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Kawasaki Introduces 2020 KLX Off-Road And Dual Sport Models

Jul. 2 2019 News By Keena

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2020 Kawasaki KLX300R in field.
Kawasaki has introduced three new models to its KLX lineup—the KLX300R (pictured), KLX230R, and KLX230. All of the bikes will be available in late summer 2019.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Kawasaki has announced three new KLX models for 2020. Joining the KLX 110 and KLX140 are the KLX300R, KLX230R, and KLX230. The KLX300R and KLX230R are off-road only, whereas the KLX230 is a dual sport.

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2020 Kawasaki KLX300R on white background.
The KLX300R is an off-road-only model that, according to Kawasaki, is intended to bridge the gap between a weekend playbike and a full racebike.Courtesy of Kawasaki

According to Kawasaki, the KLX300R is intended to bridge the gap between a weekend playbike and a full racebike. It utilizes a 292cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled four-stroke engine that is equipped with electric start and a six-speed transmission. The cylinder head uses a four-valve, DOHC design fed by a 34mm throttle body and a 2.1-gallon fuel tank. The stainless steel exhaust system’s muffler has a honeycomb catalyzer and a spark arrestor as well.

2020 Kawasaki KLX300 on white background.
The KLX300R engine is liquid-cooled and uses a four-valve, DOHC design. As far as suspension, it has a 43mm inverted fork that is adjustable for compression damping, while the shock is fully adjustable.Courtesy of Kawasaki

As far as suspension, the KLX300R is equipped with a 43mm inverted fork that is adjustable for compression damping, while the shock has preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustments. Both units offer 11.2 inches of travel. The frame is made of steel and utilizes a semi-double cradle design. The bike has full-size wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) that are wrapped with Dunlop MX52 tires. The front and rear brake discs are the same size as most motocross and off-road bikes at 270mm in the front and 240mm in the rear. It also comes with four-way-adjustable handlebar components. The KLX300R will be available in late summer 2019 for $5,499.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R on white background.
The second new off-road-only model is the KLX230R. It features an air-cooled engine with a two-valve SOHC cylinder head design. The 37mm telescopic fork is nonadjustable, while the shock is adjustable for preload.Courtesy of Kawasaki

The second new model in the KLX lineup for 2020 is the KLX230R. According to Kawasaki, it’s designed to be a full-size recreational trailbike. It features a 233cc, fuel-injected, air-cooled four-stroke engine that features electric start, a six-speed transmission, two-valve SOHC design, 32mm throttle body, and a 1.7-gallon fuel tank.   



2020 Kawasaki KLX230R on white background.
The California model of the KLX230R is green sticker compliant, allowing it to be ridden off-road year-round in designated areas.Courtesy of Kawasaki

The KLX230R comes with a 37mm telescopic fork that is nonadjustable and has 9.8 inches of travel, while the shock has a preload adjustment and offers 9.9 inches of travel. It has a steel perimeter frame, full-size wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear), Dunlop D952 tires, and petal disc brakes (240mm front, 220mm rear). The California model is green sticker compliant, allowing it to be ridden off-road year-round. Instead of an on/off button, the California model features a key-type ignition cylinder and an on/off indicator lamp. The steel fuel tank on the California model is equipped with a lockable cap and meets strict environmental regulations. The KLX230R will be available in late summer 2019 for $4,399.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230 on white background.
The third and final new KLX model for 2020 is the KLX230. The dual sport motorcycle shares many similarities to the KLX230R.Courtesy of Kawasaki

The third and final new model to the KLX lineup is the street-legal KLX230. The dual sport bike features a powerplant similar to the KLX230R with a 233cc, fuel-injected, air-cooled four-stroke engine with electric start, a six-speed transmission, two-valve SOHC cylinder head design, and a 32mm throttle body. However, it has a larger fuel tank capacity of 2 gallons.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230 on white background.
There is an ABS and non-ABS model of the KLX230. The ABS bike uses a larger 265mm front brake disc, while the non-ABS machine is spec’d with a 240mm front rotor.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Suspension-wise, the KLX230 has a 37mm telescopic fork that is nonadjustable and has 8.7 inches of travel. Out back, the shock is adjustable for preload and has 8.8 inches of travel. The bike features a steel perimeter frame, full-size wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear), and IRC Trails GP tires. There is an ABS and non-ABS model. The ABS model uses a Bosch system and a larger 265mm front disc, while the non-ABS model has a 240mm front disc; both models have a 220mm rear disc. Additional features on the KLX230 include passenger footpegs, a lockable toolbox compartment, and an all-digital instrument panel with a speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, clock, and indicator lamps. The KLX230 will be available in late summer 2019 for $4,899 (ABS Edition) and $4,599 (non-ABS Edition).


Credit: https://www.cycleworld.com/kawasaki-introduces-2020-klx-off-road-and-dual-sport-models/