One thing that most huge, heavy, ‘dual-purpose’ adventure motorcyclists take for granted is that they only genuinely ride off the pavement for a small part of a smooth dirt road that leads to their ultimate objective. There’s a reasonable explanation for it. Off-road, such giant, ponderous beasts are complicated to maneuver. If the rider needs to be hoisted off the ground, they must be in good shape. When looking for a dual-purpose motorcycle, avoiding the world’s huge GS models is best.
The 2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle is a suitable fit. This lightweight dual-sport bike is designed to provide riders with a fun, if not exhilarating, ride on roads or trails. The Kawa has basic comforts such as an all-new electronic fuel injection system and an all-new electric starter. Aside from that, it has all of the dual-sport qualities that the target demographic appreciates. Without a doubt, Kawasaki makes some of the best motorcycles on the market, including entry-level versions like the KLX230. In this piece, we’ll look at the KLX230’s features and characteristics to see if it’s a decent choice for a dual-sport motorcycle.
2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle – Features and Specs
Engine and Performance
Weight is the cornerstone of any high-performance machine. Heavy bikes frequently offer excellent stability and a grounded feel on the highway, but when off-roading, everything changes dramatically. When going off-road, a rider should have the lightest possible motorcycle. The 2023 Kawasaki KLX230 weighs 291.1 pounds wet (293.3 pounds for the CA model), which includes a full gas tank and all standard attachments.
Dirt Rider tested a 2021 model on a dyno, generating 17.3 horsepower at 7,800 RPM and 13.3 pound-feet of torque at 6,300 RPM. A YouTube rider testing his KLX 230 estimated the duration from 0 – 60MPH to be slightly more than 10 seconds.
It is crucial since another, more experienced rider reached a top speed of about 60 MPH on his KLX 230. As a result, the bike accelerates well off the mark, and its tight ratio six-speed gearbox keeps the engine running within its power range. The performance of the KLX, like that of other four-stroke small displacement engines, isn’t likely to blow anyone away.
Chassis and Suspension
The KLR is a dual-sport vehicle that may be used on and off the road. It sports substantial off-road wheels, knobby tires, and extended travel suspensions (8.7 inches up front and 8.8 inches down back) with 10.4 inches of ground clearance. The bike boasts an upright, authoritative riding position, making standing up easier for riders. Its ergonomics are typical of the industry, with a seat height of 34.8 inches. Larger wheels and shocks absorb bumps naturally, surpassing most heavyweight adventure bikes in this category.
The KLX230’s light weight makes it easy to move about, elevate the front wheel to avoid an imminent obstruction, trail brake into a curve, and do anything else in between if a direction change is necessary. If the customer is a true dual-sport enthusiast, the Kawasaki KLX230 is a good choice due to its lightweight structure, which makes it easier to traverse both on and off-road. It’s also affordable, with a starting MSRP of $4,999 for the 2023 model. Single hydraulic discs in the front and rear provide stopping power.
Design and Aesthetics
The style of the 2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle is remarkable, even though it is primarily meant for practical reasons. Despite having a look comparable to other dual-sport or dirt bikes, Kawasaki gave the bike a sleek, modern style that is a testament to current engineering.
The sleek single-piece seat design, which allows the rider to shift his body weight back and forth comfortably, the height of the bike and the space between the wheels and fenders, the high tailpipe and air intake, the modern halogen headlights, and the small fuel tank all demonstrate the bike’s true potential better than 2022 Kawasaki KLX230.
According to Fuelly.com statistics from 180+ fill-ups, the 2.0-gallon gasoline tank could give around 140 miles of range with an average fuel economy of 71.8 MPG. The KLX230 is a motorcycle that may be used as a recreational vehicle to explore America’s vast wilderness regions or as a commuter for individuals who live in more remote areas.
Why Choose KLX230
Despite their small size, many rookie riders consider that 125-150cc dual-sport bikes must perform better. The KLX’s displacement range allows for a few extra horsepower without considerably affecting the vehicle’s weight. Riders used to smaller, lighter bikes will notice that the weight of the KLX230 is equally distributed, delivering a comparable riding feel to that of a lower displacement motorbike but with a bit more power.
2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle – Price
The new 2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle is available at $4,999 only.
2023 Kawasaki KLX230 Dirt Motorcycle – Technical Specifications
Power
Engine | 4-stroke, single, SOHC, air-cooled |
Displacement | 233cc |
Bore x Stroke | 67mm x 66mm |
Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
Fuel System | DFI including 32mm Keihin throttle body |
Ignition | TCBI Electronic Advance |
Transmission | 6-speed, return shift featuring wet multi-disc manual clutch |
Final Drive | Chain |
Performance
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel | 37mm telescopic fork/8.7 in |
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel | Uni-Trak linkage system and a single shock including adjustable spring preload/8.8 in |
Front Tire | 2.75 x 21 |
Rear Tire | 4.10 x 18 |
Front Brakes | Single 240 mm petal disc including a dual-piston caliper |
Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm petal disc including single-piston caliper |
Details
Frame Type | High-tensile steel, box-section perimeter |
Rake/Trail | 27.5°/4.6 in |
Overall Length | 82.9 in. |
Overall Width | 32.9 in. |
Overall Height | 45.9 in. |
Ground Clearance | 10.4 in. |
Seat Height | 34.8 in. |
Curb Weight | 291.1 lb. / 293.3 lb. CA model |
Fuel Capacity | 2.0 gal. |
Wheelbase | 54.3 in. |
Color Choices | Battle Gray |
Warranty | 12 Months |
Kawasaki Protection Plus (optional) | 12, 24, or 36 months |