Supermoto or Dual Sport: Which 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 is for you? | Daily Rider 

Read Jen’s first-ride article here: rvz.la/3cBbm9K

What surprised me most about the bike swap in the middle was that they somehow found a way to leave a dirt bike alone in a sketchy part of LA for 5 minutes without it being stolen.

Hey Zack, will you please shoot out this motorcycle with the CRF 300 L with Ari Henning? I loved your video on the other channel when you guys rode the CRF against the Kawasaki versus. That was a great video. It’s time to shoot something like that again for RevZilla

I had a klx250sm when I took the MSF test. Almost felt like I was cheating. It felt like a bicycle with an engine dropped in it... and I LOVED IT!

I'm still shocked with how long the Daily Rider list has become yet I'm always eager to get the next one. That whiteboard will be beyond full before we know it. Keep up the great work. One of the few Channels I watch on regular speed

Cool little bike but I don't understand why they didn't put on a LED headlight on it. We need a wr450r supermoto now.

XD He goes to a location and finds another bike. That's like spy flick movie stuff.

Just put money down today on the 2024 KLX300 SM. It might show up tomorrow, it might show up in December. Things are crazy these days.

That's really a nice touch on the daily rider to have different spec'd in the middle...

The beer cans 😂😂😂 I hope that becomes a standard in Daily Rider videos. All luggage from this point on must be measured in beer cans.

The bike swap was cool.

I don't know why Kawasaki did it but I'm so happy they did. This is the first bike ever I felt the need to buy brand new off the show room floor.

The bike swap at that spot took me by surprise, not gonna lie

When I lived in Austin and rode a scooter it was more comfortable to ride further back on the seat cause I could stretch out a bit.

I swear, the way these videos progress, I feel like it's my friend telling me about a bike. You really nail down the right questions and the demonstrations are so descriptive. Thank you for putting out these videos!

I got a 2023 KLX300 and rode it on the highway for the first time yesterday and it feels like driving a bycyle at 100 mph. Its not bad just trippy/different and took an hour too get used too. For context I'm used to driving a klr.

This was my first bike many years ago. It was a 2009 blue KLX250SM. What a fun bike, so much nostalgia watching this video. I'm 6' 3" 200lbs and it was stupid small for me but I did nearly 20k miles in the first year and a half. Great reliable approachable fun bike. I miss my supermotos sooo much.. WR450SM I built was amazing.. I need to build another.. Cheers

Between the bike swap and the beer can demo, this video was absolute gold. Literally laughed out loud at the beer cans. Good work as always Zack. I love your and Ari’s videos

I test rode this bike during a Kawasaki demo day on Friday, December 3rd. I LOVED IT! I actually got to test that front brake out when the lead rider was approaching a light turning yellow. There was only four riders in the group plus the trail rider. We all thought he was going to go through the light but at the last minute he stopped, practically sideways. I went from accelerating to hard braking in a second. Did a small stopie. The instructor behind me stopped next to me and just looked at me and gave me a thumbs up...lol. I live with the woods as my backyard. This would be a ton of fun for that. But for real world use I have to say, and as old as I am I've never ridden one till now, I absolutely loved the KLR650 . That, to me, is what I would buy. Hell, I was on the full touring model and even decked out the KLR is a bargain.

I'd like to add to my last post. I'm 60, 6', 180#, wear a 32-34 jeans. This would be perfect for urban riding. Put the old milk crate on the back and you have your daily shipping machine. Brakes are great. Ergos are great. The sound coming out of this when hammered make you smile big-time. Dash was clear in the sunlight. The levers are comfortable. I'd take this over a Honda trail or a Honda ADV 150. $6k is steep, I agree. I think if I wanted a bit more, for around the same cash, one would choose the Versys 300. The only thing if say about the difference in the two models is that the 300sm is a good inch lower seat height and the 300sm loses front end travel about the same height. The 300sm is very readable on pavement. Great feedback from the front end. To answer his question - you sit on the back of the 300sm when you want to pop a wheelie because the front sits lower...lol

That thumbnail had me scratching my head. Edit: It's been fixed now. For the price they're asking it's not a great deal at all is It? At least the mirrors are kinda neat.

