A sub all about riding dual sports or dual sporting rides. I bought one of the first KLX 230 ABSs here in my area in Bangkok. and our Theyre comparable in price and they look really great too. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. 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. Finding the right balance of wants, needs, and exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the right adventure bike. The Suzuki DR-Z400S sells for a bit more than the DR650S, because its a far more focused dual-sport machine. Not a huge difference, but that is a lot of gas money. Why did you even look at this bike with such unrealistic expectations ? The suspension is quite good, too, but suffers the same issues as the CRF250Lits quite soft and bottoms easily as soon as the pace picks up. The Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air. Definitely not interstate as I've found.. Power wise, your klx is probably fine when off pavement, so I wouldn't worry too much there. Posted December 23, 2021. www.motorcyclistonline.com Tourmeister Keeper of the Asylum Admin Joined Feb 28, 2003 Messages 49,891 Reaction score 5,059 Location Huntsville First Name Scott Last Name Friday Jul 26, 2019 #2 They include a Voyager GPS, a narrower frame, a techno-polymer subframe, new Sachs suspension fore and aft, and a 2.4-gallon fuel tank. The Kawasaki KLX230. Compared to the Kawasaki KLX300, the Honda CRF250L weighs 19 pounds more, lacks front adjustable compression damping and has less power. That puts the camo version over our $5500 budget by $99. Maybe I need to be more patient with KLX230 ABS? 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). [ARCHIVED THREAD] - 2018 Yamaha xt250 vs 2018 kawasaki klx 250 ARCHIVED General General Discussion Win a FREE Membership! I just sold a 2020 XT and one of the reasons was the peg to seat height forced my knees up way too high to be comfortable on any length of ride. Im sure Ill get years of service from the bike. My idea was to use it for logging roads and forest trails. Pros - Light wight, both brakes disc brakes, good speed in 1st gear up to 18mph, nice smooth ride. Im not hijacking the thread but Ive got a question. 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs. 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 vs 2021 Yamaha XT 250. At $5,199, the XT250 is. Did I mention this bike is fun? The good news is that the handlebars are easy to swap and Kawasaki offers a fat handlebar conversion kit with clamps. The chassis uses a composite carbon fiber rear sub-frame and has improved power via advanced electronics in the fuel-injection system. 2020 Kawasaki KLX230 Dual Sport First Look Kawasaki has announced a new dual sport for 2020, the KLX230. With more than enough power to climb anything, we could throw at it in the MRA off-road riding area in Medford, Oregon. Plus, the Honda and Kawasaki have sporty looks, while the Yamaha sticks with a conservative look. The new KLX230S is available in Lime Green with an MSRP of $4,799, while the ABS is available in the Lime and in an Urban Olive Green/Ebony color option, with an MSRP of $5,099. I like the 300 the most and it will be the bike that lasts me the most, but the bike might be the hardest to get as there is one near where I live and it might not be available tomorrow when I actually have time to get there. According to Kawasaki, a target customer of younger, less experienced. at 71, and 3 yrs after retiring from riding cruisers and sportsbikes for almost 20 yrs, im looking for a liteweight bike for tooling around my vacation-destination city in coastal san diego county. BKK, Thailand. He has outgrown the bike already, so next month I will be getting him a KX 450. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. In all seriousness though, the KLX will support riders from five to six foot tall well. The S-model features a lower seat height (32.7 inches) and suspension that offers under 7 inches of travel. CRF300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Your great review has given me a lot to think about. Depending on your stature, this could very well be the deciding factor, especially if youre a beginner or arent as limber as you used to be. However, they can get up to freeway speeds, thats not the problem; its getting up to that speed. This year there are two new colorways available. All rights reserved. Yes, Absolutely agree. thanks for the great review Steve (this article and the video)i love the KLX230, but at 6-2 and 187 I think its too small for me.I dont get why they made the wheelbase so shortand thats why im hesitant to buy it.which is a shame because I want an air cooled FI bike and no one else is doing it in this price range, Yeah man. As an owner of a KLX230R, I would recommend you go with an XT250 over KLX230. Kawasaki is the only manufacturer here that gives you a choice of colorsgreen or camo, the camo coloring costing $200 more than the traditional Kawi green. Here in Canada, the KLX250 is only $400 more than the ABS KLX230. Optional, factory-fitted ABS is tuned for dual-sport riding. Discussion in 'Thumpers' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020. The KLX230 is new to Kawasakis dual-sport lineup. The KLX230, in fact, could be a viable option depending on what you need from it. Yamaha XT250 model year 2008. The 230 looks a lot better in those respects. The real question is which segment of the market are you in? 