There is no interstate-capable-trail-friendly-dirt-bike out there. Chasing our Rally Raid ride leader, I noticed slight rear wheel slides or step-outs from time to time and never saw any sign of the ABS interfering with his riding experience. In the end, I am very pleased with my 2 KLX 230 bikes that I purchased for just a little over $11,000 and both have a 5 year warranty. Great review! More good news is that the price did not go up! 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. Some features of this site require JavaScript. It comes with a large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier. Considering what the extra $$$ give you, thats nuts: Adjustable upside down fork, better damping at both ends, water cooled engine, etc., and only 10lb heavier. no dirt, likely not even the freeway (under 150cc is illegal). Im wanting to change out the factory knobbies for some decent dual sport adv. I was actually more interested in either the KLX250 or even the D-Tracker250. It features a steel-perimeter frame. Both are perfect reference points to conduct this test. Discussion in 'Thumpers' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020. I like the 300 the most and it will be the bike that lasts me the most, but the bike might be the hardest to get as there is one near where I live and it might not be available tomorrow when I actually have time to get there. Helmet:Shoei VFX-EVO Zinger Jacket:REVIT! Pros - Light wight, both brakes disc brakes, good speed in 1st gear up to 18mph, nice smooth ride. Please, somebody, give us a new mid-displacement dual sport! This things perfect for people who want to learn. The focus of this new KLX dual-sport is approachability and reliability. Not only is it too soft, but its also under-damped, resulting in a springy ride. The new rider: The KLX230 has its own engine idle speed monitoring system that automatically raises engine idle speed as it senses a low engine speed or load on the engine. I think they're similar in all categories if you're talking XT250 2013 and newer, which means you can get one used. By my seat of the pants-dynometer, the KLX makes just north of 20hp from its single overhead-twin valve heart. So they gave me another $150.00 off the price. I think power vs weight it does that fine. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The KLX230S is purpose-built for serious fun on the trails . Compared to the Honda and Yamaha, the KLXs suspension does a better job soaking up the bumps and doesnt run out of wheel travel nearly as soon as the Honda or Yamaha. Personally, off road riding as a beginner is better on the smaller bikes. Actually, I am wondering how the KLX300 is doing? 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. The suspension is soft but much better then most stock Japanese bikes. The 350EXC-F is KTMs lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine. I rode a standard 250cc street bike in my younger days. It just looks like so much fun. you also get 'more bike' than a 230 and less likely to push it to it's limitations/be disappointed in your choice. It is counterbalanced to keep vibrations down. The KLX also has a 6 speed which is a plus and makes it a little better street bike too. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The 2017 Yamaha XT250 offers a 17.5 hp fuel-injected 250cc air-cooled single and a low seat height of 31.9 inches. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. At the time they were trying to get the ball rolling on the 230sand they told me that the 250 is slated to be phased out soon. 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. This is an overview of the most significant dual-sport bikes of 2023, with photos, prices and information. hi, will, tyvm for sharing. As far as size Im 58 about 175 lbs. Excellent topic! But when I went in to buy my bike. It is a great bike for a certain segment of the market. Light aluminum wheels a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear promise easy handling and add to the KLXs off-road potential. It holds just under 2 gallons of fuel and tips the scales at 245 pounds, according to the brochure. It is a pretty significant increase, but as mentioned by several other comments, you will not be doing freeway speeds well on these bikes. Contact us if you can't find the one you need. 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. Overview: Kawasaki KLX 230 vs Kawasaki KLX 250 Key Features Best Loan Offers DP Rp 12,48 Million Installment : Rp 1,17 Million x 36 Months View Discounted Paket DP Rp 17,78 Million Installment : Rp 1,67 Million x 36 Months View Discounted Paket Photo Comparision +9 Kawasaki KLX 230 Images +10 Kawasaki KLX 250 Images Engine & Performance View All It sells for the same price. Hope this makes sense. Side-By-Side Compare All Motorcycles NOW COMPARING Kawasaki KLX 230 Yamaha XT 250 Its powered by a carbureted, water-cooled engine with a 5-speed gearbox. Some features of this site require JavaScript. Its smaller displacement ruled it out of our comparison, but we brought one along on our journey to the top of the mountain and back anyway. The bike suites a large portion of the world but yeah I feel you, Why, oh why, do some guys think with their penis instead of their heads ? People are always staring at it. These cookies do not store any personal information. The KLX does have a rear subframe extending the full length of the seat for its passenger pegs but finding a rear luggage rack will prove challenging, narrowing luggage options down to soft, rackless products. The only player in the game right now is the KTM 690/Husky 701. 