How Much Power Does the 2023 Kawasaki KLX230R Make?

There are three 230–250cc four-stroke trail bikes on the market, and all of them hail from Japan. The model with the largest engine in the group is Honda’s CRF250F. Although Yamaha’s TT-R230 hasn’t received a mechanical change in many moons, it continues to chug along. Rounding out this full-size trail bike trio is the Kawasaki KLX230R.

First introduced a little over four years ago, the KLX230R is Team Green’s highest-displacement air-cooled trail bike. The 233cc four-stroke engine uses a two-valve cylinder head fed by a Keihin 32mm throttle body, and is slightly oversquare with a 67.0mm bore and 66.0mm stroke. Compression ratio is 9.4:1. The last time we dynoed the KLX230R, it was a 49-state model, which weighs 8 pounds less than the 50-state (California-legal version) machine on our automotive scales (253 pounds wet versus 261 pounds wet). We also found out its engine produces 0.8 hp and 0.7 lb.-ft. of torque more at peak.

Related: 2022 Honda CRF250F Dyno Test

After mounting a Dunlop D404 street tire on its rear wheel, we ran the 50-state-legal variant of the KLX230R on our in-house Dynojet 250i rear-wheel dynamometer. Peak figures were documented at 17.1 hp at 7,700 rpm and 13.7 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,100 rpm. To find out how the KLX230R performs in the dirt, check out our first ride review from when it was debuted and as well as a full test from the following model year.

Related: 2022 Honda CRF250F Dyno Test