900.00 add the $800.00 to the $1,000.00 sticker difference & it's going to cost me $1,800.00 to have the KLX's twin sister in my garage, only difference is that I won't have to bump start it on a cold morning that I wouldn't want to be riding in anyway.-??????????

For the difference, smart people have chosen to keep their money in their pockets until this Yamaha offers this in a 450, or with a free bikini team.

motocross is my life and im only  but i am a killer kawasaki fan someday i wish to meet tthe king of motocross BUBBA STEWART!!!!!!

A lot of guys who get the KLX spend $2K making it what they want power and suspension wise.  FCR carb, 331 cylinder, aftermarket exhaust, revalve and resprung front and rear and you're into it for more than the difference in price.  The WR offers the same or better performance (as a modded KLX) off the showroom floor with no muss/fuss.  If you're THAT guy - it just comes down to how you wanna spend your time - wrenching or riding.   We all spend the dough how we want.  I'd hate to be so upside down on a bike I don't like that I couldn't buy a bike I want.  I'm a big fan of buying a 1 year old bike with 1000 miles from a guy who doesn't ride it.

Dean

djchan said:

Good point Dean!

dahenrymd said:

I'm starting to notice how many comments I've heard on how tall this bike is.  Is that in the higher position?
I may be wrong, but doesn't the KLX have more suspension travel and ground clearance?  Just curious why the WRR is so much taller ... there must be more height between the foot peg top and seat height?
rick

djchan said:

You'd hate to be upside down on this KLX right now...wouldn't you?

http://i236.photobuc...ber1/kawi-1.jpg

mxracernumber1 said:

Hmmm - Mine didn't come with the aux fuel tanks.  Guess Kawi's fighting back.  The KLX deserves a second look after all.  I'm going back for a second look right now.

Dean

How about being upside down on this undisputedly fabulous Husky? It comes with the extra tanks too...

http://i236.photobuc...ber1/kawi-3.jpg

http://i236.photobuc...er1/husky-3.jpg

http://i236.photobuc...er1/husky-2.jpg

http://i236.photobuc...er1/husky-1.jpg

My new topic of agrument is that I'd rather have a KLX or TE with these features than a WR any day of the week & I don't give a crap if it is faster. Any damned arguments now????

damn, my dealership doesn't stock those accessories.

Guess I'm done with the dualsports altogether.  I really wanna see the stripped down "dirty" versions.