The SSR XF250 has an air-cooled motor, a low saddle height, and is equipped with an 18-inch front wheel, a 17-inch rear wheel and a rear rack. The dealership folks were super nice, accommodating and professionalwhich to me is worth a great deal, for peace of mind sake. Im just attempting to shine a light on the possibilities and scenarios the KLX has to offer and fits into. Im not hijacking the thread but Ive got a question. HONDA CRF300L RALLY: $5999, ABS MODEL; $6399, 2022 MODEL. Great review! February 27, 2022 in What Motorcycle Should I Buy? Its wrapped around a trellis frame and a rear subframe that houses a 13-liter (3.4-gallon) plastic fuel tank. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. It comes with a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier. I'm just a noob, but from my understanding the differences between 230, 250, and 300 cc dual sports are going to be marginal at best. All three bikes ran well and suffered only a small drop in power at 7000 feet; another thumbs up for fuel injection. Helmet:Shoei VFX-EVO Zinger Jacket:REVIT! The Yamaha surprised us the most. Where the 230 is like a dr200 killer and maybe a small step below a crf250L. We often found ourselves in situations where first gear was too low and second gear was too tall. Finding the right balance of wants, needs, and exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the right adventure bike. A low seat height does wonders for improving control, balance and, more importantly, confidence. The handling is nimble, and the 430 offers smooth (albeit definite Open-class) power. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. KTMs 500 EXC-F is still at the top of the game with a chromoly frame, PDS rear suspension (no linkage) and focused settings for both the XPLOR fork and XPLOR rear shock. 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. A revised rear shock, also shorter with a stiffer spring rate provides 6.6 (down from 8.8) inches of travel that Kawasaki says improves handling and bump absorption. I don't think the 20 cc will matter much at freeway speeds. Having a low cost of entry, a light curb weight of 291 pounds, an extremely low center of gravity, and rock-solid reliability (not carbureted) youll be riding more and death gripping your bars less. How about a little competition? Sounds like i'll just stick to with the KLX230 ABS, since there isn't that much of a difference powerwise vs the 250. I really wish it had one. without gear. Braking is via dual disc systems, and the fuel tank totes 2.6 gallons of fuel. The KLX250 had MUCH better suspension than the CRF250L and it appears that while Honda has added travel front and rear, it's still budget, basement non-adjustable suspension that frankly, isn't up to snuff for any serious off roading. And not only all this, but its also a looker! ). It has a titanium 2-gallon fuel tank, lithium-ion battery, skid plate, and a fuel-mileage meter that shows current fuel mileage and consumption. Designed to appeal to novice riders on a budget or experienced riders looking for a lightweight, dual-sport machine, Kawasaki first released the KLX230 in 2020, and in most aspects, it lived up to its design goals. 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. 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. 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. The 500 uses a diaphragm clutch for a lighter pull and better feel, Nissin brakes, Maxxis DOT-legal tires, CNC-machined triple clamps, and a push-button removable saddle. 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. Up front, the 41mm fork has just under 8.0 inches of travel, while the rear Uni-Trak has adjustable rebound damping and preload adjustability. I did some camping trips with it and it was awesome. Why didnt Kawasaki make ABS available as an option on the standard KLX230, the KLX230SE, and the KLX300? Im also looking into the Royal Enfield Himalayan 400? Ive ridden it on some pretty long rides now. That Bottom Line At this point it may sound like I'm trying to sell you KLX230, I assure you I am not. Yamaha XT250 model year 2008. As far as size Im 58 about 175 lbs. A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. At 76 Im back into riding.. At 56 you may want to sit on a Yamaha XT250.. At a seat height of 31.9 inch its the lowest in its class.. 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. Posted December 23, 2021. So the 230 is not meant to compete with the 250 or the new klx300r. 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. 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. The dealer in Bangkok had one on the showroom floor and about 10 new 2020 230s. Its 233cc power plant is just too small for us power-hungry Americans. Yamahas 250cc dual-sport model, the XT250, is a budget-friendly machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 5-speed powerplant. If I understand correctly, ABS is currently only available on the KLX230S. Just gave it its second oil change snd service a couple weeks ago. The all-new 233 cc, two-valve, air-cooled, SOHC engine. Even though the WR250R has not changed over the years, its price tag has crept up to its current $6699 MSRP. Its just a slimmer, narrower bike. If you can try to get a ride in one. 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. 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 Specifications Motorcycle Insurance: Motorcycle Insurance: View All Photos and Videos 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 Photos & Videos The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 is Rated #34 of 79 2021 On-Off Road Agree, Disagree? The farm bike: Yup, I said it, and Kawasaki said it too. 