Did some minor maintenance on the TDub.. had to go for a ride to test! Some competitors of the KLX230 ⦠With the Kawasaki’s 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’s suspension provides the most adjustability. The WR's seat height is WAY too tall for my midget's inseam. On the trail, the 230 is very impressive. It is powered by a 249cc, air-cooled, four-stroke engine. Photo by Kevin Wing. All three are fun little around-town go-getters and decent commuters, as long freeways aren’t part of the equation. Kawasaki seems to think so. Yes, it bottoms easily, but the XT does a great job providing a comfortable, well-balanced ride up until then. The suspension duties are handled by a nonadjustable 35mm conventional fork, while the shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping. We feel the Kawasaki’s $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 Honda’s. MotoAmerica And FOX Sports Together Again For 2021, Virtual Tour of Ducati Museum Starts December 22, Mama Tried Show and Flat Out Friday Expand Internationally, Trevor Bollinger Set to Undergo Knee Surgery This Week, Dunlop Tires Accumulated Over 80 Championships At 2020 Mini Olympics. That’s a lot of dough for a first-time buyer, which is why we left it out of this comparison. It’s a solid performer with a small price tag. To compete more directly with the Kawasaki and Honda in terms of price, Yamaha revived the air-cooled, two-valve XT250 and put the MSRP at $5149. Two years ago, we compared the WR250R with the KLX250 and CRF250L. We have the Kawasaki KLX230 priced at â±190,000 , while Yamaha Serow 250 is priced at â±229,000 . Sure, there is preload adjustability, but that’s really only good for fine-tuning. 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. Of the three bikes, the KLX is fitted with the most sophisticated suspension package, which explains its extra $200. Taller riders will feel more at home on either the Honda or Kawasaki, though the Honda’s seat, like its suspension, is too spongy. This becomes more of an issue when the bike is ridden aggressively. Its high-tech KYB fork, SOQI shock, and long wheel travel will keep the aggressive rider quite pleased, as will the Yamaha’s strong brakes. It’s an easy and unintimidating motorcycle to ride both on- and off-road, and you can get it with ABS. Dirtbike will 99% be used for off road not too fussed how it performs on the road. None of these bikes are designed to get you to the finish line first but, more importantly, just get you to the finish line (back home) with a smile on your face. The KLX230 is new to Kawasaki’s dual-sport lineup. A simple SOHC two-valve d⦠The WR250R excels when it comes to handling and suspension. However, its hefty price tag reflected this, putting it approximately $1000, at minimum, above its nearest competitors at the time, namely the KLX250S. The engine has a bore and stroke of 67.0 x 66.0 mm, with a displacement of 233 cc. (Donât worry, we didnât forget about it entirely in this comparison, nor Kawasakiâs new KLX230.) We often found ourselves in situations where first gear was too low and second gear was too tall. It’s 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. At $5,199, the XT250 is $600 more than the KLX230, the same price as the CRF250L⦠Kawasaki KLX230 vs Yamaha Serow 250. 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. And the XT is great for RVers who want to attach a street-legal store-runner to the back of their motorhomes. While all three had their advantages and disadvantages, the KLX, in our option, had the most benefits and was the most solid all-round performer of the three, especially for the more experienced rider. The 2020 Kawasaki KLX230 has a suggested retail price of $4,599 for the non-ABS model, while the ABS model is $4,899. The Honda would be an excellent little dual sport for more serious and experienced riders, too, if it wasn’t for its springy suspension. It was, and still is, a much more capable motorcycle of the three when ridden aggressively over rough terrain. The KLX also has a low 34.8-inch seat height and short 54.3-inch wheelbase. It’s just plain better. Afternoon folks! A big strike against the Yamaha when it comes to first-time riders is its tall 36.6-inch seat height. The KLX230 offers Kawasakiâs first implementation of what they call dual-purpose ABS. CN. Copyright 2020 CycleNews. Its seat height is two inches lower than the Honda’s and three inches lower than the Kawasaki’s. In fact, one of our testers, who is a very experienced street bike rider but less experience in the dirt, had no issues with the Honda’s suspension at all and said that he even preferred it. I live in Canada these are the 250cc options from the only âlocalâ shop about an hour away. That puts the camo version over our $5500 budget by $99. The XT250 has the lowest price here, but also the least power and most basic suspension. Honda CRF 250L-True Dual Sport Adventure However in the same(ish) budget price range are the Japanese Dual Sports like the CRF 250, KLX 250. The big difference between the two is the KLX230 is powered by a SOHC 233cc air-cooled Single, whereas the KLX250 uses a liquid-cooled 249cc DOHC Single. All three bikes ran well and suffered only a small drop in power at 7000 feet; another thumbs up for fuel injection. At the end of the day, there are no definitive winners or losers here, only preferences. Most of our testing took place on dirt, where we feel these bikes will be ridden most. And, as mentioned, their MSRPs are comparable. 43mm telescopic fork, preload, compression damping adj. It pumps out 250cc-like power and handles exceptionally well. The Honda has the advantage in the braking department. The Yamaha XT250 has a $5,349 price tag in Canada for 2018; the Kawasaki KLX250 is $5,599, and the Honda CRF250L is $5,799. The KLX230 has a little better suspension and is a little better dirt bike. The KLX230 an excellent little dual sport that rivals the three larger-displacement bikes in this comparison. The KLX230 is a very capable dirt bike and excellent for exploring back roads. The all-new KLX230 is aimed at entry-level riders along with folks who want a simple, small, no-frills dual-sport. And all three of these bikes are priced under $5500, which is well below the MSRP of the next-closest motorcycle that would be a good fit in this class, but the street-legal Yamaha WR250R is priced well above our trio of contestants at $6699. However, Honda gives you a whole other motorcycle option in the $6299 CRF250L Rally, but that’s crossing into an entirely different realm of riding. We were more concerned about getting pinch flats over the rocks with the Yamaha tires due to them having less sidewalls than the Honda’s and Kawasaki’s girthier tires, and fortunately we didn’t run into that problem. (You can read our 2018 250cc dual-sport shootout here.). We chose this engine displacement because of its versatility and popularity, as it is a good all-around engine size for both experienced and non-experienced riders. Kawasaki KLX 230 is priced between Rp 43,3 - Rp 49,3 Million while Kawasaki KLX 250 is ⦠2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan Base vs. 2018 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan Base vs 2018 Yamaha XT 250. 