2023 Kawasaki KLX230S - Answer to China - Page 2

**JerryHawk250** · 12-15-2022, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

The deal breaker for me on the Kawi is the teeny weeny tank. Not sure why the new trend for bikes is microscopic fuel tanks, but it's annoying.

Well Dan these bikes are more efficient now so don't need all the fuel.

Yeah, i don't get it either. why not slap a huge tank on it.

tknj99 · 12-15-2022, 04:46 PM

On the flipside.. i'd love to have an option of bypassing local dealers and having Japan ship the bike thru an importer who then delivers the bike in a crate and i put it together to save 40% of what the dealers are asking.. that would be sweet

**JerryHawk250** · 12-15-2022, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknj99

On the flipside.. i'd love to have an option of bypassing local dealers and having Japan ship the bike thru an importer who then delivers the bike in a crate and i put it together to save 40% of what the dealers are asking.. that would be sweet

Back in the 80's the local Honda dealer would sell dirt bikes and three wheelers to the guy's that raced in the create. You could save a few hundred bucks back then. Of course you got no warranty anyway because you were using for racing.

tknj99 · 12-15-2022, 05:35 PM

Yea i figured that was the case when the big-4 was first getting their foothold in the US market.. eventually the same will happen with the China bikes and then we'll have to wait for another newcomer.. maybe Yugo-bikes.. wait what!

Bruces · 12-15-2022, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Back in the 80's the local Honda dealer would sell dirt bikes and three wheelers to the guy's that raced in the create. You could save a few hundred bucks back then. Of course you got no warranty anyway because you were using for racing.

That is still going on ,my 3 new crf450r’s I got in the crate this summer for almost half price,and my sons new snowcross race skidoo’s also came in the crate .No warranty on the Honda’s but 70% off on parts and equipment ,and when you race for factory team skidoo they send us multiples of anything we need for free .

Sport Rider · 12-15-2022, 08:09 PM

it's not an answer on China. Kawasaki can't compete on price.

Twowheeler · 12-15-2022, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoRider

Reading through the EPA's list of certified motorcycles, there are ALOT of motorcycles and engines available in the US and more coming. Looks like more bikes are made in China and Southeast Asia including the smaller BMW adventure bikes.

https://www.epa.gov/compliance-and-f...-and-equipment

This Zongshen powered, street legal, rally bike coming next year looks interesting.

https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/ne...howrooms-soon/

That would be awesome, but way out of my budget.

Boatguy · 12-16-2022, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

I will establish that I would take the kpx250 over the Kawi off the bat.

That now out of the way, y'all don't need a gear indicator. I rode without one for years and you just learn how to count and keep track in your head. After a while you actually keep track subconsciously, and even if you do lose track you figure out how to know. For me I can tell just by speed and rpm.

The deal breaker for me on the Kawi is the teeny weeny tank. Not sure why the new trend for bikes is microscopic fuel tanks, but it's annoying.

I definitely agree with this. What’s important is a neutral indicator. Especially on these Chinese bikes.

Hunnicutt · 12-16-2022, 08:43 AM

No tach, no gear indicator, more $$ than the KPX250, smaller fuel tank than the KPX250, inferior forks = NO THANKS!

JohnC · 12-16-2022, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

it's not an answer on China. Kawasaki can't compete on price.

Agree, it's not a good answer. But comparing the bikes, Kawasaki definitely is trying to answer.

John

culcune · 12-17-2022, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

The deal breaker for me on the Kawi is the teeny weeny tank. Not sure why the new trend for bikes is microscopic fuel tanks, but it's annoying.

I have a feeling it is to please California CARB's gods. On the EPA Excel sheet, they list bikes intended as '49S' and '50S' and some state both '50S + 49S' as the KLX does. Not sure why smaller tanks make a bike more eco-friendly, but that is my theory.

Discoveror · 12-18-2022, 03:59 PM

I've had to rule out a number of ~300cc options, especially the little 'Sport' bikes, because they have ~54" wheelbases (as does the KLX230, CF Moto 300NK). Coupled with low seat heights, I couldn't fold myself (6'2", 220 in gear) onto one.

We often hear "I wouldn't ride that long on the highway." ... without explaining 'why'. While dizzying rpm with small displacements and low torque is one reason, those short wheelbases are going to feel/be less directionally stable than longer wheelbase 'cruisers' (which won't 'turn' as easily or be as 'flickable' as short wheelbases). ... same with cars, btw. Ahh ... the compromises.

I noticed that the popular dual-sports (CRF300L/Rally, KLX300, KPX250, Templar x250) run ~57" wheelbases. I'm not inclined to assume that design engineers don't know what they're doing!

12-15-2022, 04:46 PM	#17
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	On the flipside.. i'd love to have an option of bypassing local dealers and having Japan ship the bike thru an importer who then delivers the bike in a crate and i put it together to save 40% of what the dealers are asking.. that would be sweet __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	2

12-15-2022, 05:35 PM	#19
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	Yea i figured that was the case when the big-4 was first getting their foothold in the US market.. eventually the same will happen with the China bikes and then we'll have to wait for another newcomer.. maybe Yugo-bikes.. wait what! __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	1

12-16-2022, 08:43 AM	#24
Hunnicutt Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Central Florida Posts: 103	No tach, no gear indicator, more $$ than the KPX250, smaller fuel tank than the KPX250, inferior forks = NO THANKS! __________________ ___________________________________ 2021 CSC TT250 - Silver (Mine) "Buzz" 2021 CSC TT250 - White (Wife's) "Seymour" 2021 CSC TT250 - White (Daughter's) "Gemini"
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12-18-2022, 03:59 PM	#27
Discoveror Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Wyoming Posts: 89	short wheelbases I've had to rule out a number of ~300cc options, especially the little 'Sport' bikes, because they have ~54" wheelbases (as does the KLX230, CF Moto 300NK). Coupled with low seat heights, I couldn't fold myself (6'2", 220 in gear) onto one. We often hear "I wouldn't ride that long on the highway." ... without explaining 'why'. While dizzying rpm with small displacements and low torque is one reason, those short wheelbases are going to feel/be less directionally stable than longer wheelbase 'cruisers' (which won't 'turn' as easily or be as 'flickable' as short wheelbases). ... same with cars, btw. Ahh ... the compromises. I noticed that the popular dual-sports (CRF300L/Rally, KLX300, KPX250, Templar x250) run ~57" wheelbases. I'm not inclined to assume that design engineers don't know what they're doing!
	1

12-15-2022, 08:09 PM	#21
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,041	it's not an answer on China. Kawasaki can't compete on price.
	3