Hello from Australia,as a kid starting a new job fresh out of school i saved up and purchased a second hand motorcycle as the train and bus to work got old and tediuos very quickly,at 17 9 months you were eligible to get your learners to ride a motorcycle on public roads and the salesman looked at my budget and convinced me to buy a 2 year old slightly used Kawasaki 500 single cylinder two stroke ,it was a 1983 KX 500 converted to road specs and rebadged a KDX500 side stand front rear tail lights indicators and a long muffler deemed it road worthy,it had an extra coper head gasket to bring the compression down and easier to start,rode it 8 times and it was a hell ride each and every time ,i swapped it with a mates brother for a Honda XL250

28:46 "Is it coming for the DRZ400sm?" No, ethanol in our fuel is doing that, since Suzuki isn't changing to fuel injection.

I love Zach's energy for the Daily Rider series

I got the Blue KLX300SM for my son I am 5' 10" 160lbs and I got it up to 95mph real fast and it had more but still braking it in so backed off. I see this bike needs around 1500 miles to brake in real good, and it's a blast to ride slow bike fast as they say. I did a oil change every 100 miles for the break in and did a hard break in when the bike was in the low rpm's if was just puttering so go were your engine wants every KLX300SM bike engine will be different. At 95 the engine did not feel like I was pushing it the bike does have a exhaust. I highly recommend the Delkevic exhaust for this bike. Quality one and nice sound. I hope that helps anyone out there looking at this bike

Bike swapping was really cool and unexpected. I really liked it.

"sometimes the rudimentary stuff is where you feel the most connected to the bike".. well said. A well - designed cable clutch, even with a non - adjustable lever, is often better than a poorly - designed hydraulic clutch that offers little to no feel.

Zach is the man. Love these daily rider reviews, especially the results board.

I’d pick one of these over an MT-03 any day of the week.

My first motorcycle was a KLX250SM, I loved that bike sooooo much. Might be time to get back on something,

I owned the '09 version of this, which was a carbureted 250. 21hp and 301lbs. An FMF slip-on, airbox mods, and a dynojet kit turned it into a two-wheeled go cart. Super fun bike as long as you kept it under 65. I would recommend one of these as a 1st bike to anyone. It's pretty much perfect for what it is, which is a fun, functional toy. I REALLY wish they would make a 500cc version with about 40ish hp. That would be awesome.

I have an '09 Supermoto that I put trail tires on...great off-road fun...suspension on it was better than a '13 CRF-250L... Only issue was when on a hard lean on pavement...definitely scarier than a Ninja.

I converted my 2021 CRF450RL to a super Moto and once I installed the Vortex ECM it turned into a beast. I’m 240lbs and fully geared with a backpack, it topped out on the highway at 96mph, GPS’d. Every morning when I get on my Africa or my Pan America, I sort of wish I was taking the 450 to work. A super Moto is just a fun bike to have

Honda, when are you going to bring something like this to the US???

I love supermotos but IDK on this one... basically the only selling point over the DRZ is if Kawasaki salesmen can convince you carburetors are evil. However that's a tough sell if the buyer knows anything about bikes at all being that DRZ carbs can be taken apart and serviced by just about anyone since they are so simple. Otherwise if you are not scared of Carbs you get about 10 more horsepower, nearly the same weight, arguably better looks, simpler design with no ECU or fuel pump, and if I recall correctly a fatter rear tire. Its the definitely the DRZ for me if I had to choose.

You're the first review I watched that even mentioned the two different models great job my friend

Loved the video! Which KLX300 is for me? The KLX300-R dirt bike. It's a surprisingly capable, durable and inexpensive bike.

