According to a 2020 report issued by the Congressional Research Service, 28% of the United States is federally owned and managed. That’s 640 million acres, most of which are open to the public, and just one of the reasons America is an off-roader’s paradise. Countless studies have shown that the pandemic created a surge of interest in the great outdoors, and sales of UTVs and dirtbikes soared.
Post-pandemic sales have declined from their peak, but a recent study compiled by Allied Market Research predicts the dirt-bike segment will continue to grow, with dual-sport machines–road legal, with lights, mirrors, and a horn–accounting for the biggest share of the global market. More of us are taking to the trails, and I joined Kawasaki for a day in the boondocks to try my hand at dirt riding aboard its flagship enduro, the KLX300.
2023 kawasaki KLX300
- 250cc Weight with 292cc Performance
- Rigid Perimeter Frame for Dependable Off-Road Ability
- 6-Speed Gearbox Allows For Highway Cruising Speeds
- Terrain Capable with 10.0 in. Front and 9.1 Rear Travel
- Fully Adjustable Suspension, Front and Back
- Model: KLX300
- Engine/Motor: 292cc, Liquid-Cooled, EFI, DOHC, Single-Cylinder
- Horsepower: 26 @ 8,080 rpm
- Torque: 17 lb/ft @ 7,750 rpm
- Drivetrain: Chain
- Transmission: 6-Speed
- Torque biased single is lightweight and capable
- Progressive controls provide feedback and feel
- Comfortable standing and seated ergonomics
- Bar guards should be standard equipment
Into The Wild
Although I have plenty of experience riding big adventure bikes off-road, and middleweights like the awesome Aprilia 660 we recently tested, I am a relative novice on dirtbikes and the technical terrain they are capable of traversing. This trip would allow me to test my skills and learn some new ones. An appealing aspect of off-road riding is the absence of traffic and the danger it poses to motorcyclists. Nonetheless, although safer, any excursion into the wilderness carries a level of risk and it makes sense to partner up with a fellow rider before heading out on the trails.
In my case, Brad Puetz, Kawasaki’s Media Relations Supervisor and an expert rider on- and off-road, was my partner for the day and led our ride. Our route was an out-and-back trail that wound its way through the mountainous Los Padres National Forest, just north of Santa Barbara, California. A perfect proving ground for a would-be dirt rider, with a mix of terrain, from fast hard-packed clay to challenging, technical, rocky climbs, testing both nerve and skill.
A Lightweight Off-Road Adventurer
Kawasaki’s KLX lineup of lightweight off-road motorcycles includes a range of dirtbikes and two dual-sport/enduro models; the KLX230 and, my stead for the day, the KLX300. Powering my 2023 model is a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 292cc single-cylinder engine, which benefits from electric start and EFI. Although larger than the standard 250-class, the engine’s compact design remains light in weight, capable of developing 26 horsepower at the crank, and 17 pound-feet of torque. The lineup also includes the KLX300SM, and a 230SM, supermoto versions for urban adventurers.
The KLX’s rigid box section and tubular steel perimeter frame, with an aluminum swingarm, provide a stable platform for the off-road-oriented suspension. The 43mm USD cartridge fork has 16-way compression damping adjustment and offers a full 10 inches of travel. At the rear, a nitrogen-filled, remote reservoir, monoshock offers 16-way compression and rebound, as well as preload adjustment, with 9.1 inches of travel. Together they bestow the KLX300 with nearly 11 inches of ground clearance, which contributes to a lofty seat height of 35.2 inches, and shorter riders might prefer the KLX230S with its more accessible seat at 32.7 inches.
Ready For Almost Anything
Keeping the KLX in check, a single dual-piston caliper and 250mm floating petal disc up front, and at the rear, a single-piston caliper and 240mm disc, provide plenty of stopping power. The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels come fitted with dirt-biased, dual-sport tires, which provided plenty of traction in the rubble-strewn tracks crisscrossing Los Padres National Forest. Tackling serious mud and sand, however, would likely warrant upgrading to tires with a more aggressive tread pattern.
The scrubby chaparral dominating the mountains of Southern California is particularly susceptible to fire, and a U.S. Forest Service-Approved Spark Arrestor is a required feature for any ICE vehicles entering Los Padres National Forest. Most modern dirtbikes, including the KLX300, are factory fitted with an approved arrestor, confirmed by a stamp on the exhaust can; worth bearing in mind if you plan to switch out the road-legal exhaust for something a little more raucous.
