KLX230 clutch: I HAVE QUESTIONS

[@danirby6913]

Hi Grace! Well presented description of your clutch problem. My 2 cents goes with Occam's Razor-simplest problem most probable- clutch adjustment. It may remain an unsolved question.

[@BikeHedonia]

Occam's Razor - that's the term I was trying to think of when I was making the video! Thank!

[@1122redbird]

Great content you're putting out on this bike. You probably covered it elsewhere but what headlight unit did you install as a lighter, smaller replacement?

[@BikeHedonia]

Hi! I used this light: hivoltspares.com/product/lightweight-headlight-unit/ It works well, but on the dualsport models it won't fit unless you take out the instrument display console.

[@1122redbird]

@@BikeHedonia Got it and thanks!

[@NO-WAR-WINGS]

My 2023 KLXs Clutch with the same slow disintegration problem. I have scheduled a examination and repaire at the shop August 4.

[@BikeHedonia]

I changed out my clutch springs for heavy duty clutch springs, and have never had a problem again. I think the OEM clutch springs are just too soft.

[@NO-WAR-WINGS]

@@BikeHedonia How about the clutch plates, are they the metal also? Thanks! :)

[@BikeHedonia]

@@NO-WAR-WINGS My clutch plates are OEM, they are fine. Your clutch has a set of metal plates and a set of friction plates.

[@unclespeedy]

I have a 2021 with 2,300 miles (3,700 km). I don't even want to say it but, to date, I have no clutch issues to report. I don't ride hard enduro, but have tested the bike, in very hot conditions. I can report that the gear shift lever is like soft clay. Had a pretty rough ride (crash) in the woods (4 broken ribs) and that thing twisted into a pretzel. That was the only reason the bike couldn't be ridden out, besides the broken ribs. I am very pleased with the bike overall. Safe riding.

[@BikeHedonia]

Glad to hear that you have not had any clutch problems. Have you changed the gear shifter for the folding version which comes on the r version? Sorry to hear about your ribs, wishing you a speedy recovery.

[@takenKYcountryboy]

I have two 2020 KLX230R bikes my teenagers ride almost daily. I am currently on my third clutch issue between the two of them. Each time they report the clutch slipping I've found that there is no play in the clutch handle. I thought I've pounded it in their heads enough by now to check free play before every ride but maybe not. Bike 1 clutch was out within three months, have not had a problem since replacing all friction discs. Bike 2 clutch lasted 2 seasons, but clutch replacement only lasted 3 months. I am leaning more to clutch handle free play adjustment, but also have a thought in the back of my head that the clutch isn't heavy duty enough for their riding style or engine power. Clutch one, free play. Clutch two, riding style? Clutch 3, Riding style first, but maybe break in requires quite a bit of free play adjustment until broken in. Haven't had to make a free play adjustment on bike 1 in a while. Beyond that, I don't know. Thanks for sharing your pain, great video.

[@BikeHedonia]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts & experiences with this issue. As time goes by I hear more and more of new KLX clutches not lasting well, but replacing the friction plates and upgrading the clutch springs seems to help. I am also giving serious consideration to the theory that the stock clutch is just not designed for enduro punishment. I got 220km out of the first clutch but, on the same terrain, we also only got about 400km more out of a CRF450RL clutch, which is a much more high performance machine...

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Concerning the different explanations of why that clutch... That's the beauty of internet, Grace. Somebody always comes up with the suggestion that your riding is wrong ;-) I don't know if it's more common for female riders, but I can assure you that male riders get a lot of "help" in that respect. You need a thick skin and a sharp mind to seperate good help from bad. Hope your mechanic finds an explanation - but more important is your next ride. Hope all the KLX's clutch problems are gone and you can enjoy the jungle again. Cheerio, Günter from Nürnberg/Germany

[@BikeHedonia]

Gunter, it's nice to hear that it's not just us ladies getting all of that good (?) advice! Yes indeed, the internet. I think I have learnt quite a lot of mechanical concepts simply from doing the background research required in order to know whether advice is good or bad. So that's a good thing, I guess!

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@BikeHedonia Exactly, Grace, there is good and bad intertwined. With tutorials you have to find out who to trust. It's going to be a warm 10 degrees in the afternoon, so the Transalp is going to tackle of few trails, while the batteries of Tuono and CBR are loading. Springtime!

[@28HSMT2]

I doubt that klx is not able to do some hard clutching. I often ride in a very steep slopes in mines here cluthing all the time, riding single tracks all the time on clutch. So far around 10k km, half in terrain, and never had any problem with clutch. But I did not know about that two stage clutch, thank you for info

[@BikeHedonia]

I begin to suspect it more and more given that the CRF450RL clutch only last 200km further in the same terrain. But we will see how the second clutch with upgraded springs lasts this time.

[@brestman1]

There's a number of 230 riders who have had similar clutch issues here in phl....I ride the 230 mostly on commute and long tours so far 8k kms on it clutch is still alright

[@BikeHedonia]

I'm happy to report that since I installed stronger clutch springs, I haven't had any further problems. Maybe the oem clutch springs are just a little lightweight for enduro.