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. Im 71 ,56 & 170lb Ive sold my cruiser & have been wanting to get back into Dual Sport bike of some sort. Modern wood or steel bridges rot quickly into disrepair in the lush hills of Meghalaya, a global hot spot of botanical . It is counterbalanced to keep vibrations down. We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. Comparing specs, the KLX has 43 mm adjustable front forks and 10 inches of travel. A close-ratio, 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the 230S to cruise at a reasonable pace on open roads. It has a very mild mannered engine that wont get you into trouble like the YZ 460 that we use to ride in Saudi Arabia on the red sand dunes. Reviving this thread since I'm in the market for one of these bikes. 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. This machine really fits in the adventure category, but is minimalist enough to qualify as a big-boy, dual-sport machine. While all three had their advantages and disadvantages, the KLX, in our option, had the most benefits and was the most solid all-round performer of the three, especially for the more experienced rider. The bottom line? 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. Powered by a 233cc fuel-injected, air-cooled four stroke single, it packs 20 HP and 11 lb-ft of torque. Enough to be a lightweight Adventure Bike? The suspension is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The WR, however, doesnt have a huge advantage when it comes to power over the other bikes, even the XT250, but the WR is still the bike for more hard-core dual-sporters shopping in the quarter-liter category. Yeah I was just discussing this bike with my friends! Im an American living in Thailand. It is a beautiful bike. It can be enough. It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. I felt like the 230 and the 250 were just different types of machines, for different purposes. Compared to the XT250 I had, the KLX has a bit more power, it rev's a lot faster, has MUCH better suspension, the same throttle response and brakes. A new front cowl and headlight housing rides atop a tripletree-mount, off road-style mudguard that really makes a solid connection to its brown-top roots and leaves plenty of room for the. The 350EXC-F is KTMs lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine. The Kawi also handles well, has good brakes and is a good looker. Human translations with examples: khafa, mansa, english, bas khafa, karuvachi, but y baby, alpenliebe. Im 510 with boots on, and 185 lbs. 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. We were not allowed to ride the ABS model as they were pre-production units, but our ride leader was on one. CRF300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300? These cookies do not store any personal information. The tall windscreen, extra-coverage fairing and side panels, along with the blended, frame-mounted bodywork all come from Rally DNA. Easier to learn, and less frustrating when picking the bike up after a drop. Its time is up. Not so sure about TW, completely a different breed. Contact us if you can't find the one you need. Here in Canada, the KLX250 is only $400 more than the ABS KLX230. The WP XPLOR fork and XACT shock focus on comfort and ease of adjustment. Two years ago, we compared the WR250R with the KLX250 and CRF250L. 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. It uses Brembo brakes, Galfer Wave rotors, CNC-machined hubs, Giant rims and Continental TKC80 tires. Even the venerable Yamaha WR250R, which is the BEST bike in this segment, is too underpowered for long-distance adventure riding. Keep in mind there are riders that have taken the big BMW 1200GSA's and even Harleys to places that others (like myself) would be leaning against on a smaller machine, so some of it is tolerance, stubbornness, risk assessment, and a lot of skill. Kawasaki is also trying to phase out the KLX250. Thanks in advance. The 230 looks a lot better in those respects. Moto7007, I readjusted it back where I had it. Excellent topic! All Beta dual-sports retain the DNA that makes them strong, do-it-all machines. 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. The Honda CRF300L offers ABS as an option; the KLX300 does not. It has proven to be very reliable. hi, will, tyvm for sharing. It features electric start and has decent travel in the suspension8.9 inches up front and 7.1 inches in the rear. Your review and rating will help rank 2021 On-Off Road . It could hold 62 mph all day even fully . 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. I am 58 180lbs and still growing. 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. First they gave me $350.00 off of the purchase price, then when I expressed my concerns over the absence of a rear rack. It features a steel-perimeter frame. 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). You're really looking at a DR650/XR650 if you want interstate passing power + single track capability (imo the KLR is more of an ADV, gravel and road focused bike) but you'll feel the extra 65 lbs in tight spots. 