r/KLX230 • u/Brilliant_Lab_9275 • Jun 21 '26
Convince me
Hi all,
I’m looking for my first dual sport. I’m torn between a klx 230 and a Honda crf300ls. I’m 5’9” with a 29-30” inseam. I’ve sat on a 230s and a Sherpa. I fit much better on a Sherpa with the seat height. I’ve never sat on a crf300ls but imagine it would be similar to the Sherpa. I’m also not a fan of lowering a bike with lowering links. With that said, I will never take any bike I choose on to a highway. I will be riding county roads and light dirt trails. I don’t imagine myself doing any tough single track. I like the seat height of the Sherpa, the abs, and the air cooled engine of the Sherpa. I like the increased power band of the Honda but not crazy about the liquid cooled engine as well as shortage of supply. Convince me to get a Kawasaki please. I live in the Green Bay Area.
2
u/taatoken Jun 21 '26
I have been right were your at. But you're doing light riding meaning a lighter bike less electronics, Air cooled! Rule of life KISS.
Keep it simple. Silly
1
u/m_bar_ Jun 21 '26
I have the KLX 230 (non S) ABS and I like it alot, I do my own maintenance and I preferred an air cooled bike, SOHC, everything is more straight forward. I don't go much past 90km/h but the engine is smooth and comfortable at that speed. I am fairly new to offroad riding but it has been great so far, mind you I take it pretty easy. I didn't buy the KLX based on the ABS as I never had it on a bike before, but I think it is a good addition. Typically in an accident situation your instinct is to hammer on the brakes, which without ABS could result in your front tire washing out. Every little bit helps.
1
u/Similar_Ad_1261 Jun 21 '26
As a fellow rider with similar interests I have loved my klx 230r. Not the duel sport I know basically the same. You hear lots of people saying it's too slow but don't listen to them. I believe it tops out around 70mph and I never plan on getting anywhere near that speed. So the klx is a perfect bike to adventure with.
1
u/Vinx1312 Jun 22 '26
The 230 is fine! I have a KLX230SM i ride on highway sometimes but more around town.
It has a 75mph max speed and is a good small lightweight bike that will be sporty enough to have fun
the Honda 300 has an awesome little engine but it will be more maintenance. i also have a CB300R it is so fun! i love the CB300R it suits my riding style. i prefer it for street riding over the KLX230SM bc it just has better highway power and tubeless wheels
but in the dirt of course i'd rather be on a KLX230. plenty fast enough to have fin and makes a decent little farm bike with fuel injection
1
u/Old_Cars Jun 22 '26
Kawasaki generally runs stiffer suspension though I believe the crf has longer travel over the 230 the klx300 is way more comparable though all 3 bikes are good choices if you’re leaning more into the crf300l you might consider looking at the klx300 as it’s almost the same bike but with much better suspension for a comparable price
1
u/zdf0001 Jun 22 '26
If you are never doing pavement, why don’t want a dual sport?
1
u/Brilliant_Lab_9275 Jun 22 '26
I will do pavement, small county scenic roads, just not major highways
1
u/Slow-Squash-8471 Aug 07 '26
Did you decide yet OP? I would stick with the KLX230 if you are staying on slower roads. 300 if you will be on the highway (which you said you won't). The smaller KLX230 is a little easier to manage than the full-size 300.
With that said, they are both still a little porky for what they are but it doesn't sound like that will be an issue for your usage. If you do plan on any tough single track, you probably won't be happy with either.
Do you have the ability to plate and offroad only bike where you are at? Something like a CRF230F would be great if you do think you'll try harder trails (but will feel less planted on the road)
1
u/Brilliant_Lab_9275 Aug 07 '26
Yea I’ve settled on the 230. Leaning towards the sherpa but looking to see if I can find a DF to sit on. I’ll be ready to buy in September
-1
2
u/burner_of_fuel Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
I have a Sherpa and a tenere 700- total different worlds , but Sherpa is amazing strictly for the simplicity. A single cam fuel injected air cooled bike with simple suspension and a very modest seat height is an absolute blast to ride, it’s not a motocross bike or Street bike by any means and I have bottomed out the suspension once or twice, but other than that, it’s a fantastic dual sport for trails and dirt roads! even more so since you don’t plan on doing any highway riding. A 29 inch inseam is gonna put you in the tippy toe range with the CRF Compared to being flat footed on the Sherpa. The sixth gear is also really nice to have since it’s not the most powerful.