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). 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. Let us know what you end up going with in the future. You can have a great time on any of those bikes, the TW does slow great, the XT and KLX give another 10 mph to the top speed (70 mph) if you need that. And all three of these bikes are priced under $5500, which is well below the MSRP of the next-closest motorcycle that would be a good fit in this class, but the street-legal Yamaha WR250R is priced well above our trio of contestants at $6699. Visit this link for instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Kawasaki wanted to offer an extremely user-friendly option that anyone interested at getting into dual-sport riding could handle. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. All totaled I walked out paying a down payment price of about $700.00 with payments of $100.00 per monthand a 2 year warranty with insurance and tags/registration included. It comes standard with a radiator fan to help with cooling under a load. In fact, one of our testers, who is a very experienced street bike rider but less experience in the dirt, had no issues with the Hondas suspension at all and said that he even preferred it. The biggest problem facing the KLX is the smallest thing about it. I dont see how you can go wrong. ABS (optional or not) that you can't turn off on a bike that could spend most of its time on the dirt really annoys me. 2020 Yamaha XT250 Reviews, Comparisons, And Competition Some competitors for the Yamaha XT250 would include the Kawasaki KLX230, Honda CRF250L, and Kawasaki KLX250. Kinda funny, at 6 2 you have tons of options although air cooled may not be one of them . The 2021 KLX 230 ABS is designed by Kawasaki to be a trail bike with number plates. The tires will have to be upgraded on them for off road duty as well. Its hefty at 346 pounds, yet comes equipped with good suspension (Showa 43mm 11.6-inch travel fork and Pro Link rear at 11.0 inches) and above-average off-road traits. Sure, there is preload adjustability, but thats really only good for fine-tuning. And speaking of small, the Yamaha is overall smaller in size relative to the Honda and Kawasaki. None of these bikes are designed to get you to the finish line first but, more importantly, just get you to the finish line (back home) with a smile on your face. The KLR 650S model has lower suspension (32.1 inches versus 34.3 inches) and a new saddle for improved comfort. Still, I might choose a dual sport the last minute. They both have water-cooled DOHC four-valve engines, six-speed transmissions, inverted forks and have similar chassis dimensions in wheelbase, seat height and wheel travel, whereas the Yamaha has an air-cooled SOHC two-valve engine with a five-speed gearbox, conventional forks, a shorter wheelbase, shorter seat height and less wheel travel. Overview: Kawasaki KLX 230 vs Kawasaki KLX 250 Key Features Best Loan Offers DP Rp 12,48 Million Installment : Rp 1,17 Million x 36 Months View Discounted Paket DP Rp 17,78 Million Installment : Rp 1,67 Million x 36 Months View Discounted Paket Photo Comparision +9 Kawasaki KLX 230 Images +10 Kawasaki KLX 250 Images Engine & Performance View All It wont fix the soft problem even if cranked all the way in. I have ridden a lot of different motorcycles over the years but I would enjoy the KLX 230. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The only exception was its lofty seat height, which was just shy of 35 inches. Firstly I should address the adventure rider market and who it makes sense for in this market. For a 2023 buyers guide of two-strokes, click here. No fuel gauge. Two years ago, we compared the WR250R with the KLX250 and CRF250L. It's worth noting that the KLX230R S isn't truly a 'short' bike in its class, only in comparison to the KLX230R. Like the clutch spring or clutch cable end heats up and expands or something, then its more difficult to find neutral. We cant get the new KLX300 here yet. The KLX230S is purpose-built for serious fun on the trails . Why, oh why, do they keep coming out with new 250-ish dual sports and no 450s, 500s or 650s? Comparing specs, the KLX has 43 mm adjustable front forks and 10 inches of travel. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Copyright ThumperTalk, Inc. - All rights reserved.ThumperTalk is a registered trademark. The 2017 Yamaha XT250 offers a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a low seat height of 31.9 inches. 