For the most part, the new SF model is a city-slickened and supermoto-styled KLX250S with the same four-stroke liquid-cooled 249cc DOHC four-valve Single. On the Area P dyno, the SF was able to crank out 2.5 horsepower more, up to 20.5 ponies at 8,800 rpm - possibly due to a better transmission of power from the street tires than the S’s knobbies. Torque is up marginally to 13.7 ft-lbs at 7,400 rpm. The SF model employs a taller 39-tooth rear sprocket and street rubber to deliver more confident higher-speed street riding. Redlining at 10,500 rpm with a sweet spot between the 7,000 to 9,000 rpm rev range, the SF sure is a screamer
The 2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF lands in the middle of the road with a MSRP of just $5,299. That’s $400 more than the S-model, but there’s more than just price tucked into this lightweight machine. If you’re looking for a supermoto-styled standard as your next commuter mount, the KLX250SF has the creature comforts any new rider will appreciate, like rubber footpegs, uniquely shaped mirrors, a robust digital dashboard with two tripmeters and sweeping tachometer, onboard toolkit and helmet lock as seen on the KLX-S model. All this, plus a lower saddle and center of gravity for enhanced straight-line performance and on-road handling.
Feather-light steering and exemplary fuel economy also tread’s lightly on your wallet with an advertised 70-mpg. Our initial testing showed just 45 mpg, but we barely let the little piston dip below the horsepower peak of 8,500 rpm (an indicated 80 mph) with a 200 lb rider aboard. With the SF’s 2.0-gallon tank, expect fuel stops to arrive not much further than 100 miles.
Feather-light steering and exemplary fuel economy also tread’s lightly on your wallet with an advertised 70-mpg. Our initial testing showed just 45 mpg, but we barely let the little piston dip below the horsepower peak of 8,500 rpm (an indicated 80 mph) with a 200 lb rider aboard. With the SF’s 2.0-gallon tank, expect fuel stops to arrive not much further than 100 miles.
