2020 Kawasaki KLX250

Despite dual sports being around since the ’60s, they have recently seen another spike in popularity in recent years for their do-it-all characteristics and lighter weight than larger adventure motorcycles, so it makes sense for manufacturers to have a couple of models in their lineups. The Kawasaki KLX250 is Team Green’s highest-displacement dual sport for 2020, the other offering being the air-cooled KLX230.

What the KLX250 offers is still a new-rider-friendly mount that borrows from the KX line for dirt capability with long suspension travel, high ground clearance, and large-diameter tires, but this has a slightly-shorter-than-dirt-bike seat height at 35 inches. Further, its slim design makes it easy to maneuver down both dirt roads and through the urban jungle.

When the KLX250 returned for the 2018 model year after a four-year break, we had to throw a leg over the returning dual sport. Our test rider found the bike to be very smooth and mild in the power department. “The meat of the power is found in the midrange, and, if you keep it there by keeping up your momentum and flowing down dirt roads, the 250 is pleasantly capable,” test rider Sean Klinger reported.

Yamaha comes at the KLX250 from two sides with the WR250R and XT250, and Honda follows suit with the CRF250L and CRF250L Rally. If you don’t mind a slight dip in displacement, Suzuki also has its DR200S and Yamaha its TW200.

No significant changes were announced for the 2020 model year. The KLX250 is available in two colorways: green ($5,399) and camo ($5,599).