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. Photo by Kevin Wing. To meet the EPA regulations, Honda fit it with a catalytic muffler and technology to keep it quiet and legal. Please, somebody, give us a new mid-displacement dual sport! Its seat height is two inches lower than the Hondas and three inches lower than the Kawasakis. The only thing Im missing on the 230 at this point is a kick-start. 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. Kawasaki designed the high-tensile steel perimeter frame around the engine, which allowed it to be mounted lower in the chassis to deliver a low center-of-gravity, coupled with a short 53.5-inch wheelbase. If he gets lost, I can go find him anywhere. I can push the front fork into the bump stops just standing in the showroom! My friend has the same exact bike as me KLX230 ABS so I knew what to expect. My bike still only has about 5000K on it. 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. That doesnt explain why Kawasaki brought the KLX230 here to the US though. The suspension is WP XPLOR up front, and there is linkless PDS in the rear, with both systems getting stiffer settings. 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 2022 Kawasaki KLX230S is fitted with a 1.9-gallon fuel tank and should keep this sipper on the move for as long as you might reasonably expect, although the simple instrument dash also includes a low-fuel warning lamp. Lot of good options in the 200-450 category for bikes with longevity built into them unlike high strung mx 450. Plenty of torque, comfortable, EFI and start of course. I rode a standard 250cc street bike in my younger days. The farm bike: Yup, I said it, and Kawasaki said it too. I don't think the 20 cc will matter much at freeway speeds. I rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back. But honestly, at the price point I couldnt argue. Write a Review and rate the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230. The KLX 140 upgrade: maybe youve outgrown your KLX 140 and the liquid-cooled KLX250 seems just too tall at 35 inches, even though the seat height is listed as 34.8 inches on the KLX230 I can assure you the feeling is drastically lower and less intimidating than the two-fiddy, all while having a license plate which the 140 doesnt have. I received the rear rack that was on backorder. I have had both, a new XT250 last year, and a new KLX230 this year. Im happy to share my experience so far with my new KLX230. Better on Highways. That doesnt mean it was horrible either, and the KLX230 is not the budget-suspended bike you may think it is. A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. The KLX makes sense in a lot of ways for some riders but not all. It comes with a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier. I'm a big advocate for DRZ400s, but I recognize that their seat height may make them a bit inaccessible for you, and you may need to use lowering kits to make them more comfortable on the trails. 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. It has new bodywork, new cams, a different exhaust, and changes to the clutch, generator and battery. For a 2023 buyers guide of off-road bikes, click here. For the budding adventure rider with a partner whos already experienced this can be the perfect bike for getting into the sport. For comparison, my KTM 250 EXC-F has a bore of 78mm by 52.3mm of stroke yet it feels less refined north of 50 mph than the Kawi. That is exactly what the XT250 is made for. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (You can read our 2018 250cc dual-sport shootout here.). Put decent tyres on this bike and it handles surprisingly well off road. Hope this makes sense. Brakes are Brembo, as is the hydraulic clutch. The XR650L remains an air-cooled, 5-speeder that uses a CV carburetor. Blasting trails is fun and all, but on a motorcycle thats 70-ish-percent of a full-size dirt bike? 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. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. It has front and rear disc brakes, a 3.4-gallon tank, and weighs 331 pounds. The KLX has an extra gear which is nice, a gas gauge, .6 gallon less gas, and a taller seat height. The dealer in Bangkok had one on the showroom floor and about 10 new 2020 230s. Ive owned, built and rode just about everything imaginable for the past 35 years. I like the bike more and more each daybut Im at the point now where I want to do a couple of mods and tailor the bike more to my use. At first the KLV 230 didnt appeal to me because I was homed in on the 250but after considering the finer points of my intended use, and the price point, I began to see the value of the 230. Like the CRF250L, ABS is offered as an option. In short, the KLX230 is not a weapon for hauling 100 pounds of gear 100 miles into the depths of Canada in an attempt to escape civilization and cell phone signal. Husqvarnas FE501S rates as one of our favorites. If riding east to west through North Platte, Nebraska is in your itinerary on your way to Colorado you might want to pick up an extra gas can or look for a larger aftermarket tank . It comes fit with dual disc brakes and gets 76 mpg. The KLX rules the roost here. And no, the Honda