Kawasaki could be testing the KLX 230 dual sport motorcycle in the Indian market. Spyshots of the Kawasaki KLX 230 have emerged on the internet which reveals that the brand could be planning to launch the bike here in India. According to sources, the KLX 230 has been spotted testing under camouflage cover near Pune. This leads us to believe that the brand could be homologating the motorcycle with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
The spied Kawasaki KLX 230 not only features a headlamp, taillamp and indicators, but what makes us think it is likely to be introduced in the Indian market is the use of a passenger grabrail and saree guard. The front number plate mount located on the fly screen also gives a hint that the Kawasaki KLX 230 dual sport motorcycle could be India-specific. However, Kawasaki has not confirmed if the motorcycle will be launched in India. But, if Team Green plans to bring the KLX 230 in India it will directly compete with the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 200 4V.
The Kawasaki KLX 230 has been selling in the international market for quite some time now. The dual sport motorcycle comes with an enduro style fuel tank, a small single headlamp and fly screen, a long bench seat, a sleek tail section and a high mount exhaust. The off-road motorcycle also features a a flying fender on the front and a wide handlebar with a cross brace. The motorcycle also comes with rounded mirrors. The Kawasaki KLX 230 is also likely to come with an LCD display on the instruments cluster.
Powering the Kawasaki KLX 230 is a 233cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 19 Hp of power and 20.6 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The motorcycle also comes with a lightweight chassis and long travel suspension. The front features a 21-inch spoke wheel rim and the rear comes with an 18-inch spoke rim shod in dual sport tyres. The bike also comes with a seat height of 830mm which is quite accessible. Also, the motorcycle comes with a kerb weight of just 131 kg.
In the international markets, the KLX 230 retails at around USD 5,000 MSRP which converts to INR 4.20 lakh. Kawasaki will have to heavily localise the KLX 230 in India to keep its price around the sellable INR 2-3 lakh mark.
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