Good on Kawi for bringing a new SM. It may not have the power of the DRZ, but 6 gears EFI and way cheaper price is gonna win many people over. The layout and feel of this platform, and absolutely bulletproof my '18 250 was my favorite bike.
Watched a lot of reviews on this bike. Your's make's me want to buy/ride one! It is like a buddy rode one and gave me the 411. Yes dump the rubber peg crap, burn them tires off and get some sticky ones. A-1 job!
Thanks for doing these videos, Curtis! Another well-balanced review. It’s good how you mix some of the riding footage (with commentary) to reinforce points you’re making. A shame these bikes aren’t coming to Australia..... Still, looking forward to the next videos!
Thanks mate, I feel like these videos have been a good step up in quality for me. Yeah it is a shame we aren't getting them in Aus, especially for the dual sport.
It's about time that someone came up with a real alternative to the DRZ, that said this is a bit of a let down. Not just because it's down on power, but also because of the non-adjustable suspension compared to the DRZ. The latter would be really important to me for a bike that's supposed to be ridden on all sorts of different terrain. As it is, the DRZ is a bit more, but it's also better in every way, unless you have carburator phobia.
@@onthebackwheel the DRZ has adjustable rebound, compression, and preload front and back. The KLX can only adjust rebound and preload in the front, and only preload in the front, right?
@@dirkmohrmann8960 I believe its compression in the front and rebound & preload in the rear. So not fully, but still got a bit there. Its pretty good suspension for the price. Not amazing, but she's a cheap bike
@@onthebackwheel update. This SM300 may be the most fun I've had on two wheels. (owned a R1200GS, 800GS, KLR, Yamaha dirt bikes, HD etc. and the iconic Taco mini bike from OC Cal.)
@Adventure Awaits I agree. The DRZ400SM has more mid range and top end power also. I’ve seen several CZcams vids from new KLX300SM owners raving about it and why they think it’s better than the DRZ400SM. It really sounded like they were trying to make themselves feel better about their purchase. While the KLX may be a great bike, it would be taking a step down from a DRZ. Just because the KLX has 6 gears and is fuel injected doesn’t make it better. The weight difference between the two isn’t much either. The KLX is only 15 lbs lighter than the DRZ. I own a 2020 DRZ400SM and there’s no way I’d trade it for a KLX300SM. And if I owned both, i just can’t see myself wanting to ride the KLX over the DRZ.
@@l-mac5105 Exactly how I feel..I'm 55 and not into track racing anymore..Foe me, the DRZ is the perfect dual sport for the money...I only paid 5 grand for a new left over 2015 in 2019..
The seat on this bike hurts!!! Ive risen for hours on a 99sv650 and an 86xt350 and those I can ride comfortably for 3-5hours. Getting off the klx after 3 hours it felt like I had been riding a horse. Other than that super fun bike. Really light and man that clutch is light
You're right about the clutch, its super light. I didn't think the seat was too much of an issue, though I've had some shocking seats on bikes I've owned (Gas Gas 300, Tuono V4 were some prime examples!)
@@onthebackwheel I think it was just a bit to narrow for me. It wasn't my bike I was riding it from Salinas to San Luis Obispo for my friend cuz it was his first bike so not bad roads either.
looks to be a great bike for the $$, I'm interested in due to fun, $6k USD and !!!! MPG!!! as a commuter bike. I've rocked SO Many DRZs over the years, Kicker, lots of E's and a Sumo with a yosh and an fcr carb(OH YA). Did the Tat on a DRZ(Wish I was on a DR650), and over 5k miles on the T1 with DRZs. I love the torque of the 400s in the dirt. Like many, I so want to see an FI 6 speed upgrade, lol A bigger cc WR250R too. A WR400r with dual chamber forks, yes please Yammy. I found my DRZ400 upgrade with a 2019 Honda 450x(Suspension, Power, 6 speed, FI, NICE), 100% great bike, but not WR250R maintenance schedule, and not same price point as this KLX300. Dealers close to me are all out of stock, by late summer I hope to buy one, then I won't be putting so many miles on my knobies on my X. I'd love to find a low hour used one with sumu and dirt wheels :)
If you've got an older carbied 250 with a lot of miles...maybe. You could swap over nearly all parts except the tank and the fuel injection is better. Besides that, I probably wouldn't, it's very similar
The KLX300SM won't do wheelies, YA guess you have to know how to do them before you say it can't. It can 1st @ 2nd all day long and if your good enough you can keep shifting till your tired. It looked pretty impressive in the dirt with poor OEM supermoto tires. At minimum put a good exhaust and will power on the dirt. The bike is very restricted from Kawasaki but they did that to meet the stupid Euro5 emissions. With the proper tinkering you got a great 300cc supermoto thumper for not a lot of money. $1000 and this bike is has every thing you could want or need not bad, so for $8,200 you got a new fully tricked out KLX300SM in today's supermoto market that pretty good a DRZ400 striped no aftermarket parts cost more than that.
