COMPARISON I 2021 HONDA CRF300L VS. KAWASAKI KLX300
P94
out of place under the Honda HRC tent
sitting right next to Ken Roczen's and
Chase Sexton's factory motocross bikes
at the RedBud National. The Honda's
bodywork, graphics and black wheels
look sweet! The KLR300, on the other
hand, seems dated and conservative by
comparison. However, the Kawi's Camo
version, with its black rims and blacked-
out frame, does look more modernistic,
but the Camo part drew mixed opinions
from our testers. Some like it, some,
eh, not so much.
COMFORT (AKA,
ERGONOMICS) :::
No real winner or loser here. They are
both comfy. The sitting position on both
bikes is relaxed for riding on pavement
or dirt roads. The Honda's seat feels
slightly cushier and a tad lower relative to
the handlebars. From past experience,
however, we have found that Honda's L
seat foam breaks down quickly, allowing
your butt to become too familiar with the
seat base. But so far so good with the
300's seat. Time will tell.
The Kawasaki's seat height relative to
the pegs and handlebars is slightly taller,
making it a little roomier for taller riders.
The weak link in the Kawasaki ergonom-
ics department is the footpegs. They are
just too small. You kind of get used to
them but riding both bikes back-to-back
immediately reminds you how much more
stable the Honda's larger pegs feel.
Seat height. This is a major deal for
many people. Often, it's a deal-breaker.
It's a confidence builder for beginners
and for shorter riders alike, to be able
Both bikes are handsome, but the Honda makes us
want to get on it and go. It's a looker, for sure.
