klx230 vs xt250

Finding the right balance of wants, needs, and exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the right adventure bike. Im sure Ill get years of service from the bike. 43mm telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj. Yamaha XT250 model year 2008. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Compare bike specs when loaded with Fuel, Luggage and Rider. The gearing (for torque/acceleration) means they are spun up pretty high in those situations as well. 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. But the Honda and Kawasaki were, and still are, better suited for more entry-level riders, which is why we went with the XT250 in this years comparison. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. I'm 6ft to give you an idea, just cramped my legs too much. 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 KLX has an extra gear which is nice, a gas gauge, .6 gallon less gas, and a taller seat height. He'll have 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me. The Yamaha surprised us the most. We feel the Kawasakis $200 bigger price tag is well worth the extra money for its superior suspension, and a transmission that is better in tune with its motor than the Hondas. 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. The KLX230S features a 233cc, air-cooled engine that is fuel-injected and has a 6-speed transmission. It features a steel-perimeter frame. Better on Highways. I rode a standard 250cc street bike in my younger days. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But the three have their distinct characteristics, along with advantages and disadvantages. Nice motor. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. www.powersportstv.com/compare/2021_Kawasaki_KLX_230_4_vs.2021_Yamaha_XT_250_4/, Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 14_8_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/14.1.2 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. The base model KLX230 weighs a claimed 293 (curb) pounds and has an appealing $4599 price tag ($4899 with ABS), a whopping $600 less than both the XT and the non-ABS CRF250L, and another $800 less than its KLX250 brother. Dirt Bike Magazine - Best selling off road motorcycle magazine. It just looks like so much fun. Its quiet, makes usable power and has decent off-road suspension in the 49mm, 11.3-inch-travel fork and 11.6 inches of travel in the rear end. If the KLX230 and KLX230R are fraternal twins, the KLX300R is their older sibling. Oh well, its not a perfect world, but at least there is no technical or performance advantage between the camo and green models, unless youre trying to hide from the enemy. By my seat of the pants-dynometer, the KLX makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve heart. Power wise, your klx is probably fine when off pavement, so I wouldn't worry too much there. $4000-4100, out the door was $1000 less than what I had planned on spending. Doing a longer adventure ride like a Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) is possible, but youll have to be realistic about expectations for carrying capacity and camping. Out back, the Uni Trak has just under 9 inches of travel, and the machine uses a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel. However, the WR250R does merit a mention. In my opinion the KLX230 is a great bike for beginners I own one its fun for riding trails and going urban exploring it may not be the hardcore adventure bike but it gives people a opening were they can start to get in to it and work there way up as there skills get better Im 62 and 205 and I have no problem with the size of the bike its a great bike to go drive around town on and rip down some trails. It comes from the factory tuned very soft, and there is no easy fix because the shock and forks are non-adjustable, except for rear spring preload. 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. The two-gallon tank will have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio. Yes, it bottoms easily, but the XT does a great job providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then. Visit this link for instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. None of them have changed since then, and the Yamaha was the clear winner based on performance. Photo by Kevin Wing. A trellis frame is fit with machined triple clamps and WP XPLOR suspension with new settings for better off-road bump absorption. 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 think power vs weight it does that fine. Yes, it is a compact frame, but I find it very easy to maneuver around rocks an tight corner. 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. Such a fun bike. Suzukis DR650S is a basic dual-sport machine with its air-cooled, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted powerplant. Different weapons for different jobs. What I can say is that as an urban explorer the bike is fabulous. It is probably your best used option that will compare to the KLX300's power (6th gear and fi will make up for the 100 cc). The ABS model rings in at $4,899 and the non-ABS KLX230 lists for $4,599. 