| Author | Message | ||
     Reepicheep |
You know how you kinda sit around at work during lunch, way behind on email but sick of looking at it, and just kinda sorta look around on eBay for kicks? Dangerous stuff... that... So it now looks like my insult of an offer to an owner of an 85 KLR-250 (not the KLR-650) was not such an insult at all... (under $600). The 85 KLR (from what I can gather) is a water cooled 250cc 6 speed four stroke, fully street legal. I think that its a little lower then a KLR-650, but still a reasonably big bike (which is perfect, as I will want to play on it, but would like to be able to use it to teach other folks how to ride also). The bike runs, has 8k or so miles, new tires, and has been recently rebuilt with new seals. It has some carb problems (running rich) and needs a fan solenoid fixed (the owner has a switch on it). I'm guessing it has *just* enough motor to hit 60mph on a highway... which is all I need. Anybody have much experience with these critters? And can anyone recommend a good "badweb like" web forum for support? Anybody have old service manuals laying around? | ||
| Court |
I have a set of KLR650 service manuals, parts and so forth but I don't think they are applicable to the 250. I do have the coolest set of homemade KLR bike stands that a reader sent me when I bought my KLR. I'm going to send them to you. Court | ||
| Sshbsn |
I rebuilt an old Yamaha DT3, and found a ton of parts available from Vintage Dirt and Trail, or VDT. They have a website, but you have to supply the part numbers. I was able to get the part numbers for that old '75 Yamaha straight from the Yamaha website, so maybe Kawasaki will be the same. Old bikes rock! Have fun Steve | ||
| Oldog |
Sounds Cool Reepi; 60 mph ?? on the road my 100cc would do that (down hill w tail wind) have fun be safe.. jim. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Heck I get tons of old/NOS parts on eBay.Where else you going to find parts for a 1970 Yamaha Trailmaster or a Suzuki RV-90? I just bought myself a DR 650 Suzuki to go play on. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thanks Court! That's not necessary, but I will put them to good use. I was already nearly castrated by an XR-200 a few years ago, so I respect the dirt. I'll ride like the old fat guy I am  I was looking for a DR-650, but they (like the XR-650) were all priced at... well... what they were worth. I was looking to insult somebody who wanted to be rid of a bike... and $600 or so for a runner was that insult. The manuals are different, I need to scare up a set for the 600 with the 250 supplement, sounds like you can still get it from Kawasaki. Same with the rest of the bike, like the KLR-650, the thing has been virtually unchanged for a couple decades. I'll check vintage dirt and trail as well... thanks for the tip. I'll post pics when I get it. My wife was remarkably understanding, and even perked up a little when I told her I want her to learn to ride it. That'll be the funnest part of this bike, being able to had it to people and tell them to go play without worrying that they will break something they are not prepared to replace (like on a higher end street bike). | ||
| Court |
got two www.buykawasaki.com and you'll also find all the manuals and parts ordering on-line. Don't ask how I know. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I own a 650 and love it. Great street bike, not so good in the dirt. Little bro might be better. I know of a few sites but you'll do better just googlin KLR. There is one thing I can recomend. Its called the Doohickey. I swear. Its the counterbalncer chain tensioner on my bike that goes bad. Not sure if you got one but when they break, motor goes to hell QUICK. Check into it. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Lots of this type of acquisition going on! I, just yesterday, picked up a 90' DR250s with fresh MD inspection. I forgot how much fun a bike like this can be, and I've only been around the yard/driveway so far! Good luck with the new(to you) bike. Tank | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
www.angelfire.com good forum and lots of info | ||
| Xb9ser |
my first street bike was a 79 KL250 air cooled on and off road. It would run 80 flat out was a lot of fun. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That was my first bike! It would go 85 if you tucked in. it will also climb stairs if you have fresh tires. Best city bike EVER. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The KLR 250 is doohickey free, and does not need shims for valve adjustments | ||
| Mbsween |
Reep, Those things are tanks (in terms of reliability) you can certainly get more than 60 but you hands will go to sleep from the vibes if its for any distance. Highway bike it ain't. But for all around riding and a bike you won't be afraid to drop its great. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I learned something again. Thats great, no shims. They can be a pain. No doohickey either, even less to worry about. Good luck. | ||
| 98s1lightning |
I have an 88 KLR 650, love it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Traded in a KLR250 and Ninja 600R to get my CityX, I would never go back. But the damn green machine is built like a tank, just damn near bullet proof (too short for the 650, damn kawi) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Don't get me wrong, my 9sx will still be my daily driver... until Buell comes out with the Helicon lightning (air cooled if possible please). Weren't there two streams on that river? The KLR250 will be a pure toy. After I have played with it for a while, I fully expect it to spend nearly as much time in other peoples garages as it does in my own... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My KLR250 was a 1989. I got almost 19,000 miles on it before the top end crapped out. I finally let it die at 29,000. the cam chain and also the balance chain were worn so that they were slapping the inside of the case. It would have cost me $450 to fix but the junkyard gave me $400 for the bike. The only actual failures I had with the thing were trivial. the carb popped off of the intake boot. the rear wheel's spokes all loosened up somehow after a few miles. For some reason, it was very hard to start if I left it alone for a few weeks. I think it had a sticky valve or something. I would kick it over about 35 times and it would feel like there was nothing going on in the engine. then suddenly, it would feel "right" and it would fire up three kicks after that. (good thing I was 17) | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
dual sport bikes are great fun. because of the low power and decent handling you will find that even the smallest errand run becomes a personal moto-gp! the lower speeds help keep the leo's away too, although the tendency to "hooligan" is always evident. spending large amounts of time wfo is great fun. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I disagree with the low profile to police aspect. Mine was a cop magnet. I got so tired of being pulled over for no reason, I started to bolt into the woods when I saw their brake lights come on in my rearview. |
