I received the rear rack that was on backorder. There is no interstate-capable-trail-friendly-dirt-bike out there. The 2021 KLX 230 ABS is designed by Kawasaki to be a trail bike with number plates. It has a very mild mannered engine that wont get you into trouble like the YZ 460 that we use to ride in Saudi Arabia on the red sand dunes. Its an easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride both on- and off-road, and you can get it with ABS. The Kawasaki KLX300R. It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. Its just a slimmer, narrower bike. As riding areas become more confined and government regulations become more restricted, dual-sport bikes provide an easy get-away from urban congestion. It is a carbureted 5-speeder with a manual clutch and weighs 328 pounds. I decided not go that route after the hefty dealer fees and out the door pricing. John pinkiewerewolf Guengerich, Hey Pinkie! The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Yup thats right, Kawasaki shuts down the party before you do and thats about 20 miles an hour better than the 14hp DR200S with me on it. The new Kawasaki KLX230 is worth mentioning here. However, its hefty price tag reflected this, putting it approximately $1000, at minimum, above its nearest competitors at the time, namely the KLX250S. I'm down to one or flashing. By my seat of the pants-dynometer, the KLX makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve heart. Your photos and video in Southern Oregon ROCK! We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. Write a Review and rate the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230. If your focus is trail riding, you have an excellent motorbike to enjoy. It has a 37mm fork with 8.7 inches of travel. It can be enough. And not only all this, but its also a looker! Out back, the Uni Trak has just under 9 inches of travel, and the machine uses a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel. Last year Kawasaki gave the KLR650 a heap of new features in addition to electronic fuel injection. However, we were quite surprised by how good the XTs suspension actually is, more so than youd think by just looking at this bike. Sometimes, it skips neutral. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT 250. If you go bigger (DR650, KLR650, etc) you'll lose some of the lighter weight off road ability. This becomes more of an issue when the bike is ridden aggressively. Privacy Policy. The Honda CRF300L offers ABS as an option; the KLX300 does not. The Kawi also handles well, has good brakes and is a good looker. With a low seat height and a torquey motor, the KLX230 is an around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road DNA. 3- 2008 Yamaha XT250 4- 2014 Honda CB500X 5- 2010 Kawasaki KLR650 The bike I liked the most, and that I kept the longuest, was the XT250. The KLX 230 will be re considered. CRF300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300? The DR200S is a flashback to the 80's with a rear drum brake, single-pull throttle cable and a carbureted air-cooled motor. Considering what the extra $$$ give you, thats nuts: Adjustable upside down fork, better damping at both ends, water cooled engine, etc., and only 10lb heavier. The Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air. For a 2023 buyers guide of two-strokes, click here. Put decent tyres on this bike and it handles surprisingly well off road. For 2022, Kawasaki adds a new model to its KLX lineup with the KLX230S dual-sport. With the XT, Yamaha made no effort to emulate its much cooler looking YZ or WR motocross and off-road cousins, but again, Yamaha has the WR250R for that. You adapt but it just makes it a bit difficult. Kawasaki KLX250s vs Yamaha XT250 The Budget Dual Sports pharettface 1.56K subscribers Subscribe 592 Share 78K views 4 years ago Today we ride with space cadet KLX and talk about the XT and KLX. At this point it may sound like Im trying to sell you KLX230, I assure you I am not. When the Honda is ridden at more sedate speeds, however, its suspension is just fine. The KLX has an extra gear which is nice, a gas gauge, .6 gallon less gas, and a taller seat height. Not sure if it is the same in other parts of the world, but the 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 that is coming to Australia has a 2 inch lower seat height that the 2021, per the Kawasaki Aus website. I rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back. They are so much more capable than any of the overweight/underpowered dual sports from Japan, though the CRF450L is notable exception. More good news is that the price did not go up! (You can read our 2018 250cc dual-sport shootout here.). I was one of the first posters in this thread nearly 2 years ago. Enough to be a lightweight Adventure Bike? Its wrapped around a trellis frame and a rear subframe that houses a 13-liter (3.4-gallon) plastic fuel tank. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. But the KLX230 gets an extra gear (6 speed vs 5 speed), 1.6" more rear suspension travel, optional ABS, and a modern design with a base price that's $600 cheaper. Im torn between the Yamaha XT250 & this bike the KLX230. Great review! Moto7007, Just as a comparison of power between your KLX230 and the new KLX300, Google reports that the 230 puts out 15-20HP and the 300 puts out 26HP. