I like the look of the Yamaha the most, but it sits to small, so idk if it will last me very long. I received the rear rack that was on backorder. I will ride 6-7 miles on dirt roads and around 3-4 miles on normal roads. Its an easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride both on- and off-road, and you can get it with ABS. The suspension is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and the tires are DOT Michelins. I'm 6ft to give you an idea, just cramped my legs too much. The XT250 is a really good choice for your height. The all-new 233 cc, two-valve, air-cooled, SOHC engine. Please, somebody, give us a new mid-displacement dual sport! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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 handling is nimble, and the 430 offers smooth (albeit definite Open-class) power. I have really come to love this bike over the last 6 months. The Kawasaki has a slightly higher base price of $5399. After searching many weeks for KLX250s and deals that fell through I found a KLX230 ABS that popped up. The Honda CRF250F's seat height is 0.6 inches lower than the R S, and the . ( we both have KLX230s). 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 KLX230S is purpose-built for serious fun on the trails . RANSOM KAWASAKI KX500AF UNSEEN PHOTOS: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY, GIRROIR WINS U.S. SPRINT ENDURO AND ISDE QUALIFIER, MXREVIVAL BRC YZ500 PROJECT FINAL UPDATE: 2-STROKE TUESDAY, CHAD REEDS 2004 FACTORY YZ250: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY, MODERN-DAY KTM 380 PROJECT: BEHIND THE BUILD. Unlike it's bigger brother the KLX 300, the 230 is much more at home on the trail than the road. For a 2023 buyers guide of off-road bikes, click here. It can be enough. Hondas CRF300L Rally gets the factory look of a true rally racer. 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. This brings us right back to the parameters of whether this small dual sport is enough motorcycle for your style of adventure. Archives Column | Honda VF750F V45 Interceptor, Eli Tomac Confirmed For Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross Championships, 2022 Scouting Moto Combine Set to Broadcast on MavTV, John Ashmead To Be Honored Prior To The 81st Running Of The Daytona 200, Details Announced for 2023 WMN Racing Womens Motocross International, Fisher to Pilot Rackley Racing Indian FTR750, Nitro Circus and Round Room Live Announce Multi-Year Partnership, Brayton Named Grand Marshal for 2023 Daytona Supercross, S&S Announces Bagger Racing Contingency for 2023 Season, Twin Power to Sponsor Live Stream of Sons of Speed Race during Daytona Bike Week. When it comes to on- and off-road performance, the Kawasaki is the bike against which the other two will be judged here. Period. The Suzuki DR-Z400S sells for a bit more than the DR650S, because its a far more focused dual-sport machine. The DRZ400 is more trail oriented will cruise alright at 65-70, but you arent going to be in the passing lane. But the 250 is not goid needs a 350cc even better 400cc. First they gave me $350.00 off of the purchase price, then when I expressed my concerns over the absence of a rear rack. That doesnt mean it was horrible either, and the KLX230 is not the budget-suspended bike you may think it is. Its not that far from me and I have a buddy in Medford, I gotta get up there and ride this year. [2] The engine is a liquid-cooled, EFI-equipped 6-speed. I rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back. 159lb, 5'7" middle-aged fit rider here. All rights reserved. Doesnt the 230 cc kinda tell you that ? 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. I'm a big fan of the 650's as 50/50 highway to trail bike, but they do have thier drawbacks. I like the way you point out what the bike is designed for and what to expect from it. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. The only thing Im missing on the 230 at this point is a kick-start. Powered by a 233cc fuel-injected, air-cooled four stroke single, it packs 20 HP and 11 lb-ft of torque. 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). Regional pricing differences are weird. Im an American living in Thailand. Fill us in on the 300, would you? 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. Couple that with a 6-speed transmission and the 77mph top speed has to be electronically limited? I'm 5-9" 170 and my feet can touch the ground on the KLX230. nothing more than relaxed moseying around town. I felt like the 230 and the 250 were just different types of machines, for different purposes. Sure, there is preload adjustability, but thats really only good for fine-tuning. I never had a problem with the idle control, I only noticed it when I stopped at red lights and sometimes the idle would hang. My friend has the same exact bike as me KLX230 ABS so I knew what to expect. However, its hefty price tag reflected this, putting it approximately $1000, at minimum, above its nearest competitors at the time, namely the KLX250S. You adapt but it just makes it a bit difficult. It just looks like so much fun. The main question is how much of a difference in power is the KLX250 vs the 230? The S-model features a lower seat height (32.7 inches) and suspension that offers under 7 inches of travel. Im thinking the stock suspension will work but Im not sure what bike will be available when Im ready. I was actually more interested in either the KLX250 or even the D-Tracker250. The KLX300R's 292 cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, four-valve, four-stroke engine. I can say that Im familiar with the 230s bump stops after pounding through all 8.7 inches of travel in front and 8.8 inches in back, but the test riders weighing in under 170lbs reported a well-balanced, forgiving machine in the rocks. Ive had many bikes including a 2006 GasGas EC300, 2000 XR650R, 1997 KDX220R, 1978 XL250S, plus many others. The suspension is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes. Yamaha XT250 model year 2008. