2024 Kawasaki KLX230 S Spotted Testing: Hero XPulse 200 4V Will Have A New Rival Soon

The KLX230 S looks rugged and perfect for our roads!

The Kawasaki KLX230 S was spotted testing recently and we think that the bike could be launched in India soon, possibly by early 2025. Judging by the images we have been able to get a decent idea of what to expect from this upcoming Hero Xpulse 200 4V rival.

In terms of design, the KLX230 S has a typical dual-sport like design with its narrow dirt bike-like profile, raised front fender, and motocross-style handlebar. The bike comes with a LED headlight and bulb-type indicators at both ends. To comply with our laws, Kawasaki has also added a saree guard at the rear.

The international-spec KLX230 S is powered by a 233cc air-cooled 2-valve single-cylinder engine, which produces 19PS and 19.8Nm. When the bike will be launched in India, it is likely to produce lesser power and torque as BS6.2 emission compliance may create some alterations in performance. The Xpulse 200 4V, on the other hand, comes with a air-/oil-cooled 4-valve single-cylinder engine that produces 18.9PS and 17.35Nm.

The KLX230 S is built on a perimeter frame and is suspended on a 37mm telescopic fork with 158mm wheel travel and a monoshock with 168mm wheel travel. Braking duties are handled by 240mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes, with dual channel ABS. 

The bike has ground clearance of 210mm and a seat height of 830mm. For context, the Xpulse offers 220mm of ground clearance (10mm more) and seat height of 825mm (5mm less). But where the KLX has an edge over the Xpulse is in terms of weight, the bike only weighs 134kg whereas the Xpulse has a kerb weight of 159kg (25kg more).

The KLX230 S comes with an LCD instrument console which displays speed, fuel level, time, odometer and trip meter readings. There’s also an option to turn off the rear wheel ABS which comes in handy when riding off-road. 

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The KLX230 S will likely be heavily localised, which ideally should help Kawasaki price it competitively. Despite localisation, if we’re lucky, it could come at a price of under Rs 3 lakh, but we hope it’s somewhere around the Rs 2.5 lakh to 2.7 lakh mark (ex-showroom). 

That said, the Kawasaki bike would still be significantly higher than the Hero off-roader’s ex-showroom price of Rs 1,46,276. That way, while it’s a bit unlikely that the KLX 230 S will find a lot of success at this price point (with its only unique advantages over the competition being its lower kerb weight and dual-channel ABS), it will be the most affordable  road-legal Japanese dual-sport bike in India.