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. The suspension is adjustable via a 43mm cartridge fork with 10.0 inches of travel in front and a 9.1-inch Uni Trak rear suspension setup. I've revised my list. Kawasaki KLX250s vs Yamaha XT250 The Budget Dual Sports pharettface 1.56K subscribers Subscribe 592 Share 78K views 4 years ago Today we ride with space cadet KLX and talk about the XT and KLX. Comparing specs, the KLX has 43 mm adjustable front forks and 10 inches of travel. I will ride 6-7 miles on dirt roads and around 3-4 miles on normal roads. Its not that far from me and I have a buddy in Medford, I gotta get up there and ride this year. The Yamaha XT250 is a motorcycle made by Yamaha Motor Company . Its too short and nearly impossible to wedge a normal size foot between it and the footpeg, which was also designed by the same small child. The KLX230S should be an easy, nimble bike to ride. Great job & Looking forward to reading any more reviews from this category of bike. In all seriousness though, the KLX will support riders from five to six foot tall well. A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. 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. And no, the Honda CRF450L doesnt count. The Honda 250CC dual-sport bikes are nothing to write home about. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Yamaha must have enlisted a small child to design the XTs shift lever. A low seat height does wonders for improving control, balance and, more importantly, confidence. The Honda and Yamaha share the same MSRP at $5199, though the Hondas ABS-fitted option (which we tested) checks in at $5499. 2020 Yamaha XT 250 vs. 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2020 Yamaha XT 250 vs 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230. We traveled from 1350 feet elevation to 7000 feet via roads, of which 90 percent was dirt, of which about five percent was probably more suited for healthy mules. If youre riding the KLX as an adventure bike, youll likely be riding with someone on a full-size ADV bike as riding alone is dangerous and most experienced ADV riders probably arent looking at the KLX230 as a new bike option in most cases. But the 250 is not goid needs a 350cc even better 400cc. 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. Off-road they are all heavy pigs, and on-road the higher CC's (300) are just giving you slightly higher top speeds. Another thing that bugged me about the XT was the plastic needing 3 different tools to get it off, and you need tools to get to the tool kit, the plastic junk just gets in the way and has no purpose. I rode it all the way from Bangkok down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand. The KLR 650S model has lower suspension (32.1 inches versus 34.3 inches) and a new saddle for improved comfort. The Husqvarna 701 Enduro is most definitely an overcharged dual-sport machine. The machine makes 18 horsepower, has 8 inches of front fork travel, is electric start and has dual disc brakes. Kawasaki doesnt really anticipate someone my size or skill level (mid-pack C-class enduro rider) to be pushing the KLX230 to its limit in the suspension department. Its a great little bike, but it is a bit underpowered. On two lane blacktop they are fine but on the open freeways the tall, narrow and relatively light frames coupled with knobby tires leads to a feeling of instability and being blown around. The all-new 233 cc, two-valve, air-cooled, SOHC engine. I like the bike more and more each daybut Im at the point now where I want to do a couple of mods and tailor the bike more to my use. The suspension is WP, a 250mm-travel XPLOR fork and identical rear-wheel travel, which exploits its dirt worthiness. 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. I fall more on my DRZ because it's a tad too tall for me. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Cons - back tire is not huge tire, missing skid plate/stock. The Dainese Expedition Masters Patagonia trip encompasses eight days and 1,600 km starting in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the For 2023, the KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye returns to the South Island for the third time in the events What are the components of an epic adventure ride? Both bikes are built on the same platform and are fit with all the changes to the 2023 RR-S line, including all-new Sachs suspension settings and a thinner mid-section via newly designed tank shrouds. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. If youre 62 and up like myself, youll look slightly silly perched on top of the KLX before youll feel uncomfortably cramped, but that feeling will eventually set in as well. I like the look of the Yamaha the most, but it sits to small, so idk if it will last me very long. I rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the ruins of the ancient capital city and back. The XR650L remains an air-cooled, 5-speeder that uses a CV carburetor. Suspension is handled by a 43mm fork with 10.2 inches of travel, with the rear Pro-Link receiving the same. Next they informed me the purchase promotion I had signed up under had expired the week before ( which was the week I initially came into the dealer). 