Kawasaki KLX 230 S Road-legal Enduro Bike Spotted Testing In India

Kawasaki is gearing up to localise and then launch its first road-legal dual-sport motorcycle in India, the KLX 230 S. The motorcycle was recently spotted undergoing testing, hinting at an imminent arrival.

The test vehicle appears to be the KLX 230 S variant. This seems specifically designed for wider rider accessibility with a lower seat height of 830mm. The engine on this would be an air-cooled, 233cc engine and will adhere to the BS6.2 Indian emission norms. Although official power and torque figures are yet to be revealed, similar figures to the off-road-only KLX 230R S sold in India can be expected, around 20 bhp and 20.6 Nm. This would place it slightly above the Hero XPulse 200 4V's power output: 19.2 bhp and 17.35 Nm.

Expect a basic digital display on the KLX 230 S, likely without Bluetooth connectivity. Essential features for Indian roads like a saree guard, indicators, mirrors, a headlamp, and a taillight are confirmed thanks to the test vehicle sightings.

The arrival of the Kawasaki KLX 230 S in India could stir up the mid-range dual-sport motorcycle segment, offering riders a compelling alternative with a renowned Japanese brand's backing and potentially competitive pricing.

The Kawasaki KLX 230 S is expected to directly compete with the Hero XPulse 200 4V. While the Hero has slightly lower power output, the Kawasaki might hold an advantage in weight. Given the fact that the Japanese bike maker is aiming to localise the bike in India, Kawasaki hopefully should provide it with a competitive price tag of ₹ 2 lakh (ex-showroom). It would still be more premium than the XPulse but offer that bit more oomph that the Hero’s smaller mill fails to provide.

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