i have about 4k on my 2023 Klx230s abs. this bike is criminally underrated. new KLX’s go for the same as used XT250’s. this bike is pretty quick and you can easily get the rear to slide in the dirt. honestly you get use to the seat but seat concepts does make a seat. this bike is budget friendly but doesn’t feel cheap if that makes since. i love mine!!!
Just looking at the Honda, I think I'd want it for the seat alone. It looks so comfy compared to the Kawa. All dual sports had a seat that was somewhat comfortable back in the olden days. I miss that.
@@CentralIllinoisSolar The seats were definitely softer and larger on the dual sports back in the '80's. I bought a Suzuki SP500 new back in '83 and it's seat was super nice. But the bike was very heavy and kind of tall. I still kept it until '02, road that bike everywhere, being a 500 it was even good for long road trips. But now I'm old, and like the smaller bikes, that's why I'm looking at the KLX230 or the Honda XR150L.. But I like the KLX so much better!
Used to race MX, my first street bike was an XT225(01 or 03 if I can remember correctly) & it was not a comfy after an hour. As I stood next to it getting my butt back, I remembered how seldom my ass was on the seat when I used to ride, in the corners & the pit, bout the only time. Still miss that XT though...
Thanks for the informative review, I'm looking for something to zip around on, was considering the XR, didn't know this model existed till today, need to look into aftermarket seats if I were to pick one up, I like to ride for hours. Glad they're finally adding options for us shorter riders, had an XT225 years ago, still kicking myself in the ass for selling it. Fuel injection looks nice, getting lazy with jetting & air screw udjustments in my older years...
This is an awesome bike. I've never seen an XR150, but this is a solid machine. As usual not as soft and refined as the Honda, but its fun to ride. It climbs like a mountain goat, and plows through water better than the KLX 300.
Bought the xr150L in the Philippines. 2023 model new for 1950usd For that price it’s a bonifide steal. It’s a little different from the us model. The lights run off the stator and it dosent have the heater on the carb and the carb is totally adjustable. Very old school, reminds me of when I started riding in the 70s. The seat is comfy by todays standards but I wish it was level and didn’t have the dip in it. It isn’t fast by us standards but for Philippines it’s fast. I thought about getting a bigger bike but I’d be tempted to push it harder and that could be deadly over here. To many dogs, people and things popping suddenly into the roadway. It’s perfect size for here. 90% of all traffic here is motorcycles in the 125-150cc range. Avg speed 35-50mph
It's hard to make a fair comparison when you are comparing apples and oranges. Yep, more money and 55% more cc and you are no longer comparing two similar bikes. My XR cruises nice at 55 mph which is really 60 mph by the GPS. But you're right, there's not much throttle left and you do need to be on level roads without much headwind. I'm sure 80 more cc will give you at least a 5-10 mph higher cruise range but for the money and the comfort of that XR saddle, I'll ride that all day long (and have) without a tired butt. I know what you mean about the the harder saddle and ALL the other enduro bikes on the market (and I mean ALL) have a narrow and hard saddle. Wider is always better and softer is too. I've got 600 miles on it in these NM 110 degree temps (the temperature is limiting my riding to a couple hours each morning) I've checked the valves and changed the oil. I bought it because it's the upgraded version of my old 1975 XR125. All old school. So I'm reliving my childhood on it. I wanted a white one but black was all I could get, but any color is better than Kawasaki green. I've never liked that color and I've owned a LOT of Kawasakis but never that color. I've also owned four of the old Ninja 250s over the years and my Versys X 300 reminds me of those with the screaming engine. For long distance comfort I ride my CB500X and for traveling I strap my Monkey onto the truck. Life is good.
Ive rode both bikes for over 100+ miles, the seat on the KLX is just horrendous. The XL while not having the off road prowess as the KLX, hard pass on the KLX for me. Its worthless if after 60 miles it feels like someone beat my backside with a 2×4. I did over 100 miles on the XL off road and was so comfortable i felt like i could do a 100 more
I agree, we own a KLX230S, and I can hit 74 MPH before the governor kicks in. I cruise all day at 70mph on the 230S, as far as the Honda XR150L, they are about the same size, both air cooled, no gas gauge on the XR150L there is a gas gauge on the 230S and 6 gears on the KLX, vs the Honda XR150L is only 5 gears. Get the KLX230 or the KLX230S. It’s the better bike for the same size. And the KLX is EFI! The Honda XR150 is carbureted. Both get great gas mileage I think about 80 mpg each.
