80 - 20 standard bike?

[willc86]

hey all so I have a KLX 250....i was going down powers a few times to see how it feels at 70 mph.....ha ha turns out...I couldnt even pass 8k rpm (was giving it full throttle) in 5th gear ...unless I was accidentally in 6th or something... but I was barely crawling passed 60mph.


I was like dang I need a bike with more power but something that can do dirt roads. I mean my klx can hit dirt roads no problem and do dirtbike trails, but just lack power top end.

I was thinking of maybe trying out a normal street bike and putting like 80/20 tires on it? like a Z series 650?

I was also eyeing the cb500x which is more adventure type bike.


or would you think adding a 15T sprocket in the front instead of a 14T will let me hit 70MPH in 5th gear?

as of now...seems 5th gear cant let me go passed 65mph reving it at 8k rpms full throttle

[Kim-n-Dean]

hey all so I have a KLX 250....i was going down powers a few times to see how it feels at 70 mph.....ha ha turns out...I couldnt even pass 8k rpm (was giving it full throttle) in 5th gear ...unless I was accidentally in 6th or something... but I was barely crawling passed 60mph.


I was like dang I need a bike with more power but something that can do dirt roads. I mean my klx can hit dirt roads no problem and do dirtbike trails, but just lack power top end.

I was thinking of maybe trying out a normal street bike and putting like 80/20 tires on it? like a Z series 650?

I was also eyeing the cb500x which is more adventure type bike.


or would you think adding a 15T sprocket in the front instead of a 14T will let me hit 70MPH in 5th gear?

as of now...seems 5th gear cant let me go passed 65mph reving it at 8k rpms full throttleMy bone stock 2006 WR450 will hit over 100mph. Of course it will vibrate your nuts off, though!

Kim's WR250 is almost as fast. No nuts for her, so I guess she gets the "C" tickle!

I'm surprised yours won't hit 70mph.

[willc86]

yeah ive seen videos of klx250 hitting 75mph but im not sure why mine wont. its brand new also with EFI. I do weigh over 200 lbs, so not sure if thats a factor plus gear and stuff.

[j0ker]

My bone stock 2006 WR450 will hit over 100mph. Of course it will vibrate your nuts off, though!

Kim's WR250 is almost as fast. No nuts for her, so I guess she gets the "C" tickle!

I'm surprised yours won't hit 70mph.

I am with Dean, I am surprised you are not able to easily hit 70ish. Nuts and all. Maybe TFOG will have some better insight.

[madvlad]

Welcome to altitude dude lol. If it’s not fuel injected it may need some rejetting

[teamextreme]

200 pound dude at this altitude, I'm not surprised. You need more power to go faster, you've tapped out all that 250 can give at that speed. I had my G/F's CRF230 maxed out at 55 with me on it (190 lb) going up the I-70 frontage rd at Morrison. If you still want to do some dirt roads, you need an adventure bike, or a dual sport, which is what you already have, just a larger one. If you want to stick with Kawasaki, they make a KLR650, which compared to a typical 650 street bike, is a turd, power-wise, but it will take you anywhere you want to go in the dirt and cruise at freeway speeds no problem. There's tons of other options as well, spanning the range from full-on dirt bike that is street legal, Kim&dean's WR's or my KTM 450EXC, up to full-on street bikes that can also go in the dirt, BMW 1200GS, KTM 1090ADV, etc. and everything in between. You just need something with a little more displacement. Either a light weight dirt oriented 450 or a heavier street oriented 650 or up.

[Kim-n-Dean]

I'm 212 lbs. and still surprised the KLX won't hit 70mph. I guess they're not as powerful as I thought. I grew up on Kawasaki. Dad owned a Harley/Kawasaki dealership. Had lots of KLXs.

My WR outruns my buddies Honda Shadow 750. It's hilarious!! It is a Honda, though....

[asp_125]

DRZ 400?

[TFOGGuys]

The KLX is a great little bike, but is gonna be hard pressed to pull a bigger guy at highway speeds. Several things working against you: Altitude-even with fuel injection, you're down about 23% from sea level power. Aerodynamics-motorcycles in general have the aerodynamic drag of a tool shed, dual sports are even worse. Something like a WR250R is a little better. I've not looked at the CRF250L, but the tech is 10 years newer than the KLX. The easy answer is something like a KTM350 EXC(Husqvarna FE350S) or a DRZ400 for a little more umph.

[willc86]

yeah ive been doing a little research and looks like a DRZ400 would be able to hit 75 80MPH....I really want a street bike so dont want to spend a ton of money on a 1000cc touring bike haha.

anyhow, if I were to get DRZ400 and add a 15T to the front sprocket, would it be able to cruise 75 80mph with some 50-50 tires? or maybe 60-40 tires. Im going to try and run up powers with my klx 250 again and see if maybe I was just in the wrong gear or something.....

anyone you know has experience with a DRZ400? or should I just get a DR650

[willc86]

after doing some research seems a DR650 can cruise 75 80MPH especially if I change up the front sprocket. perfect for maybe what I want to do in colorado
any opinions or experience with the DR650 in CO from you guys?

[madvlad]

Nonsense, you need a Husky 701 :lol: :devious: dooo eeeet

[Aaron]

The R1200GS will do 135 up at this altitude, and it's pretty strong down low. Front wheel problems through 1st and 2nd lol.

[willc86]

haha! wish I can afford a husky 701...maybe when I have good experience! Anyhow I was looking at the KTN duke 390. seems its what its fitting into my life style. can do forest roads (non technical of course) and hit highway speeds no problems and I can overtake cars with ease.


what do you guys think?

also planning on buy a cheap KLR650 2000 - 2004 for more technical trails when I want to head to buena vista or so..and my 250 I can keep it for city riding since its peppy 0 - 40 haha

I am not a speed demon so not looking for a 1000. but am looking for something where I can overtake cars if I need to