Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1388078
COMPARISON I 2021 HONDA CRF300L VS. KAWASAKI KLX300 P102 had a big ride planned. Otherwise, we'd just as soon get our money's worth out of the stockers and then step up to some better rubber later on. There are plenty to choose from. Same idea here with the handle- bars. We wouldn't be heartbroken the day we dropped either bike and bent the steel handlebars because this would give us an excuse to replace them with sturdier aluminum bars. We'd also investigate foldable mirrors for both bikes. We know that Double- take and Acerbis make good options. That's about it, really. SUMMARY ::: Both bikes hit the bullseye when it comes to doing what they were designed to do—appeal to the entry- level or inexperienced rider looking for something affordable for both on and off the road use while also delivering in the performance department. They handle well, have good suspension, and their motors are extremely capable with- out the intimidation factor. The added displacement just made them more fun and even easier to manage, as well. Sometimes more power will do that. As mentioned earlier, the main thing that sets these two bikes apart is their suspension. The Kawasaki's is far su- perior to the Honda's when it comes to the dirt. However, the true newbie or novice might not even notice the difference or even give it a second thought, but the more experienced rider will indeed prefer the Kawi's suspension over the Honda's. Again, anyone new to the sport will enjoy both bikes equally; it's just that the newbie will outgrow the Honda much sooner than the Kawasaki, making the Kawasaki our pick of this two-bike litter. CN 2021 HONDA CRF300L ($5249) / KAWASAKI KLX300 ($5599) ENGINE 4-stroke, single / 4-stroke, single DRIVETRAIN DOHC, 4-valve / DOHC, 4-valve COOLING SYSTEM Liquid / Liquid DISPLACEMENT 286cc / 298cc BORE X STROKE 76.0 x 63.0mm / 78.0 x 61.2mm COMPRESSION RATIO 10.7:1 / 11.1:1 HORSEPOWER (CLAIMED) 27.0 hp @ 8500 rpm / NA TORQUE (CLAIMED) 19.6 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm / NA FUELING SYSTEM PGM-FI Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), 38mm throttle body / Digital Fuel Injection (DFI) 34mm throttle body CLUTCH Wet multiplate, assist/slipper / Wet multiplate TRANSMISSION 6-speed / 6-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric / Electric FINAL DRIVE 13T/40T / 14T/40T FRAME Steel semi-double cradle / Steel Perimeter SWINGARM Aluminum / Aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION Showa, 43mm, USD, telescopic fork, non-adjustable / KYB, 43mm USD, telescopic cartridge fork w/16-way compression damping adj. REAR SUSPENSION Showa, single shock, Pro-Link, preload adjustable / KYB, single shock, Uni-Trak preload, 16-way compression and rebound adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 10.2 in. / 10.0 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 10.2 in. / 9.1 in. FRONT BRAKE 256mm disc w/2-piston caliper; optional 2-channel ABS / 250mm disc w/2-piston caliper, ABS not available REAR BRAKE 220mm disc w/1-piston caliper; optional 2-channel ABS / 240mm disc w/1-piston caliper, ABS not available FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 in. / 3.00-21 in. REAR TIRE 120/80-18 in. / 4.60-18 in. WHEELBASE 57.2 in. / 56.7 in. RAKE 27°30' / NA TRAIL 4.3 in. / NA SEAT HEIGHT 34.6 in. / 35.2 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 11.2 in. / 10.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 2.1 gal. / 2.0 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, ACTUAL) 309 lbs. (311 lbs. ABS claimed) / 304 lbs. COLORS Red / Lime green & Fragment camo gray SPECIFICATIONS