P108
RIDE REVIEW I 2021 KAWASAKI KLX300 & KLX300SM
you've have never tried supermo-
to, you really need to. It should
be on every motorcyclist's
bucket list, and the KLX300SM
is a great way to get your feet
wet. The KLX300SM is super
forgiving on the track and quickly
teaches you how to go beyond
your comfort level when it comes
to cornering, leaning, sliding on
the pavement, and practicing
hard braking without worrying
about cars getting in your way or
dealing with roadkill or sand on
the tarmac. It'll make you a better
rider in just a few hours.
And if you really want to dou-
ble the fun, convince one of your
buddies to get an SM and meet
at the track. It's good cheap fun
dicing with someone on equal
equipment. Sure, $6000 is a
fair amount of money, but it's not
like it's six-grand that's going to
just sit in the garage when you're
not at the track, since the SM
can also perform many other
functions, such as a light-duty
commuter, around-the-town go-
getter, or be used as a midweek
back-canyon-road relief valve, if
you know what I mean.
But if dirt is more your thing,
the KLX300 dual sport will do
the trick, as well.
Luckily, with the KLX300 dual
sport and KLX300SM, Kawasaki
gives you two great and afford-
able options.
CN
2021 KAWASAKI KLX300 ($5599/$5799) / KLX300SM ($5999)
ENGINE
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single
VALVETRAIN
4-valve, DOHC
BORE
78.0mm
STROKE
61.2mm
DISPLACEMENT
298cc
COMPRESSION RATIO
11.1:1
FUEL SYSTEM
DFI w/34mm throttle body
IGNITION
Digital DC-CDI
TRANSMISSION
6-speed
GEARING
14T/40T / 14T/37T
RAKE
26.7° / 25.0°
TRAIL
4.2 in. / 2.8 in.
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL
10.0 in. / 9.1 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL
9.1 in. / 8.1 in.
FRONT TIRE SIZE
3.00 x 21 in. / 110 x 17 in.
REAR TIRE SIZE
4.60 x 18 in. / 130/70 x 17 in.
FRONT SUSPENSION
43mm inverted cartridge
fork w/16-way compression
damping adj.
REAR SUSPENSION
Uni-Trak w/adjustable preload,
16-way compression and
rebound damping adj.
FORK SPRINGS
7.8 N/mm / 10.8 N/mm
SHOCK SPRING
54 N/mm / 66.6 N/mm
WHEELBASE
56.7 in. / 56.5 in.
FRONT BRAKE
250mm petal disc / 300mm
petal disc
REAR BRAKE
240mm petal disc
FUEL CAPACITY
2.0 gal.
GROUND CLEARANCE
10.8 in. / 9.3 in.
SEAT HEIGHT
35.2 in. / 33.9 in.
CURB WEIGHT
302.1 lbs. / 304.03 lbs.
COLORS
Lime green & Fragment Camo
gray / Lime green & Oriental
blue
WARRANTY
12 months
SPECIFICATIONS
