REVIEW: KL250 Super Sherpa

just bought a 2003 for 1500 bucks, super excited about it only issue is a dent in the tank

I bought a super sherpa a few months back. Me being me I couldnt not modify it.
So shes been painted, tons of stuff changed or removed to go for a scrambler style look and make her a little lighter.
I pulled the airbox and rejetted the carb, wow what a difference. She pulls hard! She had enough power that I can sit up on the highway with no windscreen and hit redline in 6th.
So she does around 90MPH... I am thinking about changing the rear sprocket to get a little more out of her!
She will wheelie in 1 and 2nd if you try hard enough lol. Big change for such a small and cheap job.

I own a 2005 Sherpa... I'm at the point now where I could sell because I just picked up a left over 2016 CB500X, and the plan was to sell the Sherpa, but as you said, it's such a fun, good little bike to throw on the tight trails that I don't know if I could sell it now. Nice video, great bike.

It shares far more with the Suzuki DR650 than anything.

the video is great but that music is awful

This bike is a very high quality and practical bike. Too bad Kawasaki does not make it anymore.

I want one for less than 2 grand, i make 10 an hour, hate my life. peace

Robbie here.
Biggest Sherpa lover ever.
I should do a review over mine as well.
I have transformed my bike. I should share.
If I do... You inspired it.

most annoying music ever

I have a 650 I've had it for 5 years we've toured Europe as well as United States several times there is no comparison what you have is a starter mini bike something definitely not for long road trips day trips yes it has absolutely no suspension it has no speed and Power and by the time you're driving it you'll need it back surgery the krl 650 is like driving a Cadillac there is no comparison if you're hesitant you should have learned how to ride a 400 that bike is far too small for you you're 6 foot size 6 foot 6 ergonomically that is not the right bike for you. I just bought a brand new Triumph Tiger you're a big guy you would enjoy that bike immensely look into it.

i'm a larger guy. i built a 3kw electric bike that hauls my but around. but than i wanted something a little more. and i bought a used super sherpa off cycle trader for $1500. worth every cent! as a toy. it is a big financial pill to swallow. but omg. soo fun! it needed some TLC in terms of maintenance. oil change/filters etc. which normally wouldn't be a problem. but a nationwide air filter element shortage put a huge damper on the experience. had to wait months for those to come in. if you have this bike. i would suggest getting air/oil filters by the handfuls so you won't get cought 2 days until a road trip and no air filter like me.
a sweet bonus is it came with a larger rear gear. so if i decide to make this purely a trail bike it will give some serous grunt. but since i use it a lot on the street. ill keep the default configuration. i love this bike and wouldn't sell it for a cent less than i payed for it!

Well done,Ride on Brother!  Cheers;)

one of the most sensible bikes you'll see in the U.S... oh wait! You very rarely will find one here! Why? because they aren't a 1000 fucking pound Thing like the 650cc aircraft carriers that americans seems to be wanting, that they can't ride up a single track trail without whining like babies "Where the trail?? Let's get back to the fire road!!" Americans stopped asking for sensible dirt bikes in the 70's, when all these companies were importing the nimble and light 2 strokes. Americans allowed all that good stuff to go away! Because we have no sense here. And here's this sherpa bike which is pretty good... But should be way more powerful and fun than it really is. A rather dull little bike.. but maybe the best we have.

Badass Review Dude!!!!

Great review. Think of putting an exhaust on it? I wish my klr was 300 something pounds. It's to dang heavy but whatever. The xr650 is around 360 which isn't bad. But hell 265 is nuts

This bike is rare. I have 2 of them, one is in pristine condition with 1200 miles. It is a 2001, the only one with the gold rims. I'm looking to sell one of these. As far as I know, there are zero available in the US, especially with so few miles. Interested in buying one, send me a message.

Love the bike. Personal opinion only...absolutely lame music...

A comonsense bike.. and light. My only complaint with my REH is the weight. I don't want to be underneath 420lbs, ever!

