2013 Honda CRF250L vs. 2013 Kawasaki KLX250S - Video

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The Kawasaki easily deserved its victory in our 2008 Lightweight Dual-Sport Shootout. The KLX250S had then, and still does, many admirable qualities, not the least of which include a strong engine, excellent-for-the-class suspension, and a good handling chassis.

But the KLX’s tremendously difficult starting thanks to the aging technology of a constant velocity carb was too much for us to look past this time around. A larger price tag of $5,099 didn’t help the Kawasaki’s case. The KLX makes its best proposition for someone who is interested in fitting an aftermarket exhaust, as then you’d be in the market for a jet kit anyway.

2013 Kawasaki KLX250S and 2013 Honda CRF250L

But stock to stock, Toms sums up this compare succinctly: “I'll forgo the KLX’s adjustable suspension, higher price and tach for the lesser price, fuel gauge and fuel injection of the CRF.”

The all-new CRF250L competes head-to-head with the Kawasaki in almost every respect, and then leaps ahead with the inclusion of fuel injection that isn’t just newer technology but is a clear benefit to the rider.

Icing the deal for the CRF is the fact that Honda bests the older 230’s $4999 price tag (2009) despite being an entirely new motorcycle from the now-gone CRF230L. Credit Honda’s Thailand factory for helping bring down its cost.

So, we prefer the Honda in this duel, but the real winner here is the 250cc dual-sport class customer.

By the Numbers
	Honda CRF250L	Kawasaki KLX250S
MSRP	$4,499	$5,099
Engine Type	liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke	Four-stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, four-valve single
Bore x Stroke	76mm x 55mm	72.0 x 61.2mm
Fueling	PGM-FI, 36mm throttle body	Keihin CVK34
Transmission	6-speed	6-speed
Frame	semi-double cradle, steel	Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Final Drive	#520 Chain	Chain
Front Suspension	43mm inverted fork; 8.7 inches travel	43mm inverted cartridge fork with 16-way compression damping adjustment / 10.0 in.
Rear Suspension	Pro-Link single shock with spring; 9.4 inches travel	Uni-Trak with adjustable preload, 16-way compression and rebound damping adjustment / 9.1 in.
Front Brakes	Single 256mm disc with twin-piston caliper	250mm semi-floating petal disc with two-piston hydraulic caliper
Rear Brakes	Single 220mm disc	240mm petal disc with single-piston hydraulic caliper
Front Tire	3.00-21	80/100x21
Rear Tire	120/80-18	100/100x18
Seat Height	34.7 in.	35.0 in.
Wheelbase	56.9 in	56.3 in
Rake/Trail	27°/113mm	26.5˚/104mm
Curb Weight	320 lbs	297.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	2.0 gallons	2.0 gallons
Available colors	Red	Lime Green, Bright White