2020 KAWASAKI KLX230, KLX230R & KLX300R
R I D E R E V I E W
P82
2020
KAWASAKI
KLX300R
The Kawasaki KLX300R is a new mo-
torcycle but already has some history.
It's been more than a decade since
we've seen the last full-size 300cc
dirt bike from Kawasaki, and the new
KLX300R can trace some of its roots
back to the '90s, but it features sev-
eral important technological upgrades
over the older 300, such as electric
starting and EFI. And it has modern
looks, too.
The KLX300R is fitted with a 292cc,
liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke en-
gine with a six-speed transmission, just
like in the old days.
Compared to the new 230R, the
300's suspension is significantly
advanced. The 300 is equipped with a
higher-tech gas-charged, piggy-back
reservoir shock that rides on linkages
(as do the other two bikes) and is fully
adjustable. Up front is a beefier invert-
ed 43mm fork that includes adjustable
compression damping. (The 230 has
no such thing, front or rear.) And the
300 has a little over an inch more wheel
travel at both ends over the 230.
The 300R has larger front and rear
disc brakes than the 230R and a tick
taller seat height (36.4 inches versus
36.2 inches). The 300 also holds 0.4
gallons more fuel than the 230 at 2.1
gallons. Tires and wheels are the same.
But before you immediately plop
down your cash on the 300, you must
keep in mind that the 300 does weigh
almost 30 pounds more than the 230
and costs $1100 more at $5499.
Some things to think about, for sure.
As expected, the 300R a more
capable off-road bike than either the
230 and 230R. In fact, it's down-
right good. The suspension does an
excellent job soaking up the bumps
and doesn't bottom as easily as you'd
think. Fully geared up, I weigh around
170 pounds and was able to attack
the whooped-out single-track trails
Of the three KLXs we
rode in Oregon, the
300 is without question
the most dirt worthy.