"I can learn to do wheelies, stories, I can learn to do endos... "

this is a perfect little review of a bike that unfortunately is a rarity in the states here. Shame on us.

Great video, but before you smash your jaw, please move your go pro somewhere safer.

You have all this great POV footage of riding the motorcycle but the audio is replaced by music. This makes it hard to get an idea, as a viewer (speaking as one person), to get an idea of what the bike is like - which is your overall goal of the video. I know the music makes everything seem hype but it shouldn't take the spotlight. Just my two cents, four years after this video was posted.

Nice review. Please leave the music out next time.

You've got a blown fork seal.

I like that you tried with the music to make it better. However it didn’t work. Leave the music out

Good review made bad by annoying music

Just test drove one today. You're right about how easy to ride and stable it feels. Only gripe is that it is underpowered, even against a Yamaha XT250/Serow which gets up to speed much quicker. But yes, very beginner friendly.

Oh, and the seat is MUCH more comfortable than the KLX250. By a long stretch

Yes.. YES!! THAT is the bike for me! I've been looking for a motorcycle for a couple of years now, and last year I bought the KLX230 here in Sweden, and I love it. It looks a bit like this Super Sherpa. BUT would I had the chance to get this one I would, it just wasn't available.
Where do I buy this one?
I forgot to mention that I'm new to motorcycling, started only about two years ago when my spouse convinced me to buy an electric scooter. That was so much fun I had to have MORE, so I did, half winter and almost the whole summer last year I spent on doing my mc-endorsment. And today I am a legal MOTORCYCLIST!

I happened upon one of these and fell in love.
- Power-wise its exactly as fast top speed and accel as a WR250R. I tested this with my brother's brand new 2020 WR.
- I recorded a 90mph top speed when tucked in, 85 sitting up on flat road (I weigh 185)
- Wider gear range and 1 more gear than XT250 (im not sure of anything having a wider ratio than the sherp)

IMHO The Sherp is the best kept secret in dual sport, I've ridden a lot of dirt machines and never found anything near this effortless to ride.

I own one just bought it my first big bike I love it

Nice review but man that music was annoying AF

Nice review. Back ground music not necessary.

nice windscreen! I think i have the one and only in Germany, she came from USA to Greece and now to me. BUT she runns muuuuuuuch to fat. I need smaller jets, it seems she was built for Sibiria or Alaska cold...

Just paid$3200 for an 2001 with 1500 miles... Bikes are stupid high... 😩 Save that gas money

I just bought myself one I came across for a sweet deal, like you said, simple, easy and you can throw it around, I love it!

Where does one acquire one of these easily?

Good review! Can you remove the annoying voice in the background?😂 Please!! Lol

I have the same bike! Your tires look like they would work better on the street than mine. Do you remember what they were?

I’m about to swap my decked out 05 wr450f for one that needs a bit of work and you have fully convinced me to go through with it thanks from Tasmania Australia 👍🇦🇺

Do you have this bike in 2023?....Victoria, BC

Do you have any info on doing a kick start mod to this bike?

Looks like market value has gone up in the last 7 years.

The super sherpa is not rare, it is just a kawasaki klr 250 with different paint scheme and different plastics. The oem gold rims are want is rare. But that not what makes the bike. Again it is just a klr 250. In 2024 I bought a $1k 2000 super sherpa needs lots reconditioning sat long time. And i bought a $2k 2005 klr 250. They are the exact same bike just different rims and paint.

I saw they sell a 300cc big bore kit for this, I wonder how much better it would be with that?

Everything you said is true. Fantastic little bikes, and I have four of them, all set up differently. Best mod to do is to is change the carb jetting. They run way too lean and hot with stock jets. They have only just stopped manufacturing this bike and there are still a few new ones available here in New Zealand, sold as off road only farm bikes, and called "Stockman".

Always wanted one they are not easy to find!

Still riding it in 2024? My buddy just bought one of these

Any idea how it compares to the XT250?

I learnt on one of those. I always wanted to get me one but they're rare.

hey brother , can you give some info about the windshield ? I own a sherpa and i would like to put one