Kawasaki has recently done something what should ideally be considered disruptive. I mean, properly disruptive! But, it won’t get that much attention here because it’s a highly niche segment in the Indian context and also, it is for the first time that we are getting properly exposed to it as consumers.

What am I talking about? I am talking about the Kawasaki KLX230 that has been recently re-launched as a 2026 model… at a price of INR 1,99,000. Now, if you’re someone like me who keeps themselves updated, then yes, you’ve read that right and you can be genuinely shocked! The new 2026 KLX230 is an amazing INR 1,30,000 cheaper than the 2025 model. That’s a massive price drop. How? Well, the motorcycle is now made in India! Simple.

But it doesn’t end here, there’s more to the 2026 KLX230 for India…

Visual differences from the 2025 model

The 2026 Kawasaki KLX230 isn’t just made in India and comes at a much lower price, it is also visually different from the outgoing model. All bodywork is new, from the tank shrouds that go back to the middle of the motorcycle where they’re joined by the new rear panels. Then the tiny panel that surrounds the headlight is also new.

There’s a thin grab-rail as well at the rear which wasn’t there in the 2025 model. Visual differences further extend to he colour of the chassis as well - the entire frame, the swing-arm, and the link-type mechanism (that holds the shock absorber) are all blacked out in the new 2026 model.

The 2026 model’s exhaust has also been redesigned - it doesn’t have that long loop at the front of the engine anymore and now goes straight towards the back. The end canister too has a fresh new look.

The visual and functional differences continue with the seat and the brakes

It seems to me that the seat on the 2026 KLX230 is slightly thicker, which could make it better to sit on. That is interesting because the seat height is unchanged at 880mm. But that could be due to the fact that the suspension travel at front and back is now reduced to 220mm (from 240mm) and 223mm (from 250mm), respectively. So the reduced suspension travel might be compensating for the thicker seat and hence, the seat height hasn’t changed between the 2026 and the 2025 models.

Nonetheless, the suspension travel is still more than enough for our roads and plenty for learning the basics of off-road riding in the less-hardcore off-roading environments.

Another difference that I would like to believe is a clear improvement over the 2025 model is the specifications of the brakes. The 2026 KLX230 has a bigger 290mm front disc instead of the 265mm disc of the 2025 model. The rear disc is also bigger at 230mm (from 220mm). They are also properly circular now and not the petal design of the outgoing model. However, the front and rear discs continue to be operated by the 2-piston and single-piston Nissin calipers like before. Additionally, the axle points at the end of the swing-arm are also different from the 2025 KLX230.

With all these functional differences in the suspension, it is important to note that the wheelbase hasn’t changed from 1,370mm; although, the ground clearance in the new model has been reduced to 255mm (from 265mm). But it’s still a lot. The fuel tank capacity sees a tiny drop from 7.6 litres to now 7.5 litres.

The talking point will be the new price

Regardless of how focused and capable the KLX230 is for its purpose, the biggest talking point about the 2026 version will be its low price of INR 1,99,000, at least till this realisation becomes common knowledge.

This price puts the KLX in the vicinity of the Hero XPulse 210. While the comparison is not really deserving between the two, there will be those who will now contemplate that much harder in order to choose which one they really, really want for their purpose.