VOLUME 57 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 P97
and been done with it, but we had more ambitious
plans—an approximately 100-mile backroads loop
to the top of our local mountains and back. We trav-
eled from 1350 feet elevation to 7000 feet via roads,
of which 90 percent was dirt, of which about five
percent was probably more suited for healthy mules.
We'll get right to the point. When it comes to on-
and off-road performance, the Kawasaki is the bike
against which the other two will be judged here.
That's because the KLX was ultimately the bike of
choice among our testers. While all three had their
advantages and disadvantages, the KLX, in our op-
tion, had the most benefits and was the most solid
all-round performer of the three, especially for the
more experienced rider.
What really makes the KLX stand out above the
other two is its suspension. It's just plain better.
Period. Compared to the Honda and Yamaha, the
KLX's suspension does a better job soaking up the
bumps and doesn't run out of wheel travel nearly as
