What's a good price for a regularly ridden but roughed up, older model KLR 250?

Thinkin' of getting something else to ride just in case the Savage keeps giving me trouble. Also want to try a dual sport.  

I remember the little dual sport bikes (DR200???) at the training range were pretty good fun. Easy to maneuver at those low speeds. Didn't get to ride it much since I picked a stinky little TU250X. Not to say it was bad... Good bike... Fuel injection...stout brakes... Even pulled a stoppie.   It just didn't fit me well. Kept making my wrist hurt.

cheapnewb24 wrote on 09/08/16 at 19:07:40:


Haven't you learned anything yet?  You don't yet have the ability to repair broken or worn out things, and you would be better off with a motorcycle that isn't roughed up (if you actually want something you can ride on a regular basis).

And......if you do get a reliable motorcycle in good condition - just ride the darn thing and keep it maintained - don't instantly try to improve it with a quick turn throttle, kevlar clutch, lightened flywheel, solid rear struts, gear oil in the forks - or all the other things you got distracted with.

You think I should ask my parents for several thousand dollars for a nice bike that I'll just wreck or blow up? I'm being modest, and I don't want that kind of responsibility on my shoulders.

Remember, I hardly make enough money at my job to even call it a job.

How about I go to the stealership and grab a fancy schmancy new one for $5k? That niceness and reliability and warranty come at a price.

It seems that the klr 250 is one of the cheapest and least desired of all the small/midsize dual sports. I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here.






Street-worthy dual sports are not exactly common as water around here. I would have to travel over 100 miles just to get this one. Interesting since this is a rural area. :facepalm:

For all the dirt bikes there are for sale... Makes me think if I were a bike company, I'd only make street-legal bikes... that way no one would have to live through this madness. Could be performance disadvantages, though not as many with modern fuel injection. But it's something that has come to mind .

Now I could buy a dirt bike and convert it in my state, but to pay $$$ for all the lights or scavenge for parts and stuff... and go through the process... I'm better off grabbing up something like this and go ride., especially when I have to convince my parents.

Some states won't even allow dirt bike conversions. How simple is it to make a street-legal motorcycle? A bicycle with a motor (that goes fast)? If I can get away with riding a 50cc  bicycle with a weedeater motor on the freeway (maybe???), then why are there bikes in some states that can never (easily or ever???) be street legal? And why are they immensely popular? Tradeoff? People want to have to haul their bikes everywhere on a truck? I know... don't tell me... emissions, dangerous agressive dirt tires that wear out, no signal lights to break off. You know... Users who are that desperate to get that high performance could just take a light, modern dual sport, strip it of lights, put off-road tires on it, tweak the engine for performance, and call it a dirt bike. Sheesh!

For goodness sakes! Some dual sports came as dirt bikes and vice-versa. The only significant differences were probably the carburetor, gearing and lights. Throw in fuel injection, and what difference do you have then? A little programming...or less?

I don't know a whole lot about the different dirt bike models.... so maybe there's some motocross only bikes out there that have advantages... But what about the KLX series? Aren't most of those dirt only with one or two factory dual sports?

Can anybody back me up here?

Okay... there are a few more parts, like speedo and kickstand or kickstart only, but c'mon, do serious dirt riders need to complain about removing this extra stuff? Heck, two strokers are constantly worrying with overhauling their engines anyway. And they don't want the trouble of taking a street legal trail bike and making it off-road only? Pfffft!


Meh, Dave's gonna act like I'm stupid for even suggesting it. If it ain't him, it'll be someone else.

Yep,I eliminated bikes and RC airplanes. In 05 I got the S-40.
From 85 on it was
Husband, then father, and always, as health allowed, provider.

Instead of trying to do so much with so little money, why not put that Big Boy chassis to work and make money,? A solid labor type job would help you practice staying focused. And your self image could improve. And money is never  bad.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 09/09/16 at 10:39:29:



You've got a good point there Justin. I think it has crossed my mind before to make some money and have fun instead of being so miserable trying to save it.

price depends on miles and condition... a 250lb paperweight is worth it's weight in scrap...

Business--Entrepreneurship. Online.