A Street Rider Tries a Dirtbike: The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 and KLX300SM

Рет қаралды 33,707

6 ай бұрын

Troy has the title of "Road Test Editor" for a reason - he sucks in the dirt. So, when it came time to give the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 a go, he was the perfect person to throw a leg over it. The KLX300 has a reputation for being a great gateway into the dirt for people just like him, or others who are starting their dirt journey. And while he was at it, Kawasaki also threw him the keys to the updated KLX300SM supermoto to try as well. What did he think? Watch the video to find out.
In case you're wondering - yes, he did drop the bike.
To read the full written review, check it out here: www.motorcycle.com/bikes/manu...
Thanks to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute for sponsoring this video. Learn more here: s.uti.edu/MMI-YT
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Пікірлер: 48

@dillard715 6 ай бұрын

been riding for 25 years off road and iv had all the off road toys all sizes but this will be my next bike.

@Bow-to-the-absurd 6 ай бұрын

Why cant the japanese give us a 60hp 150 kg supermoto?

@judge831 6 ай бұрын

50 hp would be plenty

@Supernova12034 6 ай бұрын

japanese are built for the everyday common man. You want race performance you know where to look.

@shaecloud4403 2 ай бұрын

yz250 will do the job!

@jwaller1327 6 ай бұрын

Three years ago, I was the guy with just over 20 years riding experience, but almost all on pavement. I'd been on a few dirt roads on a KLR650, but not truly off road. I wanted to give it a try. The 2021 KLX300 was my gateway into the off road world, and I haven't looked back since. No more pure street bikes for me, I now have a Beta XTrainer and a CRF450L (for when I HAVE to ride on the street) and only ride pavement out of necessity. For fun, it's all dirt. I was just 20 years late getting into it.

@r.morgan3965 5 ай бұрын

How would you compare the KLX300 and CRF450L? I heard the CRF450L has big flame out problems in slower stuff.

@jwaller1327 5 ай бұрын

@@r.morgan3965 The CRF450L is the logical upgrade from the KLX300 for the dual-sport rider who plans to do 50% or more dirt to pavement, without going fully to the whole "dirt-bike with lights", as with the KTM dual sports. It's a significant upgrade in performance across the board compared with the KLX300. It's lighter weight, more powerful, has better suspension, and more upgrade potential than the KLX300. It requires more investment financially, both in the initial purchase and in maintenance time and money. But for the performance, it's worth it, to me. As far as flame outs or stalling goes, yes. It's probably a combination of learning the bike, better technique, and the upgraded ECU, but I hardly ever stall the bike now. It does force one to be willing to push it a little faster. It's not a happy bike slow. It rewards faster riding, if that makes sense. The KLX300 is the easier bike to ride, and for the type of riding within its performance envelope, it's better. But it's the stuff beyond that the CRF450L is made for. I hope that makes sense.

@jwaller1327 5 ай бұрын

@@r.morgan3965 In a lot of ways it is like a more capable KLX300 but that also requires a more capable rider. It will maintain higher speeds more easily on the highway with plenty of power for passing if need be. Off road the suspension is way better on the 450L. A KLX300 is more forgiving and doesn't mind riding slow. The CRF450L rewards faster riding and makes the rider aware that it's not happy going slow. The CRF450L flame out issue is real, at least whenever the bike is new. I put an aftermarket ECU in mine and haven't had a flameout since. I've stalled it a handful of times, but that was due to poor technique.

@MrMoneyHelper 4 ай бұрын

Good points from the perspective of a new to dirt rider. What I like about dual sport motorcycles is that on rough streets full of cracks and holes, they have a smoother ride with their longer travel suspensions. That reason alone makes them great for commuting to work and riding around town.

@tdeloriea 6 ай бұрын

Imagine long time motorcyclists watching this video looking for information. Weight? Top speed? Buzzy? Maintenance intervals compared to other bikes in this category?

@mohammede.4500 6 ай бұрын

Yes, every video must follow the same format and script I demand! How dare this free 6 minute video not answer my every specific questions! I think most long time motorcyclists would know what to expect from an entry level 300cc dual sport.

@davedonedis 6 ай бұрын

I would imagine they would watch a review video and not a newb trying dirt video.

@FunkMasterJunk 6 ай бұрын

I started riding offroad in my teens. I bought a Honda NX125. My previous bike ( and first bike) was a YZ250. The YZ was a POS. Fun, for 2 hours, but I spent a lot of time turning wrenches on it. The Nx125 was slow! BUT! It taught me to ride! You had to push it. It also always ran. You could say the YZ taught me to mechanics the NX taught me to ride. My wife and I both ride dirt bikes when we were younger. We find ourselves looking to get back to that after years of street riding. Its a lot more fun and a lot safer. Not to mention there are a lot more trail systems becoming available.

@muffingaming5971 5 ай бұрын

I got a 07 crf 250 that i love, trails are 5-10 min from my house , so this is perfect to replace and not have to load and unload in the bed of my truck everytime. Can drive it around town and hop in the woods with no problem. Great price too. IMO

@leeinwis 5 ай бұрын

I have the 18' 250 rally..fun and almost maintence free .

@takumisato7126 2 ай бұрын

Is the suspension the same on both the klx300 and the klx300sm? Just different wheels and tires?

