Motorcycle.com Staff
by Motorcycle.com Staff

Reasonable entry fee, excellent fuel mileage and grins-a-plenty: this description can apply to most motorcycles, but they are especially apropos in regard to these black-cloaked little funsters. These bikes appeal to younger or less-experienced riders who want a new bike at a relatively low price, and especially those who may have some dirt-riding experience.

Supermoto is an emerging motorcycle niche, gaining momentum in 2003 when an American national race series emerged. The basic formula is a lightweight dirtbike adapted for pavement use by using a shorter suspension, more powerful brakes and 17-inch wheels with sticky roadrace rubber.

The Kawasaki KLX250SF lines up next to its classmate, the Yamaha WR250X.

European manufacturers like KTM and Husqvarna were the first OEMs to provide street-legal supermoto bikes, followed a few years ago by Suzukis DR-Z400SM. Now Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda have picked up the supermoto baton in the 250cc class. The air-cooled Honda CRF230M would be outgunned in this group so we simply lined up the new-for-09 Kawi KLX250SF against the WR250X that Yamaha debuted in 2008.

We already knew from our street test of the WR250X that a quarter-liter street supermoto can be a riot on the right road. Then Fonz hogged the new Kawi to himself and wrote his review of the KLX250SF">KLX250SF. A comparison test was inevitable.

This duo has a lot in common. Rake, trail and wheelbase are within fractions of each other, and they each weigh right around the 300-lb mark full of fluids and fuel. Both engines are liquid-cooled 250cc Singles with four valves per cylinder and double overhead cams. Each has black-anodized wheels and wave-type brake rotors, and youll find small pseudo number plates above the headlights that help deflect a modicum of wind around a rider.

For comparison purposes (and giggles), we brought this 250cc duo to the kart track at Adams Motorsports Park.

But despite their similarities, there is no doubt the Yamaha is built to a higher specification. The WRs resulting $6,190 MSRP is a sizable $891 more expensive than the Kawi. Click here to check out the comparitive specs.

Why the Yamaha Costs More

While a quick glance may lead you to believe these two bikes are specd out similarly, a closer look at the WR250X reveals many extra-cost components that ultimately lead to an MSRP about 17% higher than the KLX.

What makes the Yamaha cost more?
Fuel injection (rather than a carburetor)
Aluminum (rather than steel) frame
Titanium (rather than steel) intake valves
EXUP exhaust valve and electronically controlled intake valve
Fully adjustable suspension
Radial (rather than bias-ply) tires

Once we compared dyno charts from our friends at Area P, we knew the KLX was going to be in for an uphill battle. Although the KLX has competitive low-end and midrange power, the WRs fuel-injected mill handily out-muscles the Kawasaki up top.

The Kawi stops gaining power around 8000 rpm but continues revving to its 10,000-rpm rev limiter (10.5K indicated), giving its best of 20.3 rear-wheel horsepower at 8100 rpm. Meanwhile, the Yamaha is just hitting its stride, surging to its 27.8-hp peak at 9000 rpm and continuing with a useful over-rev up to its 11,500-rpm limiter. Its more oversquare engine and lightweight titanium valves achieve a rev limit 1500 rpm higher than the Kawi.

The KLX acquits itself quite well until about 5000 revs and stays in the hunt until 7000 rpm, but then the Yamaha opens a big can of whup-ass.

A back-to-back street ride confirmed what the dyno told us. Simply put, youll run into the KLXs throttle stop a lot more than the WRs. The Kawi doesnt have trouble staying ahead of automotive traffic, but the Yamaha does it easier. This is especially true at California freeway speeds, where the KLX can keep up with an 80-mph flow while the WR has the extra juice to exceed that speed if desired.

The KLX performs best at lower speeds. Its stated 33.9-inch seat height is much easier to manage for smaller riders, and its light-action clutch and gearbox are very cooperative.

The KLX is far more welcoming of new or newer riders, says our whipping boy Pete Brissette. The lower seat height and overall shorter height may help deflect the scary impression that rookie riders have of impossibly tall dirt bikes. The softer powerband is both smooth and linear, a boon on the street and for many riders looking for a fun but manageable daily mount.

The more powerful WR pulls the front wheel up in second gear as easy as the KLX does in first.

In comparison, the WRs injected motor has a jumpier throttle and a smaller clutch engagement zone, so a newer rider has to pay more attention. The Yamahas seat height is relatively lofty at 35.2 inches, making it impossible for both feet of my 32-inch inseam to flat-foot the ground like I can on the KLX. The WR does, however, have an adjuster in the bottom shock clevis that can reduce the seat height by nearly an inch.

Both bikes have compact electronic LCD instrumentation, both quite legible and each with its own benefits. In addition to the usual tripmeter and clock, the WRs enduro-style gauges include a stopwatch function. However, its lack of a tachometer is an odd omission for a streetbike. The KLX has an easy-to-read bar-graph style LCD but does without the stopwatch. The 250X also has Yamahas handy countdown fuel tripmeter to let you know when the 2.0-gallon tank is nearing empty, while the Kawi has an old-school fuel petcock for its same-size tank. Also old school is the KLXs manual choke knob required during cold starts.

The KLX

Both bikes have reasonably comfy seats with gripper-type covers, passenger accommodations, helmet locks and tool kits. The Kawis stylized headlight and mirrors earn some fashion points; the WR gains some back with its sleek taillight sourced from pre-2004 R1s. Also, its magnesium-colored trim and smooth contours on the aluminum frame and swingarm offer a higher-end appearance.

There are few things on two wheels as fun as riding a low-powered performance bike to its limits, so we brought this duo together for some horizon-tilting antics at a local go-kart track. What we found surprised us.