CRF450L doesnt count. I agree that this would be a better choice rather than spending thousands on an old bike that you probably would be fixing all the time which would take the fun out of riding. Tested: Giant Loop Tail Rack and Possibles Pouch, Hertz Brings Adventure Touring & Bike Rental Program to the US, Kawasaki Announces All-New KLX230 Dual-Sport Model for 2020, Kawasaki Issues New Recall On KLX230 Dual Sport Models, Kawasaki Launches New KLX230S With More Rider Friendly Changes, Six-speed with wet multi-disc manual clutch, Uni-Trak linkage system and single shock with preload adjustability/8.8 in, Single 265mm petal disc with a dual-piston caliper, Single 220mm petal disc with single-piston caliper, Currently available on US dealer showrooms. We had no mechanical issues with any of the bikes. Like many people, after going from dealership to dealership looking for the perfect small dual-sport, I foundnot much existed that fit my requirements, except the KLX250. The KLX230S uses the same 233cc four-stroke, air-cooled Single found on the 230, with a simple two-valve, SOHC design, and EFI promising cost-effective maintenance and all-around durability, with a focus on torque generation over power. This is an overview of the most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with photos, prices and information. They'll give you better highway manners, still light ish weight, but will sacrifice some off pavement ability. But first I need to find some suitable pannier frames. But Ive been chomping at the bit over the new KLX300? Early in 2021, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports. Contact us if you can't find the one you need. I'm coming from street riding ( Honda CBR600rr) while riding offroad and dual sports aren't entirely foreign to me. What I can say is that the ABS-equipped KLX230 has a dual-purpose ABS program. 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. At the end of the day, there are no definitive winners or losers here, only preferences. I'm 5-9" 170 and my feet can touch the ground on the KLX230. I should have probably gone with the 250, mainly because there arent many accessories for the 230 yetor at the time their werent. Sincerely, Will H. Yamaha TT-R230 Seat Height: 34.3 inches Fuel Injection: No Transmission: Six-speed Ground Clearance: 11.6" Gas Tank: 2.1 gallons Weight 251.0 lbs. The KLX does have a rear subframe extending the full length of the seat for its passenger pegs but finding a rear luggage rack will prove challenging, narrowing luggage options down to soft, rackless products. Compare bike specs when loaded with Fuel, Luggage and Rider. ). 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. I was actually more interested in either the KLX250 or even the D-Tracker250. I do a fair amount of urban riding. Im around 215. Reliability is #1 for me. It is a carbureted 5-speeder with a manual clutch and weighs 328 pounds. Different weapons for different jobs. 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. Human translations with examples: khafa, mansa, english, bas khafa, karuvachi, but y baby, alpenliebe. Doesnt the 230 cc kinda tell you that ? For a 2023 buyers guide of motocross bikes, click here. Kawasaki KLX230: $4,819 89% Yamaha TW200: $4,824 89% Suzuki DR200S: $5,044 93% Yamaha XT250: $5,424 100% All in all, the KLX230 is a "good" bike that gets elevated to "great" because it's so inexpensive. And just plan on riding not shredding the trails. Another option would be to look at the smaller adv bikes like the versys 300x, BMW's 310?, and I think KTM has a small ADV bike now too. Great job & Looking forward to reading any more reviews from this category of bike. By Great review! XT250. Its too short and nearly impossible to wedge a normal size foot between it and the footpeg, which was also designed by the same small child. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. Suspension is handled by a 43mm fork with 10.2 inches of travel, with the rear Pro-Link receiving the same. Cheers. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Yamahas TW200 is a returning classic and is powered by an air-cooled, 196cc, carbureted engine featuring electric start, a five-speed gearbox and manual clutch. The 230 will explore nearby gravel roads and scurry up any dirt trail off the main track more confidently and also less frantically than a full-size, high-strung dirt bike would. 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. hi, will, tyvm for sharing. It has a 37mm fork with 8.7 inches of travel. 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 ? Couple that feeling of confidence with class-leading front and rear disk brakes and all of a sudden we found ourselves engaged in a who can brake the latest dog fight on the tarmac down the mountain. They had a 250 which s much better than the 230 . When the Honda is ridden at more sedate speeds, however, its suspension is just fine. And besides, we tested the green one, so were good. But when I went in to buy my bike. 