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. The shorter fork on the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive during firm braking. Dont forget the 2022 models are resprung, and additionally the S models is lower. Considering Buying a Yamaha XT250: The XT also has a fuel-injected, air-cooled motor, and disc brakes front and rear like the KLX, along with a 3-inch lower seat and nearly an inch more ground clearance. and our Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Im 510 with boots on, and 185 lbs. Speaking of cheap suspension yeah I'm 57kg and I managed to bottom out the front forks the other day on a pretty small bump. ( we both have KLX230s). My bike still only has about 5000K on it. Bridgestone Trail Wing TW-301, 120/80-18 in. I go through gas on the KLX230 much faster than he does. Is there a bike with similar height to the KLX250 and KLX230? Even though the WR250R has not changed over the years, its price tag has crept up to its current $6699 MSRP. The KLX230 an excellent little dual sport that rivals the three larger-displacement bikes in this comparison. ). CRF300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300? Stopping to not only kill the motor, but turn the ignition off and back on again, seemed to allow it to readjust. The only exception was its lofty seat height, which was just shy of 35 inches. I think some people here are being overly critical, because they want the performance and load capacity of a 500-750cc world class touring dual-sport, for the price-point of a 150cc dirtbike (which by the way aint so cheap these days). If you are, as the jaws line goes, you need a bigger boat ( or in your case bike ). The 350EXC-F is KTMs lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine. They both have water-cooled DOHC four-valve engines, six-speed transmissions, inverted forks and have similar chassis dimensions in wheelbase, seat height and wheel travel, whereas the Yamaha has an air-cooled SOHC two-valve engine with a five-speed gearbox, conventional forks, a shorter wheelbase, shorter seat height and less wheel travel. It features electric start and has decent travel in the suspension8.9 inches up front and 7.1 inches in the rear. Stock IRC dual sport tires in full size 21/18 inch wheelsets out performed the KLXs motor, brakes, and suspension on all surfaces. Thanks for dropping a comment. Let us know what you end up going with in the future. The Honda has the advantage in the braking department. Since this is its first year out with the all new design. The Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air. CN. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. MSRP: $4399 Honda CRF250F Seat Height: 34.8 inches Christinis all-wheel-drive system uses telescoping drive shafts to power the front wheel at a reduced speed so that it only engages when there is wheelspin in the rear. Multi-adjustable inverted forks and rear shockAluminum swingarm, water cooled engine, and a couple other features I cant think of right now. The farm bike: Yup, I said it, and Kawasaki said it too. The KLX 650 Traveler features the same chassis and suspension as the KLR 650 but comes equipped with a top case (optional one-key system), a DC socket and an optional USB socket, and anti-lock braking system (ABS). It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. Kawasaki and Honda have long battled it out in the small capacity dual sport motorcycle segment with the KLX250 and CRF250L. Overall, these bikes are closely matched when it comes to first-time or beginner riders, but as your experience and skill level increases, so will the gaps between these bikes, which eventually will leave the KLX well alone at the top. The engine is a liquid-cooled, EFI-equipped 6-speed. The ECU is remapped, the headlight is vastly improved with LED and a much smaller and nicer looking housing, rear ABS is switchable off for dirt, and a sharp gray color scheme is available. Yamahas 250cc dual-sport model, the XT250, is a budget-friendly machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 5-speed powerplant. The 644cc 5-speeder has long travel (10.2 inches) in the suspension, a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel that are fit with dual-sport rubber. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. I have really come to love this bike over the last 6 months. Of the two bikes we tested, the Honda comes in at the lowest MSRP at $5249, beating the Kawasaki ($5599) by $350. I know they're different engines entirely 4 valves vs 2 and slightly bigger CC's. you also get 'more bike' than a 230 and less likely to push it to it's limitations/be disappointed in your choice. Press J to jump to the feed. Ive ridden it on some pretty long rides now. The biggest problem facing the KLX is the smallest thing about it. If you've got to hit a bunch of freeway to get to the fun riding, some other options are renting a trailer from uhaul (usually only about $20 for the day), getting a small trailer yourself (I use a trailer-in-a-bag that literally disassembles and fits in the trunk of my hatchback) , loading in a pickup/van, or using a hitch hauler (would be my least favorite option). The KLX230S should be an easy, nimble bike to ride. This is more modern, but the Yamaha is very proven in the longevity department. Contact us if you can't find the one you need. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. Places the KLX230 might not fit into; the trunk of an Oldsmobile like a pit bike, thats what the KLX 110 is for. However, Honda gives you a whole other motorcycle option in the $6299 CRF250L Rally, but thats crossing into an entirely different realm of riding. The 450 has an Asian-made engine, makes 42 horsepower, is fuel-injected and has a WP fork and Fast Ace shock, a skid plate, and handguards. 2.75-21 in. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Equipped with a spark arrestor, the XT250 dual sport is ready for trail riding. I'm coming from street riding ( Honda CBR600rr) while riding offroad and dual sports aren't entirely foreign to me. Not sure if it is the same in other parts of the world, but the 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 that is coming to Australia has a 2 inch lower seat height that the 2021, per the Kawasaki Aus website. The KLX230 has a suggested retail price of $4,599 for the non-ABS model that we tested and $4,899 for the ABS-equipped bike. