2023 Kawasaki KLX230S - Answer to China

JohnC · 12-15-2022, 10:19 AM

Just saw a review of the new 2023 Kawasaki KLX230S. Seems almost like an answer to China bikes. It has a 233cc injected engine, with 6 speed trans. Also has optional ABS. Seat height is a little low though. MSRP, $5K.

https://www.motorcycle.com/manufactu...irst-ride.html

Certainly looks familiar.........

John

IdahoRider · 12-15-2022, 10:42 AM

I considered one of these, standard model without ABS, but ended up purchasing in Lifan/Venom KPX 250 for several reasons.

1) $2000 less.
2) 2 year / 12,000 mile warranty vs Kawasaki 1 year warranty.
3) Slightly more power.
4) Kawasaki doesn't have gear indicator, RPM, and only 2 gallon tank. Dumb.

Lifan/Venom has so far been good for everyone on warranty and shipping damage claims. If you absolutely don't want to do any maintenance or repair work on your own, then the Kawasaki is the way to go.

tknj99 · 12-15-2022, 10:44 AM

Not sure $5k is an answer to $2k though? unless my math is wrong

JohnC · 12-15-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknj99

Not sure $5k is an answer to $2k though? unless my math is wrong

Agree. I didn't mean to imply it is a good answer. But it is awfully close, design wise, to China bikes.

John

IdahoRider · 12-15-2022, 10:55 AM

There are very few differences between the KLX 230 and KPX 250 other than the price. I have a friend who recently bought a KLX 300 Supermoto. He loves the bike but can't get over the lack of a gear indicator. (He also paid nearly $7000 for the used bike with 300 miles on the odometer). I tried to talk him into buying a Chinese motorcycle but he has zero interest in doing his own maintenance. He asked the salesman about Chinese motorcycles and he said he predicts they are going to become a much bigger player in the US market over the next few years.

tknj99 · 12-15-2022, 11:05 AM

All they need is a dealer network with support (repair and maintenance) and they could definitely grow to be player... but that ofcourse would drive up the lovely prices we benefit from.. so i say, stay as is.. send me the crate and it better not be damaged!

Thumper · 12-15-2022, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknj99

Not sure $5k is an answer to $2k though? unless my math is wrong

Lifan KPX 250 costs $3000, but it also has a bigger engine. However... I agree that really comparable bikes are closers to $2000-$2400. Personally, I prefer to do my own maintenance anyway (more reliable). Comparable bikes would include the Hawk, Storm, Brozz. As far as warranty is concerned, these bikes make it past the 24 month period easily. Issues are almost ALWAYS at the outset, not two years down the road! There are exceptions, but NONE justifying the $2500-$3000 price difference. My Storm has nearly made it to the 2 year mark with no problems whatsoever, and it cost me $1500 plus under $200 shipping. Definitely no buyers remorse here

tknj99 · 12-15-2022, 12:49 PM

Same here.. 2 years strong on the Brozz and has taken a few downers by my son (and maybe once by me). The only issues have been a recent rear blinker that failed. cost a cool $8 to replace the pair with trick flowing signals

**JerryHawk250** · 12-15-2022, 02:15 PM

I've done an actual side by side comparison of the two bikes. KPX has heaver duty front forks and rear swing arm and a full 250cc engine. The KLX has Hawk like forks and swing arms. IdahoRider nailed the rest.

**JerryHawk250** · 12-15-2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknj99

All they need is a dealer network with support (repair and maintenance) and they could definitely grow to be player... but that ofcourse would drive up the lovely prices we benefit from.. so i say, stay as is.. send me the crate and it better not be damaged!

Lifan is already working on this with just over 100 dealers across the US and growing. American Lifan had this in the works for years. At one time there were plans to build an assembly facility in the US but think Covid had threw a monkey wrench in the gears. Who Knows, This may still be in the works.

IdahoRider · 12-15-2022, 02:23 PM

Or you can look at it this way. You can buy a Templar, XPect, and Hawk 250 for the same price as one KLX and have three times the fun!

IdahoRider · 12-15-2022, 02:30 PM

I have a local dealer who sells Templar's, Titan's, KPX 250's, and GPX's. I would have loved to have bought my KPX 250 locally but they are selling (last check) the KPX for $4000 (includes assembly and the first service). I couldn't justify paying $850 more, when I wanted to do all of my own maintenance anyway. Sales must be pretty good though as they were selling them earlier in the year for $3500 so they must be selling well if they could raise the price another $500. It really does pay to take the time to learn to do as much as possible by yourself.

IdahoRider · 12-15-2022, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Lifan is already working on this with just over 100 dealers across the US and growing. American Lifan had this in the works for years. At one time there were plans to build an assembly facility in the US but think Covid had threw a monkey wrench in the gears. Who Knows, This may still be in the works.

