Kawasaki KLX 230

The dual-sport motorcycle category in India has a bunch of choices but not all will suit a first timer. In fact, there was only one name until now, the Hero Xpulse 200 4V. However, with the introduction of the Kawasaki KLX 230, the landscape seems to be slowly shifting, since this bike fits in the same segment. Well, we all expected the S model, but nonetheless, the standard KLX 230 appears promising. But is it? And should you be purchasing it as a beginner off-road motorcyclist? These and a few other questions were on our mind before hitting the trails at the Pro Dirt Adventure Park.

And here are the answers…

Like a typical dual-purpose motorcycle, the KLX 230 gets a slim and purposeful build. Its philosophy of form over function is evident and reflects in the aesthetics. You get a tall fender, a wide handlebar, a flat headlight with a cowl, a narrow seat, and an upswept exhaust partially covered with the side panel. This is all the bodywork that the KLX 230 gets.

All of these are coloured in bright green, in proper Kawasaki fashion. That said, the paint scheme complements the rugged styling of the KLX 230 very well. But, you can also opt for the Battle Grey colour that Kawasaki has listed on its official website.

Powering the Kawasaki KLX 230 is a 233cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that makes 17.85bhp and 18.3Nm. It is linked to a six-speed gearbox. Kawasaki has also equipped the bike with switchable dual-channel ABS. The instrument console gets a red-coloured switch which directly disengages the ABS at the rear.

Even in terms of hardware, the KLX 230 is quite simple. It rides on gaitered telescopic front forks and a monoshock with preload adjustability. However, owing to its off-roading purpose, the front springs get 240mm and the rear shock boasts 250mm travel. The braking duties are handled by a 265mm front and 250mm rear disc mounted on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheel. These are wrapped in MRF Mogrip tyres.

On the feature front, Kawasaki has offered bulb illumination throughout and an LCD with smartphone connectivity using the Kawasaki app. The brand also offers a smartphone charging port, but that is an optional extra.

Our time with the KLX 230 was brief and scattered, as we rode it on three different trail layouts. Moreover, being completely new to off-road riding further added to the challenges. However, we found the KLX 230 to be a fairly forgiving motorcycle. It puts the power down in a linear manner, and the engine accelerates quite smoothly. We rode the bike in second gear for the most part, and even with the revs being close to the limiter, the stress management of this 233cc motor was likeable. Even with repeated strain, the NVH levels seemed well taken care of.

Although smooth, the motor packs a decent punch in the lower gears and is well suited for riding in the dirt of a track with loose soil. Since the power delivery isn’t frantic, there is a lot of scope for the rider to make mistakes without being intimidated.

The same can be said for its handling. Since the KLX feels and is so light on its feet, we found it extremely nimble. The tall stance wasn’t a hurdle in our quest to make the most of the KLX in the short time. Its wide handlebar lets you counter steer with relative ease, and the narrow but long seat allows you to shift weight as needed. The bike we rode was shod with road tyres so it was difficult to get a good feel at the front end. But nonetheless, we managed to keep it on two wheels even when I almost lost the front wheel and was about to low-side.

We switched off the rear ABS a few times and found it much easier to stop the bike in the loose soil. While the rear would slide out, it was much more predictable given the wheelbase and the weight management. But, we are yet to find out what it rides like on the road, how well the brakes function, and the overall suspension response.

After riding the Kawasaki KLX 230 cumulatively for about 45 minutes, we have learnt that it is a promising prospect. The power delivery is punchy but not frantic and linear but not lazy. The first gear is quite short and runs out of drive early but the second one compensated for it. With its lightweight build, the KLX comes across as an easy handler and inspires confidence. It is nimble, changes direction quickly, and you won’t find yourself struggling to manouver it in any condition. While the seat height is taller than regular motorcycles, the saddle is quite narrow which makes it easier to put your foot down. But we are yet to find out if it will be comfortable on a longer ride.

But should you purchase it? Given the current number of options available in the market for a small capacity off-road bike, the future seems bright for the Kawasaki KLX 230. It is being offered as a CKD product so the asking price could be around Rs. 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom). So, clearly, the KLX 230 won’t come cheap unless Kawasaki wants to roll the dice and price aggressively.

Moreover, Kawasaki also confirmed to BikeWale that they will localise the bike and manufacture it in India given there is an adequate demand in the market. But this will be possible only if the brand prices it correctly.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi