2024 Kawasaki KLX300, KLX300SM & KLX300R First Look Preview
6 min read
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From twin sport explorers and supermoto shredders to off-road warriors, Kawasaki whets motorcyclists’ urge for food for enjoyable with its beginner-bike-friendly KLX platform.
The KLX300 (which changed the KLX250) and KLX300SM had been each new in 2021, and now these fraternal bikes obtain styling/bodywork updates for ‘24 iterations. The KLX300R off-road path bike receives a brand new colour.
Let’s begin with the 2024 KLX300 and KLX300SM.
Each function a revamped KX-inspired look with up to date bodywork that’s slimmer to facilitate higher motion on the bike—if you’re off the overwhelmed path or slinging the supermoto left and proper, you’re going to need the liberty to maneuver round. Based on Kawasaki, the radiator shrouds are longer and slimmer; the ends are 25mm slimmer on both sides. The 2-piece aspect covers are additionally slimmed all the way down to additional assist with rider motion.
Associated: 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 First Look Preview
The entrance fender is redesigned to contribute to the athletic silhouette, whereas the LED headlight is encased in a slim new entrance cowl. There are new headlight mount covers to maintain the looks tidy.
Associated: 2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM First Look Preview
The rear fender’s taillight is positioned farther ahead for a extra compact look and there’s an up to date rear flap that shields the rider from flicked up mud, filth, or water.
Associated: 2023 250cc to 400cc Twin Sport Bikes for Sale
Additionally new for 2024 is the two-toned seat cowl which replaces the strong black seat cowl of earlier fashions.
Powering these machines is identical liquid-cooled 292cc single that we’ve come to know since 2021. It’s gas injected and has a flat-top piston touring by a cylinder with a 78mm bore and 61.2mm stroke. Our dyno information point out an approachable energy output of 24 hp and 15.6 lb.-ft. of torque from this mill.
Though the KLX platform shares a high-tensile metal perimeter body, the suspension, brakes, and wheels are particular to the bike.
Associated: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300SM MC Commute Evaluate
The fork remains to be a 43mm inverted cartridge fork with 16-way compression damping adjustment accessible, however journey is 10 inches on the twin sport and 9.1 inches on the supermoto.
The shock is preload, compression, and rebound adjustable for each fashions, however once more, the journey differs; 9.1 inches for the KLX300 and eight.1 inches for the SM.
The KLX300′s entrance brake is a 250mm disc and the SM’s is a bigger stoppie-triggering 300mm disc. Each function 240mm rear discs.
For the reason that bikes serve completely different features, the wheels must comply with go well with. The twin sport’s spoked rims are fitted with dual-purpose tires extra appropriate for off-road travels with 21- and 18-inch diameters (entrance/rear, respectively). The supermoto options 17-inch wheels and avenue tires.
The twin sport additionally has barely extra floor clearance (10.8 inches versus the 9.3 inches on the supermoto) to assist in clearing over rocks or different path obstacles. Seat top is 35.2 inches for the KLX300 and 33.9 inches for the SM.
The 2024 KLX300 is offered in Lime Inexperienced or Battle Grey for $6,199. For $200 extra, you would get it in Cypher Camo Grey.
The KLX300SM is available in Battle Grey or Phantom Blue for $6,599.
In the meantime, the KLX300R makes its 2024 return with a brand new colour. Battle Grey now joins Kawasaki’s go-to Lime Inexperienced. The Lime Inexperienced can be just a little extra outstanding than final yr with the quantity plates and fork guards taking over the colour. The seat cowl colours are additionally flipped to have inexperienced on the skin edges.
Associated: 2020 Kawasaki KLX230, KLX230R, KLX300R First Experience Evaluate
Moreover the colour updates, the KLX300R is identical, mechanically talking, because the prior mannequin yr, so you’ve the identical 292cc four-stroke engine that we talked about beforehand with the KLX300/SM. Like its cousins, the KLX-R’s engine is paired with a six-speed transmission and EFI and begins up with an electrical starter. You’ll after all be prepared for the general public driving areas, as a result of, like the twin sport, the R is supplied with a US Forest Service–authorized spark arrestor.
Contemplating the off-road-only chops, it is smart that the R’s suspension would have probably the most journey. The 43mm inverted fork and Uni-Trak shock each provide 11.2 inches of journey. Floor clearance can be a loftier 12 inches (11.8 inches for the California mannequin) and seat top is 35.4 inches.
The entrance brake disc additionally slides proper in between the 2 beforehand talked about fashions. Diameter is 270mm.
The KLX300R doesn’t require all the additional street-legal gear of the opposite bikes so the claimed moist weight is understandably about 20 kilos much less (282 kilos and 287 kilos for the California mannequin).
The KLX300R is offered in Lime Inexperienced and Battle Grey for $6,199.
2023 Kawasaki KLX300 Technical Specs and Worth
| PRICE: | $6,199–$6,399 |
|---|---|
| ENGINE: | 292cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled single; 4 valves/cyl. |
| BORE x STROKE: | 78.0 x 61.2mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 11.1:1 |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Gas injection w/ 34mm throttle physique |
| CLUTCH: | Moist, multiplate |
| TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: | 6-speed/chain |
| FRAME: | Excessive-tensile metal perimeter |
| FRONT SUSPENSION: | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression damping adjustable; 10.0 in. journey |
| REAR SUSPENSION: | Single shock, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 9.1 in. journey |
| FRONT BRAKE: | 2-piston caliper, 250mm petal disc |
| REAR BRAKE: | 1-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: | 21 in./18 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR: | 3.00 x 21 / 4.60 x 18 |
| RAKE/TRAIL: | 26.7°/4.2 in. |
| WHEELBASE: | 56.7 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT: | 35.2 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY: | 2.0 gal. |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: | 302 lb. |
| WARRANTY: | 1 yr |
| AVAILABLE: | Now |
| CONTACT: | kawasaki.com |
2023 Kawasaki KLX300SM Technical Specs and Worth
| PRICE: | $6,599 |
|---|---|
| ENGINE: | 292cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled single; 4 valves/cyl. |
| BORE x STROKE: | 78.0 x 61.2mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 11.1:1 |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Gas injection w/ 34mm throttle physique |
| CLUTCH: | Moist, multiplate |
| TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: | 6-speed/chain |
| FRAME: | Excessive-tensile metal perimeter |
| FRONT SUSPENSION: | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression damping adjustable; 9.1 in. journey |
| REAR SUSPENSION: | Single shock, spring preload, rebound damping adjustable; 8.1 in. journey |
| FRONT BRAKE: | 2-piston caliper, 300mm petal disc |
| REAR BRAKE: | 1-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: | 17 in./17 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR: | 110/70-17 / 130/70-17 |
| RAKE/TRAIL: | 25.0°/2.8 in. |
| WHEELBASE: | 56.5 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT: | 33.9 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY: | 2.0 gal. |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: | 304 lb. |
| WARRANTY: | 1 yr |
| AVAILABLE: | Now |
| CONTACT: | kawasaki.com |
2023 Kawasaki KLX300R Technical Specs And Worth
| PRICE: | $6,199 |
|---|---|
| ENGINE: | 292cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled single; 4 valves/cyl. |
| BORE x STROKE: | 78.0 x 61.2mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 11.1:1 |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Gas injection w/ 34mm throttle physique |
| CLUTCH: | Moist, multiplate |
| TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: | 6-speed/chain |
| FRAME: | Excessive-tensile metal perimeter |
| FRONT SUSPENSION: | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression damping adjustable; 10.0 in. journey |
| REAR SUSPENSION: | Single shock, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 9.1 in. journey |
| FRONT BRAKE: | 2-piston caliper, 250mm petal disc |
| REAR BRAKE: | 1-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: | 21 in./18 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR: | 80/100-21 / 100/100-18 |
| RAKE/TRAIL: | 26.7°/4.2 in. |
| WHEELBASE: | 56.5 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT: | 35.2 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY: | 2.1 gal. |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: | 282 lb. / 287 lb. (CA mannequin) |
| WARRANTY: | 6 months |
| AVAILABLE: | Now |
| CONTACT: | kawasaki.com |
