Kawasaki KLX 230 review: more powerful than Hero Xpulse 200

Look up at the sky and you’ll likely see an airplane flying by. Staring at you in wonder, you might think it takes a lot of effort to get you airborne and floating across the sky. Of course, this is true, but not always. The first manned airplane built by the Wright brothers only had a 12-horsepower engine. It’s a far cry from today’s large, complex engines. But that doesn’t stop humans from reaching heaven and feeling what it’s like to be alive. This just goes to show that you don’t always need the most advanced technology to get the best results. It’s a balance between strength, physics and courage. Recently, with the onslaught of ADVs on the market, they are powerful but often large and bulky and are considered to be the best tools for off-road travel. However, Kawasaki hopes to break convention with the KLX 230, a lightweight, low-capacity dual-sport bike. We got to ride it on an off-road track to see how it handles and if it can give you that flying feeling.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: Design and Build

The KLX is a simple but well built machine. Surprisingly, the fit and finish of the machine is really good. I didn’t find any areas that were eliminated. Yes, the cables under the dash could run a little better, but that’s not a deal breaker. You get an LED headlight, but the turn signals and taillights are halogen. I’m not too impressed with the indicator design, but the rest of the slim and purpose-built body looks good. It has a bit of retro charm thanks to the square headlight unit.

I did prefer the lime green color of our test unit, but I also realize it might be too loud for some people. These customers can choose a more subtle Combat Grey. One difficulty that novice riders may encounter is the height of the bike. Its seat height is 880mm, but that’s common for this type of off-road vehicle. Since the frame is very narrow, reaching the ground is relatively easy. The advantage of this height is the ample ground clearance of 265 mm.

Kawasaki also gives the KLX a fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity. Although the design and readouts are basic, I think it gets the job done. I just wish it might have had a gear indicator since there seems to be room for it on the console. The main idea behind a machine like the KLX 230 is to keep it simple and lightweight, and Kawasaki does this very well.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: Ride Experience

Let’s talk about the 233cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that powers the KLX. It produces a respectable 17.8bhp and 18.3Nm. Considering the light curb weight of 139kg, the little engine has no trouble accelerating on the dirt and propelling the bike a dozen feet into the air after you hit the ramp. Even more surprising is the refined and linear power delivery. I expected the engine to be rough and the throttle to be choppy, but it wasn’t. You can provide measurement input to the KLX and it won’t leave you buzzing after a few sessions. Even the 6-speed transmission was easy to shift whether I was sitting in the seat or standing on the pedals.

The machine’s ergonomic design increases your control over the machine. Since you sit higher and the handlebars aren’t too high or too wide, it’s easy to get the bike around a corner or keep it pointed in a specific direction, even as the ground beneath you collapses under the pressure of burning power while driving. Its feather-light curb weight of 139kg adds to convenience. The long-travel suspension (240mm front, 250mm rear) is great for absorbing shocks and providing a stable landing after a jump.

Also Read: Kawasaki KLX 230 vs Hero Xpulse 200 4V Specs Comparison: What’s the Difference?

There are petal disc brakes at both ends, accompanied by dual-channel ABS. But the real highlight is that you can turn off ABS on both wheels by pressing a button on the right side of the handlebars. This is ideal considering the purpose of this machine. The dual-purpose MRF tires performed much better on sand and gravel than I expected. Since you’ll be using this bike on the street, you’ll want tires that can handle tarmac and help you find trails. So, while not quite as good as the knobby tires, I still feel like the setup you get here is as good as it gets. When you jam the rear brake, you won’t have unnecessary slippage. Still, the front does feel more willing to flex when cornering and using the front brake.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: Final Thoughts

When looking at the KLX 230, buyers must understand that although it is road legal, that does not mean it is a one-stop solution for all your needs. It’s suitable for those who want to pursue serious off-roading and is more suited to off-road courses than daily commuting. The fact that you don’t need a trailer to transport it to dirt roads is an added bonus.

So maybe that won’t convince every Xpulse customer to take the plunge, but the vanity of this machine is its exclusivity. At least that’s what I think. This is a clear indication that a motorcycle cannot be limited to a spec sheet. The numbers on paper don’t even begin to tell the story of KLX carving in the wild!

Also Read: 2024 Yezdi Adventure First Ride Review: Better than the Himalayas?

The KLX 230 will be sold in CKD form, so the price will be better than the company’s existing off-roaders, but still a bit on the higher side. We expect it to be priced below Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom), which will give it a chance to compete. Higher sales may encourage Kawasaki to manufacture bikes in India and further reduce costs. No matter how you look at it, I believe Kawasaki has a very capable machine on its hands that has the potential to deliver tons of laughs every hour. This is a machine that I like more every time I ride it.