I have 10 bikes I decided to get my son a new bike I had the pick of the lot, I had every color chose of both the KLX300SM and KLX300S. Went with the Blue KLX300SM 1. I now think it's a better looking bike in the Blue than the KAW Green one because my friend got the Green on and side by side the Blue just fits this Supermoto. 2. It needs a good pipe, EJK controller and when broken in the engine sings, I seem to have more fun being stupid on this bike than any of my other bikes. 3 Very simple to work on and a hoot to jump curbs do wheelies, just be stupid, this is a fun bike, it's great as stated for a go around town bike and is a blast if you live in the country or love trails get the 300S, once you get the feel for it's off road capability you can just slide it all over the place in a fun way. I say buy it, and thank you Kawasaki for a fun Supermoto out of the box, only disappointment is the no gear indicator, water temp, which I added very cheaply and easy to do, NO ABS NEEDED it's a SUPERMOTO if you want 100 miles an hour and ABS get a standard 300/400cc bike but in no way will it put a smile on your face like this bike does, it is true a slow bike can be more fun than a fast bike. 4. All most for got I live were it's got 70% insane twisties and this bike carves them up in a fun way 🤔 😊 👍

I used to use an XR250 with trailwings on, best commuter bike ever, except for service intervals.

I think it would have to be the dual sport for me. If I buy a dirt bike I want it to be good in the dirt. The SM being a small amount better on the street doesn't feel like it's worth loosing what you loose off-road. (Unless you live in NYC or San Fran or something as Zack points out.)

I'll take the Dual Sport version. I'm just getting into owning motorcycles (I'm getting my first dirt bike this weekend) and I feel like I'm gonna spend a lot of time in the dirt

I just got the XLX 300 dual sport, outstanding on dirt and gravel roads!

It feels a bit better when I sit a bit further back, especially if I have been driving for 2 hours, then the only thing to do to stop the pain is to sit further back.

Cool that you guys show love to the smaller bikes. Great looking thing that KLX 300.

I think the only thing kawi got wrong on this bike is the price. Realistically this bike is closer to a grom in function. Its a basic bare bones lightweight hooligan city commuter. There's nothing in it to justify that price. If they knocked it down a couple grand I'd go out and get one right now.

I'm not new to riding, but i definitely find myself sliding back on my dual-sport, i'm not particular comfy up on the tank unless i'm riding through the woods, but even then i'm probably standing up

I am getting GTA vibe from the bike swap near a railway track

I have the dual sport 250, I like the versatility and basically want it all. Most of the mods I've done are to make it more hyway capable, and I'm sure if I had the SM most of my mods would be to make it more off road capable.

This is just a brilliant series. Loved every episode, even though i would'nt buy 75% of the bikes. SV650 in 2021 please Zak?

@ 8:38 - Wow! That tree on the left is beautiful! Nice color!

I have seen you go down the 2nd second of rail/sand before, but you did blow me away with the bike swap!!

Which mic are you using in helmet? It sounds so good!

It is truly, a Kawasaki that, "Lets the GOOD TIMES Roll". Great little bike and nice review!

why is the thumbnail said 2009 kawasaki versys?

I had the 250cc version of this in Japan, called the D-Tracker. Lot's of fun to be had in the mountains; the tighter the turns, the better. It became even more fun after dropping in a 300cc jug with Wiseco piston and a mild-grind cam...oh and flat-slide pumper carb...it wheelied much easier than your test bike! One of the the most fun bikes I've owned. The suspension was completely reworked as as well. But of course, once all of the mods were done, it was time to move to the next bike 😅 No regrets of ownership though. Time with that bike was time well spent.

You got some balls man…. My neighbor let me ride his dual sport…. I was on a 55mph back highway I had it up to 65 and I felt okay…. The freeway would be crazy…. I rode the freeway on my Harley all the time no issues

Zack…I test rode the KLX300 recently and agree that “it’s not gonna tear your arms off”..pretty gutless. Hoping you will take the Kawasaki W800 Standard out for a ride soon. I loved it!

Have owned my 2022 dual sport for a little over a year and it’s been a fantastic bike. Was my first bike and I have dropped it a lot and it’s held up well. Upgrading the tires helped a lot for off-road.

Would love to buy one and have cash but they're not available. Can't buy a dual sport for any price anywhere now. Every place I've gone has a 6-month+ back order.

