Kawasaki Brings Back New and Improved KLX250 Dual Sport
The long awaited return of one of Kawasaki’s most versatile motorcycles.

After a three-year hiatus, the KLX250 is back in the Kawasaki line-up and better than ever with the addition of fuel injection, new Uni-Trak suspension linkage and other changes to increase performance both on paved and dirt roads.
Borrowing notes from the KX line and Kawasaki’s racing heritage, this 2018 street legal, dual-purpose motorcycle is designed to cut through the busy traffic of an inner city or climb up a back trail to see the city from a beautiful view.
KLX250 Key Features
• New Fuel Injection System
• Revised Suspension Improves Handling
• Full Digital Instrumentation
• On/Off Road Capability
• One of Kawasaki’s Most Fuel-Efficient Motorcycles
The 2018 KLX250 motorcycle receives a new fuel injection system for improved starting at all elevations, fuel efficiency and performance. With riders of all skill levels in mind, Kawasaki’s target with the KLX250 are riders seeking a less expensive, lightweight dual sport motorcycle that is capable off-road.
The KLX250 features more aggressive styling noticeable in its front cowl, front fender, sharp taillight and two-bulb headlamp design. Taking cues from the KX family, the KLX250 motorcycle features two-piece radiator shrouds and KX-style fork guards, which help protect the inner tubes from rocks and brush.
An all-digital instrument console gives the rider at-a-glance information. Features include a digital bar-graph tachometer, digital speedometer, clock and dual trip meters. Fuel-injection and low-fuel warning lamps are also included.
Dual high-capacity Denso radiators, like those used on KX motocross bikes, deliver superior cooling efficiency and contribute to space and weight savings. The radiators are very slim and feature tightly packed cores and a fin design for improved heat dispersion.
Engine
• Liquid-Cooled, Compact 249cc 4-Stroke Engine
• New Fuel Injection (FI) system
• Improved throttle response and power
• Stainless-steel exhaust system
The engine of the KLX250 motorcycle is a modern, lightweight and compact, 249cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine with a wide torque band, pulling from down low. The new KLX250 features a new fuel injection system, for improved fuel efficiently, improved starting in a variety of conditions and better performance and throttle response. The FI system utilizes an ultra-fine atomizing (10-hole) injector. The result is a very smooth engine character, especially in the rpm range most used in day-to-day riding.
With an electric starter and Kawasaki Automatic Compression Release (KACR), which automatically lifts an exhaust valve during engine cranking, starting the KLX250 is a breeze. Precise control of ignition timing by the digital CDI also contributes to easy starts and reliability under extreme conditions.
The engine has low reciprocating weight, thanks in part to the use of a cam lobe for each valve, with shim-under tappet arrangement, which also contributes to better efficiency during high rpm. A lightweight piston, piston pin and connecting rod allow power-producing revs. With a bore and stroke of 72.0 x 61.2mm, the engine displaces 249cc. The engine is mounted low in the frame, contributing to a low center of gravity. Flat-top piston and pent-roof combustion chamber deliver a 11.0:1 compression ratio.
The engine of the KLX250 further features an electro-fusion cylinder, which is an ultra-hard coating that offers superior heat transfer and less weight. It also contributes to engine reliability: the coating holds lubrication well, resists abrasion and seizure, and allows a tight piston-to-cylinder clearance for increased horsepower.
Its smooth engine is due in part to a gear-driven engine balancer, providing smooth power delivery from idle to redline. On long rides this means greater rider comfort and less fatigue. The KLX250 motorcycle also features an all-stainless steel exhaust system, with a honeycomb catalyzer located in the muffler. Gear ratios facilitate smooth shifting through the rpm range and help with increased performance off-road and on. A revised shift drum offers an improved shift feeling, ensuring gears firmly engage.
Chassis & Suspension
• Fully adjustable suspension
• 43 mm inverted cartridge fork
• Gas-charged rear shock
• Front wheel travel of 255mm and rear travel of 230mm
The box- and tubular-section high-tensile steel perimeter frame of the KLX250 motorcycle creates a slim, lightweight package, which offers both great cornering performance and straight-line stability. The 26.5-degree caster angle and short wheelbase contribute to quick handling, while the high rigidity of the frame increases straight-line stability. The lightweight, highly rigid aluminum D-section swingarm also contributes to reduced unsprung weight and rigidity.
The 43mm inverted cartridge-style front fork comes with 16-way compression damping adjustment, adding incredible adjustability for a variety of riding conditions. The cartridge provides consistent damping force by minimizing aeration of the fork oil. Uni-Trak rear suspension provides great road holding ability and bump absorption. The gas-charged shock with remote reservoir has 16-way compression and rebound damping and fully adjustable preload adjustability.
Front wheel travel of 255mm and rear travel of 230mm creates a comfortable street ride and makes the KLX250 a capable off-road machine on the trails. Footpegs are positioned close to the bike’s centerline for a slim riding position conducive to both on- and off-road riding.
Wheels and Brakes
• 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels
• Front 250mm disc and 240mm rear disc
The KLX250 features a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel, for great handling and plenty of tire options. Great wheel rigidity care of thick spokes (4.0mm), which contributes to lighter, smoother handling and offers greater durability for off-road riding.
