Derived from a proven, longtime-leading enduro bike, the KLX250 is basically a street-legal version of the KLX300R. It uses the same core features like the steel frame and high-performance 4-stroke engine.

This Kawasaki has been characterized by a flawlessly homogeneous evolution since coming to market. It continues to be the weapon of choice for riders who want to attack mountain trails on weekends and enjoy a pleasant, inexpensive commute to work from Monday through Friday.

The KLX250 is basically a street-legal version of an enduro bike.

Our tester now approaches 2,000 kilometers (mostly off-road riding). We've encountered no mechanical problems so far and overall performance is still sharp. The KLX250 continues to turn a lot of heads due in large part to its motocross style and Kawasaki's Lime Green racing color. This mount leaves no one indifferent, be it on the road or in the parking lot of a shopping center. More important to KLX fans is the aggressive off-road styling which gives the impression that you can't legally ride in the streets.

Small yet efficient powerplant
The 2007 Kawasaki KLX250 is motivated by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-stroke single-cylinder that's both compact and lightweight. Directly derived from the highly-acclaimed KLX300R, this 249-cc engine produces 24 horsepower, which is pretty reasonable for such a small displacement. While it lacks a bit of low- and mid-range torque, the powerplant loves to rev, which largely makes up for the low weight of 119 kilos. It's part of a new generation of efficient 4-stroke engines replacing environmentally-unfriendly 2-stroke units.

In order to get the same kind of powerband as a 2-stroke mill, engineers tuned the engine of the KLX250 to rev at well over 10,000 rpm. How? By using a very sophisticated design featuring an ultra-short piston stroke. This gives you all the power you need for aggressive trail riding. Vibrations are remarkably subdued for a single-cylinder and comfort is enhanced as a result. What's more, this engine is pretty fuel-efficient, averaging barely 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers.

The KLX250 is motivated by a 4-stroke single-cylinder that's both compact and lightweight.