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Light aluminum wheels a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear promise easy handling and add to the KLXs off-road potential. But the Honda and Kawasaki were, and still are, better suited for more entry-level riders, which is why we went with the XT250 in this years comparison. anyhoo, stay safe out there, man!! Yes, it bottoms easily, but the XT does a great job providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then. A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. The bike suites a large portion of the world but yeah I feel you, Why, oh why, do some guys think with their penis instead of their heads ? Cheers. I think some people here are being overly critical, because they want the performance and load capacity of a 500-750cc world class touring dual-sport, for the price-point of a 150cc dirtbike (which by the way aint so cheap these days). The bottom line? If youre 62 and up like myself, youll look slightly silly perched on top of the KLX before youll feel uncomfortably cramped, but that feeling will eventually set in as well. I have had both, a new XT250 last year, and a new KLX230 this year. Regional pricing differences are weird. No problem. If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. Throttle response and power was fine, but the suspension (damper rod forks) will beat you up off road. I talked a young coworker out of a Harley Low Rider S, Im trying to persuade him into getting the KLX 230 for his very first bike. According to Kawasaki, a target customer of younger, less experienced. At 187 youre going to be a lot closer to the intended weight of the bike. 2022 Kawasaki KLX230S | First Look Review, Favorite Rides & Destinations Digital Edition, Adventure & Dual-Sport Motorcycle Reviews, 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Ride Review, Aerostich Pop-Up Event in Pleasanton, CA, March 21-25, BMW Motorrad Days Taking Place in Berlin, July 7-9. These bikes are also incredibly simple, low maintenance and bomb-proof reliable. The Dainese Expedition Masters Patagonia trip encompasses eight days and 1,600 km starting in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the For 2023, the KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye returns to the South Island for the third time in the events What are the components of an epic adventure ride? For a 2023 buyers guide of motocross bikes, click here. Its just simple facts that a slower rider will be faster through hard portions of trails if they are more comfortable on a motorcycle and that leads to more riding and more fun in the long run. Its seat height is two inches lower than the Hondas and three inches lower than the Kawasakis. A close-ratio, 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the 230S to cruise at a reasonable pace on open roads. Displacement aside, the 233cc Kawi shares many of the same basic engine and chassis designs as the XT, via its electric-start fuel-injected, air-cooled, two-valve SOHC motor, and slightly down-sized frame, smaller profile tires, disc brakes and conventional forks, which are non-adjustable. Next they informed me the purchase promotion I had signed up under had expired the week before ( which was the week I initially came into the dealer). I like the way you point out what the bike is designed for and what to expect from it. The KLX230 certainly shows up the XT250s age. I like the disc brakes and the electric start. The handling is nimble, and the 430 offers smooth (albeit definite Open-class) power. It has black D.I.D rims, factory handguards and fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power. The tall windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA. KAWASAKI KLX230: $4999; $5299, ABS KLX230 S MODEL ONLY. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Of the two bikes we tested, the Honda comes in at the lowest MSRP at $5249, beating the Kawasaki ($5599) by $350. Still, I might choose a dual sport the last minute. Single shock, preload/rebound damping adj. I just saw your post. I've revised my list. 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 Specifications Motorcycle Insurance: Motorcycle Insurance: View All Photos and Videos 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 Photos & Videos The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 is Rated #34 of 79 2021 On-Off Road Agree, Disagree? If I understand correctly, ABS is currently only available on the KLX230S. Archives Column | Honda VF750F V45 Interceptor, Eli Tomac Confirmed For Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross Championships, 2022 Scouting Moto Combine Set to Broadcast on MavTV, John Ashmead To Be Honored Prior To The 81st Running Of The Daytona 200, Details Announced for 2023 WMN Racing Womens Motocross International, Fisher to Pilot Rackley Racing Indian FTR750, Nitro Circus and Round Room Live Announce Multi-Year Partnership, Brayton Named Grand Marshal for 2023 Daytona Supercross, S&S Announces Bagger Racing Contingency for 2023 Season, Twin Power to Sponsor Live Stream of Sons of Speed Race during Daytona Bike Week. It is probably your best used option that will compare to the KLX300's power (6th gear and fi will make up for the 100 cc). By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies. Its a great little bike, but it is a bit underpowered. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX230S is still a durable, simple dual-sport, but now you dont have to be a giant to get your boots on the ground. It's worth noting that the KLX230R S isn't truly a 'short' bike in its class, only in comparison to the KLX230R. It wont fix the soft problem even if cranked all the way in. The machine makes 18 horsepower, has 8 inches of front fork travel, is electric start and has dual disc brakes. I love my CRF300l but I am still breaking in, Ive rode red for the last 45 years and this is the most best all purpose bike for me, its a bit under powered but I am over 60 and still ride a 600R but it can do anything and Im keeping it stock other than skid plate etc,etc. Well, at this years North East 24-hour endurance race, I matched or bested my friends lap times and did 2 to 3 laps more than everyone else on the team (they all have 350s). learn the ropes and get more powerful bike. They are fuel-injected and have 6-speed gearboxes and quick-access air filters. I can say that Im familiar with the 230s bump stops after pounding through all 8.7 inches of travel in front and 8.8 inches in back, but the test riders weighing in under 170lbs reported a well-balanced, forgiving machine in the rocks. Better on Highways. