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Preface:
I'm retired now, living on my Ranch. A young neighbor-in-need was trying to sell his '23 KLX230SM ( EFI, Air Cooled, 19XX miles ) for a broken ankle (medical bill). After lackluster market response ( This area is off the beaten path, 1 hour south of DFW ) He offered it to me at a fire-sale price.
I am certainly NOT a fan of SM's NOR a fan of the KLX230's. So a KLX230SM, to me, is a wholly stupid bike that should not be in existence - It weighs the same as the KLX300, has the same seat height, has lesser suspension, has less power !
However, it was for a good cause and I admit to liking the funky look of SM's with big knobby's on the front and rear - so I bought it and "Dual Sported" it..
Review:
Having no experience with the KLX230's, I was quite surprised with its' power - turns out, they are very close to stock KLX250 power levels. Imagine my surprise when it cruised me at 70mph and hit its' rev/speed limiter at just under 80mph..
It is a smaller bike compared to the KLX250/300. Feeling very "short coupled". However, it is quite comfortable riding 2-up ( I rode on back quite a bit, while teaching my g-daughter to use a clutch.)
Turns out the SM has a better suspension compared to the factory dual sport version - upside down forks, and travel at both ends is better.
The spark arrester had been removed and the neighbor couldn't find it - so it sounded "weird". Having metal and wood working equipment, I built a tailpipe, as large as possible in diameter, and engineered to be a replacement, internally, for the spark arrestor assembly. The bike sounds amazing now .
I have not ridden it hard offroad, just around the Ranch, but it is surefooted, plenty powerful, and overall, a real delight ! I may keep it !
I did ride this bike (rented) before bought 250. Stock to stock power is very similar! Even feel 230 has little bit more bottom. But engine potential is limited. Here in Indonesia there bore up kits for them and aftermarket ECU. But those big bores are not reliable (maybe can do 100 hours only).
You can change swingarm to 230r (aluminium) and couple of other things from 230r and bring weight down to 115kg!
Tires - PLEASE PROVIDE LINK TO KNOBBY TIRES I HAVE THE SAME BIKE AND CANT FIND KNOBBY
Originally Posted by Klxster
Preface:
I'm retired now, living on my Ranch. A young neighbor-in-need was trying to sell his '23 KLX230SM ( EFI, Air Cooled, 19XX miles ) for a broken ankle (medical bill). After lackluster market response ( This area is off the beaten path, 1 hour south of DFW ) He offered it to me at a fire-sale price.
I am certainly NOT a fan of SM's NOR a fan of the KLX230's. So a KLX230SM, to me, is a wholly stupid bike that should not be in existence - It weighs the same as the KLX300, has the same seat height, has lesser suspension, has less power !
However, it was for a good cause and I admit to liking the funky look of SM's with big knobby's on the front and rear - so I bought it and "Dual Sported" it..
Review:
Having no experience with the KLX230's, I was quite surprised with its' power - turns out, they are very close to stock KLX250 power levels. Imagine my surprise when it cruised me at 70mph and hit its' rev/speed limiter at just under 80mph..
It is a smaller bike compared to the KLX250/300. Feeling very "short coupled". However, it is quite comfortable riding 2-up ( I rode on back quite a bit, while teaching my g-daughter to use a clutch.)
Turns out the SM has a better suspension compared to the factory dual sport version - upside down forks, and travel at both ends is better.
The spark arrester had been removed and the neighbor couldn't find it - so it sounded "weird". Having metal and wood working equipment, I built a tailpipe, as large as possible in diameter, and engineered to be a replacement, internally, for the spark arrestor assembly. The bike sounds amazing now .
I have not ridden it hard offroad, just around the Ranch, but it is surefooted, plenty powerful, and overall, a real delight ! I may keep it !
Please help provide me a link for the knobby tires, I have the exact same bike. Thank you
Review: 2023 KLX230SM "Dual Sported"