Front and rear disc brakes offer great stopping performance, with a twin-piston caliper gripping a 250mm disc up front and a single-piston caliper gripping a 240mm disc in the rear.
KAWASAKI KLX250
Color: Lime Green
MSRP: $5,349
Availability: The 2018 Kawasaki KLX250 is available for purchase early October, 2017
KAWASAKI KLX250 Camo Edition
Color: Matrix Camo Gray
MSRP: $5,549
Availability: The 2018 Kawasaki KLX250 Camo edition is available for purchase early October, 2017
KLX250 Specifications
Engine: | 4-stroke, 1-cylinder, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid-cooled |
Displacement: | 249cc |
Bore x Stroke: | 72.0 x 61.2mm |
Compression ratio: | 11.0:1 |
Fuel System: | DFI® with 34mm throttle body |
Ignition: | Electric CDI |
Transmission: | 6 speed, return shift |
Final drive: | sealed chain |
Rake/Trail: | 26.5°/4.1 in |
Front Suspension/Travel: | 43mm Telescopic fork/10.0 in |
Rear Suspension/Travel: | Uni-Trak® swingarm/9.1 in |
Front Tire: | 3.00-21 51P |
Rear Tire: | 4.60-18 63P |
Front/Rear Brakes: | Single disc |
Frame Type: | Tubular, semi-double cradle |
Overall Length: | 86.6 in |
Overal Width: | 32.3 in |
Overall Height: | 47.4 in |
Ground Clearance: | 11.2 in |
Seat Height: | 35 in |
Curb Weight: | 304.3 lb |
Fuel Capacity: | 2.0 gal |
Wheelbase: | 56.3 in |
Trail: | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
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I’m confused. I want this over a Kaw Versys-X 300, why?
Because the Versys-X is more of a street bike, and this looks like more of a legitimate dual sport.
USA Versys-X 300 priced at $5399.00, non-ABS model. Price is not the differentiator…
Anyone know where the X-300, or this KLX250, are built?
Apples and oranges. The versys 300 is pretty much a street bike with little dirt capability. The KLX250 is a street legal dirt bike.
OK, Thanks!
IS THIS BIKE CAPABLE OF FREEWAY SPEEDS?
Yes, if the CRF250L can do 80 mph, full tuck, this will be able to also.
Missed opportunity! Give me just 1 reason why anyone would buy this over say a proven Honda CRF250L?
Better street performance?
2016 europe version of KLX250 with efi had only 16kw output, 2017 crf250l have 18,4.
You must be thinking of the KLX300.
The KLX250 is more off-road capable with fully-adjustable suspension, higher ground clearance and less weight (14 pounds) than the CRF250L.
Winner winner chicken dinner. I love my CRF250L, but the suspension is not great.
because digital camo cooler than red?
I actually think red would look good. $200 for some digicam decals (which don’t even look great) is ridiculous.
You also get blacked out engine and fork. It looks $200 better than the green, in my opinion.
better everything
It’s a better bike
Still not made for short people!
Name an off-road bike (made for adults) that is.
Yamaha has an XT250 with your name written all over it.
Should sell well now that Yamaha discontinued the wr250r. Only if they could fit the 300 motor in it…
The WR250R has not been discontinued. But it will probably still sell well 🙂
Original klx can be bored to 350. Nearly went with it (for that reason) but ended up with a wrr since it had been discontinued when I was ready to buy.
Weight is amazing if that’s wet, skeptical it isn’t though. Ninja 300 engine would have been nice, show some HP numbers though. At the very least, how about an LED headlight to go with that new digital dash?
[…] Kawasaki Brings Back New and Improved KLX250 Dual Sport – Great wheel rigidity care of thick spokes (4.0mm), which contributes to lighter, smoother handling and offers greater durability for off-road riding. Front and rear. […]
Let me just say this… I had a 2011 KLX250S… and I HATED that bike. I finally sold it in 2014. It got worse mpg than my DR650, was absolutely GUTLESS, and was a PITA to work on. I put a ton of money into it to upgrade the suspension (which was money well spent), and even did a 351 kit.. which provided the power it should have had from the factory, but still wasn’t that great. And it was unstable above 65 mph.
If you want a dirt bike, get a dirt bike. If you want a street bike capable of going off-road (with care), get the Versys-X 300.
Intersting! The European KLX250 had been fuel injected for years, before kawa dropped it because of the limits for euro4 (among others ABS for everything over 125cc). So now the world outside of Europe gets what we had a long time ago.
2 gallons sheesh!
When is Kawasaki US going to provide its diesel KLR to the public?
rode a diesel klr in country. enough torque to climb a wall, but on the flats it was absolute S. zero to 60 would be 20+ seconds. I cant imagine trying commute on u.s. roads on a bike that has the acceleration of a 5hp outboard boat motor. (but on the T.A.T. trail, it would rule.)
Here in Europe exactly this efi model has been discontinued since beginning of 2017. It does not meet the new Euro 4 regulations.
I ride this bike since it came out in 2009 and it has 54.100 km on the odometer. A real good bike. It’s a pity it’s not for sale in Europe any more.