The Honda CRF is arguably one of the most popular lineups of dual-sport bikes worldwide. It’s known for its spread of engine capacities, unbeatable reliability, and, of course, strong pricing. But the competition has well and truly caught up to it in recent times, particularly the Japanese peers. Kawasaki is the biggest rival in this respect, thanks to its updated lineup of dual-sports. So much so that there is a Kawasaki dual-sport that undercuts a popular Honda CRF while matching many of its pros. What is it? Read on to find out.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Kawasaki USA.
The KLX300 Is The Kawasaki Dual-Sport That Rivals The Honda CRF At A Lower Price
Price: $5,449
With the dual-sport segment being as niche as it is, there are only a few motorcycles that fit the criteria of rivalling a Honda CRF at a lower price. Out of these, only two come from Kawasaki, and our pick here is the KLX300. Why? Because it undercuts both the Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally.
Its starting MSRP of $5,449 means you’re saving $300 over the CRF300L and a sizable $1,050 over the Rally. Yes, the former might not seem like a big saving, but hey, we’re dealing with small-capacity bikes. So any money saved is a big win. Oh, and the lower MSRP doesn’t come at the cost of performance or capability, either.
While we’ll delve into that later, another alternative from Kawasaki is the new KLX230. It starts at just $4,999, which is a sizable $750 less than the CRF300L. But unlike the KLX300, there are some sizable misses here. For instance, the engine capacity and performance are much lower than those of the Honda, and the suspension is way simpler here.
To make matters worse, the two variants of the KLX230–Sherpa and DF–are priced super close to the CRF300L and higher than the KLX300. In fact, the DF is actually $50 pricier than the Honda. So we can’t–in good conscience–recommend an inferior product that doesn’t even save you money.
2026 Kawasaki Dual-Sport Bikes
- KLX300
- KLX230
- KLX230 Sherpa
- KLX230 DF
The Kawasaki KLX300 Boasts A 292cc, Single-Cylinder Engine
Diving deeper into things, the KLX300 is closely matched to the CRF300L in terms of performance. While the CRF has a 296cc single-cylinder mill with 26.8 horsepower and 19 pound-feet, the KLX has a 292cc single-cylinder mill with 25 horsepower and 17.7 pound-feet. Both also feature a six-speed transmission driven by a chain.
Interestingly, though, the KLX’s peak power kicks in 500 RPM sooner than the CRF, while the torque peaks 500 RPM sooner on the CRF. If you’re still not convinced how neck and neck they are, just look at the power-to-weight ratios in the table below.
CRF300 Vs KLX300 Engine Specs
|
Specification |
CRF300 |
KLX300 |
|
Capacity |
296cc |
292cc |
|
Layout |
Single-cylinder |
Single-cylinder |
|
Power |
26.8 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
25 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
19 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
17.7 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
Six-speed |
|
Weight |
311 pounds |
302 pounds |
|
Power-to-weight ratio |
0.086 HP/Pound |
0.083 HP/Pound |
Rugged Underpinnings Ensure The KLX300 Is Ready For All Terrain Or No Terrain
Suspension Travel: 10/9.1 inches (F/R)
In typical dual-sport fashion, the KLX300 has rugged written all over its underpinnings. A race-derived perimeter semi-double-cradle chassis holds everything together while being suspended on 43 mm USD forks and a monoshock. The former has 10 inches of travel while the latter has 9.1 inches to play with.
Both are slightly less than the CRF300L, and so is the ground clearance. Nevertheless, it’s a small compromise for the money. Everything else–spoke wheels, disc brakes, and overall size–is comparable between the two. You can find the nitty-gritty details in the table below.
KLX300 Underpinnings And Dimensions
|
Chassis |
Perimeter |
|
Front suspension |
43 mm USD forks (adjustable) |
|
Rear suspension |
Monoshock (adjustable) |
|
Wheels |
21/18-inch spoke wheels |
|
Brakes |
250 mm front and 240 mm rear disc |
|
Wheelbase |
56.7 inches |
|
Tank capacity |
2 gallons |
|
Seat height |
35.2 inches |
|
Ground clearance |
10.8 inches |
Likable Features Elevate The Value-For-Money Prospect Of The KLX300
Instrument Cluster: Fully Digital
At the core, dual-sport bikes are basic machines. They rarely have fancy electronics or elements to keep the weight low. Plus, the less fancy bits, the cheaper it is to fix the bike when you eventually fall off the road. The KLX300, though, isn’t as barebones as some of its other peers. Its cockpit comprises a fully digital instrument cluster that shows you all the necessary information, such as a digital speedometer, bar-type tachometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, and a range of warning/indicator lamps. This is topped with an LED headlight and optional ABS.
While all these are on par with the CRF300L, the KLX edges ahead with its assortment of color options. Kawasaki sells it in three smashing liveries: Bright White, Lime Green, and Cypher Camo Beige. The last option is our favorite, as it comes with blacked-out mechanicals and an earthly camo paint job. It also costs a bit more at $5,649.
KLX300 Key Features
- LED headlight
- Digital instrument cluster
- Disc brakes
- Three paint options
- Liquid cooling