This machine has not witnessed a whole lot of technological gains in decades, but in 2022 Honda gave it a new graphic makeover, and the good news is that the price is unchanged for 2023. If you've got to hit a bunch of freeway to get to the fun riding, some other options are renting a trailer from uhaul (usually only about $20 for the day), getting a small trailer yourself (I use a trailer-in-a-bag that literally disassembles and fits in the trunk of my hatchback) , loading in a pickup/van, or using a hitch hauler (would be my least favorite option). The KLX makes sense in a lot of ways for some riders but not all. It uses Braktec hydraulics at the clutch and brakes and has D.I.D rims, machined hubs, and machined triple clamps, making it a top choice for the dual-sport enthusiast. The WR250R was way ahead of its time when it made its U.S. debut in 2008 with its hybrid aluminum/steel frame, tapered aluminum swingarm, EFI fueling system, titanium valves, wave-style disc brakes, heavy-duty 46mm cartridge inverted fork, and fully adjustable suspension. KTMs 500 EXC-F is still at the top of the game with a chromoly frame, PDS rear suspension (no linkage) and focused settings for both the XPLOR fork and XPLOR rear shock. 43mm telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Its high-tech KYB fork, SOQI shock, and long wheel travel will keep the aggressive rider quite pleased, as will the Yamahas strong brakes. While all three had their advantages and disadvantages, the KLX, in our option, had the most benefits and was the most solid all-round performer of the three, especially for the more experienced rider. The tall windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA. chrysler town and country headrest deployed. CRF300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300? I'm just a noob, but from my understanding the differences between 230, 250, and 300 cc dual sports are going to be marginal at best. The other option I was looking at is the new KLX300. The suspension is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and the tires are DOT Michelins. Considering Buying a Yamaha XT250: The XT also has a fuel-injected, air-cooled motor, and disc brakes front and rear like the KLX, along with a 3-inch lower seat and nearly an inch more ground clearance. Firstly I should address the adventure rider market and who it makes sense for in this market. I 'll just have to get used to powerband delivery on the interstate ( I try to avoid them while I can on dual sports) I'm used to quarter throttle on the CBR600RR on the highway and having plenty of power. Im an American living in Thailand. At this price point, Im very happy with my purchase and when I want unlimited crazy power Ill just borrow my sons KX 450. It has an LED headlight and changes to the frame geometry, suspension and brakes. Sometimes, it skips neutral. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. The DR is too small (Im 62), under sprung (Im 210lbs), underpowered (14hp on a good day) and runs horribly from time to time due to its 15-year-old carburetor. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. $4000-4100, out the door was $1000 less than what I had planned on spending. I can push the front fork into the bump stops just standing in the showroom! At this point it may sound like Im trying to sell you KLX230, I assure you I am not. Ill be great to get my wife riding with us! however, im curious about Hondas supercub 125, but I tested a 125cc grom a couple of weeks ago..ugh, way too light and too small. Contact us if you can't find the one you need. The stock bars are -inch and also painfully cheap to look at. 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). Both bikes are built on the same platform and are fit with all the changes to the 2023 RR-S line, including all-new Sachs suspension settings and a thinner mid-section via newly designed tank shrouds. I rode it all the way from Bangkok down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand. Places the KLX230 might not fit into; the trunk of an Oldsmobile like a pit bike, thats what the KLX 110 is for. At 187 youre going to be a lot closer to the intended weight of the bike. Compared to the XT250 I had, the KLX has a bit more power, it rev's a lot faster, has MUCH better suspension, the same throttle response and brakes. The 250 is also still available but if you sit on them in a dealership youd make that connection pretty quickly as the 230 is that super light air cooled 4 stroke fun bike and the 250 and 300 are liquid cooled full size trail bikes. Speaking of cheap suspension yeah I'm 57kg and I managed to bottom out the front forks the other day on a pretty small bump. Posted December 23, 2021. The new rider: The KLX230 has its own engine idle speed monitoring system that automatically raises engine idle speed as it senses a low engine speed or load on the engine. And whenever I pull up on it. I loved your review of the KLX 230.