Comparison test: Kawasaki KLX 250 against Yamaha WR 250 R

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Comparison test: 250cc Enduros

Kawasaki KLX 250 versus Yamaha WR 250 R

Not everyone who likes to ride enduro wants to dash through the undergrowth in the best time or even take part in competitions. With these two 250cc Enduros you can take it easy.

Enduro riders who pursue their hobby without any sporting ambitions are quickly overwhelmed by the radical design of pure competition enduros. And especially for less experienced recreational pilots, too much performance causes stress rather than driving pleasure.

The enduros presented here are moderate alternatives. The Kawasaki KLX 250 is particularly suitable for off-roaders. Compared to the Yamaha, the green looks much more delicate, and the seat height of 900, which is 40 millimeters lower, creates confidence. Overall, ergonomics are less sport-oriented than the Yamaha. It starts with the bench, which is not so spartan, even though you like to stand up on the Kawa after an hour at the latest. The steel double loop frame carries a 43 mm upside-down fork with compression adjustment at the front and an aluminum two-arm swing arm at the rear, which is supported on the frame by means of a deflection and fully adjustable spring strut. Overall, the set-up is very soft, which is absolutely fine for pleasure-oriented rides off the road. However, the Kawa quickly reaches its limits under harder loads and at higher speeds. There is more suitable material for occasional excursions on the cross route.

Comparison test: 250cc Enduros

Kawasaki KLX 250 versus Yamaha WR 250 R

Kawasaki and Yamaha is in the drive. Although the paper form is quite similar, the two singles are very different. Both breathe through four valves, which are each actuated by two overhead camshafts via bucket tappets. An injection with 34 (Kawa) or 38 millimeters (Yamaha) intake manifold diameter is responsible for the supply. At Kawa, the exhaust gases are disposed of using an exhaust system made entirely of stainless steel; at Yamaha, conventional steel must suffice. The power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox.

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Above all, the Kawasaki is very everyday-friendly thanks to its good luggage attachment and its somewhat softer suspension setup.

But while the stroke of the KLX is 61.2 millimeters, the WR is only 53.6 millimeters. The WR is therefore designed with a significantly shorter stroke, which catapults it into a higher league in terms of revving and power output.

The numbers speak for themselves: Kawasaki gives 22 HP at 7700 revs, Yamaha 31 at 10000 revs. When it comes to torque, the differences are not quite as blatant, it is 21 Nm at 7000 to 24 Nm at 8000 revolutions. In practice, this means that the green against the white sees no sun when driving. The top speed is 105 to 130 km / h, while the acceleration from zero to 100 km / h takes the Kawa with 17.6 seconds 10.4 longer than the Yamaha. In terms of consumption, they are on par with 3.4 (Kawa) and 3.5 liters normal.

On the one hand, the Yamaha has to be turned more energetically than the Kawasaki in order to move forward quickly. On the other hand, she can always follow the fully squeezed Kawa with ease. Both hops are reliably decelerated by a brake disc in the front and rear wheel, whereby the Yamaha can score here with lower operating forces and better transparency.

With a full tank weight of less than 140 kilograms, both enduros are still perfectly suitable for transport on the rear traverse of a motorhome, where they are best kept on long journeys. The transport of co-drivers is basically possible with both, but due to the limited space it is only recommended for people who are sociable.

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The Yamaha is clearly the sportier of the two, with a more snappy engine, lighter frame and sportier chassis.

In terms of equipment, the two opponents differ only slightly, the digital cockpits only show the bare essentials, both here and there the mirror brackets are pretty short. In addition to the stainless steel exhaust system already mentioned, the Kawasaki also has a small tool bag on the rear fender. In addition, their headlights illuminate the street a little better at night, but that’s not a floodlight either. On the other hand, the Yamaha has a slightly better value perception and only requires a workshop every 10,000 kilometers (Kawasaki 6000).

So far, there is a lot to be said for the Yamaha, but the big hour of the Kawasaki comes with payment. At 4,895 euros, it is well below the 5,000 euros threshold, while the Yamaha, at 6,650 euros, is in a league in which full-blown four-cylinder units are already available. A Yamaha XJ6 Diversion from the same company, for example, costs just 45 euros more.