@patricksandeberg8184 6 ай бұрын

I love the bikes but I reeeeally need that new Z450 motor to make it a KLX450 🫶🏽

@therealaim-9xmissile 6 ай бұрын

Looking to get into riding motorcycles and honestly the KLX 230/300 and Royal Enfield Himalayan (not the 2024 since it’s more expensive) look like good and affordable also fun bikes to ride lol

@leanit5756 5 ай бұрын

The reason people with 20 years riding experience are riding these bikes is simply because there isn't a KLX 500, or any other Japanese 500 machine. People want fuel injected and water cooled dual purpose bikes from japan with modern ergonomics, long maintenance intervals, low vibration engines, and comfortable seats. But NOBODY makes them, so they sigh and buy a 300cc machine.

@cyclonus01 Ай бұрын

Honda has the CRF 450 RL.

@leanit5756 Ай бұрын

@@cyclonus01 I owned a CRF450L. Didn't have long maintenance interval, plus even just lubing the chain correctly was a pain in the ass due to the rubber disc on the rear sprocket. The engine vibration was absolutely horrible, as was the seat. Front forks action was too harsh too, even fully loosened up, for a DP bike. After spending a lot of money for an aftermarket ECU and full exhaust to make it run right, I sold it as I just couldn't come to terms with the monumental engine vibration. Gave me headaches and blurry vision. I owned two DR650s, two DRZ400s, an XL500R, two XT250s, two 690 super motos, two WR250s (X and R), among other thumpers, and now a KLX300. None of these bikes vibrated like the CRF450L. The only bikes on the same level of vibration was my two EXC500Fs. Converted race bikes don't seem to be good dual-purpose bikes in my experience.

@cyclonus01 Ай бұрын

@leanit5756 wow this is great insight. I'm in the market for a dual sport. I'm 260 lbs 6 feet with short legs for my height (32" inseam). Which dual sport would you recommend for someone like me.

@leanit5756 Ай бұрын

@@cyclonus01 Really depends on how fast you want to go on rough dirt. At 260 and with shorter legs the DR650 might be a good choice. It has good motor and reasonably low seat height. Long legs for street use. Fine for dirt roads and modest pace on two-track. But if you want to single track it, it is pretty heavy and cumbersome, and lacks the suspension for aggressive use - not something I would want to do. It is a handful in soft sand too. I only weigh 173 (before suiting up) and also have 32" in seam. I like the KLX as it is light and slim, with pretty good suspension. But the motor is comparatively quite weak. I don't mind though as I have a Tenere 700 for longer/faster street use, and pretty much only ride the KLX on dirt and around town, and it does both quite well.

@cyclonus01 Ай бұрын

@leanit5756 I don't need to go to fast but I'd like something that can go 60 to 65 comfortable on pavement and want something light. I've sat on dr650 before and felt it was too big heavy and bulky.

@cyclonus01 Ай бұрын

Do they have ABS on these bikes?

@frankmclaughlinsubscribe 4 ай бұрын

My 2023 klx 300 duel sport is my least powerful bike but possibly the most fun to ride.

@JelloThatsMellow 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for being honest Troy! Glad you had fun. Shame the bike is basically the same bike. First.

@noidreculse8906 6 ай бұрын

I love my 2023 ❤

@mimi1girl2dempsey3 4 ай бұрын

I bled and replaced brake fluid on my old klx250 every spring and the brakes worked like new ones. It' s a simple fix.

@allans7281 2 ай бұрын

Entry-level is misleading I’m an advanced rider and I have a blast on the dual sport It does very well on torque ergonomics and handling. Stock suspension is just fine for medium to easy aggressive riding. I’m 5-10 195 pounds

@ben19823 6 ай бұрын

What’s the point of talking about them get on and fuckin bike and ride the bike

@ejdtm 6 ай бұрын

What do you loathe more? Test riding Harleys or test riding dirt bikes. Lol

@kruzininla 6 ай бұрын

May I ask how you are the perfect candidate for this , when admittedly you prefer street bikes. Does this business not offer dirtbike professionalism along with streetbikes?

@hairiramli1617 Ай бұрын

ikhlas ler sket review nye pun. mcm nak tak nak je kamu yob

@monkeyCmonkeyDoo 6 ай бұрын

that's one long ass commercial.

@Rizkan000 3 ай бұрын

Goo INDONESIA 😊

@rustystubbs242 Ай бұрын

Unfortunately the bike wont do anything my KLX250S with cylinder/piston modded to 300 will do. Nothing new here other than plastic

@kennyabreu7614 6 ай бұрын

Nice bike but way too slow for the money, 450cc it’s perfect for a supermoto but 300cc not 😅👎…

@kluthage421 6 ай бұрын

People like ride POV videos which your channel never has. Ride the bikes and talk about them and compare. Borderline unsubbing.

@patricksandeberg8184 6 ай бұрын

Okej….. 🤭 Bye 👋 😂

@FunkMasterJunk 6 ай бұрын

Funny, I hate POV videos. Bad sound. Its distracting. Just no. None of it appeals to me. I much prefer this. Maybe im old school.

@Captndarty 6 ай бұрын

You won’t be missed🤷🏻‍♂️

@blitzv10 6 ай бұрын

Bye lol 👋

@patricksandeberg8184 6 ай бұрын

POV videos are great if it’s a commute review like the once Zack do on Revzilla. But when it’s a first time review like this, you what’s to see the bike work. See how it looks and turns.