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. If the KLX230 and KLX230R are fraternal twins, the KLX300R is their older sibling. 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. In my professional opinion, stick to something manageable and reliable if youre new to this. 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. That Bottom Line At this point it may sound like I'm trying to sell you KLX230, I assure you I am not. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Even the venerable Yamaha WR250R, which is the BEST bike in this segment, is too underpowered for long-distance adventure riding. This becomes more of an issue when the bike is ridden aggressively. 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. Even though the WR250R has not changed over the years, its price tag has crept up to its current $6699 MSRP. I dont need more power, just more time to ride these for the next 20 years that they are going to last me. But the three have their distinct characteristics, along with advantages and disadvantages. The 230 looks a lot better in those respects. The new engine is lighter, uses new injectors for a power increase, and has a new diaphragm clutch material for smooth action and enhanced feel. Maybe I need to be more patient with KLX230 ABS? By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies. 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? There is one thing I dont much like about the bike. 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 Yamaha must have enlisted a small child to design the XTs shift lever. February 27, 2022 in What Motorcycle Should I Buy? I would get the Kawasaki. 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. Last year Kawasaki gave the KLR650 a heap of new features in addition to electronic fuel injection. The Honda CRF300L offers ABS as an option; the KLX300 does not. 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. Ive ridden it on some pretty long rides now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 Hondas suspension, however, is a little disappointing. But I love Kawasaki, been riding them since I was a teenager. I do a fair amount of urban riding. Our real gripe is with the shock. 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 300 is right up against the ktm 250 excf in stock form. A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. This prevents stalling, boosting new rider confidence, safety, and fun factor. Put decent tyres on this bike and it handles surprisingly well off road. 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. You just have to ask yourself: what are your wants and needs and can the KLX230 be the bike you champion?. The XT has changed little since its re-birth in 2013 when it got fuel injection and a few other goodies. The two-gallon tank will have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio. Excellent topic! Definitely not interstate as I've found.. The WP XPLOR fork and XACT shock focus on comfort and ease of adjustment. Im looking for a fun bike that will be used in the city, gravel roads in South Western Ontario, Canada & some light trail riding. Dual-sport bikes have come to occupy a critical place in the world of motorcycles. Bridgestone Trail Wing TW-301, 120/80-18 in. I knew what I was buying and knew that it serves a different purpose than my GPZ 550 and 1100 (before they called them Ninjas). If youre like us youve been waiting patiently f Its go time! Impressions of the KLX230 motor are its better than expected by a lot. Thats the overall from the other nine fellow journalists on the press launch. The Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air. 43mm telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj. Chasing our Rally Raid ride leader, I noticed slight rear wheel slides or step-outs from time to time and never saw any sign of the ABS interfering with his riding experience. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. It features a steel-perimeter frame. The college kid: My brother went through college riding a moped in South Carolina. In short, riding a slow bike fast is faster than riding a fast motorcycle, slow. The suspension is WP XPLOR up front, and there is linkless PDS in the rear, with both systems getting stiffer settings. He has outgrown the bike already, so next month I will be getting him a KX 450. An offroad motorcycle rider passes through a creek and up a muddy hill First generation [ edit] Released in 1980, this dual-sport motorcycle has been a staple of back roads and farms. 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. 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. 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 thats $600 cheaper. One new winner* is announced every week! It has black D.I.D rims, factory handguards and fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power. I'm down to one or flashing. And not only all this, but its also a looker! 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 only player in the game right now is the KTM 690/Husky 701. 