Should You Buy Kawasaki’s KLX300 or KLX300SM?

[Hugh Janus]

The KLX300’s playful chassis allows the rider to hop and bop down the trail. (Kevin Wing/)

Dual sports are some of the most versatile bikes around. Equal parts off-road and on-road, machines like the Kawasaki KLX300 are at home kicking up dust on a local trail, carving a twisty backroad, traveling down the freeway, or cruising into town for a coffee. But arguably, the Kawasaki KLX300SM can do nearly the same thing. So what makes a supermoto different from a dual sport and how does that translate into a different experience in motion?

The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 in Lime Green ($6,199). (Kevin Wing/)

A true dual sport such as the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 is equipped with a 21-inch front wheel, 18-inch rear wheel, long-travel suspension, and dirt bike geometry. A supermoto has similar geometry, but with less suspension travel, stiffer spring rates, smaller wheels, and typically a more powerful front brake. On paper they are very comparable, but spiritually, they are quite different.

For 2024, both models receive updated styling including a full LED headlight and taillight. (Kevin Wing/)

Supermotos emerged in the late ‘70s when Gavin Trippe in conjunction with Wide World of Sports coordinated a TV event called “Superbikers,” which intended to find the world’s best all-around motorcycle racers by placing professional riders from different backgrounds into a single race with a variety of different racing surfaces. This new discipline that would later be labeled “supermoto” gained popularity in Europe following the annual race held at Carlsbad Raceway until its conclusion in 1985. It wouldn’t be until the early 2000s that supermoto saw a huge resurgence in the United States attracting some of America’s most talented two-wheel racers.

The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM in Phantom Blue ($6,599). (Kevin Wing/)

Professionals such as seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and 17-time X Games medalist Travis Pastrana started converting their motocross bikes into cut-slick-shod racers by swapping their larger off-road wheels for smaller 17-inch wheels, lowering their suspension, and adding an oversized front brake. As the sport gained popularity, manufacturers started producing street-legal variants based off their already existing dirt bike platforms for consumer purchase. And although supermoto is no longer as popular as it once was, the fun and rambunctious spirit has never faded.

Both models utilize the same 292cc engine that has tractable low-end power and a connective throttle response. (Kevin Wing/)

Both the Kawasaki KLX300 and KLX300SM utilize the same 292cc DOHC liquid-cooled four-valves-per-cylinder four-stroke engine, semi-double cradle frame, and suspension components, but each variant receives different spring rates and suspension travel more suitable to their respective discipline. The KLX300 features a 43mm inverted cartridge fork offering 10 inches of travel with adjustable compression damping and a Uni-Track gas-charged shock with rebound and preload adjustment offering 9.1 inches of travel. The dual sport variant is fitted with a 250mm front rotor and dual-piston caliper, along with a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel.

The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300’s braking system utilizes a 250mm disc and dual-piston caliper. (Kevin Wing/)

Kawasaki’s 2024 KLX300SM also utilizes the same 43mm inverted fork, but with 9.1 inches of travel and the Uni-Track shock provides 8.1 inches of travel. Kawasaki equipped the SM version with stiffer spring rates for road use along with 17-inch wheels fitted with IRC RX-01 Road Winner tires, a 300mm front rotor, a slightly narrower one-piece handlebar, and a taller final gearing ratio.

The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM utilizes a large 300mm front disc and dual-piston caliper. (Kevin Wing/)

We started the day at Blackmore Ranch in Murrieta, California, on the KLX300, beginning with a warmup session on the motocross track. As the kickstand goes up, the feeling of being able to ride on any terrain is very apparent. Fitted with Dunlop D605 tires, hopping from pavement to a loamy motocross track presents no reservations. Kawasaki’s KLX300 feels exactly like a dirt bike with a license plate when hitting jumps and throwing roosts.

The KLX300’s OE-fitted Dunlop D605 tires hook up on nearly every riding surface. (Kevin Wing/)

On moderate jump landings the suspension never bottomed out. Entering and exiting corners the bike maintained a neutral ride height with minimal weight transfer. The engine has a lot of tractable power that is easy to meter. It doesn’t spin up very quickly, but offers broad, usable power throughout the entire rev range. The slim lines of the KLX300 allow the rider to move freely throughout the cockpit and its agile chassis delivers responsive handling. Changing lines off-road felt as easy as spotting where you want to go.

The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 is capable of circulating a motocross track. (Kevin Wing/)

As we exited the facility and headed up into the hills, the road became twisty and the KLX300 continued to provide direct steering that allowed the bike to be flicked from one corner to the next. Quickly the dirt reemerged and, without hesitation, the roost began to fly off the rear tire. On a dual sport, every surface is a playground. Wheelies, skids, and stoppies are all on the menu.

In fast sections the KLX300’s suspension components provide plenty of comfort and holdup. (Kevin Wing/)

Now back at Blackmore Ranch, we had lunch before mounting the Kawasaki KLX300SM for the remainder of our ride. Our first miles were spent carving up the on-site go-kart track to shake down the on-road performance of the supermoto. Just like its dual sport counterpart, the KLX300SM has no problem lofting the front wheel, backing it into turn 1, and riding the front wheel in a nose stoppie.

Testing the available grip on a dusty kart track. (Kevin Wing/)

The SM’s taller gearing is noticeable when exciting corners, but its ability to carry a gear longer from one corner to the next is well suited to road work in the real world. When bobbing around town and dicing up back allies, the increased grip and quicker steering provided by the smaller front wheel and grippier street rubber encourages larger lean angles and sharper maneuvers.

