COMPARISON I 2021 HONDA CRF300L VS. KAWASAKI KLX300
P98
to enjoy yet firm enough for the
more aggressive rider to have
fun on, as well—at least to a
point. Simply put, you can push
the Kawasaki much harder than
you can the Honda on the same
technical trail before running out
of suspension.
Overall, a beginner rider prob-
ably won't notice the difference
between the two suspensions,
but more skilled and heavier rid-
ers certainly will, and for them,
the Kawi's suspension rules.
HANDLING :::
The suspension performance is a
big part of motorcycle handling,
and for that reason, the Kawasaki
is, again, much easier to ride at
a higher pace. It goes through
rough stuff better and corners
better with less effort. The soft
rear shock on the Honda seems
to squat down even when turning,
making the front-end traction feel
vaguer. But, again, a beginner
won't have any issues with either
bike when it comes to handling.
Both bikes tip our scale at a
little over 300 pounds (full of fuel),
313 for the Honda and 304 for the
Kawasaki, so neither one is exactly
"light," but they are not excessively
heavy either. The Kawasaki weighs
nine pounds less than the Honda,
which is insignificant, really, we
doubt you will feel the difference
once in motion, but the Honda
might feel lighter, or at least equiva-
lent to the Kawi, for some because
of its lower seat height and seem-
ingly lower center of gravity.
Both bikes perform well overall
on the dirt until speeds pick
up on rough terrain. That's
when the Kawasaki's superior
suspension shines.
