Kawasaki KLX 230 vs Honda CRF 250 F| Bike Test

[@phantumgrey]

Just bought a KLX230R yesterday. They only thing that mattered to me was price. I like both bokes. Out the door at two places I was quoted $6380-$6438 for the CRF250F after taxes, fees etc. The KLX230R was $5028 out the door. with taxes and fees.

[@masterkilla77]

How you liking the kawasaki!?

[@phantumgrey]

@@masterkilla77 Right now, its a great bike. I do a lot of single track trail riding and light technical climbs. I am finding the front suspension is a little too soft and I max it out a lot. I'm 5'8" 180lbs. Even with that said the bike is very capable otherwise. I'm enjoying it and have about 40 hours on it. I like to perform oil changes every 5-8 hours of riding and its in really good shape though it have dumped it a bit from hard riding and pushing both mine and the bikes limits. With that said, maybe by 2026 I'll be upgrading to another bike that can withstand more intense rides. Hope this helps

[@Tuesdaysgonewtw]

@@masterkilla77 The list price on the klx is 4999.95 how did you get it OTD for 5028.00?

[@bartg7790]

@@phantumgrey Oil changes every 5-8 hrs? What does the owners manual say? Trail bikes are designed to be low maintenance. I do mine once per season on my crf250f.

[@phantumgrey]

@@Tuesdaysgonewtw mine was bought and returned and traded in within two days. Dad bought his kid a bike, kid wanted a 2 stroke and never even started the bike before it was returned. So I paid $4600 plus tax

[@bwxmoto]

Interesting. It'd be cool if you could get a KLX230 R to test. I sat on the 140RF, 230R, and 300R and was brutally honest with myself about where I ride, how much space I have to ride, and my age, height, and weight, and got the 140RF as a woods / trial bike. 218 lbs wet and its a lot of fun in the woods, very nimble and super easy to ride. If I was any taller or heavier it wouldn't work for me. It's good motivation not to get fat. 😅

[@mikem9953]

If it was street legal, I’d buy the KLX 140 in a heartbeat, but I need that stupid license plate for a mile here, 2 miles there.

[@ChristoferFeliciano]

This review really helped me a lot. Decided to go for the crf since I'm a hundred kilo heavy. And no regret at all. Thanks man

[@matts7975]

I got the KLX230s as my first bike. I’ve dropped, laid down, and crashed it maybe 25 times in the first 2500 mikes. Ride it wide open (75mph) on highway downhill, (60mph) uphill wide open (I’m 220lbs). Have had it on some of the worst terrain the wooded mountains of the east has to offer etc. I’ve only had to replace the shifter, throttle lever, and foot brake due to all my wrecks. It seems pretty tough and if I’m capable of getting through some of the worst the east has to offer, I’m sure a good rider could take it anywhere.

[@mikem9953]

Uhmm, what about suspensions??? Are either adjustable (besides pre load) which one is stiffer, more suited for bumps and smaller jumps? Seat comfort? Maintenance intervals, etc. or is this just another seat height review?

[@jackwhite8157]

how do you compare the S model the suspension won't be full travel. Compare the Honda to the KLX 300R

[@Steve-yr5vi]

This is not a test, it's sort of a review. And using the KLX 230 R S and comparing it to the Honda CRF250 F vs. the R is not apples to apples. The S's seat height is attained by compressing the forks, they are the same forks, the S has had the fork compressed 8.7" travel vs.9.8" of travel. The compression of the fork is without a doubt why it "rides on the front end" more so than the Honda. I think they are both great bikes, I've always had Honda's but have been looking for an excuse to get a Kawasaki, I'm thinking the KLX 230 R is what I'm gonna get. That would be useful is covering whether the 6-speed is an advantage for the Kawasaki.

[@andy3d1]

what it really comes down to which one is cheapest at the time of buying!

[@onerider808]

I don’t think Honda could make a bad bike if they wanted, but I think I’m going with a KLX. Appreciate the overview, though...the CRF is my 2d choice. I need that KLX for places my KLR can’t go.

[@garyjordan3771]

I have the klx 230 actually pretty good trail bike also have a cr 250 if I wanna go fast

[@Bfiskii]

will the klx keep up with the 250 or should i go with the 150r for torque and speed

[@Xrmaxh]

@@Bfiskii he’s talking about a 2 stroke 250 so it Definetely cannot keep up but it could do ok vs a 4 stroke 250

[@angelovasilikos7980]

Any tests of the CRF 250 vs the KLX 300??

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Can you recommend what you think is the best dual sport option of Honda and the Kawasaki?

[@comebackseason11]

Yamaha

[@Backyard_KLX]

@@comebackseason11ttr230 still has rear drum brake.

[@hairlessharescrambler56]

Which bike is better? Are there more 40 year old honda 4 strokes out there still running strong or kawasaki's?