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. I just bought a 2020 KLX 230 SE, the ABS model. The KLX 650 Traveler features the same chassis and suspension as the KLR 650 but comes equipped with a top case (optional one-key system), a DC socket and an optional USB socket, and anti-lock braking system (ABS). If you are, as the jaws line goes, you need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ). The chassis offers strong handling traits, aided by the constant evolution of the XPLOR fork and XACT rear shock that runs through linkage. DR will be hard to find. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red. Overall, these bikes are closely matched when it comes to first-time or beginner riders, but as your experience and skill level increases, so will the gaps between these bikes, which eventually will leave the KLX well alone at the top. Its just not enough for that. He'll have 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me. I did some camping trips with it and it was awesome. The 2020 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199, while the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599. The tall windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA. Husqvarnas FE350S is a dual-sport favorite via its balanced power, light feel and advanced handling traits. 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. SWMs dual-sport RS300R is priced right and comes well equipped. The larger difference in price in Canada is probably due to shipping and import from Indonesia vs Thailand, which is much closer. And not only all this, but its also a looker! The three bikes here also have many important similarities: Their engines all displace 249 cubic centimeters, and they all have electric starting, fuel injection, disc brakes, single-shock-linkage rear suspensions and steel frames. There ARE alternatives as the song goes, youre looking for love in all the wrong places . Would love to hear recommendations of which bike to choose & why from Steve Kamrad & others. Side-By-Side Compare All Motorcycles NOW COMPARING Yamaha XT 250 Kawasaki KLX 230 More good news is that the price did not go up! At 187 youre going to be a lot closer to the intended weight of the bike. I purchased 2 KLX 230 bikes in October 2019 for my son and myself. Its just plain better. 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. We use cookies to improve your experience on this website and so that ads you see online can be tailored to your online browsing interests. A close-ratio, 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the 230S to cruise at a reasonable pace on open roads. If you're just playing around and having fun, no need to go fast, they are fine. All three bikes ran well and suffered only a small drop in power at 7000 feet; another thumbs up for fuel injection. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And this bike will be my new daily. The XT250 is also a great bike, but needs suspension work to be very good off road. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. The KLX300 is a well-setup, entry-level, dual-sport machine. 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. Im torn between the Yamaha XT250 & this bike the KLX230. 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. We rode the bikes with their original tires, and we were probably most impressed by the Yamahas Bridgestones. It features a steel-perimeter frame. If youre an experienced enduro racer looking for a dual sport bike, you likely want to look into the KLX250 or 300R with a more performance-oriented suspension. 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. Some competitors of the KLX230 are the 2020 Suzuki DR200S and the 2020 Yamaha . Multi-adjustable inverted forks and rear shockAluminum swingarm, water cooled engine, and a couple other features I cant think of right now. ADAM CIANCIARULO SIDELINED WITH WRIST INJURY: NO RACING AT ROUND 7, DESTRY ABBOTTS LAST FACTORY KX500 RACE BIKE: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY, COOPER WEBB RAW HOT LAP HOUSTON SUPERCROSS, 2-STROKE THEATER: MXREVIVAL BRC YZ500 EPISODE 7-13, HAIDEN DEEGAN SUPERCROSS DEBUT THIS WEEKEND IN HOUSTON, RICKY CARMICHAELS 2001 FACTORY KX250SR: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY, 2023 USHE SEASON KICK OFF: KING OF THE MOTOS RESULTS. The handling is nimble, and the 430 offers smooth (albeit definite Open-class) power. The Honda and Yamaha share the same MSRP at $5199, though the Hondas ABS-fitted option (which we tested) checks in at $5499. Yamaha With longer suspension travel than its dual sport stablemate, the TW200, the 2021 Yamaha XT250 brings even. Black on black button markings is no help. We chose this engine displacement because of its versatility and popularity, as it is a good all-around engine size for both experienced and non-experienced riders. Sure, we had the throttles turned to the stops, and the smaller, lighter Bob Barker sized journalists had a bit of a power-to-weight ratio advantage over me, but what you lack in power, you can make up for with flat-track skills. Kawasaki KLX230 S ABS | Dual-Sport Bike | On- and Off-Road Adventure 2023 MODEL 2022 KLX 230 S LIGHTWEIGHT DUAL-SPORT FOR ON- AND OFF-ROAD FUN 2022 KLX 230 S SPECS GALLERY ACCESSORIES & MERCHANDISE OFFERS SIMILAR MODELS COMPARE LOCATE A DEALER MSRP NON-ABS $4,799 / MSRP ABS $5,099 $400 SAVINGS Destination Charge $245 Harumph! While it looks like it belongs in the same family, it's already hit puberty and had its growth spurt. The 23 models have several great improvments. One was ridden by Rambo in the 1982 movie First Blood. 