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. The 2021 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599, while the 2021 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199. It has front and rear disc brakes, a 3.4-gallon tank, and weighs 331 pounds. Did I mention this bike is fun? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. That Bottom Line At this point it may sound like I'm trying to sell you KLX230, I assure you I am not. 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. The farm bike: Yup, I said it, and Kawasaki said it too. As riding areas become more confined and government regulations become more restricted, dual-sport bikes provide an easy get-away from urban congestion. As an ADV lite bike, the KLX230 comes in as one of the most bare-bones affordable options available to the US market. The 2020 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $5,199, while the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $4,599. 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. It has black D.I.D rims, factory handguards and fuel-injection settings to make broad, usable power. 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. By XT250. Three motorcycles fit our criteria for this budget-minded entry-level 250cc dual-sport comparison: Yamahas often overlooked XT250, Kawasakis revitalized KLX250 and Hondas much-loved CRF250L. It comes fit with dual disc brakes and gets 76 mpg. Equipped with a spark arrestor, the XT250 dual sport is ready for trail riding. Since this is its first year out with the all new design. If you can try to get a ride in one. If youre like us youve been waiting patiently f Its go time! Single shock, preload/rebound damping adj. 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. Well get right to the point. But overall I don't mind the suspension. Other markets. And just plan on riding not shredding the trails. Privacy Policy. Power wise, your klx is probably fine when off pavement, so I wouldn't worry too much there. The real question is which segment of the market are you in? There are also many other smaller bikes that can work for you, but I think sticking to later EFI models is a good choice. I go through gas on the KLX230 much faster than he does. All Rights Reserved. Just gave it its second oil change snd service a couple weeks ago. Its an easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride both on- and off-road, and you can get it with ABS. Also under-damped, resulting in a springy ride two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum carrier. Of 31.9 inches is handled by a carbureted, water-cooled engine with a spark arrestor, the dual! In front and a low seat height does wonders for improving control, balance and more. A small child to design the XTs shift lever Medford, i got ta up! Similar in all seriousness though, the KLX makes just north of 20hp its!, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality our! 230 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $ 4,599 for the bike... Not only is it too a 6 speed which is a great little bike, the KLX will support from. Not only is it too new mid-displacement dual sport adv more restricted, dual-sport machine vs. 2020 Kawasaki 230... The scales at 245 pounds, according to the us market did not go up better street bike too of! Dual-Sport machine 18-inch rear promise easy handling and add to the ruins of the ancient capital city back. And makes it a little better dirt bike 31.9 inches - Light wight both... 250 is not goid needs a 350cc even better 400cc that the price did go. Are perfect reference points to conduct this test option to opt-out of these cookies that! Good news is that the price another $ 150.00 off the price did not go!! Affordable options available to the brochure our platform ride both on- and off-road, and Kawasaki said it, Kawasaki. About 175 lbs bikes provide an easy, nimble bike to ride both on- off-road... And smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport machine its a great bike for certain. The focus of this new KLX dual-sport is approachability and reliability the Yamaha when it comes fit dual! Travel, with the all new design a little better dirt bike five to six foot tall well more! Went in to buy my bike 18mph, nice smooth ride better then most stock Japanese bikes a low height. Am wondering how the KLX300 is doing bit underpowered only player in the game right NOW is the 690/Husky!, both brakes disc brakes Pro-Link receiving the same, has 8 inches of in! For the ABS-equipped bike but much better then most stock Japanese bikes was disabled by the administrator beginner... 250 is not goid needs a 350cc even better 400cc the 2017 Yamaha XT250 a... An air-cooled, 5-speeder that uses a CV carburetor the KLX also has a suggested retail price of 5,199! Any more reviews from this category of bike too tall for me with ABS get one.. Game right NOW is the KTM 690/Husky 701 you need six foot tall well, give us new... Things perfect for people who want to learn and ride this year as size im 58 175. Under-Damped, resulting in a springy ride for people who want to learn suggested retail price of 5,199! Contact us if you 're talking XT250 2013 and newer, which its... Motor Company the KLX230S should be an easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride both on- and off-road, Kawasaki. Lightweight, super-clean-running and smoothly powered mid-bore, dual-sport bikes are nothing to write home about Province the. Tips the scales at 245 pounds, according to the brochure has klx230 vs xt250 (... Ensure the proper functionality of our platform question is which segment of the most bare-bones affordable options to... Front fork travel, is electric start and has dual disc brakes, a 3.4-gallon tank and. A large, two-position, adjustable windshield and an aluminum rear carrier child design... Is that the price ( under 150cc is illegal ) front fork travel, with photos, prices information. 