Kawasaki KLX 150L

Overview

Going off-road on a motorcycle is one of Filipinos favourite pass times. Kawasaki has been cashing in on this since as early as the 80s. It has become a household name for adventure lovers much like KTM. Kawasaki too prides themselves on their lime green dual sport bikes. It has a bike for every kind of rider out there. It has also kept their lineup fresh with constant improvements that speak to the need of riders everywhere. The KLX 150L is the prime example of what we are talking about. The KLX 150L has been in the market for long. It has seen many changes in 2014 and 2016. As a cheap beginner friendly off-roading bike, it competes against the very well-equipped Honda CRF 150L. Selling for around Php 133,000, this is not the cheapest option out there. 

Design

Off-road and dual sport bikes are one of the most striking looking things as long as they keep the dust and mud off themselves. The KLX 150L is no different. It gets a lot of inspiration from the bigger KLX 250. This bike showcases minimal amount of bodywork. Some angular panels around the protruding steel fuel tank extending towards the front. Some near the tail section and that’s about it. Between the two ends is a slender seat that is best suited for at the most one rider. The headlight is compact and nestled behind the high riding front fender. Next to it are bulbous indicators set on stalks. The only other piece is the large featureless panel to protect the pillion rider’s legs from the exhaust. That exhaust is a burly piece of work and gives this bike some muscle. There is only one color on offer (black) which means that no option for the two-tone seat is available like before. The bike uses a box style rigid steel perimeter frame. There are 19-inch spoked wheels on the front and 16” ones on the rear. These are considerably smaller than the ones on the Honda. The 70 section knobby radial tires on the front and 90 section tires on the rear give ample grip.

The KLX 150L showcases compact dimensions as is the norm for such bikes. It is 2005 mm long with a 1285 mm wheelbase, 765 mm wide, and 1080 mm tall. With a ground clearance of 250 mm, it should not cause any worry when taking it off the road. The seat height of 835 mm, however, will have anyone below the height of 5’5” struggling to reach the ground with their feet. Instrumentation is extremely basic for a bike at this price, with only the most basic readouts and no digital displays. Also, missing is the small handy bag which appeared on the tail section of the previous generation. On the whole, it covers the basics but does not go an inch beyond.

Ride & Handling

Kawasaki has relied on Showa for both the front and the rear suspension components. There is a 33 mm telescopic fork in the front and a Unitrack monoshock at the rear. Set on the softer side, they perform very well and absorb whatever the road may throw at you. The bike is lightweight with a wet weight of 113 kg. Combined with the compact nature of the bike, it creates a recipe for some serious off-roading fun. Generous suspension travel of 175 mm on the front and 190 mm on the rear holds the road very well while also absorbing imperfections. The bike has a tiny turning radius of 2.1 m that makes it very nimble off and on the road. It can be turned around at high speeds and at a moment’s notice which speaks highly of its agility. There are rubber mounted footpegs that can be removed in seconds for more grip off the road. They do a lot to keep the vibrations away from the rider but sadly don’t work that well on the road.  For a bike that is supposed to work both on and off the road, this takes away some serious points.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The engine is an air-cooled and carbureted single cylinder with 2 valves and SOHC. It produces a healthy but unremarkable 11.52 hp at 8000 rpm and 11.3 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm. It comes with a 5-speed transmission that allows for a linear beginner friendly power delivery. The 5th gear, however, is too short and limits its usability on the highway which is where it really comes into play. Despite this, the power delivery and gear shift is smooth as it can be. The clutch is light which is much appreciated off-road punch. Pulling away from the traffic is not difficult at all. The engine also offers good fuel economy with numbers touching as high as 30 kmpl. With a generous 7 litre tank, it gets a range of 200 km. There is also a handle mounted choke and a kick as well as an electric starter provided for increased practicality.

Braking & Safety

There are disc brakes courtesy Nissin on both ends. The front gets a 240 mm single disc with a double piston calliper and the rear is tuned with a smaller 190 mm single disc with single piston setup. Brakes are strong and let the rider have greater control on the bike while off-roading.

Verdict

The Kawasaki KLX 150L then is a very good option for the beginner rider. It is capable of some serious fun going down muddy trails and climbing over rocks. It does so with a gentle touch without letting the rider get into too much trouble. However, the price you pay for it may not be the most economical. Competition has grown stronger and the Kawasaki has a rough road ahead if it wants to maintain its hold on the market.