Reading through the EPA's list of certified motorcycles, there are ALOT of motorcycles and engines available in the US and more coming. Looks like more bikes are made in China and Southeast Asia including the smaller BMW adventure bikes.

https://www.epa.gov/compliance-and-f...-and-equipment

This Zongshen powered, street legal, rally bike coming next year looks interesting.

https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/ne...howrooms-soon/

**JerryHawk250** · 12-15-2022, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoRider

Reading through the EPA's list of certified motorcycles, there are ALOT of motorcycles and engines available in the US and more coming. Looks like more bikes are made in China and Southeast Asia including the smaller BMW adventure bikes.

https://www.epa.gov/compliance-and-f...-and-equipment

This Zongshen powered, street legal, rally bike coming next year looks interesting.

https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/ne...howrooms-soon/

The KLX Engine is made in Indonesia

Megadan · 12-15-2022, 03:54 PM

I will establish that I would take the kpx250 over the Kawi off the bat.

That now out of the way, y'all don't need a gear indicator. I rode without one for years and you just learn how to count and keep track in your head. After a while you actually keep track subconsciously, and even if you do lose track you figure out how to know. For me I can tell just by speed and rpm.

The deal breaker for me on the Kawi is the teeny weeny tank. Not sure why the new trend for bikes is microscopic fuel tanks, but it's annoying.

12-15-2022, 10:19 AM	#1
JohnC Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 99	2023 Kawasaki KLX230S - Answer to China Just saw a review of the new 2023 Kawasaki KLX230S. Seems almost like an answer to China bikes. It has a 233cc injected engine, with 6 speed trans. Also has optional ABS. Seat height is a little low though. MSRP, $5K. https://www.motorcycle.com/manufactu...irst-ride.html Certainly looks familiar......... John
	1

12-15-2022, 10:42 AM	#2
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	I considered one of these, standard model without ABS, but ended up purchasing in Lifan/Venom KPX 250 for several reasons. 1) $2000 less. 2) 2 year / 12,000 mile warranty vs Kawasaki 1 year warranty. 3) Slightly more power. 4) Kawasaki doesn't have gear indicator, RPM, and only 2 gallon tank. Dumb. Lifan/Venom has so far been good for everyone on warranty and shipping damage claims. If you absolutely don't want to do any maintenance or repair work on your own, then the Kawasaki is the way to go. __________________ 2022 Lifan KPX 250
	3

12-15-2022, 10:44 AM	#3
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	Not sure $5k is an answer to $2k though? unless my math is wrong __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	5

12-15-2022, 10:55 AM	#5
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	There are very few differences between the KLX 230 and KPX 250 other than the price. I have a friend who recently bought a KLX 300 Supermoto. He loves the bike but can't get over the lack of a gear indicator. (He also paid nearly $7000 for the used bike with 300 miles on the odometer). I tried to talk him into buying a Chinese motorcycle but he has zero interest in doing his own maintenance. He asked the salesman about Chinese motorcycles and he said he predicts they are going to become a much bigger player in the US market over the next few years. __________________ 2022 Lifan KPX 250
	1

12-15-2022, 11:05 AM	#6
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	All they need is a dealer network with support (repair and maintenance) and they could definitely grow to be player... but that ofcourse would drive up the lovely prices we benefit from.. so i say, stay as is.. send me the crate and it better not be damaged! __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	2

12-15-2022, 12:49 PM	#8
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	Same here.. 2 years strong on the Brozz and has taken a few downers by my son (and maybe once by me). The only issues have been a recent rear blinker that failed. cost a cool $8 to replace the pair with trick flowing signals __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	0

12-15-2022, 02:15 PM	#9
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	I've done an actual side by side comparison of the two bikes. KPX has heaver duty front forks and rear swing arm and a full 250cc engine. The KLX has Hawk like forks and swing arms. IdahoRider nailed the rest. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	0

12-15-2022, 02:23 PM	#11
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	Or you can look at it this way. You can buy a Templar, XPect, and Hawk 250 for the same price as one KLX and have three times the fun! __________________ 2022 Lifan KPX 250
	2

12-15-2022, 02:30 PM	#12
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	I have a local dealer who sells Templar's, Titan's, KPX 250's, and GPX's. I would have loved to have bought my KPX 250 locally but they are selling (last check) the KPX for $4000 (includes assembly and the first service). I couldn't justify paying $850 more, when I wanted to do all of my own maintenance anyway. Sales must be pretty good though as they were selling them earlier in the year for $3500 so they must be selling well if they could raise the price another $500. It really does pay to take the time to learn to do as much as possible by yourself. __________________ 2022 Lifan KPX 250
	1

12-15-2022, 03:54 PM	#15
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,016	I will establish that I would take the kpx250 over the Kawi off the bat. That now out of the way, y'all don't need a gear indicator. I rode without one for years and you just learn how to count and keep track in your head. After a while you actually keep track subconsciously, and even if you do lose track you figure out how to know. For me I can tell just by speed and rpm. The deal breaker for me on the Kawi is the teeny weeny tank. Not sure why the new trend for bikes is microscopic fuel tanks, but it's annoying. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1