VOLUME 57 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 P99
KAWASAKI KLX230
T
he new Kawasaki
KLX230 is worth
mentioning here. Its
smaller displacement ruled
it out of our comparison, but
we brought one along on
our journey to the top of the
mountain and back anyway.
The KLX230 is new to
Kawasaki's dual-sport line-
up. Displacement aside, the
233cc Kawi shares many of
the same basic engine and
chassis designs as the XT,
via its electric-start fuel-in-
jected, air-cooled, two-valve
SOHC motor, and slightly
down-sized frame, smaller
profile tires, disc brakes and
conventional forks, which
are non-adjustable. The
shock offers spring preload
adjustability. The KLX also
has a low 34.8-inch seat
height and short 54.3-
inch wheelbase. Like the
CRF250L, ABS is offered as
an option.
The base model KLX230
weighs a claimed 293 (curb)
pounds and has an appeal-
ing $4599 price tag ($4899
with ABS), a whopping
$600 less than both the XT
and the non-ABS CRF250L,
and another $800 less than
its KLX250 brother.
On the trail, the 230 is
very impressive. It pumps
out 250cc-like power and
handles exceptionally well.
The suspension is quite
good, too, but suffers
the same issues as the
CRF250L—it's quite soft and
bottoms easily as soon as
the pace picks up.
When you're talking just
230cc here, it's nice having
the six-speed gearbox,
which better utilizes every
one of those precious cubic-
centimeters.
The bottom line? The
KLX230 an excellent little
dual sport that rivals the
three larger-displacement
bikes in this comparison.
It's a solid performer with a
small price tag. And not only
all this, but it's also a looker!
