Kawasaki KLX230SM

Welcome to the Kawasaki KLX230SM motorcycle specifications and showroom review for 2022. The KLX230SM is the super-moto version of the regular KLX230 and marketed as an ‘all new’ 2023 model. 

The Super-moto models that you can buy off the showroom floor are quite limited usually – and the KLX230SM was a bit of a surprise when I saw it on sale. For those who came late the super-moto was all the rage in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Super Motards where trail or motocross motorbikes that have modded with flashy sportsbike parts and made road legal capable by fitting sports bike tyres, but retained off road biased suspension. Super-motos filled a gap that the current Adventure motorcycle class has now partly catered for. The nearest Super Moto you could buy from a well known manufacturer was the Suzuki DR-Z400SM which looks like it has been discontinued. 

In terms of design the Kawasaki KLX230SM looks like a genuine Super-moto, off road suspension, flashy tyres and moto-ross mini fairing. Mind you it is missing the brand decals – which are essential for a ‘true’ Supermoto.  I like the looks and would hunt Amazon for the decals to liberally apply. That said the KX230SM is not physically imposing. 

In terms of engine and technology, there isn’t much write about. After all the KLX230SM it is based on the regular KLX230, hence it is a reliable and supported engine and now equipped with EFI. Even with EFI it still falls within the LAMS framework so even Learners can buy and legally ride a full powered motorcycle. 

Is the Kawasaki KLX230SM worth buying?  Of course it is! but the pricing is like the pre-LAMS era of high prices for small capacity engines. That said virtually all motorcycles I have been researching have  gone up in price this year.