Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: More Capable Than Hero Xpulse 200 and RE Himalayan 450?

Look up at the sky and chances are that you will see an aeroplane fly by. Staring in wonder, you might think that it takes a lot to get you airborne and waft you across the blue sky. Of course, that is true but not always. The first ever manned plane by the Wright Brothers had a mere 12bhp engine powering it. It is a far cry from the big and complex engines of today. But it did not stop man from reaching for the heavens and feeling alive. This just shows that you do not always need the biggest tech to achieve the best results. It is a balance between power, physics and grit. With the recent onslaught of ADVs in the market that are capable but also usually big and burly, people have a perception that they are the best tool for off-road excursions. However, Kawasaki hopes to break the convention with the KLX 230, a lightweight, low-capacity dual-sport. We got to ride it on an off-road track and see how well 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 did not find any areas that struck out as bad. Yes, the cables just below the instrument cluster could have been routed a little better but it is no deal breaker. You get an LED headlamp but the turn indicators and the tail lamp are halogen. I am not too impressed by the indicator design but the rest of the slim and purpose-built bodywork looks good. It has a bit of a retro charm to it, thanks to the square-ish headlamp unit.

I do prefer the Lime Green of our test unit but I also realise that it might be too loud for some. Those customers can opt for the more subtle Battle Gray colour. Something that novice riders might struggle with is the height of the bike. It has a seat height of 880mm but that is common for dirt bikes like these. Since the frame is very narrow, reaching the ground is relatively easier. The plus point of this height is the ample ground clearance of 265mm.

Kawasaki has also given a fully digital instrument cluster to the KLX, complete with Bluetooth connectivity. Although the design and readouts are basic, I think it gets the job done. I just wish that it perhaps could come with a gear position indicator since there seems to be space for it on the console. The main idea behind a machine like the KLX 230 is to keep things simple and light and that Kawasaki has managed to do very well.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: Ride Experience

Let’s talk about the 233cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine powering the KLX. It produces a respectable 17.8bhp and 18.3Nm. Given the light kerb weight of 139kg, this small engine has no trouble zooming on dirt and propelling the bike a dozen feet in the air after you hit a ramp. What is even more surprising is the refinement and linear power delivery. I was expecting the engine to be gruff and the throttle to be janky but that was not the case at all. You can feed the KLX measured inputs and it also won’t leave you buzzing after a couple of sessions either. Even the 6-speed gearbox was easy to shift whether I was seated on the seat or standing on the pegs.

The ergonomics of the machine add to how well you can control this machine. Since you sit high up and the handlebar is not too tall or wide, it is very easy to muscle the bike around a corner or keep it pointing in a specific direction even though the ground underneath you is giving way under the pressure of combustion-powered motoring. Its feather-light kerb weight of 139kg adds to the convenience. The long travel suspension (240mm front and 250mm rear) is great at soaking in all kinds of shocks and providing a stable landing after a jump.

Also Read: Kawasaki KLX 230 vs Hero Xpulse 200 4V Spec Comparison: What's Different?

You get petal disc brakes on both ends with dual-channel ABS. But the real highlight is that you can switch off the ABS for both wheels at the press of a button on the right side of the handlebar. This is ideal considering what this machine is meant to do. The dual-purpose MRF tyres fared much better on sand and gravel than I was expecting. Since you will use this bike on the streets, you would need tyres that are somewhat capable of handling tarmac as well as helping you hunt down trails. So, while not as good as knobby tyres, I still feel like the units you get here are as good as it gets. You do not slide unnecessarily when you jam the rear brakes. Although, the front did feel a bit more willing to buck when turning and using the front brakes.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: Final Thoughts

When looking at the KLX 230, buyers will have to understand that even though it is road-legal, it does not mean that it is a one-stop solution for all your needs. It is meant for people who want to pursue serious off-roading and is more suited for off-road courses than it is for daily commutes. The fact that you do not need to have a trailer to transport it to the dirt track is an added bonus.

So, maybe this won’t convince every Xpulse customer to make the jump but then, the vanity of this machine lies in its exclusivity. At least that is what I believe. And it definitely shows that motorcycles cannot be limited to the spec sheet. The numbers on paper do not even begin to tell the story the KLX carves in the wild!

Also Read: 2024 Yezdi Adventure First Ride Review: Better Than The Himalayan?

The KLX 230 will be sold as a CKD so the prices are going to be better than existing dirt bikes from the company but still a bit on the higher side. We expect it to be under Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom) and that would give it a fighting chance. Higher sales numbers might encourage Kawasaki to produce the bike here in India and reduce the costs further. No matter how you look at it, I believe that Kawasaki has a capable machine in their hands, one that has loads of potential for delivering high giggles per hour. This is a machine I loved more with every lap spent riding it.