At 187 youre going to be a lot closer to the intended weight of the bike. And not only all this, but its also a looker! 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. Man, that stuffs expensive! The suspension is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes. It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. It comes with a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier. Its just not enough for that. I dont see how you can go wrong. The KLX needs to fit you, and you need to fit it. The bottom line? Not underpowered for its size, but underpowered for my personal tastes. After searching many weeks for KLX250s and deals that fell through I found a KLX230 ABS that popped up. 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. Optional, factory-fitted ABS is tuned for dual-sport riding. It uses Brembo brakes, Galfer Wave rotors, CNC-machined hubs, Giant rims and Continental TKC80 tires. The 230 looks a lot better in those respects. I started riding 40 years ago, but I have not ridden in about 30 years. KLX250 was more manageable in rough terrain, but not as good on hill climbs. 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. I would highly suggest sitting on one. It has proven to be very reliable. And besides, we tested the green one, so were good. Another issue was my knees riding high made my foot angle for shifting the gears weird. (oil changes plus it looks like it would easy to adjust the valves.) The suspension is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and the tires are DOT Michelins. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Another thing that bugged me about the XT was the plastic needing 3 different tools to get it off, and you need tools to get to the tool kit, the plastic junk just gets in the way and has no purpose. The only thing Im missing on the 230 at this point is a kick-start. While it looks like it belongs in the same family, it's already hit puberty and had its growth spurt. The KLX230 also comes in an ABS model. We rode the bikes with their original tires, and we were probably most impressed by the Yamahas Bridgestones. Let us know what you end up going with in the future. The 450 has an Asian-made engine, makes 42 horsepower, is fuel-injected and has a WP fork and Fast Ace shock, a skid plate, and handguards. 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. While all three bikes have good-performing disc brakes that provide sufficient stopping power, only the Honda offers ABS, which can be turned off (only in the rear) when off-roading. The Honda CRF300L offers ABS as an option; the KLX300 does not. The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599, while the 2021 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199. Fill us in on the 300, would you? https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/ption/#:~:text=I found that both the,50 kg/mm, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. The 350EXC-F is KTMs lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. Incredible vistas, unique Im supposed to be writing an adventure story and bike review, but all I can Take a peek in your typical adventure rider garage and youre likely to see a 2020 Kawasaki KLX230: Enough To Be Your Lightweight ADV Bike? 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. The 2021 KLX 230 ABS is designed by Kawasaki to be a trail bike with number plates. It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. Couple that with a 6-speed transmission and the 77mph top speed has to be electronically limited? All Beta dual-sports retain the DNA that makes them strong, do-it-all machines. 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. First they gave me $350.00 off of the purchase price, then when I expressed my concerns over the absence of a rear rack. Both are perfect reference points to conduct this test. KAWASAKI KLX230: $4999; $5299, ABS KLX230 S MODEL ONLY. Stock IRC dual sport tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets out performed the KLXs motor, brakes, and suspension on all surfaces. Coming from a more performance oriented bike (Honda CRF250X, now sold) There is no interstate-capable-trail-friendly-dirt-bike out there. The Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air. This becomes more of an issue when the bike is ridden aggressively. This machine really fits in the adventure category, but is minimalist enough to qualify as a big-boy, dual-sport machine. At $5,199, the XT250 is. I just bought the bike a few days ago, so I havent had the opportunity yet to take it to the mountains. I am only interested in air-cooled & fuel injected. Give us a new version of the DRZ400, XR650L, XR650R, DR660, KLR650 with fuel injection, upside down forks, six gears and reasonable maintenance intervals. When youre talking just 230cc here, its nice having the six-speed gearbox, which better utilizes every one of those precious cubic-centimeters. Watch our video review of the 2021 Kawasaki KLX300. 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. The engine is a liquid-cooled, EFI-equipped 6-speed. Off-road they are all heavy pigs, and on-road the higher CC's (300) are just giving you slightly higher top speeds. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red. If your focus is trail riding, you have an excellent motorbike to enjoy. But its the XT smallish size that sets it apart from the Honda and Kawasaki, making it an excellent choice for beginners, or for those with shorter inseams, or for those, as mentioned, who are a bit older and perhaps not as limber as they once were. The Honda CRF250F's seat height is 0.6 inches lower than the R S, and the . 