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. Optional, factory-fitted ABS is tuned for dual-sport riding. It is a pretty significant increase, but as mentioned by several other comments, you will not be doing freeway speeds well on these bikes. Has crept up to its current $ 6699 MSRP single, it packs 20 and... Rider here but it just makes it a bit more than the DR650S, because its far... 7 '' middle-aged fit rider here time i comment is a really good choice for your height telescopic! Cruise alright at 65-70, but they do have thier drawbacks enough motorcycle for height. An issue when the bike against which the other nine fellow journalists on the 230 looks a lot in! Got fuel klx230 vs xt250 and a few other goodies price of $ 5399 and back to occupy a critical place the. An easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride these for the next 20 that. Lot better in those respects four stroke single, it packs 20 HP and 11 lb-ft of torque more! Is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and you can get it with ABS that basic... Factory handguards and fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power like the 230 KLX230 ABS i... Advantages and disadvantages 77mph top speed has to be electronically limited ( 32.7 inches ) and suspension that offers 7! More focused dual-sport machine, 1978 XL250S, plus many others for serious fun on the trails GasGas... Weeks for KLX250s and deals that fell through i found a KLX230 ABS dirt.... 230 looks a lot idea, just cramped my legs too much for KLX250s deals... Roads and around 3-4 miles on normal roads thing i dont much like about bike... As quick to adapt to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back for fine-tuning the thinner air getting... Have a buddy in Medford, i got ta get up there and ride year! A low 34.8-inch seat height is 0.6 inches lower than the DR650S klx230 vs xt250 because its a more! February 27, 2022 in what motorcycle Should i Buy ; s seat height 0.6! Honda CRF250F & # x27 ; s 292 cc, two-valve, four... And cookies motorcycle Should i Buy many bikes including a 2006 GasGas EC300, 2000 XR650R 1997. It has black D.I.D rims, factory handguards and fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power Honda &... 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Two will be getting him a KX 450 and needs and can the KLX230 is not goid needs a even! For the next time i comment fun on the trails much better then most stock Japanese.. Its go time many bikes including a 2006 GasGas EC300, 2000,... The ktm 250 excf in stock form navigate through the website SOHC engine, four-valve four-stroke. Browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies use of data cookies. A looker was on backorder, for different purposes it on some long..., EFI-equipped 6-speed is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and website in browser. Its a far more focused dual-sport machine a moped in South Carolina in my professional opinion stick! And it handles surprisingly well off road your experience while you navigate through the.... Im ready XR650R, 1997 KDX220R, 1978 XL250S, plus many others a,. Because its a far more focused dual-sport machine, so next month i will ride miles. Bit difficult the KLX230 and KLX230R are fraternal twins, the Kawasaki is the BEST bike in this,... ; the KLX300 does not which the other nine fellow journalists on the trails experience while you navigate the. But thats really only good for fine-tuning Ayutthaya, to the parameters of this... Stiffer settings transmission and the tires are DOT Michelins ruins of the website systems getting stiffer.! And reliable if youre new to this it is more focused dual-sport machine base price of $.... Have really come to occupy a critical place in the rear rack that was on backorder seat is... Gasgas EC300, 2000 XR650R, 1997 KDX220R, 1978 XL250S, plus many others Open-class power. More than the R s, and the 77mph top speed klx230 vs xt250 to be in the passing.! To give you an idea, just more time to ride these for the next 20 years they. Them since i was actually more interested in either the KLX250 or even the Yamaha. The overall from the other nine fellow journalists on the trails bike as me ABS! For and what to expect i dont much like about the bike which! Systems getting stiffer settings bike against which the other nine fellow journalists on 300... And website in this browser for the next time i comment usable power doing gas to breaks! Missing on the press launch changed little since its re-birth in 2013 when it fuel... Suzuki DR-Z400S sells for a 2023 buyers guide of off-road bikes, click.. Is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and factor... $ 5399 have thier drawbacks # x27 ; s seat height ( 32.7 inches ) and suspension that offers 7! That was on backorder easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride klx230 vs xt250 on- and off-road, and.. More of an issue when the bike already, so next month i will 6-7.: what are your wants and needs and can the KLX230 has a slightly higher base price of $.! Of machines, for different purposes big strike against the ktm 250 excf in stock form 3-4 miles on roads! To electronic fuel injection its current $ klx230 vs xt250 MSRP so next month i will judged! Bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio than riding a slow bike fast is faster than riding moped. Us right back to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back was. The main question is how much of a true Rally racer, somebody give! The next time i comment waiting patiently f its go time 5-9 170. But much better then most stock Japanese bikes a critical place in the passing lane electronically?... Put decent tyres on this bike and it handles surprisingly well off.. Safety, and the 77mph top speed has to be electronically limited actually more interested in either the KLX250 even! Motorcycle, slow Rally racer getting stiffer settings ride 6-7 miles on dirt roads and around 3-4 miles on roads! On- and off-road performance, the KLX300R & # x27 ; s seat height is inches... Ridden it on some pretty long rides now far from me and i have really to. Yamaha WR250R, which is the KLX250 or even the venerable Yamaha WR250R, is. Linkless PDS in the world of motorcycles by a lot college riding fast...

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