The 2024 Kawasaki KLX230SM is the smallest supermoto in the lineup, and it gets engine and chassis updates for 2024, plus standard ABS. It lists for $5599.
The geometry is radically different from the previous generation. Rake tightens 1.6 degrees to 24.9 degrees, trail drops nearly a half-inch to 3.0 inches, and the wheelbase shrinks almost a half-inch to 53.7 inches, all intended to make the 300-pound bike more agile.
The reworked suspension accounts for much of that change. The 37mm inverted fork’s travel is shortened by just over a half-inch to 7.4 inches, while rear wheel travel grows more than two inches to 8.8 inches, and the shock has a wider spring-preload adjustment range. Rather than sitting front-high, the KLX230SM now crouches forward. Ground clearance is 8.7 inches.
A new, lower subframe makes room for the added rear travel. The seat is 0.2 inches lower at 33.1 inches, with more padding and a flatter profile. The handlebar moves forward and up, the footpegs move back, and the new tank and shrouds are less likely to interfere with the rider’s knees.
The air-cooled 233cc single gets a narrower intake port, a 33mm intake valve that is 4mm smaller than before, a longer header pipe, and a remapped ECU, all aimed at more torque. It drives through a 6-speed transmission.
The dash pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth and the Rideology app for call alerts and data logging. The LED headlight and cowling are new. A 300mm front disc with a 2-piston caliper and IRC Road Winner 17-inch tires handle braking and grip, and ABS is now standard, with no non-ABS version.
With a 2.0-gallon tank and light weight, the KLX230SM is built for riders who want a nimble, easy-to-manage supermoto for street riding. Kawasaki offers it in a single color, Battle Gray.
Honda CB1000F + Sabatino Moto at Mecum + Peter Egan
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello and welcome again to the Motos and Friends Podcast, my name is Arthur Coldwells. Our subjects this episode can best be described as ‘iconic’.
Honda motorcycles recently launched the all-new CB1000F, a retro-styled inline-4 roadster that created an absolute social media sensation when it was announced. The er… iconic(!) styling is of course an homage to Freddie Spencer’s 1980/81 AMA CB750 Superbike with its swooping lines and silver paint with blue accents. Freddie rode the superbike so ferociously that sometimes he’d bend the handlebars at high speed. Jonathan Handler rode the new bike recently, and although he didn’t quite do that, he did however have an apparently very spirited ride that left him impressed. The new CB1000F is clearly an outstanding motorcycle, and Jonathan gives us the lowdown on exactly why you’re going to have make space in your garage for one of them.
* * * * *
The annual Mecum Motorcycle auction in Las Vegas is now an ahem… iconic event, yet many people believe it’s aimed at only very serious buyers with very deep pockets. Of course the really expensive vintage motorcycles are the ones that grab the headlines, but interestingly, there is way more to the Mecum Vegas auction than you’ve probably heard. There are also hundreds much more modestly-priced bikes as well, with a strong chance you could pick up a dream bargain if you play your cards right. For this episode, I found Eric Sabatino, who started Sabatino Moto in Portland Oregon a few years ago. It rapidly became one of the top Royal Enfield dealers in the country. Eric went to mecum Las Vegas for the first time earlier this year and was blown away by what he found. The auction ended with him winning a classic BSA, and admits it was such a good deal he feels like he practically stole it. Clearly going to Mecum was an eye-opening experience for him and quite different from what he’d been led to expect. Eric tells us all about his experience and how you too might be able to have the bike of your dreams follow you home this coming February.
* * * * *
This episode’s guest is Peter Egan, the (dare-I-say) iconic American writer whose 40-year career specialized in motorcycle and automotive journalism with magazines Cycle World and Road & Track. I’m sure you’re familiar with Peter’s writing as he’s published many, many books. Peter is of course a natural story-teller, and he chats with Teejay Adams on how he got started, a look back at his amazing career, and some of his adventures along the way. Peter is also a pilot, and recently published another book, Landings in America: Two People, One Summer, and a Piper Cub, and his anecdotes from that are just as entertaining too.
* * * * *
Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
We use cookies and browser activity on this website
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Advertising helps us keep our content available for free, so adjusting your ad blocking settings will help us.
We appreciate your support!
i
How to Allow Ads on This Site
Depending on your setup, ads may be blocked by a browser extension, VPN, antivirus software, or other application. Here are some common ways to allow ads:
Browser Extensions (e.g., Adblock, uBlock, etc.)
Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar.
Look for an option like "Don't run on pages on this site" or "Pause on this site".
Save the change and refresh the page.
VPNs with Ad Blocking (e.g., NordVPN, Proton VPN, etc.)
Open your VPN app.
Go to settings or features.
Disable any ad blocking or tracking protection features.
Refresh the page.
Antivirus Software or Other Privacy Tools
Check for web protection, ad filtering, or browser privacy settings.
Click the power button to disable it for this site.
Refresh the page.
Not sure what's blocking ads? Look for tools with privacy or filtering features, or check your browser extensions. We only use respectful, non-intrusive advertising.
![2024 Kawasaki KLX230SM Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]](https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-kawasaki-klx230sm-first-look-4-768x512.webp "2024 Kawasaki KLX230SM Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]")
