Bear in mind the COVID pandemic? Good occasions. The massive silver lining from that societal meltdown was that the off-road motorbike section noticed an enormous surge in demand, and for 2025 Kawasaki is trying to preserve curiosity with key updates to its KLX230R filth bike, in addition to its companion submodel, the KLX230R S. Each new bikes retain the identical 233cc single-cylinder basis, however the S has a decrease seat, and within the KLX230R’s case, revisions like a bigger gas tank, a reworked subframe, and up to date styling have made their approach onto the 2025 mannequin. Different tweaks embody a main balancer added to the 233cc single (for fewer vibes), a redesigned seat, and reworked ergos. Is it sufficient to get the lots to shell out for one? It may very well be, for the reason that new KLX230R’s MSRP can also be decrease (by $150) than final 12 months’s bike.
2025 Kawasaki KLX230R
Naturally Kawasaki’s press launch hypes a “new 233cc engine with improved low-mid vary energy” however from what we’ve been in a position to dig up, the modifications listed below are minor at finest.
The KLX230R retains its lengthy stroke basis intact, however provides a single-axis main balancer to cut back vibrations transmitted to the rider. The simplified SOHC two-valve design carries over too, although the consumption port is now narrower and the consumption valve smaller (now 33mm) as a way to “improve ease of use within the low-mid vary,” with an up to date ECU to match the brand new torque traits. The airbox can also be smaller, to higher accommodate the brand new subframe and permit house for the air consumption, however that’s the extent of it. The sleek-shifting six-speed transmission stays unchanged, with its 46/13 last gear ratio giving riders a very good deal with on most path using eventualities.
Over within the chassis division, the KLX230R’s decrease triple clamp materials has been up to date from metal to aluminum in an effort to chop weight, whereas the rear subframe has been reworked to take care of wheel journey and make room for the brand new, decrease seat, down practically an inch in peak to 35.6 inches. That redesigned seat now sports activities higher cushioning and is flatter for simpler motion on the bike, and flush seams between the shrouds, seat, and facet covers imply fewer situations the place your boots may get caught.
Moreover, the handlebar and footpegs have been repositioned to match the seat, with the bar now 25mm (1 inch) ahead and 13mm (0.5 inch) increased and the footpegs 9mm (0.4 inch) extra rearward. It’s additionally nice to see the KLX get away from the plastic and add a brand new metal gas tank into the combination, which has grown to a full 2 gallons.
However all that dimensional reshuffling additionally makes for lowered floor clearance on the 2025 KLX230R, although it’s nonetheless a powerful 11.4 inches. The bike additionally sees a steeper rake angle of 25.4 levels this 12 months, with wheelbase growing barely to 54.1 inches from 53.5. And whereas Kawasaki says there are suspension tweaks to the 2025 mannequin, we may detect no modifications in spec to the entrance 37mm fork (9.8 inches of journey) or the rear’s Uni-Trak single shock, which maintains the identical 9.8 inches of journey. Kawi does remind us that the R’s rear spring and damping settings are stiffer than on the KLX230 twin sport, and that the shock is adjustable for preload; this 12 months it additionally provides stepless adjustment for simpler tuning.
In any other case it’s the identical story as final 12 months’s bike, with no modifications to the 240mm entrance disc, two-piston caliper and 220mm rear disc, single-piston caliper association, mounted on a 21/18 aluminum wheel combo.
On the styling entrance, modifications are refined, however it’s nonetheless a deal with to see the brand new 230R channeling aggressive, sporty vibes from Group Inexperienced’s badass KX motocrossers. The newly sculpted bodywork and race-inspired colours are mirrored in gas tank, shrouds, and facet covers, form of like these on the newest KX450 and KX250. The redesigned entrance fender can also be formed to match the brand new facet covers for a greater circulation, whereas newly designed brake and clutch levers additionally replace the look. What’s equally spectacular is that even with the modifications, the worth has gone down this 12 months; MSRP for the 2025 KLX230R is $4,999.
2025 Kawasaki KLX230R S
The KLX230R S mannequin debuted final 12 months, and is constructed on the identical basis as its KLX230R brother, with the identical up to date 233cc engine, tank, and ergonomic and styling revisions this 12 months as properly. As with Kawasaki’s different “S” marked fashions, the one distinction is within the seat peak and a few of the associated suspension part journey. On the S, you sit simply 34.4 inches off the bottom, with the handlebar and footpeg places additionally revised to match the brand new seat (as with the straight 230R). That makes for a shorter suspension journey of 8.7 inches on the fork, and eight.8 inches of stroke on the rear Uni Trak shock.
There’s additionally a steeper rake of 24.6 levels on KLX230R S, with a shorter 53.3-inch wheelbase as properly. Floor clearance is 10.6 inches. In any other case, the 2025 KLX230R S is available in the identical inexperienced/grey coloration choices, and even has the identical $4,999 price ticket.
2025 Kawasaki KX230R & KX230 S Technical Specs and Worth
| Worth: | $4,999 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 233cc, SOHC, air-cooled single; 2 valves |
| Bore x Stroke: | 67.0 x 66.0mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 9.4:1 |
| Transmission/Closing Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Claimed Horsepower: | N/A |
| Claimed Torque: | N/A |
| Gasoline System: | DFI w/ 32mm throttle physique |
| Clutch: | Moist, multiplate |
| Body | Metal box-section perimeter |
| Entrance Suspension | 37mm telescopic fork; 9.8 in. journey / 8.7 in journey |
| Rear Suspension | Uni-Trak shock, spring preload adjustable; 9.8 in. journey / 8.8 in. journey |
| Entrance Brake | 2-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc |
| Rear Brake | 1-piston caliper, 220mm petal disc |
| Wheels: | Aluminum spoke; 21/18 in. |
| Tires (Entrance, Rear): | 80/100-21; 100/100-18 |
| Rake/Path | 25.4°/4.2 in. / 24.6°/3.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 54.1 in. / 53.3 in. |
| Seat Peak | 35.6 in. / 34.4 in. |
| Floor Clearance: | 11.4 in / 10.6 in. |
| Gasoline Capability | 2.0 gal. |
| Claimed Curb Weight | 265 lb. |
| Contact: | kawasaki.com |