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. Some competitors for the Yamaha XT250 would include the Kawasaki KLX230, Honda CRF250L, and Kawasaki KLX250. 2019 Kawasaki KLX 250 vs. 2019 Yamaha XT 250 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the 2019 Kawasaki KLX 250 vs 2019 Yamaha XT 250. None of the bikes had a significant advantage over the other in the motor department. We’ll get right to the point. We could’ve ridden them back and forth to Albertson’s all day and been done with it, but we had more ambitious plans—an approximately 100-mile backroads loop to the top of our local mountains and back. You better find yourself a long onramp. That’s because the KLX was ultimately the bike of choice among our testers. When the Honda is ridden at more sedate speeds, however, its suspension is just fine. CRF250L vs KLX250S vs XT250/TW200. 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. The suspension is quite good, too, but suffers the same issues as the CRF250L—it’s quite soft and bottoms easily as soon as the pace picks up. Three motorcycles fit our criteria for this budget-minded entry-level 250cc dual-sport comparison: Yamaha’s often overlooked XT250, Kawasaki’s revitalized KLX250 and Honda’s much-loved CRF250L. A lower ⦠It is powered by a 249cc, air-cooled, four-stroke engine. Not only is it too soft, but it’s also under-damped, resulting in a “springy” ride. I think it's closest competitor is really the xt250, both in power and size. That Bottom Line. And not only all this, but it’s also a looker! It features electric start and has decent travel in the suspensionâ8.9 inches up front and 7.1 inches in the rear. We were not provided ABS-equipped models to test, so all I can share is the sentiment from Kawasakiâs representatives â they note that the system allows a very small amount of slide compared to street ABS before it engages. XT250 USA CAN 2018 YAMAHA XT250: $5199. I think they're similar in all categories if you're talking XT250 2013 and newer, which means you can get one used. There are also many other smaller bikes that can work for you, but I think sticking to later EFI models is a good choice. The Yamaha’s fork is non-adjustable, but you can tune the shock’s spring preload and rebound damping. 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. 2020 Kawasaki KLX250 vs. Honda CRF250L vs. Yamaha XT250 Comparison The Contestants Oh well, it’s not a perfect world, but at least there is no technical or performance advantage between the camo and green models, unless you’re trying to hide from the enemy. What really makes the KLX stand out above the other two is its suspension. Pricing/Conclusion. Yamaha offers two 250cc dual-sport models, and the XT250 is the more price-conscious machine with a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 5-speed powerplant. Find below the detailed motorcycle comparison of Kawasaki KLX230 and Yamaha Serow 250, based on price, specifications, & other features. It won’t fix the soft problem even if cranked all the way in. The XT250 packs a reliable punch. The suspension duties are handled by a nonadjustable 35mm conventional fork, while the shock. ALL-NEW six speed transmission The four-stroke air-cooled single cylinder engine offers smooth, reliable and durable performance in a compact package. Yamaha must have enlisted a small child to design the XT’s shift lever. The WR250R is a little more performance-oriented and priced at $6649. The Kawasaki has a slightly higher base price of $5399. Otherwise they look like good suspects for a starter DS bike. MSRP on the 2016 XT250 was $5,190, same as it was since 2013; though for 2017, we saw the price jumped a whole $9 to $5,199, and Yamaha held it there through 2019. A low seat height does wonders for improving control, balance and, more importantly, confidence. (You must log in or sign up to reply here. It’s a very-good performing motorcycle that does a lot of things well. However, the WR250R does merit a mention. The XT250 is around 7300 on road, not too sure about the kawasaki. At least the color is the same). Ready for action: (Left to right) Yamaha TTR230, Kawasaki KLX140G and Honda CRF230F. 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. Our real gripe is with the shock. Plus, the Honda and Kawasaki have sporty looks, while the Yamaha sticks with a conservative look. I think they're similar in all categories if you're talking XT250 2013 and newer, which means you can get one used. Period. Single shock, preload/rebound damping adj. The all-new KLX230 is aimed at entry-level riders along with folks who want a simple, small, no-frills dual-sport. We rode the bikes with their original tires, and we were probably most impressed by the Yamaha’s Bridgestones. In a nutshell, all three suspensions work well at a casual pace, but you’ll “run out” of suspension on the Honda and Yamaha well before you will on the Kawasaki. Anything in the same price range is OK, and if 2nd hand or 400's ok as long as within same price range. Decent travel in the motor, but you can get one used KLX300R, but also the least power handles. Other two will be judged here. ) a big strike against the Yamaha is overall in! As mentioned, their MSRPs are comparable great job providing a comfortable, ride! Bikes ran well and suffered only a small child to design the XT the! To ride both on- and off-road, and the Yamaha is overall smaller in relative! Price range are the most comparable in design ; its roots date to! Slightly higher base price of $ 5,349, while the shock is adjustable preload. 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