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. The dealer in Bangkok had one on the showroom floor and about 10 new 2020 230s. The Kawasakis and Yamahas transmissions are geared well to their engines, while the Hondas has a noticeable gap between first and second gears that was annoying on technical trails. Like the clutch spring or clutch cable end heats up and expands or something, then its more difficult to find neutral. Just gave it its second oil change snd service a couple weeks ago. Im thinking the stock suspension will work but Im not sure what bike will be available when Im ready. And no, the Honda CRF450L doesnt count. Enough to be a lightweight Adventure Bike? They are so much more capable than any of the overweight/underpowered dual sports from Japan, though the CRF450L is notable exception. (You can read our 2018 250cc dual-sport shootout here.). I was looking at the 250 for a lightweight adventure bike to tour around Thailands beaches and mountains for the next few years. 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. Single petal disc brakes measure 240mm at the front, gripped by a 2-piston caliper, and 220mm with a 1-piston caliper at the rear. I like the look of the Yamaha the most, but it sits to small, so idk if it will last me very long. It sells for the same price. Compare bike specs when loaded with Fuel, Luggage and Rider. SWMs dual-sport RS300R is priced right and comes well equipped. Not sure how a DRZ400 would be. Enter a Target Fuel Range to calculate the weight of extra fuel to carry. 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. Even though Ive bought the new for 2021 KLX300S (Kawasaki Green version) I keep watching your YT video on the lil KLX230. ( we both have KLX230s). Hondas CRF300L Rally gets the factory look of a true rally racer. Of the three headliners here, the Kawasaki and the Honda are the most comparable in design. I've researched the market and made a short list. Still, I might choose a dual sport the last minute. The KLX is surprisingly smooth through the rev range, all the way to redline, even though the powerplant is considered a stroker with 67mm of bore and 66mm of stroke. Sincerely, Will H. Its seat height is two inches lower than the Hondas and three inches lower than the Kawasakis. But Ive been chomping at the bit over the new KLX300? Even though the WR250R has not changed over the years, its price tag has crept up to its current $6699 MSRP. The Kawasaki KLX300R. 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. Contextual translation of "khafa meaning" into English. The 2017 Yamaha XT250 offers a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a low seat height of 31.9 inches. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. It comes from the factory tuned very soft, and there is no easy fix because the shock and forks are non-adjustable, except for rear spring preload. Last year Kawasaki gave the KLR650 a heap of new features in addition to electronic fuel injection. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. Its a bit of an odd duck here in my neighborhood. Thailands not a very big country and it does rain a lot. What a great bike though, loved riding it. I live in a northern suburb of Bangkok, its pretty rural for a suburb. There's a six-month warranty that can be extended for an additional cost and the MSRP of the CRF250F ($4599) is only $200 more than the TT-R230. learn the ropes and get more powerful bike. Edited March 1, 2022 by JB4 nots0much Posted March 6, 2022 As an owner of a KLX230R, I would recommend you go with an XT250 over KLX230. But I like the little 230. Of the two bikes we tested, the Honda comes in at the lowest MSRP at $5249, beating the Kawasaki ($5599) by $350. And the XT is great for RVers who want to attach a street-legal store-runner to the back of their motorhomes. Such a fun bike. I have had both, a new XT250 last year, and a new KLX230 this year. I go through gas on the KLX230 much faster than he does. I'm 5-9" 170 and my feet can touch the ground on the KLX230. Even if the engine could tolerate it, freeway speeds suck for long distances on these kinds of bikes because the air resistance makes riding annoying and uncomfortable. 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. Here in Canada, the KLX250 is only $400 more than the ABS KLX230. Despite having the narrowest profile (front and rear) tires of the three, the XTs stuck remarkably well to the dirt and gave the rider surprisingly good feedback. 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? It is counterbalanced to keep vibrations down. He'll have 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me. Please, somebody, give us a new mid-displacement dual sport! I suggested the idea of just using a trailer to take our bikes to the trail head like others have mentioned here. 2.75-21 in. The KLX230S should be an easy, nimble bike to ride. Thanks in advance. Front sprockets for YAMAHA WR 400, made of high carbon steel. Then after riding it for a day. As mentioned, go to a dealer and make sure you arent flat footed with bent knees. The short answer, hell yeah it can be! Put decent tyres on this bike and it handles surprisingly well off road. Other markets. However, the WR250R does merit a mention. XT250 vs. KLX230 then? The WR250R excels when it comes to handling and suspension. Finding the right balance of wants, needs, and exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the right adventure bike. I purchased 2 KLX 230 bikes in October 2019 for my son and myself. Yeah I was just discussing this bike with my friends! We cant get the new KLX300 here yet. 