Rollin’ on 17s. (Kevin Wing/)

On stretches of straight roads, both bikes remain comfortable without any unwanted buzzing thanks to a gear-driven counterbalancer in the motor. Upright and neutral ergonomics place the rider in a position that is comfortable and familiar. Despite the differences between the KLX300 and KLX300SM, both machines offer similar riding experiences, but each one provided more traction in their respective disciplines. We did travel down a dirt road on the SM, and despite its street-focused rubber setup, the supermoto provided plenty of grip on the rear tire. The front end required more management, but nonetheless this supermoto does not shy away from a little dirt.

Wide open on a twisty backroad. (Kevin Wing/)

So which one is better? Really both bikes were highly impressive in their element. And thanks to their updated styling for 2024, street cred is guaranteed in either of their circles. For those with an off-road background, the Kawasaki KLX300 will be more flexible than the SM.

The direct steering of the KLX300SM makes it easy to tighten or open a corning arch. (Kevin Wing/)

Due to their manageable power figures (CW measured 23.9 hp and 15.6 lb.-ft. of torque on the 2022 KLX300SM) the dual sport was never hindered by its knobby rear tire. And having the ability to confidently tackle any terrain the ride may present is invaluable. Of course the additional grip generated by the street tire on the SM allows for faster cornering and harder braking, but for anyone planning on riding a fair amount of dirt, the larger 21-inch front wheel and knobby tire on the dual sport is a compromise worth considering.

Despite the dual sport’s larger wheels and knobby tires, it is still capable of carving up chunky backroads. (Kevin Wing/)

If there is one thing to take away from this test, it should be that both the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300 and KLX300SM will generate an endless amount of smiles per mile. And because both models are so accessible, newer riders will be able to confidently ride either bike without a heavy burden on the wallet. The cost to get onto a KLX300 or KLX300SM is very reasonable, and cost of ownership is even less. Tip over in a parking lot? Replacing a radiator shroud on a KLX300 is significantly less money than a replacement cowling on a Ninja 400. And whether you ride a dual sport or a supermoto, this platform is a great building block to further develop one’s skill set.

Supple suspension settings and tractable power make it easy to manipulate the motorcycle when conquering obstacles. (Kevin Wing/)

Dual sports and supermotos encourage riders to spend time in empty parking lots practicing cornering, braking, skids, and wheelies. These motorcycles are just more resistant to the inevitable tip-over owners will face when perfecting their craft. There’s no fairing to destroy, scratches add character, and dirt bikes just simply crash better. If you want to become a more talented rider, there is no better platform to transcend your skill set than a dual sport or supermoto.

Even on steep jump faces the KLX300 maintains a neutral jump trajectory. (Kevin Wing/)
Kawasaki's KLX300 and KLX300SM retain their simplistic digital dash for 2024. Both models would benefit from a proper fuel gauge and gear position indicator, like the unit found on the Honda CRF300L. (Kevin Wing/)

2024 Kawasaki KLX300 Specs

MSRP:	$6,199–$6,399
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke single; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	292cc
Bore x Stroke:	78.0 x 61.2mm
Compression Ratio:	11.1:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Fuel System:	DFI w/ 34mm Keihin throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; manual actuation
Engine Management/Ignition:	CDI
Frame:	Tubular, semi-double cradle
Front Suspension:	43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression damping adjustable; 10.0 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Uni-Trak gas-charged shock w/ piggyback reservoir, compression, rebound damping, and spring preload adjustable; 9.1 in. travel
Front Brake:	2-piston caliper, 250mm petal disc
Rear Brake:	1-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	21 in./18 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	21 x 3.00 in./18 x 4.6 in.
Rake/Trail:	26.7°/4.2 in.
Wheelbase:	56.7 in.
Ground Clearance:	10.8 in.
Seat Height:	35.2 in.
Fuel Capacity:	2.0 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	302 lb
Contact:	kawasaki.com

2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM Specs

MSRP:	$6,599
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke single; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	292cc
Bore x Stroke:	78.0 x 61.2mm
Compression Ratio:	11.1:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Fuel System:	DFI w/ 34mm Keihin throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; manual actuation
Engine Management/Ignition:	CDI
Frame:	Semi-double cradle
Front Suspension:	43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression damping adjustable; 9.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Uni-Trak gas-charged shock w/ piggyback reservoir, rebound damping and spring preload adjustable; 8.1 in. travel
Front Brake:	2-piston caliper, 300mm petal disc
Rear Brake:	1-piston caliper, 240mm petal disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	17 in./17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	110/70-17/ 130/70-17
Rake/Trail:	25.0°/2.8 in.
Wheelbase:	56.5 in.
Ground Clearance:	9.3 in.
Seat Height:	33.9 in.
Fuel Capacity:	2.0 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	304 lb.

2024 Kawasaki KLX300 Gearbox

Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech M10

Goggles: Scott Prospect

Jacket: Alpinestars Session Race

Pants: Alpinestars Techstar Acumen

Gloves: Alpinestars Techstar

Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots

2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM Gearbox

Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech M10 Fame

Goggles: Scott Prospect

Jacket: Alpinestars Chrome Ignition Hoodie

Pants: Alpinestars Radon Relaxed Fit Denim

Gloves: Alpinestars Chrome

Boots: Alpinestars Primer Riding Shoes

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