RIDE REVIEW I 2023 KAWASAKI KLX230 S
P88
nothing you couldn't traverse in
a pickup truck. We were limited
to how much abuse we could
really put the 230 S through. I
did manage to scrape the frame
rails at one point but did not
ever feel like I bottomed the
suspension. Or if I did, it was
progressive enough to not de
-
liver a noticeable thwack to my
handlebars. We got both wheels
off the ground in several spots,
half flinching as I landed, wait
-
ing for the thwack that never
came. Shoulda' sent it harder.
Fit and finish are nice, though
nothing lavish. The LED lights
are another nice upgrade over
the standard KLX, as is the more
compact headlight mask that
doesn't look like a mini 1950s
television set. The streamlined
front end is a welcome revision.
Switchable ABS is another
welcome change to this model-
year update. It's quick and easy
to disarm the rear ABS (not the
front) with the push of a button
on the left switch block. But
it's worth noting that the ABS
is very natural feeling on the
KLX230 S, not overly intrusive at
all. In fact, I can't honestly say I
ever felt it cut in. But as men
-
tioned, we weren't going very
hard. Another nice touch to the
ABS is that once you turn it off,
it stays off even when you kill
the motor. If you turn off the key,
however, the ABS will reset itself
once you turn it back on.
Also new on the S model is
an ECU that supposedly runs
smoother and offers better cold-
weather starting. It is a little odd
Less suspension travel doesn't have
to mean less fun in the dirt.