You guys should do the Honda NC series. I feel like it would be very good as a daily rider. Can do basically everything, highway, light dirt, some twisty’s, and it has great storage

I feel like a little dual sport or supermoto are the only bikes in the list that are 100% number one if you’re commute is one circumstance (in town) and 100% dead last if you’re commute Iis another circumstance (interstate). That said, small/light can mean a lot more FUN and dirt cheap can mean less worry if you drop/break/scratch/ding it up ha.

i have this bike and i absolutely love it!~!!!!

Thinking of this as a second bike on which i might actually commute to work

I have the dual sport. It’s fun as hell.

Around the 4:25 mark when you state it may be a bit strained at those speeds: I bet if someone "uncorked it" the engine would not struggle at those speeds. Granted with the riding position and lack of wind protection you still might, lol.

One look at the back of the bike was the best advertisement for a tail tidy system that I've ever seen.

I have the 300 dual sport and it's a fun bike. When the brakes get old they have a mechanical abs

Knowing a little bit about gang tags, I smile at the righting on the wall during the dirt portion of the ride.

in addition to the supermoto-ness of it, i think the appeal over something else for around the same price is the fact that it IS only a 300. meaning, it's super lightweight and narrow and nimble. if it had been a klx400sm, it would have needed a slightly beefier frame, etc. i definitely think they should have made it a 400, but maybe i'm not the demographic they're aiming for.

13:06 That may be the most beautiful purple bush I have ever seen.

Its amazing that nobody has built a better trail/supermoto in the small category since the Yamaha WR250R/X , I bet the WR has more power than this 300 and better components and factor in the 26k mile valve check , I could cruise at 80 mph on my WR with no problems .

I called the insurance company yesterday to get a quote on each of these 2 versions of the Kawa KXL300. The rate for Toronto was $683 for the SM model with the $300 ABS brake option nd $740 for the other Dual Sport that doesn't have ABS. Trust me you don't want the knobby tires for riding o the street, especially if the road is damp or wet. Going around corner with knobby tires, the front tire doesn't have enough grip. You will drop the bike for sure as it's front end slides away from your path. So if you use the bike in any city with paved roads, your only intelligent choice is the SM, SuperMoto version. If you want to race or rough it up on the weekend, buy an extra wheel and tire for the front and buy the Dual Sport with the standard knobby tires and swap the spare wheel and street tire to drive home safely. If buying new, make a deal with the dealer to include the price of the extra/wheel tire as part of the sale and financing deal. By the way, compare the 4 man brands of bikes, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and the Kawa, for the compression ratio of the engine. Because the Kawa has a radiator and water cooling, it has a much higher compression ratio of 11 to one. The other 250cc bikes that have air cooled engines, have a much lower 9.4 or 9 5 to one compression ratio. This means the Kawa engine temperature when warmed up, will give consistency of performance. The air cooled engines won't give consistency in power based on the air temperature. A huge advantage of the much higher CR is that in hot weather above 75 F or higher you can buy 89 or 91 octane gas to take advantage of the decent 11 to one CR. The air cooled other brands cannot take advantage of the higher octane gas except at temps of 85 F or above when the power drops off because the engine starts running too hot. Another advantage of the Kawa is the it has DOHC or Dual Overhead Cams with 4 valves per cylinder versus just 2 valves per cylinder for the Honda and some other brands. The advantage of two intake and 2 exhaust valves is that a different cam profile or grind for each of the 2 intakes is one can be setup to open earlier than the other intake valve which allows for a smoother more graduale power and torque band for better street or lower RPM performance and the other valve can respond at a slightly higher RPM. It's simple but all very high power expensive cars use the same 4 valve per cylinder for best power band. For $6,000 the Kawa is a bargoon.

We only have the 230 in Japan and it is around $4550, quite a lot cheaper than a Z250. So the pricing might be a demand/availability market thing.

Zack can you please make a daily ride on a ducati scrambler 800, and give your aspects on the L twin engine. Would be greatly appreciated

This needs to come to Europe, this would be perfect for the tight streets of London!

I think what I like about these two bikes are this is Kaw's completion of the Noob Bike Trifecta. You want a sporty-mans bike? Get your Ninja 400. Everyone else, get one of these KLXs.