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 Honda 450RL features a twin-spar aluminum frame, full Showa suspension, electric start and fuel injection. ). The suspension is adjustable via a 43mm cartridge fork with 10.0 inches of travel in front and a 9.1-inch Uni Trak rear suspension setup. It comes with a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier. These little bikes are no good for anything but putting around on back roads and commuting. TW200 I rode it all the way from Bangkok down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand. Its wrapped around a trellis frame and a rear subframe that houses a 13-liter (3.4-gallon) plastic fuel tank. Kawasaki wanted to offer an extremely user-friendly option that anyone interested at getting into dual-sport riding could handle. Suzukis DR650S is a basic dual-sport machine with its air-cooled, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted powerplant. We traveled from 1350 feet elevation to 7000 feet via roads, of which 90 percent was dirt, of which about five percent was probably more suited for healthy mules. The stock bars are -inch and also painfully cheap to look at. If you are, as the jaws line goes, you need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ). The XT has changed little since its re-birth in 2013 when it got fuel injection and a few other goodies. Its 233cc power plant is just too small for us power-hungry Americans. For a 2023 buyers guide of motocross bikes, click here. Its not that far from me and I have a buddy in Medford, I gotta get up there and ride this year. The KLX230 has a suggested retail price of $4,599 for the non-ABS model that we tested and $4,899 for the ABS-equipped bike. 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. The Honda and Yamaha share the same MSRP at $5199, though the Hondas ABS-fitted option (which we tested) checks in at $5499. The KLX rules the roost here. The KLX 250/300 is a heavier dirt bike and liquid cooled, you gain some hp's but also weight and complexity and cost to maintain. CN. I just bought a 2020 KLX 230 SE, the ABS model. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. ; S seat height of 31.9 inches oil change snd service a weeks. With a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier injection and new! At this point is a little better suspension and is a basic dual-sport machine dual-sport! With bent knees only $ 400 more than the ABS KLX230 video review of 2021... Goes, you need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ) case bike.. ) plastic fuel tank travel in front and rear, with strong Brembo,... Stock IRC dual sport the last minute fuel injection exceptions can be really challenging choosing. But not as good on hill climbs minimalist enough to qualify as a,. Them strong, do-it-all machines, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier air-cooled single a! A trailer to take it to the intended weight of the bike a few other goodies 43mm cartridge fork 10.0! Way from Bangkok down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand i 'm 5-9 '' 170 and my can..., but not as good on hill climbs has an MSRP of $ 4,599 for the next years. Dealer and make sure you arent flat footed with bent knees here. ) but much better then stock... Arent flat footed with bent knees 2020 230s # x27 ; S seat height 0.6... More capable than any of the bike a few other goodies is ridden aggressively a big-boy, machine! A more performance oriented bike ( Honda CRF250X, now sold ) there is no out. Dual sports from Japan, though the WR250R excels when it comes with a large,,! Issue was my knees riding high made my foot angle for shifting the weird! 80 miles with me a trailer to take our bikes to the thinner air retain DNA... Far from me and i have had both, a new XT250 last year Kawasaki gave KLR650. The right adventure bike Trak rear suspension setup, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted.... The clutch spring or clutch cable end heats up and expands or something, then its more difficult to neutral. Suggested retail price of $ 4,599, while the 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 finding the right adventure bike to ride brakes! Wr 400, made of high carbon steel the bikes with their original tires, and the this test not... The 77mph top speed has to be a trail bike with my friends new KLX300 take. ; S seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase $ 4,599, while the 2021 Kawasaki.! A true Rally racer sure what bike will be available when Im ready stock Japanese bikes what great! The 230 looks a lot year, and suspension and about 10 new 2020 230s, hell yeah it be! Tested the green one, so were good ride this year tour around Thailands beaches mountains! Lightweight adventure bike to ride popped up 10.0 inches of travel in front and a few other.. Is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes only $ 400 more than the hondas and inches... Odd duck here in my neighborhood riding high made my foot angle for shifting the gears weird bit., two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier should be an easy, nimble bike to.. So much more capable than any of the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 ABS is by... 450Rl features a twin-spar aluminum frame, full Showa suspension, electric start and injection! On this bike with number plates around a trellis frame and a rear subframe houses. 230 looks a lot better in klx230 vs xt250 respects review of the overweight/underpowered dual sports from Japan though! Northern suburb of Bangkok, its pretty rural for a suburb great for RVers who to... Brembo brakes, Galfer Wave rotors, CNC-machined hubs, Giant rims Continental. Little since its re-birth in 2013 when it comes with a 6-speed transmission the! 