December 23, 2023
Top 5 lightweight mopeds in Japan
With the diversified development and lightweight design of transportation vehicles, lightweight and multifunctional motorcycles are becoming more and more popular in motorcycle industry. More and more riders are beginning to pay attention to simplicity, practicality and comfort performance, and are looking for better ways to travel.
Today we take a look at the top 5 lightweight mopeds in Japan, namedly Kawasaki KLX230, Honda XR150L, Honda Trail125, Yamaha TW200, Suzuki VanVan 200. These multi-functional motorcycles have excellent performance and exquisite appearance design, which not only meet the needs of daily commuting, but can also cope with various complex road conditions. Whether it’s heavy traffic in the city or outdoor adventures in the desolate mountains, these lightweight mopeds can handle it with ease.
Table of Contents
Top 5 lightweight mopeds in Japan in 2023
Here are the top 5 lightweight mopeds in Japan in 2023, ranking in no particular order.
| Ranking | Model |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kawasaki KLX230 |
| 2 | Honda XR150L |
| 3 | Honda Trail125 |
| 4 | Yamaha TW200 |
| 5 | Suzuki VanVan 200 |
Kawasaki KLX230
| Release date | 2020.10.28 |
| Engine type | 4-stroke single, SOHC, air-cooled |
| Weight | 134 kg |
| Price | $4999 |
| Product website | www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/klx/dual-sport/klx230 |
Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. was established in 1878 and produced the first Kawasaki brand motorcycle in Kawasaki. Then, in 1969, Kawasaki Shipyard, Kawasaki Motorcycle, and Kawasaki Aircraft Corporation merged into one company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a multinational company with more than 50 holding companies in most major cities around the world, focusing on mechanical and robotics, naval architecture and marine engineering, power generation engineering, vehicles, aerospace, ATV, motorcycles, side x side vehicles and personal watercraft.
Kawasaki’s KLX110R to KLX300R off-road motorcycles are favorites among adventurers, and the new KLX230 dual-sport motorcycle is a more approachable version. KLX230 is powered by a 233cc two-valve engine with fuel injection, matched with a six-speed gearbox. In addition, it has a traditional front fork, disc brakes and bright LED headlights. Compared with KLX230, KLX230 S has a lower seat height, and both models use 21-inch front tires and 18-inch rear tires.
The KLX230 is equipped with lightweight frame, long-travel suspension, and a new and updated front gear shape. FI ensures easy starting and responsive throttle response at all altitudes and temperatures, making it suitable for both street riding and off-road adventures.
Honda XR150L
| Release date | Early 2023 |
| Engine type | 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Weight | 130kg |
| Price | $2971 |
| Product website | powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/dual-sport/xr150l |
Honda Motorcycle is the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer and belongs to Honda Corporation. Its automobile and lithium battery two wheeler output and scale are also among the top 10 automobile manufacturers in the world with over 55 million customers. And it’s developing Honda battery swapping projects in Southeast Asia.
Not long ago, Honda brought the CRF300LS to the United States with a seat height lowered by 5 centimeters and ground clearance reduced by 4 centimeters, which excited many fans who were disappointed with the car because of the seat height. In addition to the low seat height version of the CRF300LS, Honda also has launched the entry-level Dual Sport off-road vehicle XR150L with the name XR of Honda’s classic off-road vehicle. The recommended price is US$2,971.
The Honda XR150L has actually been sold in the Asian, Australian and New Zealand markets for many years. This time it was introduced to the United States with the market positioning of an entry-level off-road vehicle. It is powered by a 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine and has excellent fuel efficiency and smoothness for controllable power performance.
In addition to the steel tube frame, 31mm traditional front fork and rear monoshock absorber, it also has 180mm and 150mm of suspension travel at the front and rear. It has a horsepower of 12HP and a torque of 12Nm. It is equipped with a front 31mm positive fork and a rear multi-link preload adjustable single-gun shock absorber; the front brake uses a 240mm single disc and the rear brake is a 110mm drum brake; the tires are 19-inch front and rear 17-inch configuration.
