The Kawasaki KLR250/KL250D was a

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

produced from 1984 to 2005 as the successor to the 1978 to 1983 KL250C, with only minor changes during the model run. This lightweight dualsport motorcycle was used for several years by the US military for a variety of tasks, including messenger duty and reconnaissance.

Development & Design

It was produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan and exported to many parts of the world, including the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Australia. The Chilean national police ("Carabineros de Chile") made extensive use of the KLR250. It is similar in appearance to the larger KLR650. The KLR250 shares many engine parts with an ATV sold by Kawasaki, the KSF250 "Mojave". In the USA the KLR250 was discontinued at the end of the 2005 model run and was replaced by the KLX250S in 2006. In other markets the KLX250 was introduced in 2001 and has been sold to the current day.

Specifications

The base specifications have remained virtually unchanged throughout the production period.

Engine

* Type: Four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, single cylinder liquid cooled * Displacement: 249 cc * Bore and Stroke: 74.0 x 58.0 mm * Carburetor: Keihin CVK34 * Compression ratio: 11.0:1 * Power Output: : 28 horsepower 1985–1989 : 23 horsepower 1990–2005 @ 9,000 rpm, (U.S. model due to change in cam profile) * Maximum torque: 23 N-m (2.3 kg-m, 16.5 ft-lb) @ 8,000 rpm (U.S. model) * Starting Method: Kick

Drivetrain

* Transmission: 6 Speed * Final Drive: Chain EK520 L-O 104 links

Brakes

* Front: Hydraulic disc * Rear: Drum

Suspension

* Front: Air-adjustable hydraulic telescopic fork * Rear: UNI-TRAK single-shock system (adjustable)

Wheels and tires

* Front: 3.00 x 21 tire * Rear: 4.60 x 17 tire

Dimensions

* Length: 84.3 in * Seat height: 33.7 in * Rake and Trail: 28.5 degrees / 4.6 in * Wheelbase: 55.7 in * Weight: dry * Fuel Capacity: 2.9 US gal (11.0 litres) * Engine oil capacity: 2 liters

Fuel Efficiency Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the ratio of effort to result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier (fuel) into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, wh ...

* (est) * Maximum range: 188.5 U.S. miles

References

{{Kawasaki motorcycles KLR250 Dual-sport motorcycles Motorcycles introduced in 1984