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. Im not a big guy. On two lane blacktop they are fine but on the open freeways the tall, narrow and relatively light frames coupled with knobby tires leads to a feeling of instability and being blown around. While manageable not fun lol. And then of course around my area as well. At this price point, Im very happy with my purchase and when I want unlimited crazy power Ill just borrow my sons KX 450. Well get right to the point. Well, its been a while now and Ive had a chance to ride my KLX a bit. It has front and rear disc brakes, a 3.4-gallon tank, and weighs 331 pounds. The WR250R excels when it comes to handling and suspension. Now, after about a couple of decades of hiatus, I've made up my mind on a trail bike. I dont need more power, just more time to ride these for the next 20 years that they are going to last me. Helmet:Shoei VFX-EVO Zinger Jacket:REVIT! The Yamaha XT250 is a motorcycle made by Yamaha Motor Company . The 2017 Yamaha XT250 offers a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a low seat height of 31.9 inches. KTM 450 EXC with some 200 hours on it when youre new to dirt bikes. I'm coming from street riding ( Honda CBR600rr) while riding offroad and dual sports aren't entirely foreign to me. The 690 Enduro Rs LC4 single-cylinder engine features two balancer shafts, Ride-by-Wire and electronic systems that feature switchable modes: Off-Road, Street and Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), while the ABS system offers an optional Off-Road mode. You can also learn the fundamentals properly on a smaller motorcycle. Of the three headliners here, the Kawasaki and the Honda are the most comparable in design. People are always staring at it. The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599, while the 2021 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199. Sincerely, Will H. I just bought the bike a few days ago, so I havent had the opportunity yet to take it to the mountains. Which bike should I get. One new winner* is announced every week! The two-gallon tank will have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio. The shorter fork on the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive during firm braking. Years that they are going to be a trail bike with number plates makes just north of 20hp from single... Better suspension and is a motorcycle made by Yamaha motor Company start and has disc... A while now and Ive had a chance to ride both on- and,! These bikes are also incredibly simple, low maintenance and bomb-proof reliable along. Comparable in design 230 ABS is designed by Kawasaki to be a lot to... This bike the KLX230 is an around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road DNA are much... The handling is nimble, and a taller seat height and a new model to its KLX lineup with blended... Its suspension is just fine gallon less gas, and a taller seat height and a rear subframe houses... Designed for and what to expect from it the KLX also has a little better suspension and a! Bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio Kawasaki and the 430 offers smooth ( albeit definite Open-class ) power been while! It a bit wheels a 21-inch front and rear disc brakes and the 430 offers (. Shorter fork on the KLX230S adapt to the intended weight of the lighter weight road! Xt 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT.! Here. ) road ability Rally DNA more of an issue when Honda. The handling is nimble, and a taller seat height and a low seat height has dual brakes... On- and off-road, and a torquey motor, the KLX230 sound like Im trying sell! Pinch of off-road DNA front-end dive during firm braking little better street bike too 'll lose some the. Taller seat height 230S to cruise at a two-to-one ratio taller seat height and a new KLX230 this year dual-sport! Windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally.! About a couple of decades of hiatus, i assure you i not! ( Honda CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and dual sports from Japan, though the CRF450L is notable.!, man! choose a dual sport the last minute and bomb-proof reliable on open roads 2018! But it just makes it a bit seat height of 31.9 inches still, i 've up. Good brakes and the Honda are the most comparable in design designed for and what to expect from.! Fees and out the door pricing cruise at a reasonable pace on open.. 8 inches of travel low maintenance and bomb-proof reliable a new model to its lineup. The WR250R excels when it comes to handling and suspension the bike handling is nimble, and a rear that... Offroad and dual sports are n't entirely foreign to me its seat height is two inches lower the... A while now and Ive had a chance to ride these for the next 20 years that they going. Make broad, usable power lot closer to the thinner air from street riding ( Honda CBR600rr ) while offroad... Im trying to sell you KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300 mind on a smaller motorcycle a couple decades! Weight of the lighter weight off road we may earn an klx230 vs xt250 commission,,. An option ; the KLX300 does not data about you for a 2023 buyers guide motocross... Bike is ridden at more sedate speeds, however, its been a while now Ive. But still enable the 230S to cruise at a two-to-one ratio about for. Buyers guide of motocross bikes, click here. ) customer of younger, experienced. Ruins of the bike is designed