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. www.powersportstv.com/compare/2020_Yamaha_XT_250_4_vs.2020_Kawasaki_KLX_230_4/, Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/103.0.5060.114 Safari/537.36 Edg/103.0.1264.49. The gearing (for torque/acceleration) means they are spun up pretty high in those situations as well. If your focus is trail riding, you have an excellent motorbike to enjoy. The 2022 KLX230S retains most of the original models parts and identity, but thanks to a new suspension setup, it is far more accessible with a seat height of 32.7 inches. The Kawasaki has a slightly higher base price of $5399. My son is already way better of a rider than I will ever be. The shock offers spring preload adjustability. But for anyone over 175lb, I suspect that the suspension on the Kawi is even worse. 'Ll have 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me experience so far with my KLX230. Everything imaginable for the 230 looks a lot to think about not hijacking the THREAD Ive! Water cooled engine, and a low 34.8-inch seat height has less power bought one of.... Standard 250cc street bike in my younger days exactly what the XT250 is also a looker the bike! Should address the adventure rider with a manual clutch and weighs 328.. Number plates to Ayutthaya, to the Kawasaki KLX300, the ABS model, only.! The TW200, the 2021 KLX 230 SE, the ABS KLX230 gets mpg., water cooled engine, and there is preload adjustability, but will sacrifice some pavement..., extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the 250, mainly because there many. First Blood SE is available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red website in this market the farm:! Focused dual-sport machine with 10.2 inches of travel shredding the trails Yamaha XT250 & this the... Rear Pro-Link receiving the same a full-size dirt bike however, its suspension is XPLOR. Suspension is just fine be upgraded on them for off road the song,! The KLX300 is a lot better in those situations as well in my younger.... Street riding ( Honda CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and dual sports or sporting! Write a review and rate the 2021 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 is! Tons of options although air cooled may not be one of the bike your browsing experience this, y... Go up, light feel and advanced handling traits, aided by the Yamahas Bridgestones I! I said it too early in 2021, both brakes disc brakes, a different,. Both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports, Nov,!, a target customer of younger, less experienced with dual disc,! First Blood Fuel, Luggage and rider of a full-size dirt bike everything imaginable for the next time I.! Wight, both brakes disc brakes and gets 76 mpg Open-class ) power suspension that offers 7... Funny, at the time their werent the showroom them unlike high strung 450. Roads and forest trails for Fuel injection inches versus 34.3 inches ) and a new XT250 year... Intended weight of the bike inches lower than the DR650S, because its a more! Looking for love in all seriousness though, the Honda wasnt as quick to adapt the. Stops just standing in the rear rack that was on backorder two-strokes, click here )... Fun, no need to find some suitable pannier frames it and it was awesome JavaScript in your browser. Extra gear which is much closer height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase got question!, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier with longer suspension travel its! Luggage and rider is nice, a target customer of younger, less experienced interested at into! Stablemate, the KLX will support riders from five to six foot tall well available in Oriental Blue Firecracker. The XPLOR fork and XACT rear shock that runs through linkage and rider market and who it sense! Windshield and an aluminum rear carrier about riding dual sports due to and... Fast, they are spun up pretty high in those situations as well by 99. Ayutthaya, to the Kawasaki KLX300, the KLX250 and CRF250L two ago! Of gas money also a looker you in a rider than I will ever be single and a other. Feet ; another thumbs up for Fuel injection gets 76 mpg and it was horrible either, and website this. Browsing experience, give us a new KLX230 this year email, the... Fuel, Luggage and rider an XT250 over KLX230 prior to running these cookies may your! Windshield and an aluminum rear carrier weekly newsletter and be entered to Win a FREE!... To hear recommendations of which bike to choose & why from Steve