KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230: price, power and specification compared

The Indian two-wheeler off-roading segment is witnessing the arrival of new off-road focused products from a handful of manufacturers. While the choices are still limited, the space is slowly gaining momentum. One of the early entrants is the Kawasaki KLX230, launched a few months ago, now followed by the recently launched KTM 390 Enduro R. They fall in the same segment in terms of price but vastly differ in their approach. In this spec comparison, we pit the two against each other to see how they stack up.

KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230: engine and output

Engine and output
	KTM 390 Enduro R	Kawasaki KLX230
Engine	Single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 398.63cc	Single cylinder, air-cooled, 233cc
Power	46hp at 8,500rpm	18.1hp at 8,000rpm
Torque	39Nm at 6,500rpm	18.3Nm at 6,400rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed
Power-to-weight ratio	259.88hp/tonne	130.21hp/tonne

The KTM 390 Enduro R’s engine is nearly twice the capacity of the KLX230’s engine.

The two motorcycles compared here differ significantly in terms of engine capacity, configuration, and power output. The KTM 390 Enduro R is powered by a liquid-cooled engine shared with several other KTM models, including the 390 Duke, 390 Adventure, and Adventure X. This 399cc motor is a proven performer and has been thoroughly tried and tested.

In contrast, the Kawasaki KLX230 features a more basic air-cooled engine. This is evident in the power figures, with the KLX’s 230cc motor producing just 18hp. This is a 28hp disparity when compared to the KTM’s 46hp. However, the simplicity of the air-cooled setup is a key reason behind the KLX230’s legendary bulletproof reliability—a trait it has long been known for.

KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230: weight and dimensions

Weight and dimensions
	KTM 390 Enduro R	Kawasaki KLX230
Seat height	860mm	880mm
Ground clearance	253mm	265mm
Wheelbase	1,470mm	1,370mm
Fuel capacity	9 litres	7.6 litres
Kerb weight	177kg	139kg

The KTM 390 Enduro R is 38kg heavier than the KLX230.

While both motorcycles offer ground clearance of over 250mm, the international-spec KTM 390 Enduro R boasts over 290mm of ground clearance. While the international spec 390 Enduro R borrows its suspension from the 390 Adventure R, the India-spec 390 Enduro R gets the suspension from the KTM 390 Adventure, which is locally made. Not only has this made the seat height more accessible, but it has also helped keep the price down.

The KLX230, on the other hand, has a slightly higher ground clearance and an even taller seat height at 880mm. However, it is worth noting that the KLX230 is equipped with a much softer suspension setup that drops the moment a rider is onboard. Thereby making the real-world seat height and ground clearance more approachable.

The Kawasaki KLX230 is also 38kg lighter compared to the KTM 390 Enduro R, but also comes with a 1.4-litre smaller fuel tank.

KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230: brakes and suspension

Brakes and suspension
	KTM 390 Enduro R	Kawasaki KLX230
Brakes (F/R)	285mm / 240mm	265mm / 220mm
Suspension (F/R)	USD fork / monoshock	Telescopic fork / monoshock
Suspension travel (F/R)	200mm / 205mm	240mm / 250mm
Wheel size (F/R)	90/90-21 / 140/80B 18	2.75-21 45P / 4.10-18 59P

The KTM 390 Enduro R uses the exact suspension setup and travel as the KTM 390 Adventure.

Both motorcycles run on 21/18-inch (F/R) wheels to suit their off-road intent. The Kawasaki KLX230 offers a higher suspension travel with its telescopic fork, compared to the KTM 390 Enduro R that incorporates a USD fork, the exact suspension setup and travel as the KTM 390 Adventure range. This gives the 390 Enduro R adjustable suspension, whereas the KLX230 has a much softer, non-adjustable suspension.