Honda Trail125
| Release date | 2021.9 |
| Engine type | 124.9cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Weight | 117.5kg |
| Price | $3999 |
| Product website | powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/minimoto/trail125 |
Popular with riders around the world, the Honda Trail 125 is inspired by the timeless classics, the Trail 90 and Trail 110, but has been completely upgraded and modernized with a larger, more powerful 125cc engine, fuel injection system, disc brakes and electric starter. There’s even front-wheel anti-lock brakes. Like the original, it still features the clutchless semi-automatic transmission, low-step-over frame and integrated luggage rack.
It uses hydraulic front brakes and front wheel ABS, and the wheel size is 80/90-17. This modern moped weighs just 117.5kg and uses a semi-automatic four-speed gearbox like the original Trail90. At the same time, the rear rack of this model is very rich, providing convenience for installing accessories such as saddle bags, hand guards, and anti-skid plates.
The two-valve SOHC mill now displaces 123.9 cubic centimeters, but the revisions bring it closer to that model’s Super Cub. The Super Cub is a 124 cubic centimeter air-cooled, two-valve, overhead camshaft, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine.
The powerplant combines the C110’s bottom end (with a redesigned crankcase) with Grom’s two-valve SOHC top end, making it both fuel-efficient and durable. The engine produces usable, enjoyable power throughout the rev range while still delivering impressive economy.
Yamaha TW200
| Release date | 1987 |
| Engine type | 1196cc air-cooled SOHC 4-stroke; 2 valves |
| Weight | 278 lb |
| Price | $4999 |
| Product website | yamahamotorsports.com/models/tw200 |
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese mobile manufacturer founded in 1955 as a spin-off from Yamaha Corporation and headquartered in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Development, production and marketing operations are conducted through 109 consolidated subsidiaries. Yamaha Motor spun off from musical instrument manufacturer Yamaha Corporation in 1955 and began producing its first product, the YA-1 125cc motorcycle.
The company’s products include motorcycles, scooters, custom electric motorcycle, motorized bicycles, boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, work boats, fishing boats, outboard motors, ATVs, recreational off-road vehicles, go-kart engines, golf carts, utility engines, and power generation machines, water pumps, snowmobiles, wheelchairs and helmet power supply units.
The Yamaha TW200 is a single-cylinder dual-sport motorcycle produced and sold by Yamaha since 1987. TW is the abbreviation of Trail Way. In 2001, Yamaha updated the TW200 by eliminating the foot activation and replacing the front drum brake with a disc brake. It has been compared to the two-wheel drive Rokon and is known as a “two-wheeled quad” due to its larger tires.
The Yamaha TW200 is a unique retro motorcycle with a 196cc air-cooled carburetor single-cylinder engine, off-road styling and large-size tires. Its five-speed manual transmission, large front and rear tires and good ergonomics make it ideal for use on the beach, on trails, on muddy trails and on steep slopes.
Suzuki VanVan 200
| Release date | 2023 |
| Engine type | 4-stroke, 1-cylinder, air-cooled, SOHC |
| Weight | 128kg |
| Price | Euro 4,438 |
| Product website | www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/smgs/digital-archive/2_bike/family_126.php |
Founded in 1920, SUZUKI is a Japanese automobile manufacturing company. The headquarter is located in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It started producing motorcycles in 1952 and cars in 1955, mainly producing mini cars. It also produces motorcycles, outboard motors, motorboats, etc., and its products are sold to 127 countries and regions around the world.
The Suzuki VanVan 200 is a multi-functional sports moped, which is actually more suitable for adventure activities in urban environments, but it can also be used for light off-roading. The VanVan 200 is a stylish street bike inspired by the popular VanVan leisure bike of the 1970s, powered by a 199cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission.
As for the motorcycle parts, the model is equipped with a highly reliable 200cc four-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder SOHC 2-valve engine, low center of gravity chassis, long wheelbase, slim body, wide handlebars, low seat height (770mm) and electronic fuel injection. Comfortable and spacious seats, a distinctive fuel tank, extra-wide rear tires and large upward-sloping mufflers.
Hailey
Hi, I am Hailey, Since I graduated with my master's degree in physics, l have dedicated myself to lithium battery industry and worked with lithium battery engineers to complete various lithium battery design and manufacturing projects. Based on the electronic knowledge as a lithium battery engineer for more than 4 years, I am now mainly responsible for writing content about lithium battery and I would like to share my views with you.
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