Conclusion: The Kawasaki is suitable for people who are primarily looking for an inexpensive, uncomplicated and manoeuvrable vehicle and who, off the road, tends more towards enduro hiking than cross-piste. The Yamaha, on the other hand, is sportier and more aggressive overall and can cope with off-road use much better than the Kawasaki. But you have to dig deep into your pocket for that.

Technical data Kawasaki KLX 250

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The Kawasaki single is significantly weaker, but consumes hardly less than that of the Yamaha.

Engine:
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, a balance shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 34 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain, secondary ratio 42:14.
Bore x stroke 72.0 x 61.2 mm
Displacement 249 cm3
Compression ratio 11: 1
rated capacity 16.0 kW (22 hp) at 7500 rpm
Max. Torque 21 Nm at 7000 rpm

Landing gear:
Double loop frame made of steel, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, adjustable compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, front disc brake, Ø 250 mm, double-piston floating caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 240 mm, Single-piston floating caliper.
Spoked wheels with aluminum rims 1.60 x 21; 2.15 x 18
Tires 3.00-21; 4.60-18
Dunlop D 605 tires tested

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1430 mm, steering head angle 63.5 degrees, caster 105 mm, spring travel f / h 255/230 mm, seat height * 900 mm, weight with a full tank * 138 kg, load * 181 kg, tank capacity 7.7 liters.
guarantee two years
Service intervals 6000 km
Colors green
price 4.895 euros
Additional costs around 180 euros

* MOTORCYCLE measurements

Technical data Yamaha WR 250 R

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With 31 hp more, the Yamaha single can act much more agile and lively.

Engine:
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves, bucket tappets, dry sump lubrication, injection, Ø 38 mm, alternator 350 W, battery 12 V / 6 Ah, mechanically operated multi- disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary transmission 43:13.
Bore x stroke 77.0 x 53.6 mm
Displacement 250 cm3
Compression ratio 11.8: 1
rated capacity 22.6 kW (31 hp) at 10,000 rpm
Max. Torque 24 Nm at 8000 rpm

Landing gear:
Double loop frame made of aluminum, upside-down fork, Ø 46 mm, adjustable rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, front disc brake , Ø 250 mm, double-piston floating caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 230 mm, single-piston floating caliper.
Spoked wheels with aluminum rims 1.60 x 21; 2.15 x 18
Tires 80/100 R 21; 120/80 R 18
Bridgestone TW 301/302 tires tested

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1420 mm, steering head angle 64.0 degrees, caster 111 mm, suspension travel f / r 270/270 mm, seat height * 940 mm, weight with a full tank * 136 kg, tank capacity 7.6 liters.
guarantee two years
Service intervals 10,000 km
Colors Blue white
price 6,650 euros
Additional costs around 170 euros

* MOTORCYCLE measurements

MOTORCYCLE measurements

Drawing: archive

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation +/- 5%

The difference between the performance curves not only looks dramatic, it feels exactly the same in practice. Where the Kawa is slowly running out of air, the Yamaha begins to feel good and flex its muscles.

Top speed (manufacturer information)

 Manufacturer  Km / h
 Kawasaki  105
 Yamaha  130


acceleration

 Manufacturer  0-100 km / h
 Kawasaki  7.2 sec
 Yamaha  17.6 sec

Draft

 Manufacturer  60-100 km / h
 Kawasaki  9.2 sec
 Yamaha  17.5 sec

Fuel consumption (country road)

 Manufacturer  Liters / 100 km
 Kawasaki  Normal 3.4
 Yamaha  Normal 3.5


Theoretical range (country road)

 Manufacturer  Km
 Kawasaki  217
 Yamaha  226

MOTORCYCLE test result

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Both feel good off-road, but the Kawasaki is more suitable for quieter hours.

1st place: Yamaha WR 250 R
In terms of functionality, the Yamaha truly deserved first prize. It is faster, stronger, tighter and more lively. But she can also pay dearly for that.

2nd place: Kawasaki KLX 250
Reducing them only to price and seat height (both low) does not do the Kawa justice. It cuts a fine figure as a brisk city hop or during leisurely enduro hiking.

Price comparison of 250cc enduros for beginners

Used 250/300 Enduros in Germany

In the enduro segment there are a lot of 4-stroke 250 and 300 enduros, which are well suited as entry-level enduro or for enduro hiking. On the used motorcycle exchange, they face each other in a direct price comparison: Used 250/300 Enduros In Germany

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