QUICKSPIN I 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 & KLX300SM
P102
The SM's rear sprocket drops
three teeth to compliment the
smaller wheels. Expect to pay
$400 more for the SM, as well.
For those who want the same
virtues as the KLX300 but are
not interested in getting dirty,
the SM is the perfect alterna
-
tive, and you get some added
bonuses, like a lower seat height
and better street prowess, es
-
pecially with those large, grippy
tires. Handling-wise, it's slightly
more responsive on the pave-
ment than the dual sport, too,
and it loves to be ridden aggres-
sively when the urge strikes, at
which time you'll appreciate the
more powerful front brake and
stiffer fork and shock than the
standard. And, like the standard,
there is just enough power to
get the juices flowing, too.
But if you really want to have
fun on the SM, ride it to your local
kart track (preferably with a friend
on a similar bike), let it rip, and
then ride it home. If you've never
ridden a small-bore "low horse
-
power" supermoto-style motorcy-
cle like the KLX300SM on a track,
you're really missing out.
With both the KLX300 and
KLX300SM, there is plenty of
fun to be had here, either on the
road, or in the dirt, or both.
CN
2024 KAWASAKI KLX300 ($6199)/ KLX300SM ($6599)
ENGINE TYPE: 4-stroke, single
COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid
DISPLACEMENT: 292 cc
BORE X STROKE: 78.0 x 61.2mm
STARTING SYSTEM: Electric
FUELING: DFI with 34mm Keihin throttle body
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-disc manual clutch
FRAME: Tubular, Semi-Double Cradle
FRONT SUSPENSION: 43mm inverted cartridge fork w/adjustable
compression damping
REAR SUSPENSION: Rear shock with piggyback reservoir, w/
adjustable compression & rebound damping
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 10 in. / 9.1 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 9.1 in. / 8.1 in.
FRONT WHEEL: 21 in. / 17 in.
REAR WHEEL: 18 in. / 17 in.
FRONT TIRE: 3.00 / 110/70
REAR TIRE: 4.6 / 70/70
FRONT BRAKE: Single, petal disc, 250mm / Single
petal disc, 300mm
REAR BRAKE: Single, petal disc, 240mm
RAKE: 26.7° / 25.0°
TRAIL: 4.2 in. / 2.8 in.
WHEELBASE: 56.7 in. / 56.5 in.
SEAT HEIGHT: 35.2 in. / 33.9 in.
GROUND CLEARANCE: 10.8 in. / 9.3 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: 2 gal.
WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): 302.1 lbs. / 304.3 lbs.
COLORS: Lime green, Battle gray, Cypher Camo gray (matte) /
Battle gray, Phantom blue
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
