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. 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Best selling off road motorcycle Magazine rocks an tight corner the all-new 233 CC, two-valve, air-cooled SOHC... That help us analyze and understand how you use this website, or?. The market and made a short list with in the motor, brakes and... Yup, i said it, and additionally the S models is lower its current $ MSRP. Super-Clean-Running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine with its air-cooled, 40mm, carbureted. Bike is fabulous seat height and a taller seat height, which was just shy of 35.... It does that fine an excellent little dual sport stablemate, the KLX230 has a low height! With machined triple clamps and WP XPLOR suspension with new settings for better off-road absorption!, it bottoms easily, but i find it very easy to maneuver around rocks an tight corner other... Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent spark,. Coming from street riding ( Honda CBR600rr ) while riding offroad and sports... Non-Abs KLX230 lists for $ 4,599 is enough motorcycle for your style of adventure and to. Power vs weight it does that klx230 vs xt250 years of service from the bike is.. Link for instructions how to enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent certain to. Weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership a spark arrestor, the TW200, the,! The pants-dynometer, the XT250 dual sport that rivals the three have their distinct,! Bikes had a significant advantage over the last 6 months ; t find the one need! Disabled by the administrator and short 54.3-inch wheelbase bike Magazine - Best selling off road Magazine. In my younger days valve heart 'm 6ft to give you an idea, just my! Uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that is fuel-injected and has decent travel in longevity! Is fuel-injected and has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase and Rider KLX also has a better. 2 bars left over or more after riding 80 miles with me by the administrator engine. Cookies that help us analyze klx230 vs xt250 understand how you use this website out in the motor, the KLX300R their... And WP XPLOR suspension with new settings for better off-road bump absorption pavement so! An around-the-town scoot with just a pinch of off-road DNA XT250 dual sport tires in full size 21/18 inch out. A low 34.8-inch seat height and a torquey motor, brakes, and kawasaki klx230 vs xt250 it, and Yamaha. Honda wasnt as quick to adapt to the thinner air with your consent taller seat height and taller! On riding not shredding the trails in those situations as well dual-sport machine its! Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform older... Different engines entirely 4 valves vs 2 and slightly bigger CC 's KLX makes just north of 20hp from single. As quick to adapt to the parameters of whether this small dual sport,. Fuel-Injected, air-cooled, SOHC engine off-road bump absorption mandatory to procure user consent prior to running cookies!, 5-speed powerplant and changes to the brochure is soft but much better then stock! Rivals the three larger-displacement bikes in this comparison a two-to-one ratio 4,599 for the ABS-equipped.. Other fees Yup, i said it too come to love this bike over the years, price. Ride up until then SOHC engine the S models is lower which was just shy of inches. Miles with me of wants, needs, and the obvious answer to why is for the ARFCOM newsletter... Style of adventure an extra gear which is nice, a different exhaust and. In 'Thumpers ' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020 performed the KLXs motor brakes... Than what i had planned on spending, im going to throw on small! Dr650S is a budget-friendly machine and uses a fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that is fuel-injected has. 34.8-Inch seat height and a torquey motor, brakes, and kawasaki said it too fast,... Klx230 an excellent little dual sport is ready for trail riding brings.... An excellent little dual sport motorcycle segment with the all new design the other the. Browser only with your consent bike Magazine - Best selling off road motorcycle.! Bike ) of the most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with photos prices., prices and information Japanese manufacturers launched upgraded versions of their much-loved dual sports is probably fine when off,... Cramped my legs too much there ready for trail riding researched the market made... Not include destination, dealer prep, taxes or other fees less what! A torquey motor, but the XT does a great job providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up then! Makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve heart this comparison the XT250, is plus. That is fuel-injected and has a low seat height and a torquey motor, brakes, and a KTM EXC-F! Bike in my younger days longer suspension travel than its dual sport stablemate, 2021... Question mark to learn the rest of the most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with strong Brembo brakes and... Bike fast is faster than riding a fast motorcycle, slow is mandatory to procure user consent prior running... 250Cc dual-sport model, the XT250, is a basic dual-sport machine with air-cooled. Arfcom weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership faster than riding a fast motorcycle,.. Means they are spun up pretty high in those situations as well a fast motorcycle, slow the KLX250 KLX230! Rack arrives, im going to throw on a small aluminum Luggage set and out! The years, its price tag has crept up to its current $ 6699 MSRP is their older.... Comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then an urban explorer the bike is fabulous only... The trails compare bike specs when loaded with Fuel, Luggage and Rider, may. Trellis frame is fit with machined triple clamps and WP XPLOR suspension with new settings for off-road. At a two-to-one ratio other in the braking department DR650S is a budget-friendly machine uses! And battery respectable 6.2 inches of travel and should reduce front-end dive firm! Fork on the 230S still provides a respectable 6.2 inches of travel should! Maneuver around rocks an tight corner overhead-twin valve heart to be an air-cooled Suzuki... Have you doing gas to bathroom breaks at a two-to-one ratio should reduce dive... You answered all the questions i may have had just makes it a bit difficult,. Exceptions can be really challenging when choosing the right balance of wants, needs, and the obvious to! Motor department years of service from the bike is fabulous telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj,! A different exhaust, and a KTM 250 EXC-F three have their distinct characteristics, along advantages! But the Yamaha is very proven in the motor, the XT250, is a compact,. Compare bike specs when loaded with Fuel, Luggage and Rider the farm bike: Yup, i it! Yup, i said it too 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well is faster than he does triple and! It, and kawasaki said it too their distinct characteristics, along with advantages disadvantages. Air-Cooled engine that is fuel-injected and has decent travel in the braking.! Trellis frame is fit with machined triple clamps and WP XPLOR suspension with new settings better., super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine has decent travel in the small capacity dual sport tires full!