When two powerful bikes face off in the world of off-road adventure, the Hero XPulse 210 and the Kawasaki KLX 230, it’s not just about power, it’s also about feel, comfort, and connection. We recently had the opportunity to test ride these two bikes back-to-back, and believe me, both tried their best to win hearts in their own unique ways. Let’s find out which bike won the hearts of riders and why.
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Kawasaki KLX 230
The first impression was somewhat different as soon as Kawasaki sat on the KLX 230. Its seat height on the spec sheet may sound scary, but does not look as much in real. If you can handle XPulse 210, then KLX is also not a big challenge. Nevertheless, XPulse feels more balanced in terms of handling.
The suspension sag of this bike is really fun, just push with the finger and bend. This is the reason why these bikes look completely tuned for MX-style riding. But its side stand stands very straight, increasing the risk of falling the bike slightly, especially if the ground is on a slight slope.
Vibrations are also felt, and even though this bike is only 139 kg, it takes a lot of time to drive due to high center of gravity. To be honest, Kawasaki should have brought it to the 250cc engine — maybe it would have seemed more balanced and refined then.
I just ran KLX on smooth roads, and there it didn’t make a special impression. It is expected that in the 2026 India-spec version, if given slightly less suspension travel, road-bias tires and a little more power, these bikes can rock their segment.
Hero XPulse 210
Now let’s talk about Hero XPulse 210, believe me, this bike is something different. Its pickup, throttle response and low-end torque are all three fantastic. I tested it a second time, but Feel was the same as meeting an old friend like
Its exhaust sound during the ride looks great on every rave range, which makes riding more fun. The seat is quite comfortable and the instrument console is also sharp and colorful — right in front of your eyes. Levers’ feel is also great, just indicator switch seems a bit cheap and uncomfortable.
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Speaking of looks, XPulse 210 is a perfect blend of style and performance. It gives a very smooth and relaxed feel not just for off-road, but also on city roads.