[@brestman1]

@@BikeHedonia what clutch springs and clutch plates did you upgrade to grace

[@BikeHedonia]

@@brestman1 ah ... Standard clutch plates but the stronger springs were whatever my mechanic mate had lying around in the workshop that day 😅

[@kaningrat]

Hope it all work out now Grace.

[@BikeHedonia]

Got to ride it and see! Just hoping that the next time the clutch starts to slip I'm not on a cliff in the middle of the jungle again ;)

[@HappyHermitt]

Have you found more 23 owners with the same problem? I was considering buying the dual purpose version.

[@BikeHedonia]

Re high idle? Yes but it's a quick and easy fix. Not heard too much about ongoing clutch problems

[@Tristan2044]

@@BikeHedonia My 2022 klx230r also have the same problem when i first use the bike climb an easy hill. I want to repair the clutch, which clutch is fit for themachine?

[@BikeHedonia]

@@Tristan2044 hi Tristan, I can send you the upgraded clutch springs like I installed on my bike. But even better, I have a full clutch set which includes friction plates steel plates upgraded clutch springs and gasket made by my local racing workshop. If you would be interested in any of this, please send me an email on [e-mail] and I can sort it out for you.

[@mikes8500]

Hi Grace, I had the same thing happen to me with a KLX230SE Just about 1000mi, under a year old, clutch is toast. What is worse is my bike has been down 5 weeks and counting with no end in sight because part# 13088-0562 is back-ordered (friction plate). Do you know where I can get 2 of them? I bought your spring upgrade kit. Thanks!

[@BikeHedonia]

Hi Mike, sorry it took me a couple of days to see your comment! I can get you friction plates, it might take about 10 days to ship from Thailand. If you'd like me to do that for you, just drop me a note on [e-mail] and I can follow it up in the morning for you. Your bike is 2023 or 2022?

[@JKMototo]

Hey im running into problems getting the clutch basket nut off, is the nut reverse thread? Ive tried everything to get it off but no luck

[@aldntn]

I really don't like the two step clutch. One plate is going to get a lot more work. Could be a slight lever adjust problem plus the two stage clutch worked that one plate really hard. Heavier springs: yes. I would have checked all the steel plates for warpage. You've probably solved the problem without sorting out the cause exactly. Any warranty help? Cheers!

[@BikeHedonia]

Yeah the steel plates looked fine. I hope you're right that the problem has been solved without being specifically identified... otherwise you'll be seeing another vid of me being towed out of a jungle! Will keep you posted.

[@2WheelsPT]

Nice video! Keep it up!

[@BikeHedonia]

Cheers!

[@Mc3premium]

To the point!

[@yorkchris10]

I never knew what the clutch looked like in my Kawasaki. It was a centrifugal clutch. Both brake actuation arms were on the handlebars. I didn't rule out sudden infant death . I'm sure Kawasaki has made the odd bad part. It might be too personal if I asked payload rating, but HD plates and/or springs can be harder on the motor/drivetrain.

[@BikeHedonia]

Payload rating... Do you mean how heavy am i? 57kg

[@yorkchris10]

@@BikeHedonia you're ready for trial now?

[@iainelder4976]

It would be nice to think that somebody in the Kawasaki PR dept might see your videos and realise that this isn’t good publicity for them and they decide to help you out with the problems, but I bet you won’t be holding you breath for that to happen. All the best Grace

[@BikeHedonia]

We will see how it goes, hopefully it isn't a big or recurring problem. Someone suggested that the steel clutch plates of varying thicknesses may have been installed in the wrong combination, and I really hope they're wrong. Fingers crossed!

[@codywatt7775]

I got stuck in mud today. Burned out the clutch trying to get out. Did we buy the wrong bike? Or do we need an aftermarket clutch?

[@BikeHedonia]

I haven't had a clutch problem since i replaced the original clutch and used stronger springs. And i recently rode through a 3 day mudfest which i thought was definitely going to give the clutch a hard time. So there's hope?

[@dec748]

Hi, i just toasted my clutch today at 2k km... when ordering, Kawasaki have 2 different part numbers for the 2 outside plates from the middle 4.... anyway i went ahead and ordered a generic brand from Lazada Thailand, (all 6 plates the same).... did you use Kawasaki parts or generic Thai brand ?..... and anymore issues ?

[@BikeHedonia]

I use kawasaki clutch plates, but put in heavier clutch springs and a longer clutch actuator. No more problems since

[@dec748]

@@BikeHedonia i installed the generic plates for 750 baht which work good on initial short test ..(not impressed with originals, especially at 2100 baht) .also put in 3 stronger springs....had bought a gasket but got away without changing it

[@mylifeinthailand8751]

It seems to be a fault with all the klx230’s, Facebook is full of them

[@shadowmead8506]

I bought a 230s 5 months ago and realized after 700 miles it no longer accelerated over 45mph. Took it back to dealer since its still under warranty they said i burned out the clutch and that it may not be covered. im about to get banged over the head i know it!

[@BikeHedonia]

Hopefully you only need to replace the friction plates, and the steel plates are not warped. 👍 I would take this opportunity to replace the clutch springs with heavy-duty aftermarket.

[@kx501]

I have no answers, but can i come and wash your bike for you 😁