Looking for your first dirt bike, or are you just getting back into riding off-road? The KLX140G vs CRF230F is a good comparison even though they’re quite a bit different engine sizes. They’re both trail bikes that are good for beginners because they’re easy to ride and the suspension is plush and comfortable for casual trail riding.
This article will cover the practical differences between the Kawasaki 140 and Honda 230 to help you make the best decision on which dirt bike you should get.
What’s the difference between the KLX140G & CRF230F?
The biggest differences between these trail bikes are the weight, engine, and chassis size. The KLX140G has some external damping adjustment on the rear shock, but the CRF230F has no adjustability other than preload for your weight.
Engine
When comparing the KLX140G vs CRF230F, the biggest determining factor is going to be based on how much power you need. Obviously the Honda 230 is going to have considerably more power. 223cc is about 55% bigger than 144cc, which is the actual displacement size of each engine. The CRF230 doesn’t have 55% more power, but it’s around 30-40% more.
The off-idle torque of the CRF 230F is nice, especially if you are on the heavier side. If you want “enough” power for just casual trail riding, then the KLX140G will get the job done. The less you weigh, the better the Kawasaki 140 will pull you.
If you weigh over 180lbs, I’d lean more towards the Honda in this comparison.
Suspension
Both bikes have simple suspension components, being budget trail bikes. As I mentioned earlier, the KLX140G actually has some compression and rebound damping adjustment, which puts it way above the outdated CRF230 shock that has no external damping adjustability.
It’s not going to turn it into a new bike, but being able to fine-tune the high-speed compression and rebound can really help make the bike more balanced and comfortable, resulting in boosting your confidence.
As a new rider, you most likely won’t be able to tell a difference, but the more seat time you get, the more you’ll be able to ‘feel’ what the bike is doing and how a change in tuning will affect how it rides and feels.
Handling
The second biggest factor to deciding which dirt bike is right for you is the weight and handling. This is where the KLX140G is going to shine because it’s much lighter and slightly lower to the ground (0.2” lower seat height).
What’s the weight difference?
31 whopping pounds.
Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot, but on a dirt bike, that’s huge. Not only will it turn and handle much easier riding off-road, but you’ll be able to pick it up off the ground with less effort compared to the CRF230F. Although, if you have proper balance skills, then you shouldn’t need to pick it up off the ground, right?!
Which dirt bike is right for you?
The power is without a doubt better on the CRF230F, and that may be the only thing you need in a comparison between it and the KLX 140G.
With that said, I prefer the suspension tunability and handling of the lightweight (comparatively) of the KLX140G. It has ‘just enough’ power and not any more than that, but it’s very easy to ride and gets the job done well.
You should get the CRF230F if you:
- Want more torque and overall power
- Enjoy modifying suspension and engine to get more performance
- Are 5’4” or taller
- Want a cheaper used dirt bike
You should get the KLX140G if you:
- Are weaker/smaller and need a lightweight dirt bike
- Have shorter legs (seat height is almost 1/4” shorter)
- Want the smoothest engine that is easy to learn how to ride
- Want to buy a new dirt bike that’s still available
If both of these dirt bikes are too tall, then consider looking at the KLX140L or even the small wheel.
How to become a confident off-road rider
If you’re a beginner to the dirt biking community and riding off-road, then you’re in the right place! As a thank you for reading this, I want to give you a free training guide that will show you the basic techniques you need to ride with control to prevent bad crashes that lead to injuries.
It’s quick and easy to read, download it by clicking here.