I’ll bet you aren’t the only one that’s got their new Honda 150 for sale. I’m almost glad I couldn’t find one. I do realize that the 150 Honda is quite the little performer for WHAT IT IS, and people have to appreciate that Honda is giving you a great, capable, affordable, do it all bike at a great price point, but the saying “It is what it is” fits the Honda perfectly, and you and I get caught in the trap, ‘For just a little more’. In ‘my case’, I’m an experienced rider, not good, but experienced, and now 59 years old, so I can see where the OP is coming from, (for just a little more) but then again, where does it end? Thanks for the video. I was hoping the Yamaha WR 155r would come to the states for 2024, but was also thinking (years ago, 2008) my WR250r was borderline fast enough Lot to think about, lol.
I'm actually very glad I couldn't find an XR150L. I wanted one, but after looking at photos and videos very closely, you can tell it's a very cheaply made bike. Steel wheels (really?), old XR100 swingarm from the '80's, useless chain guide, horrible looking welds on the frame, and so on. But yeah it's cheap and that's what it's supposed to be. Fortunately I got the KLX230 and it's VERY nice, I'm so glad I passed on the Honda.
Apples and oranges. I can appreciate the features if both. I only ride within a few miles of the house. The XR150 serves the purpose for me. Nice job though.
The bike retails for just under 5k in the US With freight tax doc fees and prep I paid $5100 8k in the US for the KLX230 is just wrong. That dealer was looking to take advantage of you. I feel I Over paid a bit.
I had a similar experience with a local dealer who had a low price on the bike but really had high costs for freight, prep and documentation costs. I told them that if they could sell the bike to someone else for that much, go ahead and sell it to that person. I found a dealer about 30 miles away where their total charges for freight/prep/doc were $1,000 less. I bought my KLX230S there. The title/tax/tags is the same price at all dealers in my area since those are government costs/fees.
When it comes to small dual sports, there are a few things I'd look at. Cost is a big thing. If they charge too much you might as well get a bigger bike. This is priced a bit too close to Honda's 300 for my taste. At around 4500 this would be a steal, 4700 still a good deal. I like Honda's CRF250F, and if they would make a dual sport version of that I'd be tempted in the same price range. Another is the ability to travel on 75MPH highways. When I was young and speeds were limited to 55, a 150cc bike would do just fine, but that was then and this is now. In my experience, it takes about a 250 to handle those speeds, or better, a 300. It sounds like this just barely does it, but it depends on your size, and if you strap any travel bags to it. Features is another concern. The 150L is priced great, but you get a drum rear brake. Surely it wouldn't cost much for it to have a rear disk brake. The 150L seems like a beginners bike, and/or cheap commuter that's somewhat dirt worthy, so I guess it's not a huge deal. And lastly, quality. I don't really expect any quality issues on these like you might have if you bought one of the China bikes. The cheap Chinese bikes tend to have softer bolts, the plastic isn't quite as durable, etc... but they have come a long way since I first looked at them. If they ever get a foothold at regular dealers, the big 4 might have to worry.
XT250 says what? I think the XR150 is a great starter bike and may be good enough for some. It's also well priced to compete against the Amazon bikes, but you've got to get what you paid for, even on a Honda.
You definitely get what you pay for with the low priced XR150L. Look at it closely; cheap steel wheels, very old school steel swing arm, looks like it came off a '94 XR100, same with the cheap and useless chain guide, and the very cheap old XR100 shift lever. Also the frame welds look horrible. I know, it's a cheap bike and that's fine, but this KLX is actually very nice, looks like quality components everywhere. Even my little Suzuki DRZ125L came with alloy wheels, skid plate, RM85 front disk brake, a very nice MX chain guide, and high quality IRC tires. And made in Japan, not China or wherever the Honda is made now.
