2024 Kawasaki KX250 | First Impressions

The 2024 Kawasaki KX250 only has a handful of cosmetic changes when compared to the 2023 model. However, the bike had a major overhaul just last year and we're here to go into more detail about what the KX250 has become and who it might suit.
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[@moto3463]

Love that moto ten helmet Michael looks so clean 🔥

[@87motoring]

I know you mentioned your weight coming down, but at 190lbs do you feel it is "enough bike" at most socal tracks? I'm about 200lbs and ride a 23 CRF450. I don't ride much these days and it's unfortunately exhausting when I do. A 350 would be the perfect bike on paper, but having owned a few KTM's in the past, I just never get to that comfortable place I find on a Japanese bike. Any insight is appreciated.

[@Drew-vw1mn]

You can absolutely rip a 250 at that weight man, I'm 6'3" and around 195 with absolutely no issues on a 250. Swap your rear spring out to suit your weight and you're golden

[@vitalmx]

Could do any jump at any SoCal tracks, no problem.

[@simoncleland704]

Read some struggle with the smaller 250 engine being back in the frame compared to the 450 so less weight on the front end, do you feel that’s an issue?

[@yukonjon5964]

it will be noticeable compared to a 450 and another reason to lighten the fork springs.

[@timberg331]

Yes front end is light and spring rate is too high unless your 170# or more. I’m 158# and had to go down to a .46 spring rate and it helped the front end greatly. This is for all 21-24 kx 250s.

[@yukonjon5964]

@@timberg331 nice. before that, did moving the fork tubes up in the clamps help much? and did you leave em up even with softer springs?

[@timberg331]

@@yukonjon5964 I never moved it up past the 5mm mark because front end was twitchy and had deflection I went to 3mm which helped that a lot but then under steer became worse. I’m back to 5mm with the new setup and race sag at 104, this seems to be great balance and now my bike will turn with softer spring rate. My suspension tuner also did softer pressure springs down to 1.7 which helped small bumps and all the feedback in the hands go away.

[@yukonjon5964]

@@timberg331 ok, thanks. good info. by spring pressure at 1.7, i think you mean the internal fork spring preload spacer was reduced to 1.7 which would help the front settle in sooner. or did he go with progressive rate? which has tighter wound coils at one end to make initial travel softer. i'm confused about the relation of fork height in the triple clamps, to spring rate. because both things change overall ride height. i think with most of my bikes i ran the forks too low in the clamps, wanting more stability because i'm tall. my default was to lower them to the max line, or flush with the top on the older models. but i'm guessing with some bikes i was hurting my cornering ability. i tend to focus on changing the dampening shim stack to get the valving i want, but i need to fine tune fork height more. just picked up a 2012 RMZ250 so need to get that dialed now. it has the stock spring fork of that era. in fact it was the last year of the normal fork, which is a good thing.

[@zacd7094]

Been out of it for so long. I’m around 5’6 what’s the best option for me? Seems like a 250 may be to tall

[@Ekani.]

im 167cm and weight 61kg im 17 and i ride kxf 250 2018 and i got it lowered and its not that bad i can touch ground with one leg so its okay and also i have some strength to lift the bike so no problem with riding

[@quadcityracing]

Let’s get to the new 450 already

[@austinmaness8339]

Could you share the exact sprocket and chain modification you used? Thanks!

[@DaleHicks-vt7mq]

You went from 52 T to 51 T and got more bottom end? My understanding when adding a tooth, it gears it down for more bottom end. Please explain.

[@vitalmx]

I went from a 50 to a 51, I went up a tooth.

[@KlintonSilvey]

"52" and "50-tooth" can sound very similar when you say them out loud

[@thefridaynetwork]

"50 tooth rear sprocket" is what ML says. And he's correct -- stock from the factory is 50t.

[@jkell411]

ML is known to sound like he just got his whole mouth numbed at the dentist when he tries to enunciate words.

[@orlandopadillajr3886]

The kx 450 2024 is the one to look forward to

[@sexatica]

Good seeing ML test riding to mix up all the press work

[@dreamstateaz]

Why do they continue to use the same, ugly ass, slip on exhaust, the angle doesn’t even line up with the plastics.

[@MrMoosekiller31]

That's not a kx 250 has too many strokes