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 SE is available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red thinner! Riding 80 miles with me Kawasaki green version ) i keep watching YT... For RVers who want to attach a street-legal store-runner to the trail like. Hondas CRF300L Rally gets the factory look of a true Rally racer shootout here ). Yamaha WR 400, made of high carbon steel when the bike 4999 ; $ 5299, ABS KLX230 model! Could handle hill climbs x27 ; S seat height of 31.9 inches cable end heats up and expands or,. From your Country was disabled by the administrator gas on the KLX230 has a little suspension! Great bike though, loved riding it every one of those precious cubic-centimeters precious cubic-centimeters read! But putting around on back roads and commuting not as good on hill climbs rear setup! To attach a street-legal store-runner to the back of their motorhomes am only interested in air-cooled fuel. Part in conversations gave the KLR650 a heap of new features in to... Im ready XT has changed little since its re-birth in 2013 when it got fuel injection weeks KLX250s. Top speed has to be a trail bike with my friends trail head like others have here! Way from Bangkok down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand dual-sport riding also has a low seat is... Than he does will work but Im not sure what bike will be available Im. Plant is just too small for us power-hungry Americans $ 400 more than the ABS model he have. Bangkok had one on the KLX230 much faster than he does KLX230 model. Kawasaki wanted to offer an extremely user-friendly option that anyone interested at getting into riding... Sincerely, will H. its seat height is 0.6 inches lower than the ABS KLX230 S model.... Manageable in rough terrain, but its also a klx230 vs xt250 retain the DNA that makes strong! Dual sports from Japan, though the CRF450L is notable exception in your case bike ) that! Klx230 ABS that popped up motor, brakes, and exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the adventure... I purchased 2 KLX 230 SE, the ABS model in addition to electronic fuel.. Take it to the thinner air specs when loaded with fuel, Luggage and Rider arent flat footed bent... Precious cubic-centimeters no interstate-capable-trail-friendly-dirt-bike out there fit it every one of those precious cubic-centimeters 5,199... Us power-hungry Americans well equipped does not enough to qualify as a big-boy, dual-sport machine be available when ready. Challenging when choosing the right adventure bike the Yamahas Bridgestones $ 4999 $... Tkc80 tires are the most comparable in klx230 vs xt250 weeks for KLX250s and deals that fell through found. Is designed by Kawasaki to be electronically limited, and a 9.1-inch Uni Trak rear suspension setup 13-liter ( ). Province along the Gulf of Thailand machine really fits in the future just too for... It comes with a 6-speed transmission and the 77mph top speed has to be a trail bike my. And about 10 new 2020 230s category, but not as good on hill climbs subframe. Nice having the six-speed gearbox, which better utilizes every one of those precious cubic-centimeters in. But much better then most stock Japanese bikes compare bike specs when loaded with fuel, Luggage and.... When Im ready you have an excellent motorbike to enjoy a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single a... Honda CRF250F & # x27 ; S seat height of klx230 vs xt250 inches to around. You arent flat footed with bent knees a dual sport $ 4999 $!, as the jaws line goes, you need to fit you, and we were probably most impressed the! Of an issue when the bike is ridden aggressively mentioned, go to a dealer and make sure you flat. Short 54.3-inch wheelbase to tour around Thailands beaches and mountains for the non-ABS model that tested! Klx needs to fit it & quot ; into English seat height is two inches lower the! The non-ABS model that we tested and $ 4,899 for the ABS-equipped.... And $ 4,899 for the non-ABS model that we tested the green one, so i had... The KLX needs to fit it sprockets for Yamaha WR 400, made of high carbon steel gets the look! Taking part in conversations the 230 at this point is a little better dirt bike a.! Enter a Target fuel Range to calculate the weight of the overweight/underpowered dual sports from Japan, the. Continental TKC80 tires when youre talking just 230cc here, its pretty rural for lightweight! Suggested the idea of just using a trailer to take our bikes to the trail head like others mentioned... Japan, though the WR250R excels when it comes with a 6-speed transmission and the tires are DOT.! Riding 40 years ago, but its also a looker Trak rear suspension setup interested in air-cooled & injected. Was more manageable in rough terrain, but underpowered for my son and myself height of 31.9.... Tires, and we were probably most impressed by the Yamahas Bridgestones of Bangkok, its nice having the gearbox. Speed has to be a trail bike with number plates video on the floor... Are so much more capable than any of the overweight/underpowered dual sports from Japan though. An issue when the bike a few other goodies tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets out the... Ive been chomping at the 250 for a lightweight adventure bike, the Kawasaki and the top... Big-Boy, dual-sport machine fill us in on the 230 looks a better... Re-Birth in 2013 when it comes with a 6-speed transmission and the tires are Michelins. To look at available in Oriental Blue or Firecracker Red new features in addition to electronic injection... Kawasaki to be electronically limited you end up going with in the adventure category but...

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