Kawasaki entered the 2017 model year with an eye toward the small-displacement adventure-bike market, and the all-new Versys-X 300 was its weapon of choice for this new front. The “X” joined the rest of the Versys adventure-bike lineup with the characteristic family flylines atop unique features. Most apparent is the 296 cc engine attractive to riders looking to enter the adventure world as well as riders emerging as the new generation of pragmatic buyers.

2022 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Performance and Capability

The 296 cc mill in the Versys-X 300 is a variant of the mill that drives the Ninja 300 range. As with other important metrics, Kawi is keeping the exact performance numbers close to the vest, but we can guess from its Ninja configuration that the Versys-X 300 generates 40 horsepower and 20 pound-feet of torque.

The parallel-twin mill runs a 62 mm bore with a 49 mm stroke and a medium-hot, 10.6-to-1 compression ratio. Dual over-head cams time the four-valve heads and a pair of 32 mm throttle bodies control the fuel-injection mixture to strike a balance between demand and capability for seamless throttle corrections. The rider's throttle-grip position controls the primary butterfly valve, but the engine control module actuates the sub-valve for a bit of self-correcting ability.

A six-speed gearbox churns out the power to the chain final drive and a slipper clutch provides a light pull at the lever along with anti-hop protection during aggressive downshifts. You can expect a Versys-X 300 top speed of 100 mph.

If you have off-road plans, bear in mind that there's no skidplate. Your exhaust is the first thing you'll whack if your adventures take you far afield.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine Type:

4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4 Valve Cylinder Head, Parallel Twin

Displacement:

296 cc

Bore & Stroke:

62.0 x 49.0 mm

Compression Ratio:

10.6:1

Fuel System:

DFI® w/ 32 mm Throttle Bodies (2)

Ignition:

TCBI with Digital Advance

Transmission:

6-Speed with Positive Neutral Finder

Final Drive:

O-Ring Chain

Design

The Versys-X 300 is a sign that the adventure-bike segment is maturing. First, there was the race to the top with ever larger displacements getting shoehorned in, and now the race to the bottom is underway to garner the entry-level crowd as well as the folks who prefer small-displacement machines. Since the entry-level riders are important for the cultivation of brand loyalty, and the multitudes of “Others” have their own reasons for keeping things small, this bike is an important step to fill out the potential of the class.

The Versys DNA shows up in the overall look with the typical stubby front fairing that comes complete with lowers that shroud the radiator and air ducts under the recessed headlamp housings. Both features control airflow to prevent heat buildup under the hood as it were and vent it away from the rider.

So far all of this is much like the larger Versys models, but the size of the fuel tank hump gives the “X” away. Don't let the external appearance fool you. The tank holds a generous 4.5 gallons of fuel, evidence that Kawi didn't design this to be the soccer-mom's SUV equivalent of an adventure bike.

The two-up seat looked vaguely familiar to eyes accustomed to the rest of the family but is obviously smaller as well. A high subframe and mudguard give the rear wheel plenty of room to move over rough pavement, but that also pushes the seat height up to 32 inches. Although some individual pieces are obviously smaller, it doesn't really carry an overall small-bike air that many find off-putting.

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Specs

Overall Length:

85.4 in

Overall Width:

33.9 in

Overall Height:

54.7 in

Ground Clearance:

7.1 in

Seat Height:

32.1 in

Curb Weight:

385.9 lb

Fuel Capacity:

4.5 gal

Wheelbase:

57.1 in

Fuel Tank Capacity:

4.5 gal.

Top Speed:

100 mph (est)

Chassis

In an effort to strike a balance between strength and weight, Kawi started out with a backbone frame made of tubular-steel members on the Versys-X 300. They shed weight wherever they could with lightening holes and thin-walled brackets. A stressed-engine arrangement eliminates the downtubes and cradle pieces to further reduce weight.

Steering geometry is toward the shorter, more agile end of the spectrum with a rake angle of 24 degrees and 4.3 inches of trail on a 57.1-inch wheelbase. While that's great and fine for cornering and close-quarters maneuvering, those numbers coupled with the 385.9-pound curb weight point to a ride that's going to be squirrely in a crosswind and when negotiating the pressure waves from the other traffic on the interstate.

The right-way-up front forks sport large, 41 mm fork tubes, but offer no sort of adjustments while the central-mount monoshock comes only with the obligatory preload adjustment. Not a very sophisticated suspension, but the bottom-tier bikes rarely come with better, and never without a price.