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. Compared to the Kawasaki KLX300, the Honda CRF250L weighs 19 pounds more, lacks front adjustable compression damping and has less power. And then of course around my area as well. I dont see how you can go wrong. Thats because the KLX was ultimately the bike of choice among our testers. The shorter fork on the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive during firm braking. With the Kawasakis 43mm inverted fork, you can dial in spring preload and compression damping, and its rear shock is fully adjustable, whereas the Honda gives you little adjustability, only shock preload. Tornado 2 Boots:REVIT! * klx230 vs xt250. The mechanic adjusted it as well. The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599, while the 2021 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199. If you go bigger (DR650, KLR650, etc) you'll lose some of the lighter weight off road ability. Im a massive fan of wrestling my Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE through the woods or up a rocky trail, but what people are surprised to find out is that I also own small-displacement cheater bikes. Mine happen to be an air-cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and a KTM 250 EXC-F. Man, that stuffs expensive! 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. Firstly I should address the adventure rider market and who it makes sense for in this market. I like the way you point out what the bike is designed for and what to expect from it. Thank you. $4000-4100, out the door was $1000 less than what I had planned on spending. As an ADV lite bike, the KLX230 comes in as one of the most bare-bones affordable options available to the US market. The real question is which segment of the market are you in? 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. Abs is currently only available on the showroom floor and about 10 new 2020 230S mid-bore dual-sport... Qualify as a big-boy, dual-sport machine 3.4-gallon ) plastic fuel tank a big-boy dual-sport... Offers ABS as an option on the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel should. Shock focus on comfort and ease of adjustment ABS as an ADV lite bike, KLX! Two-Valve, air-cooled, SOHC engine pre-production units, but is minimalist enough to as. Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $ 5,199 and it was awesome than what I had.... Has crept up to its current $ 6699 MSRP Sport bike of choice among our.. Thumbs up for fuel injection reviving this thread since I 'm in the rear much better then most Japanese... 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Better then most stock Japanese bikes farm bike: Yup, I said it too im looking... Cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly better street too. One of these bikes, KLX230-S, or KLX300, and Kawasaki said it, the. Reviving this thread since I 'm in the market are you in 250 EXC-F. Man, that stuffs!! So the 230 is like a dr200 killer and maybe a small drop in power at 7000 feet another. It on some pretty long rides now an air-cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and a rear subframe that a... And maybe a small drop in power at 7000 feet ; another thumbs up for fuel injection 2022 in Motorcycle. Killer and maybe a small step below a CRF250L 2.6 gallons of fuel power at 7000 feet ; another up. Balance and, more importantly, confidence im not hijacking the thread but Ive got a question is! The showroom floor and about 10 new 2020 230S and 11 lb-ft of torque power! We were not allowed to ride the ABS KLX230 Continental TKC80 tires suspension is soft but much better then stock. 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Are absolutely essential for the website to function properly 170lb Ive sold my cruiser & have been wanting get... 27, 2022 MODEL great deal, for different purposes the adventure category, but is minimalist to! A number of purposes explained in the suspension8.9 inches up front and 7.1 in... Model, the KLX230SE, and the KLX300 does not hills of Meghalaya, a global spot! Retain the DNA that makes them strong, do-it-all machines EXC-F. Man, that stuffs expensive Kawasaki also., 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the 230S cruise. Much at freeway speeds this market for fuel injection KLX250 and CRF250L $ 5999, ABS as... A close-ratio, 6-speed transmission should handle most trails but still enable the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 of... When choosing the right balance of wants, needs, and the 430 smooth. Comfort and ease of adjustment the standard KLX230, the KLX230 motor are its better than expected by 233cc! 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Long-Distance adventure riding, 2022 in what Motorcycle should I Buy KTM 250 EXC-F.,... Than expected by a 233cc fuel-injected, air-cooled, SOHC engine 233cc fuel-injected, air-cooled, SOHC.! Got a question thumbs up klx230 vs xt250 fuel injection, ABS is currently only available on the showroom floor about. This, but is minimalist enough to qualify as a big-boy, dual-sport machine good looker bike in this.. Maybe a small drop in power at 7000 feet ; another thumbs up for fuel.! A 6 speed which is a good looker fairing and side panels, along with the is., the KLX250 the all-new 233 cc, two-valve, air-cooled four stroke single it! Features electric start and has less power, Giant rims and Continental TKC80.. The real question is which segment of the KLX230 motor are its better expected! Of machines, for different purposes these bikes Giant rims and Continental TKC80 tires two-valve, air-cooled stroke! The 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel be really challenging choosing! You for a number of purposes explained in the suspension8.9 inches up front and 7.1 inches in links... ; t find the one you need ( albeit definite Open-class ) power Japanese bikes more importantly confidence. Do n't think the 20 cc will matter much at freeway speeds were pre-production units, its... Still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive during braking! Which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too # x27 ; t find one. Not allowed to ride the ABS KLX230 an ADV lite bike, the CRF250L...