I don't think I've ever seen someone get 323 votes in without a thumbs down.

I got rid of a (nice!)1200 moto guzzi and and having loads of pure fun tbrashinh my little KLX250. It definitely runs way better with common mods a d after it breaks in. Very happy with it and am waiting on the new KLR adventure to arrive. This will cover the longer street rides. Love my Kawasakis.

Hi Zack. Thanks for the review. If you were going to buy a first bike for your high school 15 1/2 year old for buzzing to school, practice, McDonalds and the occasional trail what would some of your pics be new or used in dual sport, super moto family. Thanks!

Here before they fixed the thumbnail

One of the reason tall bikes balance so we'll is the same as when you balance a stick on your finger. A 2 inch stick is about impossible to balance for a period of time. However a 4 ft broom stick you can balance for days.

the bike swap bit was great! I love clever mix ups like that.

05:43 I just need that much amount of confidence when I am riding my bike.

Yeah I got the 21 300r, because it actually has even better suspension than the duel sport, with the intention of turning it into a street legal dual sport, but there are not many parts options available so it's a slow process; probably should have just opted for the camo dual sport option, but then again I'd probably still be waiting for a bike since it took me months to secure my 300r...and even then I got super lucky and only got it because someone else wasn't approved to finance it.

Thanks Zack, both of these bikes are very appealing for having a little fun. The video makes it clear that the SM is more street oriented and other more for the dirt. In 2023 there’s only a $200 difference so it’s not that. Not a good value but a fun bike. Best value in this segment is the XT250 imo

110 front 130 rear is not very wide for a super moto. You can get a 120 on the 18 rear on the off road version

Sweet bike, but I’ll take the DRZ400SM. Having said that, this is an outstanding deal!

Excellent Episode Zach! Loved the bike swap! Keep them coming, you are setting the standard for bike reviews.

I think the Suzuki DR650 would be a better choice. I'm just amazed, that that bike is still in production in the States.

If you swap the factory 42T rear sprocket with a 48 or 50T, wheelies come very easy

The SM is light. This benefit is huge. You failed to acknowledge this when posting against bigger, heavier bikes.

I will never buy another street bike without ABS. But the KLX does look like fun. Both of them.

Own a 2021 klx sm also have done Protaper bars Tst tailight Odi purple grips Maddripp mirrors All custom purple stickers Crowns matched valve stems Seat pad Ram mount Led front headlight Front turn signals Relay for turn signals Black spokes Trackside handguards Charger/ battery output

I had the 250 enduro, better for offroad. Surprisingly powerful with the carb (vacuum slide and jetting) mod and exhaust mods. Beautifully plush for offroad and trails, and handles easy in town. With mods it will pull 65mph on the freeway uphill

The best comparison video out there,well done bud.

Any of the 300s are a unicorn atm , went w the 230 non s duel but that sm is sweet

710 n. riding that freeway is full of trucks right out of the harbor,nice riding and stay safe.

For a while, Kawasaki made a version of the DRZ400S - I can't remember the Knomenclature - and this bike looks identical to that with a bit less displacement. Right down to the little 2-beer tail bag they've been making since the DRZ/Kwhatever was born.

You've Done Motorcycles of all kinds. You and your friend just did an epic 400 mile minibike ride recently. Thanks that was awesome. You've Done an Ebike, the Super73. ... How about a Motorized Bicycle ? Phatmoto Rover ? 80cc 4 stroke. Phatmoto All Terrain Fat Wheel. Daily commute vid for both. Plus you can a second vid out them doing the Fullerton Loop bike trail in L.A. might be fun to see you guys do the Trail Ride with ebikes, and motorized bicycles... Off the self ebikes, customized ebikes. Off the self moto-bicycles vs full customized motorized bicycles. It would be Fun. And you guys would have dozens of new videoes for people to watch. And you can do 30-60 minute videoes doing these easy. Good long rides showing off their awesomeness. Pedaling them. Full motor usage. Etc...

Power 23.4 hp at 8,100 rpm and 15.4 pound-feet at 8,000 rpm.