A few people have gotten a hold of me saying they are a lot better opened up. And yes, not horrible in the dirt! On the wheelie front, my channel isn't called OnTheBackWheel for shits and giggles, I like a good wheelie. As I said, it takes a LOT of effort to wheelie this stock. Yes it's doable, but compared to a stock DRZ where you just pop the clutch in 3rd and your away... not the same
Ever heard of an online unit converter? Digital Dutch is great. Or better yet, teach yourself multiple measuring systems. I did it, trust me, your brain won't explode.
Good on Kawi for bringing a new SM. It may not have the power of the DRZ, but 6 gears EFI and way cheaper price is gonna win many people over. The layout and feel of this platform, and absolutely bulletproof my '18 250 was my favorite bike.
My 57th motorcycle.
Purchased new 2023 this week.
25 miles so far.
Agree with this blogger.
Once broken in I will take to the canyon.
57, that's a good effort
Watched a lot of reviews on this bike. Your's make's me want to buy/ride one! It is like a buddy rode one and gave me the 411. Yes dump the rubber peg crap, burn them tires off and get some sticky ones. A-1 job!
Thanks mate, really appreciate it
i wish they would just make this a tad larger 400cc motor
Agree
I think I will eventually buy this bike. I live in a busy city so it would be right at home on these streets.
Thanks for doing these videos, Curtis! Another well-balanced review. It’s good how you mix some of the riding footage (with commentary) to reinforce points you’re making. A shame these bikes aren’t coming to Australia..... Still, looking forward to the next videos!
Thanks mate, I feel like these videos have been a good step up in quality for me. Yeah it is a shame we aren't getting them in Aus, especially for the dual sport.
It's about time that someone came up with a real alternative to the DRZ, that said this is a bit of a let down. Not just because it's down on power, but also because of the non-adjustable suspension compared to the DRZ. The latter would be really important to me for a bike that's supposed to be ridden on all sorts of different terrain. As it is, the DRZ is a bit more, but it's also better in every way, unless you have carburator phobia.
The KLX has adjustable suspension mate
@@onthebackwheel the DRZ has adjustable rebound, compression, and preload front and back. The KLX can only adjust rebound and preload in the front, and only preload in the front, right?
@@dirkmohrmann8960 I believe its compression in the front and rebound & preload in the rear. So not fully, but still got a bit there. Its pretty good suspension for the price. Not amazing, but she's a cheap bike
Great video, good mix of riding and talkibg points. Best of all no damn music. 👍 you got a subscriber
Thanks Noel. Yep music shits me too, I try to only use it for intros and outros
I added a Delkevic pipe & pulled the airbag rubber. WOKE IT UP!! lots of power in that bike.
Nice mate! I thought that might be the case. Now I just need them to sell the thing in Australia in 3 months time...
@@onthebackwheel update. This SM300 may be the most fun I've had on two wheels. (owned a R1200GS, 800GS, KLR, Yamaha dirt bikes, HD etc. and the iconic Taco mini bike from OC Cal.)
@@chucklesthefireguy5356 nice mate! Do you think the mods made that big of a difference?
@@onthebackwheel yes, cheap too
@@chucklesthefireguy5356 Yep that confirms it, gonna trade in the speed triple for one now ty :]
Great review love the look and i don't do a lot of off road riding so i think this or the Honda 300 rally
Thanks mate. Don't forget the dual sport, it might still suit too with some more road based tyres
Lol, just saw a Honda add at the beginning of a Kawasaki video!
Haha, cheeky buggers
Great video mate. Ride safe 💪🏾💪🏾
Thanks mate, will do
Your accent says across the pond. But the scenery says SoCal, right? Good review
That's exactly it. I was living in the states for a couple of years. Back in Aus as of mid July
The bike is no comparison to DRZ when it comes to low end grunt torque.
@Adventure Awaits I agree. The DRZ400SM has more mid range and top end power also. I’ve seen several CZcams vids from new KLX300SM owners raving about it and why they think it’s better than the DRZ400SM. It really sounded like they were trying to make themselves feel better about their purchase. While the KLX may be a great bike, it would be taking a step down from a DRZ. Just because the KLX has 6 gears and is fuel injected doesn’t make it better. The weight difference between the two isn’t much either. The KLX is only 15 lbs lighter than the DRZ. I own a 2020 DRZ400SM and there’s no way I’d trade it for a KLX300SM. And if I owned both, i just can’t see myself wanting to ride the KLX over the DRZ.
@@l-mac5105 Exactly how I feel..I'm 55 and not into track racing anymore..Foe me, the DRZ is the perfect dual sport for the money...I only paid 5 grand for a new left over 2015 in 2019..
Want to go buy one but highly dislike how V shaped the seat area is. I like when the bike is flat across the seat area
We didn't have any issues with the seat, pretty good as far as stock seats go. Couldn't hurt to sit on one and try it
Outstanding review
Thank you David
Just moved to the suburbs from nyc want a first bike , not sure if I should get this or a dmZ400sm
I'm putting adv tires on my klx300sm
That sounds fun 😈
Reviews are great!
