The Perfect Beginner Dual-Sport: 2023 Kawasaki KLX 230 Review!

The 2023 KLX 230 is a dual-sport motorcycle from Kawasaki that has been updated with a new LED headlight, revised ECU settings, and a new lower seat height variant called the KLX 230 S. It has a 233cc air-cooled four-stroke engine that is beginner-friendly and freeway capable. It also has dual-purpose ABS that can be switched off for off-road riding.

[rodneymclaurin]

I love mine. I truly need a dual sport for getting around the farm and running errands around town. Have only put about 1, 000 miles on it as of today, but no issues so far

[CaptainFury]

My dealer had them marked down $1700 below MSRP so I picked one up for around-town errands when I don't want to deal with my VFR or DL650. It's a hoot. As for ergos, I'm 5'11 with a 32 inch inseam and can easily be flat-footed at a stop. It has an excellent front brake. It has great instrumentation, once you move the brake hose out of the way. The suspension is fine for my 175 lbs, which is fortunate because other than shock preload, there's no adjustment. But what do you want from a mini Super Moto that costs a bit more than a Grom?
Yes, my mower has a bigger engine, but the SM is perfectly happy around town. Yes, the seat is a plank, but I'm only going to the hardware store. The auto idle control, which bounces all over the place at a stoplight, stinks, (I'll be fixing that later) but the fuel injection is fine anywhere off idle. I have more capable bikes for "serious" motorcycling, but for strafing city streets this thing is a lot of fun.

[redbird]

It's really insulting that people keep using the term "beginner" with these small displacement, simple design bikes. So because someone wants a smaller bike with less unnecessary power an a simple air cooled engine they are a "beginner"? It's a trick my the motorcycle industry to make people think they need bigger, more complicated and MUCH more expensive bikes when in fact they do not.

[neilouellette]

12/26/2024 Update: 2023 Kawasaki KLX230S leftovers for $3, 000 plus dealer fee brand new in the Northeast. Not a Supermoto but a KLX230S model. Dealers need to make room for the 2025 editions and have brand new 2023 leftovers they have to get rid of. They are out there.

[boostwizzard]

Any bike is a beginner bike if one does not know how to ride 😆... I enjoy mine and been riding for over 40 years. They are gutless however, and not super stable on hwy and 78 mph is a myth and not sustainable, 65 mph is a sweet spot for them. The seat is worse than a dirt bike but there are some aftermarkets. Still, for the price point, they work really good and come to a stop well except you cant turn off ABS on the ABS model, so if you going off-road alot, NON ABS would be my choice.

[MrMoneyHelper]

Does it have the positive neutral finder?

[carbq]

unless thousands of less dollars most people would probably just get the kawi 300 sm

[MrMoneyHelper]

NOT A REVIEW. It's a sales pitch.