With Range To Roam
According to fuelly.com, the 2021 KLX300 managed a combined average fuel consumption of 64 MPG, based on 4,755 miles of combined riding, and the 2023 model should manage similar numbers. However, off-road, it's safe to assume a total range of about 80 miles (40 MPG) from its two-gallon fuel tank. In our case, we managed without using the small fuel bottle we bought as an emergency backup. The KLX300’s back-lit digital instrument panel features a bar-graph tachometer, digital speedometer, clock, dual trip meters, and warning lamps.
We started our ride in the coastal city of Santa Barbara, and within minutes we were climbing a steep and winding paved road that delivered us to a ridgetop trail situated over 3,500 feet above the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Compared to the middle- and heavy-weight machines I usually test, the KLX's steep steering angle, short wheelbase, and minimal mass-delivered handling characteristics are similar to a bicycle. As a result, the KLX felt rather twitchy initially, but once I’d dialed down the control inputs and got accustomed to the quick steering, I soon found my confidence.
From Milk Run To Backcountry Tour
Barrelling up the narrow switchbacks, flicking the KLX from side to side, bought the first big grin of the day. Braking harder into the corners brought on some fork dive, but nothing unsettling. The dual-sport tires provided plenty of assurance and no danger of dragging a boot, thanks to the high pegs. Although a capable off-roader, the KLX would make a fun commuter and urban runaround, and at less than $6,000, an economical option, too.
Necessarily, small thumpers tend to run out of grunt pretty quickly, and to make on-road miles less of an endurance, Kawasaki has given the KLX300 six gears, notably one more than its much bigger cousin, the KLR650. Aside from the appendages required to make them road-legal, enduro dirtbikes tend to get a more comfortable seat, suitable for all-day excursions, and the KLX300’s one-piece saddle has plenty of cushioning for longer rides.
On the trails, the KLX came into its own. The standing ergonomics are generally excellent, the narrow seat, slender chassis, and wide bars provide plenty of room to move around the bike, but riders over six-foot tall might prefer to add handlebar risers to elevate the controls. The clutch and brake lever are readily managed with two fingers, and the front brake’s progressive bite is ideal for confidently controlling steep descents, without the threat of locking up and washing out.
A Steep Learning Curve
On the more technical sections we tackled, including a steep rocky climb where even the best lines involved crawling over boulders, the long-travel suspension was never in danger of bottoming out. Ultimately, the bike proved more capable than the rider, and I lost my balance on a tricky part of the trail and fell off the bike. The clutch lever pinned my finger to the bar, highlighting the KLX300’s lack of bar protectors, a feature one can reasonably expect to find as standard equipment on an enduro motorcycle. With no harm done to anything, but my ego, I picked up the bike (with ease) and carried on, the dependable Kawasaki, no worse for wear.
By the time we reached our turnaround point, I was starting to get familiarized with the Kawasaki’s single-cylinder engine, designed to provide plenty of low-end torque to maximize traction. In deep sandy sections, that threatened to bog down the rear wheel, I dropped down a gear and let the wee thumper tractor through it, and, in this respect, the KLX is a lot like the KLR650–it feels unstoppable. Just apply the throttle, hang on, and let the torque take care of the rest.
Retracing our steps, Brad picked up the pace, and I found the confidence to (try) and keep up. Off-road riding is a physical undertaking. This is especially true for a novice such as me. Like many off-road rookies, I started the day's ride hanging on to the bars too much, tiring my forearms and detracting from my ability to control the bike, which is why I fell off. Bending from the waist, I could keep my weight on the balls of my feet and keep a light touch on the bars while using my body to counterbalance the bike.
Beware!! Dirtbiking Is Addictive
I can’t claim to have ridden more than a handful of the numerous makes and models of dirtbike available, but after this ride, I'll be looking for any excuse I can get away with, it's an addictive sport. I can attest to the KLX’s capability and Kawasaki’s reputation for building dependable, durable motorcycles. The 300 is an easy bike to handle, thanks to its torquey thumper, predictable feedback, and smooth control responses; ideal for novice off-roaders and hotshots alike. I need a bit more practice, but in the right hands, the 2023 KLX300 will take you just about anywhere and, as importantly, get you home again. Take my advice, and have a cold beer waiting for your return, it’ll be the best you've drunk in a long time.
The 2023 Kawasaki KLX300 is in dealerships now with an MSRP of $5,899 and available in two color schemes; my test bike, in the classic Kawasaki Lime Green, and Fragment Camo Gray, with black fork stanchions and swingarm, which looks like something out of Mad Max.