Thankyou, very appreciated
The seat on this bike hurts!!! Ive risen for hours on a 99sv650 and an 86xt350 and those I can ride comfortably for 3-5hours. Getting off the klx after 3 hours it felt like I had been riding a horse. Other than that super fun bike. Really light and man that clutch is light
You're right about the clutch, its super light. I didn't think the seat was too much of an issue, though I've had some shocking seats on bikes I've owned (Gas Gas 300, Tuono V4 were some prime examples!)
@@onthebackwheel I think it was just a bit to narrow for me. It wasn't my bike I was riding it from Salinas to San Luis Obispo for my friend cuz it was his first bike so not bad roads either.
@@thisguy8100 I put a seat concepts on my KLX250, definitely a bit wider. Should be a great first bike for them
Excellent review 👏
Thanks!
looks to be a great bike for the $$, I'm interested in due to fun, $6k USD and !!!! MPG!!! as a commuter bike.
I've rocked SO Many DRZs over the years, Kicker, lots of E's and a Sumo with a yosh and an fcr carb(OH YA). Did the Tat on a DRZ(Wish I was on a DR650), and over 5k miles on the T1 with DRZs. I love the torque of the 400s in the dirt.
Like many, I so want to see an FI 6 speed upgrade, lol A bigger cc WR250R too. A WR400r with dual chamber forks, yes please Yammy.
I found my DRZ400 upgrade with a 2019 Honda 450x(Suspension, Power, 6 speed, FI, NICE), 100% great bike, but not WR250R maintenance schedule, and not same price point as this KLX300.
Dealers close to me are all out of stock, by late summer I hope to buy one, then I won't be putting so many miles on my knobies on my X. I'd love to find a low hour used one with sumu and dirt wheels :)
That sounds like a plan, save the 450X for all your dirt work and keeps the miles (and maintainance!) down
Great little bike. I even like the dash and mirrors.
I can't find any information on the wheels. Are the SM wheels tubeless or tubed?
Hi, tubeless from memory
They have tubes. The part numbers are in the manual.
Well told. Xlnt footage~~
Thanks Michael
400 cc's would be the sweet spot
Yes please
So are they worth upgrading from the Klx250?
If you've got an older carbied 250 with a lot of miles...maybe. You could swap over nearly all parts except the tank and the fuel injection is better. Besides that, I probably wouldn't, it's very similar
Get the 351cc kit for your 250 it will be better than 292cc the bikes are identical otherwise
Where are you located, man? Is this bike coming to Aus?
Hey mate. I'm back in Aus, but was in the USA when I filmed and rode it. Sadly no, it isn't coming to Aus
"better than the drz?" - forgets to mention Drz
Yep my bad, was a hasty title that I meant to elaborate on. I'll probably change it
The KLX300SM won't do wheelies, YA guess you have to know how to do them before you say it can't. It can 1st @ 2nd all day long and if your good enough you can keep shifting till your tired. It looked pretty impressive in the dirt with poor OEM supermoto tires. At minimum put a good exhaust and will power on the dirt. The bike is very restricted from Kawasaki but they did that to meet the stupid Euro5 emissions. With the proper tinkering you got a great 300cc supermoto thumper for not a lot of money. $1000 and this bike is has every thing you could want or need not bad, so for $8,200 you got a new fully tricked out KLX300SM in today's supermoto market that pretty good a DRZ400 striped no aftermarket parts cost more than that.
A few people have gotten a hold of me saying they are a lot better opened up. And yes, not horrible in the dirt! On the wheelie front, my channel isn't called OnTheBackWheel for shits and giggles, I like a good wheelie. As I said, it takes a LOT of effort to wheelie this stock. Yes it's doable, but compared to a stock DRZ where you just pop the clutch in 3rd and your away... not the same
I think these need a different cam....
I think opened up airbox, exhaust and tune might liven it right up
Do you think it can fit a 140 in the rear with no problem?
I couldn't tell you I'm sorry. The same as the 250SM will fit, so I'd try cross checking with that
Yes it fit, i put maxxis 140/80 on mine and nothing problems present
@@purushakresno4106 Thanks!
What do you mean you can't wheelie it. OFC you can :/
You can, but its not a hooligan bike like that. A few guys have uncorked theirs and said it's a lot better then, I haven't tried one like that though
@@onthebackwheel I can wheelie mine in 4th gear lol
Hm.. now you're speaking American (miles, gallons)
Some translation would be great
Will do. I was going to add it in like usual, but with it being a USA only release didn't bother
Ever heard of an online unit converter? Digital Dutch is great. Or better yet, teach yourself multiple measuring systems. I did it, trust me, your brain won't explode.
@@khaccanhle1930 used to do that, now I'm just too lazy
The motor sounds like it s going to explode....
😂