KLX110L or KLX140L

 I'm an older guy who's looking for an easy to handle dirt bike just to
tool around the trails where we live.  There won't be any serious hill
climbing or really rough terrain.

I'm looking at both the 2010/11 Kawasaki KLX110L and the Kawasaki
KLX140L.  I'm 5' 11" tall and weigh about 215 lbs.

Would I really need the extra power of the 140 over the 110?  What do
those 30 ccs really translate into as far as real power if one is just
mainly running along at 15-20 mph tops.

Will the KLX110L handle the situation I described and are those 33ccs
more on the KLX140L worth an extra 900 bucks?

Larry

 wrote:


The 110 is a pit bike and won't handle anything.  The 140 is a play
bike and if you're going to spend any time whatsoever on it, you're
going to wish you'd bought something else in a short time.  Good bike
to learn on, but at your size, your knees are going to be hitting your
ears.

If you're aware of this and don't care, absolutely get the 140.

 
Not even putting along a relatively flat trail at 10-15 mph?


But don't the "L" models give a little extra room for taller adult
riders?


I suppose it might be a bit uncomfortable but again, it's just for
riding around the area where we camp and on the BLM trails near our
home with no jumps, steep hills, fast speeds, etc.  Probably a
different level of use than most of the riders in this group who take
on a lot more difficult riding conditions than I ever plan.

Yopu're probably right about the 140.  I was just wondering if that
extra horsepower was worth almost a grand.

Larry

 

Yes, it will handle this just fine. Heck, I used to have a ball on my son's
little TTR-90 goon riding aound our yard, But the real truth behind what
scrape is saying is that if you find that you do enjoy riding the
scooter.....sooner rather than later, you *will* start getting more
adventurous than this and this bike will not be remotely close to something
that can fit the bill considering your size.


Again correct here, but much of the same applies as I stated earlier...


If this is truly all you will ever do, either will provide the basic
function albeit the 110 will be very cramped. Heck if it were me and I were
only looking for a camp bike, I'd look for something like a Honda Trail
70/90 just for the cool as hell factor (for way less).

Back on topic. What I would suggest is that for what you think you want
right now.....forget all about buying new. You can pick up a 5 to 10 year
pit or play bike for $500 to $1,000.Stick to any of the big 4 Japanese
brands and you'll have a bike that can run for decades doing what you
describe with rock solid reliability.That way if late you decide later that
you want something else,you'll most likely recoup every penny of your
original investment whereas a new bike will lose at least 1/3rd to 1/2 of
its value just in the first year alone.

The Kawasaki's haven't been on the market for very long and as newish used
bikes, will have a higher resale value than some others, but all the below
are excellent choices for your stated purpose:

Kawasaki KLX 110/140
Yamaha TTR 110/125/125L (L model has bigger wheels and is taller)
Suzuki DRZ 125
Honda XR/CRF 100/150 (They also make a race ready 150R and 150RB(ig Wheel)
that are a kick to ride but would might not be a good choice for 10mph
putting around)

You could also look for a hybridized pitbike that will give you some of the
best of both worlds such as the one below:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/1971087703.html

Good luck in your quest.........be sure to check back in when you are ready
to discuss the options for next steps in your soon to be new addiction. :-)

KW

 wrote:


Yes, it will pull you along.  You really need to go sit on one before
going any further with this.  You're going to come close to completely
compressing the suspension on a stock 110 while it's sitting still.



The L will give you larger wheels and a front disk brake.  You'll get
a little more room between the seat and the ground, but the seat to
peg distance is the same.  Seriously, go sit on one.
That being said, I wish I still had my kid's old TT-R125 (same
class/same size) for playing around on.



Neither has much in the way of HP.  The 140 is probably around 9 or 10
HP.  It will have a real clutch and a 5 speed gearbox vs. an auto
clutch and a 3 (or 4?) speed box on the 110.  It'll have more
suspension, etc.  Both have a fair amount of aftermarket support, but
you can probably get springs more suited to your size for the 140.