Fun video!!!I rode that bike I’m 190 pounds at 5:10 what a great little bike plenty of power super agile I like the firm seat it gives good support very impressed with this machine especially around town 5000 out the door what city do you live in ? They’re 5900 w ABS in Los Angeles I thought the brakes on this were just fine
@centralillinoissolar I just picked up a new 230SM for around-town errands. I'm still in the break-in process, but I've already come to hate the automatic variable idle control, supposedly intended to assist new riders. Since this bike can appeal to experienced riders as well, one would hope there would be a fix, but other than replacing the stock idle control with a manual screw I've yet to hear of one. Does the 230S have the same issue? BTW the larger front disc on the SM provides great stopping power.
I wish our dealer would sell that cheap. Lol. Nope. I have the KLX 300 when I want to go faster, so my XR is perfect. But I do agree, if the XR was my sole bike I would take the 230 over it. I had a 230 back in ‘20 when they first come out. The suspension is ehh! That’s why I went with the 300.
I just picked up a used 2021 standard model, I'm 6'1", so I wanted the taller model anyway. Totally agree about the seat, it's like sitting on a 2X4. Lol Fun bike so far, hope you enjoy yours too.
I ride klx 140 R F. went to dealer to upgrade to the 230 but it felt so stiff I couldn’t pul the trigger. Xt 250 felt way more comfy ..May move to that or the CRF even though I love the klx brand
May I ask what Honda dealer you buy at? I live near Chicago and the dealers around me are asking for too much. It maybe that the cook county taxes are very high.
The Kawasaki's transmission will shift gears even better after you do your first oil and filter change. Which, I am sure you've already done. I prefer Kawasakis over Hondas. Good luck, you won't need it.
Was considering this bike and trading my DR 650 but I don’t think I can trade for this, if I didn’t have the DR I’d get this bike over the Klx 300 all day!
I bought my KLX 230 awhile back because of lack of availability of the KLX 300. I’m glad it worked out that way, the 230 is awesome. A little smaller and more nimble, simpler being air cooled and saved some money on the purchase price.
@@jt3366 nice, yeah I don’t think I can give up my DR though! I thought more about it, gonna do some mods with the tires and suspension and I’ll be good!
I sat on the xr150 and could almost bottom out the suspension bouncing on it in the dealership, I weigh 200 lbs. I ended up with a used klx300 with ims pegs, seat concepts seat and more accessories with 400 miles. I still wish I had a bigger cc bike but these do get better mpg, might be the way I ride though..
@DroidLocks6971 routing on the street for a bike that comfortably runs 45 is annoying. Having the ability's to jump on the highway is priceless....and when the machine is willing to hit the rev limiter @ 74 going up hill while i sit straight up...the highway isnt so scarry
They make lowering blocks and they are 6k on the dot. I had one loved it. Goes 100mph 40hp ride anywhere. They are heavy. I have rode the xrs and they are the best bang for the buck if you are buying for what they are. Take on vacation. Ride some trails. Back roads (gravel). Cheap fun easy to pack up and take with you for a lot less. I love the Kaw just would get the more powerful bike if you are trying to let people know where to spend there money. Great review. Love the video.
I never priced the 650..but if its only another 1k.....Then it sounds like a good deaI....Was looking for a buy it, and ride it toy. I would be afraid to ride 100 on a Dual-sport...
Buy each or either for what they are. There is no real comparison between these two. Also, there is no substitute for money, and there is no substitute for displacement.
You are right on the money. I own both and love both. The KLX has more power then I guessed it was gonna but the rear rack, 2.8 gallon fuel tank and the comfier seat on the XR also make it a winner. I really like the ultra smooth quiet stealth of the XR.
I bought the 230 preowned with 200 miles, I had instant buyers remorse because….. Worlds hardest narrowest seat. Seat height was a little too high. Very annoying vibrations. Hated the electronic system that would idle the bike up wether you wanted it or not! Didn’t like the feel of the clutch. Not a fan of the color. Cheap handlebars. To each their own though hope you always ride safe. P.S. This week I’m buying the bike with the world most comfortable seat. The Honda Monkey 🙊😎
That’s like calling a 1992 Toyota Truck two door a pile. It’s way way too small to haul anything, small and gutless, and kinda ugly. But it’s exactly what it was intended to be and does what’s it’s intended to do: get you there reliably and cost effectively with a little gear and a little fun every single time. Not going to get you there fast or in style, but it is trusted forever and costs nothing to upkeep. If you need a bigger truck, get one. Otherwise, stop hating on the little guys
