I looked at a KLX 250, Maybe I was expecting too much of it for a 4 grand bike. Between the CRF and the KLX they both have flaws, IMO they are just road bikes made to look like trail bikes. The biggest flaw in the CRF is the ground clearance (some 10 inch) and the fact the front forks can't be adjusted, the rear shock only has a little preload adjustment that's useless. Engine is sweet though. A DRZ400 with 17 inch super moto wheels on has more ground clearance than a CRF250L.
The KLX has no rebound adjustment on the front forks and it has no balls........... Better off buying an older better spec bike..
I went out with two lads on some steep rocky byways. They were on CRF's..My WR bounced up it like a kangaroo.... I think one of them burnt his clutch out and the other one got wedged on a log....
Its all about the bounce.....