Good review, nice thoughts. Maybe you or your followers here can help me with this, I, for the life of me can’t find any comparison between the regular, taller, more suspension travel KLX 230 vs the Shorter KLX 230s model. I admit I am kinda turned off by less travel, but the problem is the S models seem to be all thats available around northeast Wisconsin Fwiw, I’m 5’-10” tall and weigh 180lbs. It will be used primarily off road, and I’m an ‘ok’ rider. lol (Or so I’d like to think) Thanks
Hey Mike! One of the folks that watches this channel did something with that. They got the S model and added all the 230 suspension and parts to it to give it the height of the regular 230. I hope they see this video and comment. I'll pin it so it'll be at the top.
Matt I am glad to see you gave the KLX a second chance. I have both TW and KLX and love them both. I to set my KLX up to fit my riding style when off road and really enjoy riding the dirt tracks in Ohio and WV. I have the Seat Consepts seat and Tusk Bar Risers on it which made big difference and also set the back shock to fit where I ride. I had added the Progressive Springs to my TW which made a big difference. Will probably do the same to KLX 230S. I am 72 and have had dirt bikes all my life. A few years ago I had hip surgery and knee surgery and the higher bikes were rough to get on and ride after surgery. I got the KLX 230 S and my older TW that I have completely rebuilt because of the seat height and weight. I now can keep riding and enjoying the trail rides with my kids and grandkids and life is good again. Trail riding is great family sport!!!
Hey Daniel!! Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it! I have the Tusk bar risers on all my bikes, even the KLX and they are great. I need to do something with the shocks to make the Tdub a bit better. I am glad to hear that you are still riding and that is what my father in law does with his TW, takes the grandkids for rides. Here's to many, many more years of riding!
I like my KLX 230S, also. I suggest the Seat Concepts and the manual idle adjustment device from Bike Hedonia. The only drawback of the idle device is that you have to manually hold the idle up with the throttle grip for about 30 seconds after starting. Not a big deal, and having an idle of 1300 rather than 1800-2000 is so much better when riding dirt or gravel.
Awesome! I looked for the Seat Concepts seat and the regular one is out of stock at RMATV. I have wondered about that idle screw, maybe I'll just bite the bullet and get it.
Plenty of years on big bikes, just grabbed a klx230sm and it’s so nice to ride and not take everything so seriously. Just straight chillin! Great simple bike.
This is my very first bike and my first ever bike i have rode. I Just bought it brand new a couple weeks ago. I am absolutely loving her and loving learning to ride it for all the reasons you talked about. :)
I'm glad to see you're happy with the Kawie. I was sort of the same way with my KLR 650 . I was forced into riding it more when my Goldwing was in the shop . I guess we have to give different bikes a chance .
I'm kinda glad you kept it, those are cool little bikes. was just riding a KLX300 over the weekend. Also side note did you see I did a TW200 review a couple weeks ago? Figured you might like that.
What's up Brother! Yeah I saw it and it's killin' it on views, nice work! I didn't keep it by choice, I have had it for sale since January of this year and haven't had any interest in it at all. Hey, you oughtta come out here in September for our Tdub fest!
Thanks Connor! Man, that SM would be a lot of fun for sure buzzing around on the streets and I think the engine and trans combo are great on this bike.
I just installed the standard height seat concepts cover and foam on mine. Go ahead and buy it. It is night and day better. Also a Kenda 760 trackmaster front tire works really well.
Sweet!! Does the standard height raise the seat much? I am short, fat dude and I was looking at the low model. I'll have to check that tire out! Thanks for the insight, I really appreciate it!
Kenda Trakmaster K760 tires are the best. DOT approved and one of the lightest tires for these smaller bore bikes. I use them on all My Vintage MX racers.
Sweet!! That is good to know about the Trackmaster! Okay, I just looked for the standard on RMATV website and they are sold out at the moment. Thanks guys!!
Thank you for this video man I’m about the same weight and wanting to get into this sport. I like the TW but it’s a little slow this looks good for my confidence
Glad you're warming up to the little Kawi ! It will never be a TW ... but it can still be fun 😉. On paper the TW is about 20lbs or so lighter than the KLX230s ... does the Kawi "feel" heavier? I"m still waffling over the TW / KLX / XT / CRF230L ... to pair with my Versys 300. Love your videos Matt -- keep up the good work ! Any update on the 83mph speed goals 😎😎😉😉👍👍
Now, it doesn't really feel any heavier.......but the seat is unreal! It is beyond uncomfortable. As far as the speed goals go, we're still in the works!
Dang it, Matt, what are you trying to do to me?!?! I suck at making bike decisions. I am overthinking a TW, an XT 250, and now this. I've got my CRF 250 and a 230 (going to make that one street legal). I want one more smallish dual purpose like this, though. And 298 lbs isn't bad for a non-motocross bike. A little extra weight is nice on the road. It looks like the ground clearance is lacking...is it? Or is that more the angle it was being recorded? Good stuff as always, man.
Sorry Brother!! Come take this one for a spin though and see what you think before you decide on any of them. Yeah, you are right though, the ground clearance isn't all that much and I was hitting the skid plate a lot sooner than I do with the TW!
