KLX300 - Bike for a friend - help needed

[random rider]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=406939795

A friend of mine is getting back into bikes. He used to ride a while ago and hasn't forgotten how to ride.
He came out to Sandpit and rode one of the WR250's and had a good time but he found it didn't have the power he wanted/needed.
He is approx 6ft 2" and over 100kg.

He has found this above bike and has asked me a few questions but I am out of my league...so thought I would come to you guys for some advice.

What questions should he ask? It hasn't had a rebuild on it...that is all I knew to ask.
And is it a good price for the bike etc.....?


Thanks for your help

[Taz]

I doubt the KLX300 would have any more peak power than the WR250. May have a little more down low.

[random rider]

I doubt the KLX300 would have any more peak power than the WR250. May have a little more down low.

ok - he has said he is ok with power of them.....but now wants to know when he should expect to do a rebuild given the hours are approx 151.

Thanks

[ktm84mxc]

The KLX 300 is a reliable trail bike & not a full on racer a top end shud last 10-15 thousand k's eg 500-600 hrs, as long as the servicing is kept up [air filter, oil & filter]
Chain, sprockets, brake pads, wheel bearings depends on use. A shock & fork oil change will make the bike feel new.

[secondfield]

Id go with the WR250 mate, the Klx doesnt even come close ...

[Ktmboy]

Well I'd go with the WR as well.
You do really have to ride the WR250 a bit like a 2 stroke to get the most out of them. The KLX300 are a bit older technology and can be a bastard to start hot.
I seem to remember that they also do have a fault in the gearbox or kick start (idler gear or something) that does need to be rectified/modified before they implode.

Other than that maybe he should look at a WR450 or a CRF450X or even a 250 two stroke.

[krad_nz]

They have a CV carb too. Delayed throttle response takes some getting used to.

On the flip side my brothers KLX is still going strong with the minimum of maintenance. Feels like a bit of tank compared to my yz125 though. Completely different type of bike though.

[Jay GTI]

I'd echo the WR comments, once your mate gets more comfortable he'll get used to rowing it along better. I agree they make most of the power up top and need to be kept on the boil, but that will just make him a better rider.

The KLX is a worthy bike, but is old technology and tends to be ridden by guys who wear bush shirts and steel toecap boots for riding gear...

[ktm84mxc]

I think a few posts are missing the point here.
A WR250 is a superior bike by far but can you get a good one for $3g or less, a KLX will live with basic servicing and not bite your wallet.
It's a case of horses for courses.

[Jay GTI]

I don't think that point was missed as I don't think it was part of the discussion.

Financial constraints weren't mentioned, just that the potential purchaser thought the WR was underpowered and is considering a KLX instead, so wanted to know what to look out for.

Admittedly the advice then pissed off down the "don't get the KLX, get the WR" road, which wasn't the point either, but the WR is superior in every way. If financial contraint isn't part of the purchase decision, it's where my money would go, as they can be made to shift very well once you work out how to ride them properly.

The WR is an old enough and proven enough design itself to not be a concern with catastrophic engine failures or ridiculous servicing requirements, it actually stamds up pretty well against the farm bike, sorry, KLX...

[random rider]

finance I don't think is too much of an issue (we are talking second hand bikes now) - my pref is the WR but I ride a 125 and not ever ridden a 4 stroke so I can't really compare them.

He has now also seen a KTM300 EXC..... thoughts...apart from KTM parts being expensive from what I have heard.

Thank guys and keep the feedback coming

[Jay GTI]

Ah... now you will hear a lot of nonsense about KTM parts, but all I'll say is you can pay a lot for them, if you want to... but if you don't (and there's contacts on here that will happily help you on that), then you won't.

But the 300EXC is the one bike I am desperate to ride. Soooo many owners rave about them, but I think they must be mad (in a good way). Electric leg causes issues on those bikes, but apart from that they seems very strong and have a real do anything, go anywhere attitude, from what I've read and been told.

[Jinxycat]

looked at a DRZ400? low maintainece and been around since they were KLX400's too

[Jay GTI]

I've hired a couple of DRZ400s down at Thundercross, when I was waiting for the Kato to turn up.

Actually a pretty nice engine, I like the power they make, but damn they are a heavy old beast.

Suspension is way out dated and far too soft for any hard work as well, my riding buddy reckoned he nearly broke his ankles jumping one, it bottomed out so hard (and this was just the first little jump on the beginning of the A/B loop at Thundercross).

I get the feeling this will be a thread where every second post is me waffling on if I'm not careful, so I'll shut up now...:innocent:

[barty5]

I've hired a couple of DRZ400s down at Thundercross, when I was waiting for the Kato to turn up.

Actually a pretty nice engine, I like the power they make, but damn they are a heavy old beast.

Suspension is way out dated and far too soft for any hard work as well, my riding buddy reckoned he nearly broke his ankles jumping one, it bottomed out so hard (and this was just the first little jump on the beginning of the A/B loop at Thundercross).

I get the feeling this will be a thread where every second post is me waffling on if I'm not careful, so I'll shut up now...:innocent:


have to agree withthe dr400 comments

[Jinxycat]

if you are going to do the KLX300 the idler was fixed in 05, i think they modded the oil galery, also they can have finding nuetral issues and people often do the "star wheel mod", had one for ages and if i were a bigger bloke and trail rode its all good, but can be a bear to start when hot and been on its head, lots of mods to do and hot up tips on thumpertalk.:doobey:

[random rider]

I know he didn't want a heavy as bike....I I fear the KLX would be that.

I think the KTM would be good and being 2t we can help him with the top ends when we do mine!

Thanks everyone ....and there was no one waffling at all :yes:

[ktm84mxc]

Buy a KTM you'll soon be tired of his bleating on how good it is & the cost of spares is a myth. He'll be buying KTM clothing, shoes, gumboots, toasters, bbq's , garden gnomes it's endless & every year new gadgets , clothing, nik-nacs etc.....
It becomes a obsession when you go orange.

[motor_mayhem]

Buy a KTM you'll soon be tired of his bleating on how good it is & the cost of spares is a myth. He'll be buying KTM clothing, shoes, gumboots, toasters, bbq's , garden gnomes it's endless & every year new gadgets , clothing, nik-nacs etc..... It becomes a obsession when you go orange.

Not necessarily, though maybe that's because I've owned something else at the same time so I could make a fair side by side comparison.

My $0.02

Don't forget about the physique of the rider. A friend had a 125 2T and thought it was to gutless. I am 30kg lighter than him so when I got on it, I found it was great. I have a 525 EXC as a dual purpose bike. I have found that I am probably a bit short for it if I was to choose to do any serious off roading, which is a shame as it is an awesome bike on the road and over basic trail stuff. Because of the way the suspension is, I don't think it can be lowered any and to do anything to the seat would compromise road comfort.