Kawasaki is taking a giant step towards making off-road and dual sport motorcycles more accessible to riders with shorter legs. Last year they offered a version of the KLX230R off-road bike with reduced suspension travel and a resulting lower seat. This function was expanded to the dual-sport world with the 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S – a full-size dual-sport motorcycle with a seat height of just 32.7 inches. There’s a little more to the story, so it’s time to dive in.
- As a result of the lowering, the seat height of the KLX230 has been reduced by 2.4 inches. The seat height of the S of 32.7 inches corresponds to that of the KTM 390 Duke Streetbike. The ground clearance is now a relatively short 8.3 inches.
- The spring travel at both ends is shortened. Kawasaki reduced the bike path by 2.4 inches at both ends. The result is 6.2 inches of travel for the fork and 6.6 inches of travel on the rear wheel.
- Kawasaki has done more than just cut back on travel. The stock KLX230 has very soft suspension, and shortening the travel would likely result in too much bottoming out. Kawasaki built stiffer two-stage springs into the fork and a stiffer spring for the deflection-assisted damper. Although we’ll have to wait to find out with the KLX230 S, this sounds like a reasonable solution that could improve the bike’s handling on dirt and road.
- The incline and caster of the KLX230 S are the same as the higher version, but the wheelbase is shorter. The rake stays at 27.5 degrees and the trail at 4.6 inches – those numbers work well on the standard KLX230. The shortened suspension travel reduces the wheelbase by 0.8 inches. With the lower chassis and shorter wheelbase, the 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S is said to be an agile machine. Oddly enough, the S version weighs a few pounds more than the standard KLX230, so the ABS output is only a few pounds less than 300 pounds when the two-gallon fuel tank is full.
- The ABS version of the KLX230 S gets a larger front window. The KLX230 S has a 240 mm front screen, while the ABS gets a 265 mm screen. The ABS system is designed for dual sport driving, so it should be dirt-friendly.
- The engine remains unchanged. The SOHC two-valve, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine is simple and works. We also like the six-speed gearbox.
- The 2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S has an MSRP of $ 4,799. Add $ 300 if you want ABS. If you like the Urban Olive Green / Ebony color scheme, then you need to get the ABS model. The color lime green is available for both versions.
We tested the Kawasaki KLX230
2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S (and KLX230 S ABS) Specifications
ENGINE
- Type: single cylinder four stroke
- Displacement: 233cc
- Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.0 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.4: 1
- Valve train: SOHC; 2 valves
- Cooling: air
- Refueling: EFI with 32mm throttle body
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Final drive: chain
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; Travel: Non-adjustable 37mm fork; 6.2 in
- Rear suspension; Spring travel: linkage-assisted spring preload damper; 6.6 in
- Front tire: 2.75 x 21; IRC Hiking trails GP-21F
- Rear tire: 4.10 x 18; IRC trails GP-22R
- Front brake: 240 mm petal disc with 2-piston brake caliper (ABS: 265 mm)
- Rear brake: 220 mm petal disc with single piston caliper
- ABS: Optional ($ 300)
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 53.5 inches
- Rake: 27.5 degrees
- Track: 4.6 inches
- Seat height: 32.7 inches
- Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
- Tank capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Empty weight: 296 pounds (ABS: 298 pounds)
- Colour: Lime green; Urban Olive Green / Ebony (ABS only)
2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S Price: $ 4799 RRP
2022 Kawasaki KLX230 S ABS Price: $ 5099 RRP
2022 Kawaski KLX230 S photo gallery
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