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ON THE RIDE SIDE

Photo Credit: MotorcycleUSA.comFrame and handling features of the 2009 KLX250S are numerous and noteworthy, however power and performance aspects of the machine equally deserve attention.

It was mid-morning in Death Valley. The sun had not risen high enough yet to begin baking the desert and its creatures as the ride leader led us up into the hills. The route was loose packed gravel, sand, and dust. Our path would take us up into one dry creek bed, through a canyon, and to a summit.

Next, it dropped us down into another canyon via another creek bed. Then later, it would lead upward once more atop loose pack sand, gravel, and solid rock outcrops before leading out into a vast expanse of rolling hills and flat desert. From here the path would eventually find asphalt, and a lengthy but speedy return to civilization.

At a moderate pace, as the sun rose in the sky, we wound our way upward atop the loose pack two track path. The path transitioned from straight and wide sweeps to become tighter and tighter. Simultaneously its surface transitioned from being shallow sand and small gravel to become deeper sand, larger stones, and rocks. The KLX moved up the canyon cleanly. I was pleased to discover wide ample power, torque, and gearing which seemed to make ascending in loose pack easy. As the turns became tighter, the climb angle increased, as did the depth of the loose material.

The KLX seemed to tack, and track well upon the loose stuff, with the right weight applied. As turns became tighter I noticed the bike’s quick to turn capability, as well as its plantedness due to the longer wheelbase. With about 22 horsepower, the bike beckoned to be spurred a few times in order to climb in the rough, but with ample throttle, the bike answered the call agreeably. After several miles of this, I came to rely on this’ eventually becoming assured enough throttle was on tap to do about anything we might run across.

At one point while ascending the first creek bed, we came upon a sheer, stair-step type, solid rock outcropping. It was only about six feet high but steep enough to think about, and the prior 25 foot something approach was lined with loose creek bed rock. The group paused here for a time, and one by one we each made our run and climbed over it. What I noticed was that the KLX might be slightly geared too tall in first gear for crawling steep climbs like this one. Fortunately our path allowed a short run before the obstacle.

We continued climbing, up and over the first pass, and then down into the next valley. The route took us side hilling, up and down, and winding upon alternating hard and loose terrain. The tightness of turns, and angles varied widely. Here I found the KLX able to change direction quickly while remaining stable. We ran upon downhill loose pack straights with whoops, and among more creek beds. A few times, drop offs into creek routes or climbs back up and out of them were on solid, angular, stair-step rock.

Through this we rode at a good pace. We were riding at the higher speed limits for which the bike was designed. I found the bike to retain integrity. Power and gearing remained ample, handling remained stable. Suspension capability was perhaps the first limiting factor to be noticed. Yet, ridden within its capability, for the most part, the KLX remained at home.

Before long we cleared a second summit and then moved onto the desert. Out in the open, as our route stretched toward asphalt, there was opportunity to again ride at higher speeds. Along the route there were a couple of whoop filled straights. The bike retained integrity with, once again, suspension appearing as its limiting factor. It tracked well yet found new lines quickly as I avoided berms, bushes, and bailouts. After this twenty-something mile desert stretch we intersected the tarmac route that we would take up and return upon.

By now the sun had risen high in the wide desert sky, and temperatures were nearing one hundred. The immense mass of desert air had warmed, and the dry desert wind had begun to blow. Ahead, our forty mile paved path arced through hills and across a wide tilted plain. Lighter, better asphalt tracking tires were evident as I found my way on the winding pavement. Here the bike remained stable yet quick to find new direction.

As the route led out and down, upon the flat straight desert I let the bike stretch its legs. Here 40mph crosswinds intersected my path. As the miles passed the wind shifted direction several times. First it came from three o'clock, then one o'clock, and then head on. The impressive rather light KLX remained in control.

For the most part the bike was able to tool along happily at speeds ranging from seventy to eighty miles per hour. While working between fifth and sixth gears, the bike revealed enough torque to press into a 40 mph headwind and pull at 70 mph. A ten to fifteen mile stretch of this revealed the bikes underlying, but determined nature.

SUMMARY

The 2009 KLX250S is one fun, and by all appearances, dependable bike. It does many things very well. It is excellent for both street and trail. Improvements to this year's KLX make it better by a noticeable degree.

The KLX250S is a nimble and stable city runner whose quick turning and wide gearing allow it to move nicely in commuting scenarios. Of the new 250cc size bikes we've tested this year, the KLX is perhaps best at freeway riding. This is because of its ability to cruise at between 70-80 mph without much difficulty. Long distance riding, say more than 350 mile days, would be less than ideal on the KLX. . . unless otherwise accessorized.

Stability, wide spread gearing, excellent suspension, and quick turning make this bikes ability on trails commendable. To compliment this, the bike only weighs 277 lbs (3 lbs more for CA models). Therefore, it's easy to maneuver on trails, or load and haul on vacations or camping trips. Only at the extremes, such as very tight steep trails and wide open high speed offroad does the bike show its limits.

The 2009 Kawasaki KLX250S is one of those of bikes that enjoyable lifelong motorcycling experiences are begun or built upon. I have been considering purchasing one myself.