Kawasaki will bring the European, fuel injected KLX250S to the United States. However, who knows how long they will wait to do so. :roll: Also, I would expect a price increase from Kawasaki, which would not help sales. :?

Spud :)

Based upon the track record of the CBR250R, which shares the same engine, I expect the CRF250L will prove to be very reliable. :) Given the low price of new CRF250L bikes, the used bikes will be exceptional bargains. ;)

The aftermarket has already produced a new shock absorber and fork upgrade options. Many Honda fans will also transplant other Honda forks onto the CRF250L. Therefore, the inexpensive, used bikes will be easily upgraded to better suspensions for a very low, total cost. :)

Honda is heading in the right direction. ;) They built the CRF250L to be a "world bike," and they are having great success selling this motorcycle around the globe. ;)

Spud :)

Good point about the track record of the R model with the same motor. That did not occur to me. :wink:

I just don't see how Honda sells them this cheap, they may be losing money on them but making it up on repeat buyers of more expensive machines. This is the so called 'loss leader' marketing.

Kawasaki's model would compete well (with EFI) against the Honda, but would have to be priced about the same, and I can't picture Kawasaki doing that.

Here's something else to consider, Doc. ;) Not only does the CRF250L have a very low MSRP; the price of parts is also very low. :) In fact, the price of parts for this Honda motorcycle is very near the price of parts for a Chinese motorcycle! 8O

The CRF250L will be very inexpensive to repair and maintain. In terms of cost, the CRF250L is the closest, Japanese equivalent to a Chinese motorcycle! :D However, the CRF250L is built with Honda quality and reliability. In addition, the CRF250L enjoys an unparalleled, international, parts support network. ;)

Spud :)

And I can't picture a knowledgable buyer paying more for the Kawasaki. I also don't see them discounted now as they were in years gone by this time of year. I'm guessing they are sitting in the showrooms and warehouses.

Still there are brand loyal people out nthere that will always buy Green, Red, Blue, Orange or whatever.

I have no preference. I just want the best bike for my needs for the money. :lol:

I think some people will go Kawasaki due to the adjustable suspension. My riding fits the Honda. I don't really have on difficult off road here. Mostly riding on the street.

The kawasaki would do just fine for me too, but the yamaha would be a waste of a good bike.

There was no used CRFs on ebay.

If I was making the choice today between my KLX and a CRF-L I would have picked the L. At the time however Honda's entry was the CRF230L, which although a nice bike, was quite inferior to the KLX in every performance regard.

Nowadays I'm leaning more towards the European bikes as my riding ability has increased some.

The crf230 doesn't compare to the KLX. It would serve me okay.

The 230 is a good bike too, it's just that the KLX was better for less money. Similar to the current situation between the CRF-250L and the KLX250.

I want one of each! :wink:

over here Kawasaki have droped the prise of the KLX250 to the same as the honda CRF250L.... $9000 each
In fact the KLX prise includes on road costs REG/WOF... so its cheaper

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/st...50TBF/overview

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/B...el/431/crf250l

Interestingly your KLX is also not fuel injected, like ours it uses a carburetor. You do not seem to get the European version there either.

Smart move on Team Green's part in NZ. Here the KLX costs more than the CRF-L

Have heard rumors of a injected KLX250... prob running
current stocks out before we see them..maybe a reasion for the
prise drop as well...

Suzuki must have a new dual sport 250 in the pipe line...
The DR250 is a old bike now... air cooled / carb
they are being left behind in the 250 dual sport market.
But at $7500nz they are cheap & a good reliable bike..

Then theres Yamaha's WR250 at the other end , very hi tec
compaired to the others.. But you pay for it.. $14000nz

Suzuki has also not updated their DRZ400S in many years.

very true..The DR650 is the same...
Suzuki really needs to pick there game up
in the dual sport market...

Amen!

They may now with the competition, but the excellent Yamaha has been out for years, as has the KLX. Suzuki needs to come out with something special if they want to re-enter this important market.

On the other hand even though their DRZ400 is outdated, at least they have a 400 class dualsporter! None of the other Japanese makers do that I am aware of!

The DR/XR/KLR 650s are all good solid but old designs. The KLR was redesigned in 2009, but it was mostly evolutionary and cosmetic.

The CRF230L is a good bike. :) However, the new, CRF250L is a better bike, and it costs less than the CRF230L! 8O

Spud :)

Indeed! My first motorcycle was a Honda, and I have always liked Hondas. :) The CRF230F is a great little trail bike, which only weighs 249 pounds with a full tank of gas. :)

Spud :)

Suzuki could continue to sell many more DR-Z400 bikes if it would only add a sixth gear to the transmission! :roll:

Spud :)

Indeed, if one is buying a new bike, the CRF250L is the clear winner. :) However, one can find good deals on slightly used, KLX250S motorcycles. A few years from now the used, CRF250L bikes will be even better values! If I find a good deal on a used, CRF250L in the future, I will certainly buy that bike! :)

Spud :)

I have thought instead of replaceing my XR250 tornado with a new bike..
put a 300 kit in it... I have a set of 2000 CR250 USD forks that would fit
with very little mods.. then a Ohlins shock.. still would be less than the
prise diffrents between selling mine & a new CRF or KLX...

the 300 kit looks to be pretty good with every thing..
the kit yeids 9.5hp more than the standard XR..
from 23.5hp to 33hp
20% increass in deplacement & 45% increass in HP with
only 8% higher motor ware rate....
As you can see the kit is all Honda parts from the CB300R / XRE300
You need the new rod as the XR has a 17mm wrist pin the CB/XRE300
has a 18mm.. & the crank case has to be opened up 3mm to take
the 300 barrel...

The kit is $800us

http://imageshack.us/a/img24/4187/3001zn.jpg

That's a nice kit, and it yields an impressive boost in power! 8O

Spud :D

Read between the lines on this article on the Hyosung 250.

Honda is pricing the Koreans out of the market! :lol:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...iew-91522.html

Honda is stepping up to the plate, and taking on the competition for the world marketplace. ;) In a couple years, I hope there are a lot of good deals on slightly used, CRF250L bikes. :D

Spud :)

I'm sure there will be Spud. PLUS some of them will be pre-Spudied! Let someone else install the goodies! 8)

Now if we could just figure out how to use potatos for gas.

:lol:

Spud :)

I've decided the CRF250L is a worthy descendant of the Honda XR motorcycles. I follow several threads concerning this bike on different forums, and the CRF250L is selling handsomely all over the world. ;)

This bike makes pretty good power in stock form. However, you can easily add about 6 horsepower with an aftermarket exhaust and EFI programmer. In addition, you can easily get the bike under 300 pounds if you ditch the huge muffler and install a lithium battery. ;)

Maintenance for the CRF250L is minimal, and the aftermarket support is very impressive. The bike can handle freeway speeds, and gets excellent fuel mileage. If I didn't already own an XR650L, I would seriously consider the CRF250L as a candidate to fill its place in my stable of bikes. :)

Spud :)

I love that dashboard! :lol: Thanks for re-posting the photograph. :D

Spud :)

A lady Brit is going to ride the Honda CRF250L around the world. :tup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mipEqcNM_uk

She also started a FB blog: https://www.facebook.com/OneWomanOneMotorbikeOneWorld

She follows another British woman, Lois Pryce: http://www.loisontheloose.com/

I'm well familiar with Lois Pryce, because she rode a Yamaha XT225. :tup: Thanks for posting the link to the blog. :)