Rode my new bike to work today!

[Rosie]

I've been looking at upgrading my little KR to something a bit more off-roady. So after some research and some test riding, my shiny new KL 250 was delivered last night :drool:

I've never owned a brand new vehicle before (bicycles don't count, do they? :o ) so it's very exciting.

It's not much of a looker, even for a chook chaser, but it should be the tool for the job, which is the important thing.

It's a very different riding style to the 2-stroke sports bike, so I'll be spending a bit of time getting used to it. Slow speed handling, and cornering technique are the main things I want to work on. Getting the slow speed stuff nailed should help me with gravel/off road skills later on, so I'm going to be spending a bit of time in the carpark on Sunday getting back to basics.

No photos yet, but I'll post some up when they come to hand.

[davereid]

Good on ya!

I have always thought that a chook chaser is a great choice of bike. You can use it as a commuter, and bump up over the curbs, you can use it as a tourer, as long as you hang a sheepskin on the seat so you don't get a sore arse, and best of all you can do adventure type touring.

Even the 250's travel all over the world.

Cool choice of bike !

[Skunk]

Bloodly good bikes they are. Skunk Control had one for commuting and light off road stuff.

[ambler]

I spend a lot of time on a KLX250 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=11798&entry=257) and it's great, even when chasing chooks is the last thing on your mind. From a quick look on the net, it seems like they are pretty much the same except yours is air cooled and uh... how you say, (sorry) not much of a looker. But I bet it will never let you down. It shouldn't take too long to get used to the different style of riding either, you will be shredding up dirt roads in no time, if you have any handy that is. I wish I did.

[merv]

Good on ya Rosie and welcome to the dirt bike clan. Even though I'm not Kawi guy I wouldn't say they are not a looker. The KL 250 has a nice light look about it and with a name like Super Sherpa its like its trying to remind us of the Bultacos of old.

[Coldrider]

I have had many chook chasers, mainly for enduros and 'Hare & hound' rounds. Dirt bikes are very pretty in a spydery way, and look better than the latest road bikes which are so much easier to look pretty with fairings etc.
Chook chasers are so simple to maintain, and take a thrashing.
Does it have electric start?

[Nasty]

Sounds cool Rosie .. I have never owned new either .. which I know is really extremely exciting .. no one has muffed it first!!

[deanohit]

Awesome, dirt bikes are great fun for commuting over roundabouts and curbs, blasting through the twisties with the great handling traits of knobbly tyres and blatting around gravel and dirt tracks. Go the chook chaser, sure you'll have more fun on it than ya 2-smoker Rosie.

[Rosie]

From a quick look on the net, it seems like they are pretty much the same except yours is air cooled and uh... how you say, (sorry) not much of a looker.

The KLX is also a bit taller than the KL, which wouldn't have worked well with my short little legs.


Does it have electric start?

It does. It's the first bike with an electric start that I've been on, and it's fantastic.