You never know who you
Roger Lee Hayden shows his championship-winning form on his KX450F supermoto machine.

To get a better idea of how this bad-ass-in-black pair stack up to each other, we took them to Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, California. Adams has a rich history in the SoCal racing scene, with roots that go back to 1959.

AMP was perfect for our mild 250s. It has a wide variety of corners over its 0.75-mile length, including two banked turns. The relatively long 700-foot straight saw upwards of 70 mph on the WRs speedometer, and there are three braking zones to test a vehicles binders.

Karts are a mainstay of AMP, but most days there are open practice sessions for mini roadracers and supermoto machines. New to the track is a dirt section for supermoto enthusiasts to take to the air over jumps and throw up some roost.

Oh, and if you think a little go-kart track like AMP isnt manly enough, you may want to reevaluate your position when you hear about the tracks clientele. We were impressed by the likes of IndyCar driver Buddy Rice and NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick who have driven there, but we were blown away by the demonstration that awaited us upon our arrival.

When we pulled in to AMP, we saw three supermoto riders tearing up the track at a speed which weve rarely ever seen. Howling rear tires sliding sideways into the turns then nearly digging their handlebars into the track before powersliding out of the corners. It was spectacular. Whoever these guys were, they had some major talent.

It turns out it was Tommy, Nicky and Roger Hayden, just out for a day of playing around on motorcycles. If its good enough for the Haydens, its good enough for us!

At the track, we figured the Yamahas surplus of power and more sophisticated suspension would serve up a spanking to the Kawasaki. But someone forgot to send that memo to the KLX.

What the Kawi lacks in power it sure can make up for with an unflappable chassis, says Brissette. Though its down on power, on a kart track that allows supermoto bikes or in tight canyon confines, the KLXs sure-footedness can keep the Yamaha at bay, barely. The bike feels exceptionally stable and planted at all times. On the kart track, this good suspension set-up translates into nearly instant confidence that the bike will continue to do what you ask of it with little to no protest.

Test rider Kaming Ko adapted to the KLX quicker than the taller Yamaha.

In comparison, the WR initially felt more unsettled on the track with its stock suspension settings. The additional 1.5 inches up front and 2.5 inches of suspension travel out back means more chassis pitch when aggressively flinging the bike between quick corner transitions, and more front-end dive under braking compared to the KLX, Pete notes.

Luckily, the WRs suspension is three-way adjustable at both ends something the Kaw cant claim. Some determined knob twiddling greatly settled the chassis, although it still suffered more dramatic chassis pitching that is exacerbated by the sharp initial bite from the powerful front brake. However, as Pete notes, The Yams extra suspension travel could pay serious dividends over dirt jumps on a supermoto course.

The WR250X was consistently faster down AMP

As with the front brake, the 250Xs throttle can be a bit abrupt when getting back on the gas. Its not bad, but it does demand your attention. This minor criticism aside, the Yamahas motor is clearly the most desirable.

Not only is the bikes power evident when accelerating through each gear, says Pete, the instant response from the EFI and the extra 2 ft-lbs or so translate into a potent little smack of go-power off the bottom. You can feel it almost immediately after shifting into the next higher gear when hard on the throttle. The Yamahas fuel injection always assured quick starts, whereas the carbureted KLX often needed a throttle pump before firing.

The Kawasaki is less intimidating. Its very cooperative and steers well, and its friendlier throttle transitions make it easy to re-apply the gas while leaned over. And although the front brake is a bit mushier than the WRs, it responds well. Its pegs drag earlier than the WR, but youd have to ride really aggressively to touch them down while riding on the street.

Given equal riders, the 250X will consistently finish in front of the 250SF.

But even with a perfect corner exit on the KLX, passing an equally ridden WR is impossible. The Kawis horsepower deficit was evident in the speeds shown at the end of the longest straight, consistently about 10 mph below the Yamaha.

The KLXs power is sufficient for the class and intention of the bike, but aggressive riding leaves the rider wishing for more from the engine just as it runs into a mild rev limit, Pete says. If Kawi could squeeze out a couple more horsepower, or add another thousand rpm before running of steam, the KLX250SF would give the Yamaha a lot more grief.

And the above statement pretty well tells the story about these quarter-liter supermoto wannabes. An experienced rider will ultimately gravitate toward the higher-spec WR250X. It costs more because it offers more, including higher finish quality.

The KLX

The WR seems much more like a true, current-generation supermoto machine: a dirt bike with slightly chopped suspension and 17-inch wheels shod with sticky streetbike rubber, states Pete. The assertive whack of power is reminiscent of torque-biased Thumpers, and the addition of excellent EFI only sweetens the pot.

Which isnt to say we failed to see the charms of the 250SF. For an inexperienced rider and/or someone small of stature, the less expensive KLX makes a lot of sense.

With the WR250s aluminum frame, fuel injection, 7 more horse power and more adjustability in the suspension compared to the KLXs steel frame, carburetor and less horsepower, one would think the Yamaha is clearly a winner, says regular test rider Kaming Ko. Well, just hold on to your hat, sunshine, other than hardcore riding, the Kawasaki KLX can hold its own just fine for nearly 20% less money!

If you

While the above is true, our experienced riders had a clear preference for the WR250X. Pete sums up our feelings.

Id opt for the Yamaha, he opines. The relatively small price gap of $890 is almost a moot point when considering the Yamahas engine performance advantage and EFI. Its a lot easier and cheaper! to do a little suspension tuning than it is to find another 5 to 10 hp while keeping reliability a priority.

The WR250X

Related Reading
2009 Yamaha WR250X Review
2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF Review
2008 Lightweight Dual-Purpose Shootout
2008 Aprilia SXV 5.5 Review

Motorcycle.com Staff
Motorcycle.com Staff

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