In a world awash in complex, hulking, and too-powerful ADV bikes, there is something enduringly appealing about a low-displacement dual-sport. Its simplicity, light weight, and nimble capability in a wide range of conditions evoke the authentic spirit of motorcycling. Kawaski is one brand that is stubbornly hanging on to this original ethos, both in its mid-size KLR and spritely KLX models.
Heck, the KLR 650 didn’t even feature fuel injection until 2022, and Kawa still doesn’t have a full-size adventure bike in its lineup (the street touring-oriented Versys 1100 notwithstanding). The 2026 KLX 230 Sherpa S and KLX 230 DF are Kawasaki’s newest iterations in its dual-sport/off-road range, and they continue to carry the banner high for uncomplicated and unencumbered adventure riding. Both bikes dropped in showrooms earlier this summer.
2026 Kawasaki KLX 230 Sherpa S
The KLX platform tops out at just 300 cubic centimeters of displacement from its air-cooled and fuel-injected thumpers, and both the Sherpa S and the DF get the mid-range 233cc engine. Kawasaki doesn’t officially rate power for this motor, but some outlets have estimated it hovers around the 20-horse range. A single overhead cam is tasked with actuating only two valves, and you can forget ride modes or traction control—simple as. Kawaski says the engine is designed for “trail-riding versatility [offering] a blend of strong, accessible power and smooth torque across the rev range, which results in linear acceleration and reliable low-speed control that enhances rider confidence.” Low seat heights—just 32.5 inches for the Sherpa S and 33.3 inches for the DF—also build courage along with the sub-300-pound dry weights for both bikes.
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- KLX 230 DF
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- KLX 230 Sherpa S
Standard trail-friendly equipment includes engine protection and aluminum bash plates, hand guards, and a tubeless 18-inch rear tire paired with 21-inch rubber up front on spoked wheels. The DF also features a burly welded back rack for lashing down luggage or spare fuel to supplement the 2-gallon tank on longer adventures. The big difference between the Sherpa S and the DF lies in their suspension configurations. The DF has more ground clearance (9.4 inches versus 8.4 inches) and suspension travel (7.9 and 8.8 inches front and rear versus 6.2 and 6.6 inches) than the Sherpa S. Though both motorcycles are suspended on tuned dual-rate springs that Kawasaki claims increase handling responsiveness and prevent bottoming on big hits.
In perhaps a reluctant nod to modernity, the newest KLXs get LED headlights, digital dashboards with smartphone connectivity, and ABS that’s easily turned off with a dedicated switch (no menus to navigate here). Eschwing Kawasaki’s sometimes garish paint schemes, there are only two muted colorways available: beige for the Sherpa S and brown on the DF. Pricing is appropriately modest for such straightforward motorcycles. The Sherpa S starts at $5700, and the longer-travel DF will set you back just $100 more.
The air-cooled 233cc engine makes just 20 horsepower.
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- The DF’s rear luggage rack.
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- Digital dashes are clean and legible.
2026 Kawasaki KLX 230 DF
2026 Kawasaki KLX 230 Sherpa S
Kawasaki KLX 230 Sherpa S ABS | $5700
Kawasaki KLX 230 DF ABS | $5800
Images: Kawasaki
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