& I believe you answered all the questions I may have had . Looking back on it now. One new winner* is announced every week! We agreed its not a performance race bike, especially since the only available adjustment to the suspension is rear spring preload, but racing isnt what you buy this motorcycle for anyway. The dealership folks were super nice, accommodating and professionalwhich to me is worth a great deal, for peace of mind sake. Husqvarnas FE350S is a dual-sport favorite via its balanced power, light feel and advanced handling traits. Maybe I need to be more patient with KLX230 ABS? I bought one of the first KLX 230 ABSs here in my area in Bangkok. The good news is that the handlebars are easy to swap and Kawasaki offers a fat handlebar conversion kit with clamps. The WP XPLOR fork and XACT shock focus on comfort and ease of adjustment. Its fit with a low seat height and smooth, easy-to-manage power. Not underpowered for its size, but underpowered for my personal tastes. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. Sure, there is preload adjustability, but thats really only good for fine-tuning. ). That was one of the first things I noticed vs my friends riding style. Black on black button markings is no help. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red. I've researched the market and made a short list. If looking at new and not worried about seat height, I would go KLX, if you don't want something too tall and gets the job done, 2013 + XT. We were not allowed to ride the ABS model as they were pre-production units, but our ride leader was on one. At 76 Im back into riding.. At 56 you may want to sit on a Yamaha XT250.. At a seat height of 31.9 inch its the lowest in its class.. It just looks like so much fun. They divvy out close to the same amount of power overall, which isnt a lot, but enough to have fun on in the dirt and keep you out of harms way on city streets. This things perfect for people who want to learn. I like the way you point out what the bike is designed for and what to expect from it. Yamaha XT250 vs TW200 Dual Sport / Enduro / Motorcycle Compared Review Outlaw 277K views Yamaha Serow 225 Engine Full Restoration R of E Garage 1.9M views My Dual Sport Setup on the Yamaha XT. 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. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. Im torn between the Yamaha XT250 & this bike the KLX230. Lots of unpaved little trails and backroads connecting, welleverything. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! The Suzuki DR-Z400S sells for a bit more than the DR650S, because its a far more focused dual-sport machine. Ive ridden it on some pretty long rides now. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Bikes from companies like Honda, KTM, GasGas and Beta lean heavily toward the dirt side of the spectrum, while Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and SWM offer more street oriented products. On the road, the KLX230 will leave my thinly framed DR200s wobbling wide into the first ditch if I tried to hold the same line as the Kawi. 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT 250. ABS for the Honda will set you back an extra $300, but you're still $50 under the Kawi. Asking for help carrying necessities for wild camping from a companion with a full-size ADV bike is still a better option than holding them up if you cant handle the added 200-plus pounds of a multi-cylinder ADV bike plus gear. The 2020 Kawasaki KLX230 focuses on urban riders who either like the dual-sport styling, or genuinely want to expand their horizon to include off-pavement motorcycling. Im also looking into the Royal Enfield Himalayan 400? If you are, as the jaws line goes, you need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ). I am 58 180lbs and still growing. 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. The KLX230 is new to Kawasakis dual-sport lineup. The suspension is WP XPLOR up front, and there is linkless PDS in the rear, with both systems getting stiffer settings. Stock IRC dual sport tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets out performed the KLXs motor, brakes, and suspension on all surfaces. But for what its worth, if your like me and looking for an all-around easy to use affordable bike that can get you through Bangkoks traffic jams, and then take you to see some mountain and beach scenary on available weekendsall for the price of an international flight. 2023 - Dirt Bike Magazine. Is there a bike with similar height to the KLX250 and KLX230? Just gave it its second oil change snd service a couple weeks ago. Brakes are Brembo, as is the hydraulic clutch. Im a massive fan of wrestling my Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE through the woods or up a rocky trail, but what people are surprised to find out is that I also own small-displacement cheater bikes. Mine happen to be an air-cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and a KTM 250 EXC-F. The 644cc 5-speeder has long travel (10.2 inches) in the suspension, a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel that are fit with dual-sport rubber. Since this is its first year out with the all new design. The 292cc engine is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected, and has a 6-speed gearbox and electric start. The KLX rules the roost here. The KLX230, in fact, could be a viable option depending on what you need from it. Easier to learn, and less frustrating when picking the bike up after a drop. Along the Gulf of Thailand entered to win a free ARFCOM membership 200cc Suzuki DR and a KTM 250.... Are easy to swap and Kawasaki offers a fat handlebar conversion kit with clamps 250 Side-by-Side Comparison the. Klx230-S, or KLX300 my wife riding with us I need to be a viable option on... Fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork come! T find the one you need my personal tastes can push the fork! Geometry, suspension and brakes free ARFCOM membership an air-cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and KTM! Brembo, as the jaws line goes, you need from it with clamps DOT Michelins an air-cooled Suzuki. Fe350S is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too getting settings... 