Kawasaki has lengthy had a robust contender within the dual-sport class with its KLX vary of dual-sports. Availabile in a wide range of configurations throughout the worldwide market, the preferred of which is the KLX 230 vary, which has been up to date for the U.S. marketplace for 2023.
Kawasaki‘s array of street-legal twin sports activities is getting higher with updates and new fashions out there this yr. The 2023 KLX 230 receives enhancements to its model and engine tuning. Nevertheless, the most important replace is the introduction of a brand new variant known as the KLX 230 S, which incorporates options meant to make off-road driving for rookie riders safer and extra enjoyable.
The KLX 230 S is constructed on the identical chassis because the KLX 230 however has a decrease seat peak of 32.7 inches to permit riders to achieve the bottom extra simply. Kawasaki lowered the fork size by 2.4 inches through the use of shorter dual-stage springs with a stiffer spring charge than the usual KLX 230 in an effort to account for this lower in seat peak.
Related modifications are made to the shock as nicely, lowering suspension journey by 2.1 inches. The S’s entrance and rear suspension journey is 6.2 and 6.6 inches, respectively. Moreover, the S’s curb weight is 298 kilos with out ABS or 296 kilos with ABS, whereas the usual bike suggestions the scales at 291 pouns. The floor clearance is 8.3 inches—versus the usual model’s 10.4 inches, and the wheelbase can be shorter at 53.5 inches versus 54.3 inches on the bottom mannequin.
The ABS perform, which isn’t current on another KLX 230 mannequin, is one other vital enchancment to the KLX 230 S. With a purpose to create a extra pure braking really feel off-road, Kawasaki claims that the KLX 230 S’ ABS intervention time is later than typical on-road ABS. After all, there’s a change on the left aspect of the handlebar that may flip off ABS fully. The variant with ABS additionally has an even bigger 265mm entrance brake disc rather than the 240mm disc discovered on the usual KLX 230. Lime Inexperienced and Battle Grey non-ABS KLX 230 S fashions value $4,999 every, whereas Battle Grey ABS fashions value $5,299 every.
As for the usual KLX 230, the bike receives the identical updates to engine tuning and aesthetics. The dual-sport is now geared up with a brand new LED headlight housed in a smaller, extra compact housing. There’s additionally a redesigned entrance fender which supplies the bike a sportier, extra aggressive look. As beforehand indicated, the KLX 230 is solely provided with out ABS. It’s accessible for a similar $4,999 steered retail value because the non-ABS KLX 230 S variant.
