“I fall most often when I’ve stopped” is a saying I’ve come to use more often than not when I’m riding off-road. On most bikes, I can’t touch the ground — I haven’t been able to since I was about ten years old. I’ve adapted, but I often think about how difficult it must be for a short-statured person to get into dual-sport and adventure riding, having to gain fundamental skills while on a bike they can’t comfortably touch the ground on.
Instead of manufacturers addressing this issue head-on, it’s left to after-market companies to design and build lowering kits for motorcycles; many riders see value in adding a lowering kit as soon as they purchase their new steed from the shop. Often, the lowering kits change the dynamics of suspension response and the feel of the ride; usually, not for the better.
However, Kawasaki took a critical look at its market offerings and has come out with stock-lowered models such as the KLX230 S, which I was lucky enough to ride this winter. I first reviewed the KLX230 back in 2021. I loved the nimble versatility it offered and the wide range of riders it could fit; however, I
