2014 Kawasaki KLX 250S details

2014 Kawasaki KLX 250S

Giant engines and a ton of gadgetry aren’t necessary to have a great time on two wheels. Take the Kawasaki KLX 250S, dual-purpose motorcycle for example. On the pavement it is a well-mannered, easy-to-ride motorcycle that can easily keep pace with traffic on the freeway. But when the pavement ends and the open country begins, the light and nimble KLX250S’ torquey liquid-cooled engine and adjustable front and rear suspension help it tame the toughest trails. All that capability is also paired with outstanding efficiency, making the 2014 KLX250S a superbly practical commuter.

This small dual-sport utilizes the same technology as last year with an aggressive style, strong engine, and versatile gear box.  9.1 inches of travel in the rear and inverted front forks will give you a stable riding in the dirt, while the 6-speed transmission will allow you cruise on the highway when bouncing from trail to trail.

The Kawasaki KLX 250S is powered by a four-stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, four-valve single cylinder engine with a displacement of 249cc.The engine is mated on a six speed transmission and is mounted on a semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel frame that keeps the center of gravity to a low level improving the bike’s handling and stability.

Twist the right grip and the KLX’s engine feels similar to the Honda. Power comes on smooth but it lacks the acceleration punch of the Yamaha. It does have a more organic feel making it more playful to flog around at full throttle. Looking at the numbers verifies our assessment behind the ‘bars with it arriving to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds just a hair behind the Honda (8.6 seconds) but more than a full second behind the class-leading WR. The Kawasaki’s engine sounds muted but sound testing shows that it actually emits more noise with it registering 73 dB at idle and an 86 dB reading at half throttle.

The KLX250S features a 43mm inverted cartridge style front fork with 16-way adjustable compression damping and 10-inches of travel. Out back is a Uni-Trak linkage-type rear suspension that has 16-way adjustable compression and rebound damping, providing 9.1-inches of wheel travel. The bike rolls on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels that feature 4mm-thick spokes for off-road durability.

“The Kawasaki’s engine isn’t bad, but it is more of a pain to get started first thing in the morning,” Gauger shares. “It’s really cold blooded but once you get some heat into it runs just fine. The power felt similar to Honda which made it really easy to ride. But the gearing or the transmission ratios were closer together so the Kawasaki actually got up to speed quicker.”

The KLX 250S is 86.6 inches long and 32.3 inches wide. The wheelbase measures in at 56.3 inches, shorter than average in this segment. A seat height of 35 inches is 4.50 inches higher than the average motorcycle's, making it ideal only for taller riders.

The 2014 KLX 250S has a base price of $5,099, which is a reasonable price to pay for a member of the 250cc class of dual sports (the average price is $5,190). A 12-month factory warranty from Kawasaki helps protect new buyers.