2021 Kawasaki KLX230R S First Look Preview

Sometimes off-road motorcycles are just a little bit too tall in the seat. For riders who feel this way, Kawasaki is providing a new option in the 2021 KLX230R S, a full-size dirt bike with a more approachable 35.4-inch seat height.

While 35.4 inches might still seem a bit high, it’s a full inch shorter than the perch on the KLX230R and KLX300R. You’d have to drop down to a KLX140 F to find a shorter seat height, but then you’d sacrifice not only power, but ground clearance and suspension travel. The KLX230R S seeks to fill a gap for riders with shorter inseams who want to enjoy the benefits of a full-size off-road bike.

It’s powered by the same 233cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected single found in the 230R, complete with strong low-end and midrange torque, electric start, and six-speed transmission.

The engine is housed within a compact high-tensile-steel perimeter frame, allowing the bike to be narrow and agile. It’s suspended by a 37mm telescopic fork and a spring-preload-adjustable shock, offering 8.7 inches and 8.8 inches of travel, respectively. Kawasaki shortened the suspension stroke on the KLX230R S compared to the extra inch available on the 230R in order to achieve the lower seat height.

It rolls on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels and packs a 1.9-gallon fuel tank. Styling is made to match its KLX siblings, and ergonomics are designed with rider comfort and maneuverability in mind.

The KLX230R S will come in Lime Green and will carry a $4,399 price tag.