[@andy5786]

Like kawasaki KLX230RS best for shorter riders for just new riders thanks for brilliant help review 👍🇬🇧

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

accoprding to official specs, the kawasaki was reduced in suspension front and rear and the weight is about 10 lbs less for a non-cali bike at 253lb

[@charlesjames4860]

Purchased my grandson, a new Kawasaki, he LX 230 R he hasn’t gotten a full week of riding out of it since that purchase it. I. First off had a flat tire to the tire in to the dealership to have repair someone put a used to from the factory on a brand new bike transmission seal began leaking, and the sprocket wore down less than two months had nothing but trouble out of this bike for 2023….

[@Crust2013]

And DR200SE...mint choice btw.

[@jackwhite2422]

Why wouldn't you get the regular size 230? And doesn't the KLX have 6 gears? All I got from this is don't buy either and just get the KLX 300R or go buy a clean used KTM or Husky

[@MotocrossHideout]

The regular size KLX230R has a taller seat height than the Honda CRF250F, and he said the 230 has 6 gears. The 300R is noticeably bigger, wider, and heavier, and you have radiators that can bend and leak. It's still a great bike, but this comparison is about two simple air-cooled bikes that are both good.

[@jessebassett4635]

Very informative!

[@Kawasaki1-m4l]

What about the XT250, i own one.

[@masterkilla77]

Here is my situation what would you pick?? 1. 2023 brand new klx230rs $4900 2. 2025 brand new crf 250f $6000

[@j0shll0yd]

Even with Kawasaki’s RS model, it’s 35.4” seat height. The CRF is still lower at 34.8” and has better ground clearance than the RS.

[@jimstenlund6017]

Which means the Honda will feel more cramped.

[@sleeper.simulant7327]

Calls these bikes heavy, meanwhile I’m riding super technical, tight Appalachian trails on a tall, heavy 341 lb CRF250L Rally… the KLX230R would be perfect for those trails

[@ddmcoulgh]

The Kawasaki is actually 253lbs, not 263. 12lbs lighter than the Honda.

[@christianjantze5222]

It looks like the Cali model though, which is 260+

[@JimbobZ17]

Bought a Yamaha ttr230. Guy at the Kawasaki dealership was a jerk. Yamaha is a great bike.

[@christophergarrido2802]

Is it fuel injected?

[@Tents_and_trails]

@@christophergarrido2802they aren’t

[@comebackseason11]

I just got a ttr as well. I like the carb

[@jm374]

Both are attractive duel purpose bikes ...

[@davebewshey1549]

Both manufacturers make 230 and 250 I'm not quite sure what the comparison is. He states the obvious the 250 is bigger and faster with better suspension. Apples to apples makes more sense than apples to oranges.

[@AgentYT777]

guys im 12 rn and 5,3 foot but im saving up for a crf250r and i should have the money when i will be13,5 yo so i need to know if this is a good decision and that would be my second bike!

[@m33644]

What bike do you have now?

[@_n.b_5314]

What bike do you have now because I’m 5,8 14yr and I ride a 125

[@andrewm6203]

I know this videos about a year old now but just wanted to leave this comment incase its able to help anybody out in the future KLX230R- my first bike, great to learn on and pretty bulletproof but is absolute dog water in any type of sand or loose deep terrain. Does just great on hardpack and made it up every hill i pointed it at CRF250F- The stability is much better in looser terrain but honestly the power difference isnt super noticeable with both being aircooled. Im about 6'1' and 170 ish if i had to buy another air cooled bike i would have no problem taking either

[@alexchan3727]

Crf250f if you stuck in the mud you better be strong it's a heavy fn thing.

[@andrewm6203]

@@alexchan3727 the klx230r cali emission spec is actually 4lbs heavier then the crf250f

[@travisbates6049]

So the Honda is like the old XR dirtbikes

[@Jeff-501]

Ride red

[@jefffrompnw129]

Honda has a 230 ?

[@Backyard_KLX]

It’s a CRF 250F

[@jefffrompnw129]

Yes it's a 250 you missed my point Honda made a 230 would have been a better comparison 230 v 230 ✌️

[@Backyard_KLX]

@@jefffrompnw129 I got you, yeah I had 2008 crf 230 it was a solid bike.

[@iiyrscjukudsvhgitdcbh]

​@@jefffrompnw129ok goofball

[@Emmy_44]

For a women wich one is the best

[@tatemushroom1002]

Crf is heavier and faster. If your nervous get a klx if you want to go fast get a crf

[@85goon]

Ttr230 is on top

[@Backyard_KLX]

Rear drum brake😢

[@Backyard_KLX]

Rear drum brake.

[@sheesecorp]

I watched like 5 seconds and I know Honda is better 😅

[@PouyanEsfandiary]

Get fuck outta here Honda bikes are made in china with quality nowadays overlooked

[@ericellis9281]

Thanks for the video

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@mikalsese2466]

Crf is true japan

[@bransonbasher6534]

Buy a dang lapel mike so you don't have to shout. Your voice is grating on the ears when you talk loudly, it's the tone that grates. Yes, I turned my volume down. Maybe your voice will deepen in a few more years but until then use a mic. Other than that; nice video. I like my KLX230 but looked at the Honda too. In the end I went with the dual sport KLX, great little bike for exploring the countryside.