Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABS vs Kawasaki KLX® 230R (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABSstacks up against the Kawasaki KLX® 230R. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABS | Kawasaki KLX® 230R |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Price | $5,799 | $4,999 |
| Engine | 233 cc | 233 cc |
| Weight | 129 kg | 112 kg |
| Seat height | 841 mm | 905 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 7.0 L | 7.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | Manual, 6 speed, Chain | Manual, 6 speed, Chain |
| Front brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Tires | IRC RX-01 Road Winner: 110/70-17 / IRC RX-01 Road Winner: 120/70-17 | 80/100 - 21 (51M) / 100/100 - 18 (59M) |
Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABS vs Kawasaki KLX® 230R — which should you buy?
Picking between the Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABS and the Kawasaki KLX® 230R usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Kawasaki KLX® 230 SM ABS brings its published horsepower in a 129 kg package, while the Kawasaki KLX® 230R counters with its own power figure at 112 kg. On price, the Kawasaki KLX® 230R has the lower MSRP.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: