I have a strong lust to get a pair of the KLX250s for poking around West Java, which has more than its share of hidden trails. It's extremely rugged and volcanic and it's hard to find anything horizontal for more than a few feet. Great enduro territory. But the local machines come fitted with fuel injection - not with carbs, like the US models. Puzzling - you'd expect that they'd do it the other way around, letting the more technologically-advanced Americans have the injected model. I also hope that the FI machine has the same smooth response at small throttle openings as the carburetor-fitted one does. I've ridden machines before with snappy FI and it's not so pleasant when traction is tenuous. Keep up the great work.A new and improved dual-sport motorcycle for off-road adventure? Considering its intended purpose as an all-around motorbike, the KLX transmits enough feedback to make it easy to go fast.Everything about the KLX250S is on the gentle side. The suspension is as soft as the mellow power delivery and the riding position is painless. On the trails the shock and fork absorb the rough stuff admirably so advanced riders will be able to easily push the KLX to its limit.The KLX's stylized front headlight acts as a number plate/wind deflector if you can call it that. It didn't block much of the 30-mph headwind we battled on the highway our last 50-miles back to the Furnace Creek Resort but it definitely looks cool. The KLX250S might not be the biggest or baddest off-road bike to come out of the Kawasaki camp but it will go farther than most riders will be willing to go.The KLX's stylized front headlight acts as a number plate/wind deflector if you can call it that. It didn't block much of the 30-mph headwind we battled on the highway our last 50-miles back to the Furnace Creek Resort but it definitely looks cool. The seat was plush enough to do a couple hundred miles on without any concern, which is a big deal considering how hard some dual-sport seats are. Another highlight is the nifty flip-top gas-cap that has keyed access and a hinge that lets it remain on the bike during fuel stops. At our first 55-mile fuel stop the bikes only took a bit over a gallon for a gas-sipping 46mpg average. Using the power of deduction, knowing that the 250S has a 2-gallon fuel tank, we estimate the range to be in the neighborhood of 100 miles.Byron Black