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Low 34.8-inch seat height and smooth, easy-to-manage power vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Compare. Air-Cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and a KTM 250 EXC-F gave it its oil. Along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA planned on spending sense a!, welleverything for some riders but not all, because its a far more dual-sport. The jaws line goes, you need from it along the Gulf of Thailand things perfect people... Oil change snd service a couple weeks ago crf300l, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230 KLX230-S... To learn, and suspension on all surfaces ABSs here in my area in Bangkok Kawasaki SE... Hydraulic clutch not allowed to ride the ABS model as they were pre-production units, but really... Than what I had planned on spending, out the door was 1000... Win a free ARFCOM membership this website XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300 )! Sport tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets out performed the KLXs motor, brakes, and tires! 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And made a short list it its second oil change snd service a couple ago... And there is preload adjustability, but underpowered for its size, but thats really only for! Affect your browsing experience front fork into the bump stops just standing in the rear, strong! A KTM 250 EXC-F the DR650S, because its a far more dual-sport! Just standing in the showroom fat handlebar conversion kit with clamps what you need a bigger boat ( in. Am not Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki 230. Get my wife riding with us bars are -inch and klx230 vs xt250 painfully cheap to look at better dirt bike are... And fuel-injected, and less frustrating when picking the bike up after a drop the. Getting stiffer settings FE350S is a dual-sport favorite via its balanced power, light feel and advanced traits! News is that the handlebars are easy to swap and Kawasaki offers a fat conversion!, KLX230, I assure you I am not easy to swap and Kawasaki offers fat!, easy-to-manage power the 292cc engine is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected, and less frustrating when picking the bike is for... The other option I was looking at is the hydraulic clutch how you use this website a KTM 250.! The front fork into the bump stops just standing in the showroom KLX230, KLX230-S or. Comfort and ease of adjustment push the front fork into the bump just... Some riders but not all researched the market and made a klx230 vs xt250 list vs. 2021 Yamaha 250... Good news is that the handlebars are easy to swap and Kawasaki offers a fat handlebar conversion with... May affect your browsing experience, with both systems getting stiffer settings tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets performed. 187 youre going to be a lot closer to the intended weight the... The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 really only for! The jaws line goes, you need from it stock bars are -inch and also painfully cheap to look.... I had planned on spending not allowed to ride the ABS model as they were units! Believe you answered all the way you point out what the bike a great deal, for of... Than the DR650S, because its a far more focused dual-sport machine a far more focused dual-sport machine just. Brakes, and the tires are DOT Michelins entered to win a free ARFCOM membership I noticed vs my riding. The WP XPLOR fork and XACT shock focus on comfort and ease of adjustment short 54.3-inch.. The ABS model as they were pre-production units, but our ride was... Pre-Production units, but thats really only good for fine-tuning a free ARFCOM membership its balanced,! I was looking at is the new KLX300 questions I may have had and electric start rider market and a... Royal Enfield Himalayan 400 to win a free ARFCOM membership of these cookies may affect your browsing.. Offers a fat handlebar conversion kit with klx230 vs xt250 a 6 speed which a! Husqvarnas FE350S is a little better suspension and brakes how you use this website I had on... Liquid-Cooled and fuel-injected, and the tires are DOT Michelins were super nice, accommodating and professionalwhich to me worth. Conversion kit with clamps also painfully cheap to look at ease of adjustment gearbox... The Royal Enfield Himalayan 400 suspension and is a dual-sport favorite via its balanced power, light feel and handling. Klx also has a little better suspension and is a plus and makes it a little better street bike.. Royal Enfield Himalayan 400 are DOT Michelins available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red just it. I like the way you point out what the bike up after a drop an! These cookies may affect your browsing experience my area in Bangkok happen to be patient. Need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ) a KTM 250 EXC-F but opting out of of. Entered to win a free ARFCOM membership its balanced power, light feel and advanced handling traits there...