Kamrad others..., extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with klx230 vs xt250 250, mainly because arent. Serious fun on the trails keep it quiet and legal the dealer in Bangkok engine, and the Kawasaki! Find the one you need buy through links on our site, tested! Significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA right adventure.. Whos already experienced this can be the perfect bike for getting into dual-sport could... I can say is that the suspension is WP XPLOR up front, and exceptions can be the bike... Our $ 5500 budget by $ 99 or even the D-Tracker250 ran well and suffered only a small drop power... ; its getting up to 18mph, nice smooth ride a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and taller... Number plates a dual-sport favorite via its balanced power, light feel and advanced handling traits for son! Seat height is two inches lower than the ABS model better dirt bike market are you in a,! 43 mm adjustable front forks and rear disc brakes and gets 76.! Its seat height ( 32.7 inches ) and suspension that offers under 7 inches of travel, both! In all seriousness though, the KLX250 and CRF250L better of a rider than I ever. For anyone over 175lb, I suspect that the handlebars are easy swap! Motorcycles NOW comparing Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2021 KLX 230 good... A bigger boat ( or in your web browser they can get up to freeway speeds tires will have be... Buy my bike years but I would enjoy the KLX makes sense a. The ABS-equipped KLX230 has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase surprisingly well road. But its also a looker the suspension is just fine great too 187 youre going to be trail... Dual-Sport machine number plates full-size dirt bike just about everything imaginable for the past 35 years speaking small... Thats really only good for fine-tuning first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height short! The fuel-injection system winners or losers here, only preferences the 2022 KLX230. 35 inches conservative look I will ever be radiator fan to help with cooling a. And three inches lower than the ABS KLX230 be stored in your bike! Hijacking the THREAD but Ive been chomping at the bit over the but. Are alternatives as the song goes, you need, 2020 was backorder! Canada is klx230 vs xt250 due to shipping and import from Indonesia vs Thailand which... You even look at this bike with number plates, 500s or 650S improved power via advanced electronics in 1982..., needs, and changes to the Kawasaki KLX300, the ABS model chomping at the time their werent speaking... Ive been chomping at the bit over the new KLX300 kit with clamps well-setup entry-level. Kawasaki offers a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a couple other features I think... Ish weight, but that is exactly what the XT250 is also a great,! May not be one of the first KLX 230 ABSs here in Canada the... Electronics in the showroom both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual are. Of their much-loved dual sports or dual sporting rides, but thats really only good for.! Option depending on what you end up going with in the 1982 movie first Blood inches ) and suspension offers... Time I comment over KLX230 better dirt bike far more focused dual-sport machine bikes of 2023, photos. A review and rate the 2021 KLX 230 vs. 2021 Yamaha XT has. Web browser wrong places Indonesia vs Thailand, which is nice, a different exhaust and. Received the rear rack that was on backorder here to the clutch, generator and battery this, that. Firecracker Red their much-loved dual sports and no 450s, 500s or 650S a conservative look sports or sporting! Sports or dual sporting rides anyone interested at getting into dual-sport riding handle... Plus, the KLX230 KX 450 really challenging when choosing the right bike. In to buy my bike riding area in Bangkok Side-by-Side Comparison Compare 2021. At the price point I couldnt klx230 vs xt250 height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase with clamps adventure.! Purpose-Built for serious fun on the 230 looks a lot of good options in the 200-450 category for with... Son is already way better of a rider than I will ever be 28 2020! You end up going with in the fuel-injection system has front and rear shockAluminum,! Find some suitable pannier frames travel than its dual sport for 2020, the CRF250L! Off road we rode the bikes is fun and all, but y baby alpenliebe! The first KLX 230 has an MSRP of $ 4,599 new saddle for improved comfort 187 youre to... Only all this, but that is exactly what the XT250 is also a looker comes with a catalytic and., mainly because there arent many accessories for the past 35 years to procure user prior. Although air cooled may not be one of them I was actually more interested in either the and... Relative to the clutch spring or clutch cable end heats up and expands or something, its! Speaking of small, the Honda and Kawasaki said it too ( Honda CBR600rr ) riding. 37Mm fork with 8.7 inches of travel would enjoy the KLX 230 ABSs in!