Suspension travel falls within the street/rough-road range at 5.1 inches up front and 5.8 inches out back. This is plenty for the grittiest urban areas and country roads and is in keeping with its intended purpose in life.

Laced rims mount the 19-inch front hoop and 17-inch rear, and the tires themselves come in a sporty 100/90 profile up front with a 130/80 in back. A 290 mm, petal-cut brake disc slows the front wheel, and a 220 mm disc slows the rear with a dual-pot caliper. Up until 2020, you had the option for ABS on both ends, but starting in 2021, it's ABS all the way.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame:

Tubular, diamond

Front Suspension/Travel:

41mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork/5.1 in

Rear Suspension/Travel:

Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with Adustable Preload/5.8 in

Rake/Trail:

24.3°/4.3 in

Front Tire Size:

100/90-19M/C 57S

Rear Tire Size:

130/80-17M/C 65S

Front Brake Type:

Single 290 mm Petal Disc with 2-Piston Caliper, ABS

Rear Brake Type:

Single 220 mm Petal Disc with 2-Piston Caliper, ABS

2022 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Price

The 2022 Versys-X 300 costs $6,099. Kawasaki covers your new ride with a 12-month warranty.

Pricing & Equipment

Engine Management Technology:

Assist & Slipper Clutch, Dual Throttle Valves, Economical Riding Indicator

Chassis Management Technology:

ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), ERGO-FIT®

Model ID:

KLE300BHF / CHF

Warranty:

12 months (optional Kawasaki Protection Plus™ 12, 24, 36 or 48 months)

Colors:

└ 2017:

Candy Lime Green /Metallic Graphite Gray, Metallic Graphite Gray/Flat Ebony

└ 2018:

Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Raw Graystone, Passion Red/Metallic Flat Raw Graystone

└ 2019:

Metallic Moondust Gray/Metallic Flat Spark Black

└ 2020:

Pearl Blizzard White/Metallic Matte Carbon Gray

└ 2021:

Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Ocean Blue/Pearl Robotic White

└ 2022:

Metallic Ocean Blue/Pearl Robotic White

Price:

└ 2019:

$5,399 (ABS: $5,699)

└ 2020:

$5,599 (ABS: $5,799)

└ 2021:

ABS: $5,899

└ 2022:

ABS: $6,099

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Competitor

The low-displacement adventure bike market is getting more well populated all the time. I find a very good candidate for a Versys-X 300 competitor in the G 310 GS from BMW.

BMW G 310 GS

In the looks department, well, it's easy to guess the country of origin for each of the rides. At the same time, they both fit within the generally accepted mold for the genre.

Both bikes run tubular steel frames, but where the “X” uses standard forks to buoy the front end, the Beemer comes with a set of inverted, 41 mm stems that are certain to be stiffer. Like the Kawi, however, they come sans adjustments.

Single-disc front brakes and ABS is consistent across the board so you are free to wring the maximum out of the brakes that you do have. Given that these are entry-level bikes, it's not surprising to see the ABS feature well represented.

Beemer squeezed in a few extra cubes with a 313 cc thumper but claims only 34 ponies and 20.6 pounds of grunt versus 40 / 20 from the Versys. This is only a minor issue, and not likely to dissuade fans of the Bayerische.

One thing is certain, the parallel twin is going to shake the rider up less than the single-cylinder Beemer plant. Naturally, both benefit from fuel injection and electronic engine management, and neither really shows any decisive advantage over the other.

He Said

“Kawi can say what it likes, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable on the highway atop something with an engine that small. It may be fine for an urban commute, but I'm betting a long trip will wear your ass out, literally and figuratively. It would certainly tax my nerves in areas where the rest of the traffic is moving at something well above 70 mph.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, "First, let me say that I do like the bike. It's very approachable for new folks and with a small-displacement engine, it seems like it would be a good commuter, but I'm not sure it has enough oomph and comfort to call it a tourer.”

“If you really look at it, the Versys-X 300 is the street-oriented version of the KLR. Where the KLR is a street-legal off-road bike, the Versys-X 300 is a street bike that has off-road capabilities. With any adventure pairing, you decide if you want street with occasional off-road or if you want off-road with a little street.”

Further Reading

Read more Kawasaki news.