Love your channel bud, long story short I took my 04 Rokon trail breaker riding on some trails, and it was awesome but boring and slow so I started looking for a tw200 and they can’t be found up in PA. I couldn’t even find a used one for under 3000, but luckily the dealer that I got my ryker from, had a used one for a great price so I picked it, and so far it’s been great. But yeah my rokon seat is 1000 times more comfortable then that seat lol
Sweet!! Those Rokons are some solid machines. Yeah, they aren't made for speed at all but they do most everything else just fine. Are you gonna swap the seat out at all?
Great to see you're back on the little KLX again Matt 👏 🎉 !! Your video was well done and spot-on! I installed the YSS fork upgrade kit on my KLX 230S ($450 / US$315) and heavier springs, and I can not rave enough how big (positive) a difference that has made. Highly recommended, and quite affordable. If the seat gives you a bit of grieve, just get an Air Hawk cushion - they're affordable and makes a big difference, plus you gain a little bit of seat height (if necessary). Looking forward to more content on the KLX! The (inaccurate) fuel gauge - well, what do I say?! Then again, my DR 650 does not have one at all, so I'm used to not having a fuel gauge on most of the bikes that I owned. I take it your T-dubs don't have fuel gauges either? I love mine, like yours, it had been on the 'chopping block' a couple of times, but I still have it, and at this stage intend to keep it!!
Yeah, now that I have more experience on it my temper has cooled with it. I will have to look into that suspension. I am going to get the Seat Concepts seat for it though. No, the TW's don't have gauges. But, they are all a good time, that's for sure!
Thanks for the great content Matt! I'm trying to decide between a TW and the KLX230S for my "fun" bike. 1) Two questions for ya: Is either bike much quieter than the other, or do that both put out about the same engine noise? 2) Can slightly wider tires be put on the KLX rims to make it a little more "TW-like"? Thanks again- love this channel!
Hey Jim! The KLX is pretty quiet, but so is the stock TW. Yes, a bit wider tire can be used but not too much because of chain clearance. The TW200 has more ground clearance but the KLX has more power and more fun engine and trans.
You should be able to switch the Rear ABS on/off. Hold the toggle switch on the left hand switch block to cycle between ABS on and off (rear wheel only).
I think the TW will have more power, more traction, almost 2" lower seat height, wider tires will make it more stable. I'd take the TW over the XR150L personally.
BRAH! I think you wher tearin up because of the joy of a Kawasaki KLX. I own a 2009 KLX 250S. Bought it dumped, plastics shot out, Throttle shot out, exhaust shot out... I still want a T-Dub just because. My bike is and The best bike I have ever owned. As for the seat, save some money and buy some carpet underlayment and restaple it. No need to frackel. LOL. Can't wear the patch," built not bought" with out doin a little bit of REDBILLY FABRICATION. ✌👍🤙💪
I sold my DR200 to my neighbor so I could get some additional cash for my KLX300 (and the wife said no way to four bikes LOL). I really miss that DR200. Like the KLX230, the small dirt bike feel was crazy fun, and in some cases, I liked it better than the Tdub. The Tdub does not help me become a better off road rider. I find myself just plowing forward through anything without much thought. The DR200 forced me to ride like a dirt bike rider, which helped train me for larger bikes like the KLX300. Also, the suspension on the DR200, as soft as it was, was way more forgiving than the Tdub. At least my neighbor loves it and rides it like crazy.
I still have a lot to learn as far as riding on dirt and the KLX kinda feels really foreign to me since my only real experience on dirt has been with the TW. But, watching my Brother in Law ride it, yep, it isn't the bikes fault, that's for sure!
Hmm, wonder what a Fat Tdub sized tire/wheel set up would perform? Maybe a 19/17 fat tire/wheel set up? Be interesting to find out if it would be that fuel injected, 6 speed TDub that a good many owners wish their bike had.
@@MOBStreet83 Well that's disappointing on the Kawasaki but pretty cool on the Tdub. I'm thinking of getting another Tdub . Love my KLX300SM and will keep it, but the Tdub is still my favorite of all time.
I'm also 5' 6" but older than you. I'm looking at this or the Yamaha so does this have a good aftermarket parts setup like I see a good skid-plate under you there? All I'd want is that skid-plate, a rack, guards for the hand levers, & possibly the gas tank if all of that's available? I read of all the similar sized bikes this one has more get-up -n- go but can it travel at a decent speed on state highways(maybe 1-2 exits on interstate)? Just curious about it now that I have someone built kinda like me = shorter & broad. Yeah, that's a kind way of saying I'm a Barney Rubble type of man... peace
This one doesn't have as strong of an aftermarket yet like the TW200 does. I would say, if you are lighter weight than I am, it would be better for highway than the TW does. I haven't heard a "Flinstone" reference for who knows how long! Yes, this one has a lot more get up and go over the TW, but lower to the ground and a bit taller seat.
Yeah, I've been taking in all the pros/cons, including that 65-76mph highway bit cuz you will need it. The TW200 & others like the Yamaha XT225 are followed in a cult like fashion. I like the XT225 but it hasn't been made in over 15+ years so it's hard getting them. I like the 6speed trans they sport but what I won't do is buy those Chinese Dual Sports....lmao, they are so cheap that they are like throwaway crap. Bolts loosen from vibration & if ya did buy one, you'd best redo all the bolts w/ locktite just to be safer. Yeah, I'm short @ 170 but I'm not looking for big performance on terrain, just good quality for the money if we can get that anymore? peace