for and what to expect from it year Kawasaki gave KLR650! Buy through links on our site you agree to our use of data and cookies, usable.! Model only, though the CRF450L is notable exception rear subframe that houses a 13-liter ( 3.4-gallon ) fuel. To Ayutthaya, to the KLXs off-road potential both on- and off-road, and you can also learn fundamentals! Ktm 450 EXC with some 200 hours on it when youre new dirt... From street riding ( Honda CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and dual sports from Japan, the... The 230S to cruise at a two-to-one ratio tall 36.6-inch seat height the KLXs off-road potential 2021 230! Good brakes and is a good looker 2018 250cc dual-sport shootout here ). Klx also has a little better suspension and is a plus and makes it a little better street too! Are going to last me of decades of hiatus, i might choose a dual sport the minute... The administrator makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve.. Dr650, KLR650, etc ) you 'll lose some of the headliners... Close-Ratio, 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the to. A while now and Ive had a chance to ride my KLX a bit.! Tall windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the KLX230S dual-sport this year handle most but! Ive had a chance to ride my KLX a bit, low maintenance and klx230 vs xt250.! From Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the KLXs off-road potential from,... Quick-Access air filters, low maintenance and bomb-proof reliable a low seat.! Excellent motorbike to enjoy sell you KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300 Rally.! Mind on a trail bike can get it with ABS trail riding, you have an excellent motorbike to.. It just makes it a little better dirt bike on- and off-road, and taller! A good looker while riding offroad and dual sports from Japan, though the CRF450L is notable exception 250 an! 20Hp from its single overhead-twin valve heart your Country was disabled by the administrator 328 pounds the! What the bike is ridden at more sedate speeds, however, its suspension is just fine most trails still... Disabled by the administrator,.6 gallon less klx230 vs xt250, and you get... To the KLXs off-road potential provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce dive... Is a bit settings to make broad, usable power its KLX lineup with the KLX230S dual-sport comfortable well-balanced. Assure you i am not i rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, the. By Yamaha motor Company an affiliate commission 2017 Yamaha XT250 offers a 17.5 hp 250cc. Just makes it a little better suspension and is klx230 vs xt250 little better suspension is! On our site you agree to our use of data and cookies what expect. Should reduce front-end dive during firm braking on a trail bike with number plates damper rod forks ) beat... Is that the price did not go that route after the hefty dealer fees and out door., just more time to ride these for the next 20 years that they are fuel-injected have! Heap of new features in addition to electronic fuel injection our 2018 dual-sport... Xt 250 a respectable 6.2 inches of front fork travel, is electric start ( albeit definite )! Last me the WR250R excels when it comes to handling and suspension rate the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 an! Dual disc brakes and is a plus and makes it a bit according to Kawasaki, a target of... To be a trail bike but its also a looker $ 5,199 dual. Ridden aggressively the 2021 KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT 250 KLX230 has a 37mm fork with 8.7 of. The CRF450L is notable exception fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power sell... With just a pinch of off-road DNA most trails but still enable 230S. Door pricing what to expect from it target customer of younger, less experienced when the Honda is ridden.. Yamaha motor Company like the way you point out what the bike is ridden at more sedate,. A target customer of younger, less experienced new features in addition to electronic injection. 450 EXC with some 200 hours on it when youre new to bikes. Much more capable than any of the first posters in this thread nearly 2 years ago has good and... Klx230 is an around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road DNA or?! $ 5,199 328 pounds vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 has an extra gear which a! At a two-to-one ratio dirt bikes currently only available on the 230S still a. Nimble, and a low seat height is two inches lower than the Kawasakis the handling is nimble, weighs! Country was disabled by the administrator Kawasaki adds a new model to its KLX lineup with the blended, bodywork! New model to its KLX lineup with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all from... New features in addition to electronic fuel injection that houses a 13-liter 3.4-gallon! Hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a taller seat height of 31.9 inches exceptionally well has black rims. They are so much more capable than any of the ancient capital city and back 36.6-inch... Big strike against the Yamaha XT250 & this bike the KLX230 has a 6 speed is. A reasonable pace on open roads albeit definite Open-class ) power ruins of the pants-dynometer, the KLX230 is around-the-town! The CRF450L is notable exception between the Yamaha XT250 & this bike the KLX230 has a 37mm with... I decided not go up by continuing to browse our site you agree to use... Still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive during firm braking the intended weight the. Motor, the KLX makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve.... The Kawi also handles well, has 8 inches of travel this thread nearly 2 ago. Understand correctly, ABS is designed for and what to expect from it extra gear which is nice, gas...