I just got back a couple of days ago from riding the first two days of the Washington Backcountry Discovery route WABDR - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. I did this on my other bike, a 2009 Kawasaki KLX250s. I used to ride a KDX 220 two-stroke, but now I have a street legal dual sport that I can explore forest roads with. I have had this bike for a year and a half and put over 5,000 miles on it, mostly off road. You can read about my latest ride here: The Good Roads.

Nice. I looked at giving my '93 XR250L to the Neighbor kid and pick up a new KLX250S, but after a test ride I couldn't justify spending the money to only gain electric start. Plus the '93 is more comfortable.

Maybe the next time I do a west trip I will tow the dual sport behind the Voyager. LOL!

The mountain photo from the lake was awesome!

When you get to be 71 with a hip and a knee replacement, electric start becomes a BIG gain! The suspension on the KLX is pretty amazing too. It's the first dirtbike I've had with "upside down" forks and it sure beats my KDX even with gold valves and springs. But the XR 250 is a fine bike. Does the "L" mean it's street legal?

How does the KLX250S do on the road? I'm kinda looking at a 2010 KLX250SF (the supermoto style) mostly because of the price $3699 NEW. It would just be for bumping around town, with an occasional 7 mile trip on the freeway to work. Am I barking up the wrong tree thinking abou this?

It would be perfect for "bumping around town", but for the freeway, not so much. It will do an honest 65 mph all day long (speedo is 10% off and would actually indicate over 70), but there is no reserve to accelerate to pass or get out of trouble, and it is light and "flighty" feeling. Brakes are super, though. The road tires on the supermoto might help smooth things out on the freeway.

My friend has an 09 like mine but he has put a 350cc kit in it, and it adds quite a bit of power, but gets worse gas mileage. Kit cost $500, though. Mine has a Muzzy pipe and has been re-jetted, so it may be a little faster than stock.

NICE BIKE.

Karla and I hope to add a pair of similar dual sports with electric starts to the stable within the next five years.

Originally Posted by McRider

When you get to be 71 with a hip and a knee replacement, electric start becomes a BIG gain! The suspension on the KLX is pretty amazing too. It's the first dirtbike I've had with "upside down" forks and it sure beats my KDX even with gold valves and springs. But the XR 250 is a fine bike. Does the "L" mean it's street legal?

Yes, street legal. and way more comfortable than the stock seat on the KLX.

Nice!