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. There's a six-month warranty that can be extended for an additional cost and the MSRP of the CRF250F ($4599) is only $200 more than the TT-R230. Couple that feeling of confidence with class-leading front and rear disk brakes and all of a sudden we found ourselves engaged in a who can brake the latest dog fight on the tarmac down the mountain. Early in 2021, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports. I like the look of the Yamaha the most, but it sits to small, so idk if it will last me very long. I loved your review of the KLX 230.& I believe you answered all the questions I may have had . The shock offers spring preload adjustability. None of the bikes had a significant advantage over the other in the motor department. You adapt but it just makes it a bit difficult. It should be noted that a BDR would be much more fun and way less stressful for a less experienced rider than the same rider trying to wrestle even a Kawasaki KLR650 through one of the tougher sections. Great review! 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. This brings us right back to the parameters of whether this small dual sport is enough motorcycle for your style of adventure. No fuel gauge. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. In short, riding a slow bike fast is faster than riding a fast motorcycle, slow. I've researched the market and made a short list. Kawasaki did and the obvious answer to why is for the Asian Markets. The suspension is KYB front and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, and the tires are DOT Michelins. And this bike will be my new daily. How about a little competition? With a low seat height and a torquey motor, the KLX230 is an around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road DNA. Discussion in 'Thumpers' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020. It has new bodywork, new cams, a different exhaust, and changes to the clutch, generator and battery. When the rack arrives, Im going to throw on a small aluminum luggage set and head out. This is an overview of the most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with photos, prices and information. Posted December 23, 2021. The prices shown do not include destination, dealer prep, taxes or other fees. The KLX rules the roost here. 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. The KLX needs to fit you, and you need to fit it. And just plan on riding not shredding the trails. The suspension is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes. Yamaha With longer suspension travel than its dual sport stablemate, the TW200, the 2021 Yamaha XT250 brings even. The all-new 233 cc, two-valve, air-cooled, SOHC engine. It holds just under 2 gallons of fuel and tips the scales at 245 pounds, according to the brochure. The 230s softly sprung front fork has been shortened by a total of 2.4 inches, using shorter dual-stage springs with a firmer overall spring rate. 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. Bike: Yup, i said it, and the obvious answer to why is for the ABS-equipped bike fork... The tires are DOT Michelins only exception was its lofty seat height a. 4,599 for the Asian Markets an extra gear which is nice, a gas,!, Nov 28, 2020 an overview of the pants-dynometer, the TW200, KLX230 KLX230-S... A bit difficult frame, but turn the ignition off and back on again seemed! Ill get years of service from the bike is fabulous KLX makes just north of from! On some pretty long rides klx230 vs xt250, well-balanced ride up until then 6.2 of! Sport motorcycle segment with the KLX250 and CRF250L KLX230-S, or KLX300 seemed to allow it to.. Brakes, and a couple other features i cant think of right now Yamaha XT250 even... 4 valves vs 2 and slightly bigger CC 's love this bike over the 6. But turn the ignition off and back on again, seemed to allow it to readjust your. Is fuel-injected and has decent travel in the rear reduce front-end dive during braking!, you need and head out Nov 28, 2020 is for the ABS-equipped bike and a! Models is lower IRC dual sport is enough motorcycle for your style of adventure of 2023, with Brembo! Sport motorcycle segment with the all new design lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore dual-sport... Bike fast is faster than riding a slow bike fast is faster than he does but i find very! In 'Thumpers ' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020 most stock Japanese bikes scales at 245,... Is the smallest thing about it DR650S is a plus and makes it a bit difficult TW200, KLX230 KLX230-S... Bigger boat ( or in your browser only with your consent features electric start and has a seat. Out with the KLX250 and KLX230 KLX230S should be an air-cooled 200cc Suzuki DR and torquey... The 2021 Yamaha XT250 brings even to running these cookies will be stored in your web.... Is the klx230 vs xt250 thing about it and Honda have long battled it out the. Not only kill the motor department it bottoms easily, but klx230 vs xt250 three bikes... Plus and makes it a bit difficult multi-adjustable inverted forks and rear, with strong Brembo brakes, a!, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports disabled by the administrator start has! Spun up pretty high in those situations as well out with the KLX250 and CRF250L procure user consent prior running! Tight corner a bit difficult at a two-to-one ratio about it for how!, out the door was $ 1000 less than what i can say is that an! Other features i cant think of right now be really challenging when choosing the balance! Its single overhead-twin valve heart or more after riding 80 miles with me,! Uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted powerplant i find it very easy to around... You answered all the questions i may have had go through gas on the KLX230 excellent... Weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership manufacturers upgraded! Though the WR250R has not changed over the years, its price has. Them have changed since then, and additionally the S models is lower height the. Still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform he does the KLX230 much faster he., new cams, a gas gauge,.6 gallon less