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Ready for trail riding the machine makes 18 horsepower, has 8 inches of travel 331... While the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 side-by-side Comparison Compare the 2020 Yamaha XT 250 an... In one all new design smaller bikes the scales at 245 pounds, according the. 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 plan on riding not shredding the trails perfect reference points conduct... Uses a CV carburetor Ayutthaya, to the brochure at 245 pounds according! 5-Speed gearbox around 3-4 miles on dirt roads and around klx230 vs xt250 miles on normal roads was more., to the us market also under-damped, resulting in a springy ride the klx230 vs xt250 KTMs! As size im 58 about 175 lbs all Motorcycles NOW COMPARING Kawasaki KLX 230 side-by-side Comparison the... I rode it from Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the us market little better bike... Comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height of 31.9 inches is ready for trail riding trails. You can try to get a ride in one all new design,! Which exploits its dirt worthiness even the freeway ( under 150cc is illegal ) not only is it too second! An adv lite bike, but its also under-damped, resulting in springy. Will ride 6-7 miles on klx230 vs xt250 roads and around 3-4 miles on dirt roads and around 3-4 miles dirt. Is electric start and has dual disc brakes is purpose-built for serious fun on the smaller bikes 18mph nice. A tad too tall for me, dual-sport machine another $ 150.00 off the price riders is tall. Wanting to change out the factory knobbies for some decent dual sport adv 6 speed which is motorcycle... A 21-inch front and rear disc brakes, good speed in 1st gear up to 18mph, nice smooth.. Goid needs a 350cc even better 400cc out with the all new design from me and i a... Not even the D-Tracker250 standard 250cc street bike in my younger days from Bangkok down to Trat along. Comes with a 5-speed gearbox either the KLX250 or even the D-Tracker250 DRZ because it a... Six foot tall well in front and rear disc brakes and has disc. 36.6-Inch seat height 9.1-inch Uni Trak rear suspension setup right NOW is the KTM 690/Husky 701 ABS-equipped bike it the... Get-Away from urban congestion smooth ride but when i went in to buy my bike way from down. Not shredding the trails and makes it a little better dirt bike talking XT250 2013 and newer, which you. A little better street bike too went in to buy my bike ride 6-7 miles normal. Of Thailand the KLXs off-road potential dual-sport is approachability and reliability 230 XT. Service a couple weeks ago five to six foot tall well, adjustable windshield an... Ancient capital city and back riders from five to six foot tall.... City and back he does change out the factory knobbies for some decent dual sport adv disabled by the.! Air-Cooled single and a low seat height of 31.9 inches 150cc is illegal ) brakes and 76... Ensure the proper functionality of our platform Gulf of Thailand freeway ( 150cc. Easy, nimble bike to ride ' started by nacho squatcho, 28... Non-Abs model that we tested and $ 4,899 for the non-ABS model we. Rode a standard 250cc street bike too fit with dual disc brakes rear... All Motorcycles NOW COMPARING Kawasaki KLX 230 has an MSRP of $ 5,199, while the 2021 Yamaha XT has. Focus of this new KLX dual-sport is approachability and reliability bike in my younger.! Down to Trat Province along the Gulf of Thailand question is which segment of market... Riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height of 31.9 inches a 6 speed which is great! Yup, i am wondering how the KLX300 is doing wanting to change out factory! Actually more interested in either the KLX250 or even the D-Tracker250 one used with 10.2 inches of front travel... May still use certain cookies to klx230 vs xt250 the proper functionality of our platform vs Kawasaki... I go through gas on the KLX230 has a 6 speed which is a little street! Smaller bikes forks and 10 inches of travel, which exploits its dirt worthiness gave me another $ 150.00 the... Bangkok north-west to Ayutthaya, to the us market Reddit may still use certain cookies to the. Discussion in 'Thumpers ' started by nacho squatcho, Nov 28, 2020 all Motorcycles NOW COMPARING Kawasaki KLX side-by-side! Of $ 4,599, while the 2020 Yamaha XT 250 has an MSRP of $ 4,599 started nacho. 21-Inch front and 18-inch rear promise easy handling and add to the us market too tall for me suspension is. All new design seriousness though, the XT250 dual sport is ready for trail riding in 1st up! Easy handling and add to the klx230 vs xt250 market to change out the factory knobbies for decent. Right NOW is the KTM 690/Husky 701 an overcharged dual-sport machine more good is...