The Motorcycle Under $5,000 That Marries Off-Road Capability With Highway Comfort

It’s difficult to find a motorcycle that can be used every day, no matter the weather, traffic conditions, long rides, dirt roads… the works. The big motorcycles have all the tech in the world, but they’re unwieldy in traffic, or a parking lot. The ones that are great at these things are uncomfortable out on the highway. It’s even more difficult to find a motorcycle that can do this on a small budget. That’s exactly what we’ve set out to do today, though. The aim is to find the motorcycle under $5,000 that marries off-road capability with highway comfort. Now, for the price of a beginner motorcycle, there will be some compromises. Yet, this dual-sport motorcycle manages them quite well, and gives you a great experience overall.

The Kawasaki KLX230 Marries Off-Road Capability With Highway Comfort Under $5,000

Price: $4,999

Kawasaki

There are not too many motorcycles available for less than $5,000, so it’s a genuinely rare thing to find a motorcycle capable of doing multiple things well at that price. The KLX230 has an engine powerful enough for short highway stints, a six-speed gearbox, ABS that can be switched, a perimeter frame that is great for both on or off road work, and suspension that is up to any task.

It is also a simple machine, with air cooling for its engine, although it does employ fuel injection, so cold starts shouldn’t be a problem. With its simplicity, purchase price of just less than $5,000, and a six-speed gearbox mated to a sufficiently powerful engine, the KLX230 is the motorcycle under $5,000 that marries off-road capability with highway comfort.

Why We Picked The Kawasaki KLX230

• Dual sport versatility
• Switchable ABS
• Can do short highway stints
• Reliable
• Uncomplicated

Kawasaki KLX230 Engine

Great In The Dirt, Enough For The Highway

Kawasaki

The KLX230 has an extremely simple driveline: a single-cylinder air-cooled engine with a single overhead camshaft and two valves and fuel injection powers it. Kawasaki doesn’t release official figures for it, but the output is in the ballpark of 17 horsepower. Torque peaks at 13 pound-feet. These are incredibly small numbers, but given the small and light nature of the KLX230, they are sufficient, coupled with the six-speed gearbox. Drive to the rear wheel is via a chain. With this level of power and torque, and with cost being a big factor, there are no other electronics: no traction control, or by-wire throttle.

Kawasaki KLX230 Engine Specifications

Kawasaki KLX230 Chassis

The Perimeter Frame Is A Nice Touch

Kawasaki

The KLX230 and KLX300 are a curious pair. While the larger engine has liquid cooling, the smaller-engined KLX has a steel perimeter frame, which is more advanced and always better for both on-road and off-road work. This is supported by a simple suspension system, with the linkage-type rear single shock adjustable for preload. The wheel sizes are an enduro-appropriate 21/18 inches, and disc brakes are present at both ends.

It must be stated that the KLX230 has switchable ABS as an option; you get a slightly larger front disc if you opt for the ABS. All in, the KLX230 weighs less than 300 pounds, so riding it off-road will be far more pleasant than time on the highway – but such is the way with small, light motorcycles.

Kawasaki KLX230 Chassis Specs And Dimensions

Kawasaki KLX230 Features

Kawasaki

The KLX230 is very much a beginner motorcycle and is built to a cost, so it should come as no surprise that it isn’t exactly feature rich. It has a small LCD for its instrumentation, which is the standard for dual sport bikes today – only the KTM 390 Enduro R has a TFT color display right now. The Kawasaki has Bluetooth connectivity and connects to the Rideology app as well. It also offers adjustment to the handlebars and footpegs as part of Kawasaki’s ‘Ergo Fit’ tech that allows a little customization for better comfort for riders of different sizes.

Finally, only the KLX230S is available in the US market, which should make it better on the highway in exchange for a little less capability off-road. But most beginners won’t be jumping large rocks, so it is a fair trade-off. One point that needs to be made is about the ABS; it is an optional extra and drives the price up by $300 to $5,299. However, it is the switchable kind, so it is well worth the extra dough.

Kawasaki has also launched two new variants of the KLX230 recently called the Sherpa and the DF. The differences are mostly cosmetic, with the Sherpa getting different tank shrouds, an engine guard, a different headlamp surround, handguards, and this is available in a light beige color with black suspension. The KLX230 DF is the more offroad focused variant, with a luggage rack, engine crash protection, and the suspension travel of the standard KLX230, making it the only variant with the standard suspension travel. It is available in a gray color. The KLX230 Sherpa retails for $5,699 and the KLX230 DF for $5,799.

Kawasaki KLX230 Notable Features

• LCD instrumentation
• Connectivity to Kawasaki app
• Optional ABS that is switchable

Kawasaki KLX230 Competition

None Under $5,000

KTM via Rudi Schedl

There really isn’t anything available for under $5,000 that can deal with the highway as well as the KLX230 can, which is why it has been our choice. However, if you up your budget by another $1,000, your options open up quite a bit. You can have the Honda CRF300LS, Yamaha XT250, or the KTM 390 Enduro R, depending on which way you’re leaning. Even the Kawasaki KLX300 is available within that price range, but ABS isn’t available even as an option on it.

The XT250 also doesn’t offer ABS, and pitches itself as the simple, uncomplicated option like the KLX230. The Honda straddles these two worlds, with a liquid cooled engine and ABS, but with not too many features. The KTM sits at the top of the features and power list, with the best highway ability. It also offers fully adjustable suspension, ride modes, switchable ABS and traction control; the works. However, it still needs to go some way before it proves its reliability like the others have.

Kawasaki KLX230 Vs Rivals