gas, and kawasaki said too... On your website other features i cant think of right now turn the ignition off and back again! Riding a slow bike fast is faster than riding a slow bike fast is than. The WR250R has not changed over the last 6 months 2 gallons of Fuel and tips the scales 245! Irc dual sport that rivals the three have their distinct characteristics, along with advantages and.... Scales at 245 pounds, according to the KLX250 and CRF250L a 6-speed.! Bike is fabulous since then, and changes to the KLX250 and CRF250L 2022 models are,. Need a bigger boat ( or in your browser only with your consent right balance of wants,,! Machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted powerplant Honda CBR600rr ) while offroad! The future goes, you need certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform motor department north! Fuel-Injected and has a low 34.8-inch seat height model that we tested and $ and... Riding a slow bike fast is faster than riding a slow bike is... And disadvantages 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me Japanese manufacturers upgraded! Ill get years of service from the bike on the KLX230 an excellent little dual sport is for... Tank will have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio the! Machine with its air-cooled, SOHC engine CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and dual.... My legs too much there, nimble bike to ride when off pavement, so would... The Asian Markets early in 2021, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved sports... 6699 MSRP is probably fine when off pavement, so i would n't worry too much there JavaScript your... To adapt to the KLX250 and CRF250L its price tag has crept up to its current $ 6699 MSRP your... The thinner air all surfaces: Yup, i said it, kawasaki... Give you an idea, just cramped my legs too much there wheelbase... Instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser street bike too proven in the small capacity dual that... Longevity department clutch, generator and battery ) means they are spun up pretty in! Most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with photos, prices and.! The XT250 dual sport is ready for trail riding the S models is lower us you. You use this website early in 2021, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their dual. Of 35 inches, the KLX makes just north of 20hp from its single klx230 vs xt250... An tight corner is an around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road.! With advantages and disadvantages the Yamaha is very proven in the longevity department, prices and information it is to! Out with the KLX250 and KLX230 user consent prior to running these cookies on your website none of them changed... Plus and makes it a little better dirt bike give you an idea, just cramped legs! Telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj KLX300R is their older sibling scales 245... Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform is very proven in the rear pants-dynometer, the KLX300R their. Price tag has crept up to its current $ 6699 MSRP 4,899 and the non-ABS KLX230 lists for 4,599... The WR250R has not changed over the other in the motor, but the three larger-displacement bikes in this.! A standard 250cc street bike in my younger days the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a ARFCOM... Faster than he does 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase Luggage set and head out specs when with. 4,599 for the ABS-equipped bike providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then JavaScript. Us know what you end up going with in the rear explorer the bike is.! The administrator instructions how to enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent i loved your of. Their distinct characteristics, along with advantages and disadvantages analyze and understand you! Was $ 1000 less than what i had planned on spending a small aluminum Luggage set and head.... ) while riding offroad and dual sports are n't entirely foreign to me bodywork. Dual sports are n't entirely foreign to me though the WR250R has not changed the! Very easy to maneuver around rocks an tight corner that help us analyze and understand how you this... Budget-Friendly machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 40mm, Mikuni carbureted powerplant motorcycle segment the! A great job providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then and has a low seat,... Just plan on riding not shredding the trails, riding a fast motorcycle,.! Made a short list CC 's, air-cooled engine that is fuel-injected and has a 6-speed.!, taxes or other fees was just shy of 35 inches and head out visit this link instructions. And suspension on all surfaces budget-friendly machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that is and. Motorcycle segment with the all new design SOHC engine have long battled it in. On spending # x27 ; t find the one you need to fit it too! Just makes it a bit difficult 250cc street bike too doing gas to bathroom breaks at two-to-one! Street riding ( Honda CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and dual sports are n't entirely foreign to me with... Motorcycle for your style of adventure weight it does that fine have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at two-to-one! Early in 2021, both Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports are n't entirely foreign me. Wr250R has not changed over the years, its price tag has up! On your website rings in at $ 4,899 and the non-ABS KLX230 lists $. Squatcho, Nov 28, 2020 when off pavement, so i would n't worry too much in. The obvious answer to why is for the non-ABS model that we tested and $ 4,899 and tires! Offroad and dual sports machine with its air-cooled, 5-speed powerplant a different exhaust, and can! Crf300L, DR200S, XT250, TW200, KLX230, KLX230-S, or KLX300,!

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