Am I Keeping or Selling my KLX300? 3-Month Review & Comparisons to CRF300L etc. (EP.4)

In Episode 4 of the KLX300 series I give a 3-month ownership update. We ride on and off road, give an overview of modifications, talk about adding power (or not), discuss suspension, do the oil change break in service, and discuss whether I'm keeping or selling. Plus, I offer a buyer's guide for the KLX300 vs CRF300L vs DR-Z400 vs XT250 and more. #dualsport #motorcycle #klx300 #crf300l #kawasaki #honda

➕ITEMS USED TO MAKE TODAY'S VIDEO➕

➕KLX300 BIKE BUILD➕
[I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel]
(part # 1053900009, for 2013 KLX250S, fits all KLX)

➕SUPPORT➕
[I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel]

🏍 RECOMMENDED RIDING GEAR AND PARTS!
HELMETS:
RIDING SUITS:
GLOVES:
BOOTS
LAYERS AND ACCESSORIES

00:00 Trail Ride/Intro
03:35 Mods Update
06:41 Power Mods?
08:47 Suspension
10:58 Highway Ride
12:48 Maintenance
15:49 Singletrack Ride
18:56 Keep or Sell
20:26 Buyer's Guide

[BigRockMoto]

➕ITEMS USED TO MAKE TODAY'S VIDEO➕

➕KLX300 BIKE BUILD➕
[I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel]
(part # 1053900009, for 2013 KLX250S, fits all KLX)

➕SUPPORT➕
[I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel]

[brucebrown]

As an Instructor, you’re preaching to the choir! 99% of the riders will never reach the full potential of their bike. Instead of chasing horsepower….. practice and take some courses! Thank-you Ian..!

[BERZERKERSV]

As an A Level racer in FTR(Florida Trail Riders) I concur 100 proper suspension set up is infinitely more important than raw horsepower...

[mxbadboy]

Thank you for not putting on the exhaust, ecu and other power mods. Your resoning for not doing so was spot on.

[zanglang]

You can use a philips screwdriver put through the filter and spring, to keep the spring in place. When the filter and spring assembly is secured inside the cup, just retain it with your hand, remove the screwdriver and mount the cap.

[battleax]

I have just sold my KLX250 and bought a KLX300. Some improvements but my 250 I did the airbox, carb, pipe and reindexing the cams. The 300 is that without all the work. I have 8 motorcycles and the 300 is a great extra bike. It is about perfect for a hitch carrier bike on the back of our Winnebago 22R. No need for a trailer, just back the KLX off and exploring and errands are a fun activity. Like you my wife is not big, so we 2 up on it with a little padding augmentation. Unlike you our kids are long ago grown and gone. I’ve enjoyed your series, and have been looking at down-to-earth mods and real world riding experiences. The only thing I’m gonna try is removing the secondary throttle plate. But I want to ride it more so I can really tell if there is any difference. Keep it.

[andrewthompson]

I bought the Honda CRF 300L with ABS and replaced the suspension. Rear shock replacement and replacement of the front cartridges and springs. It feels like a totally different bike — especially on rough trails. I am very happy with it. It is a great bike for improving my riding skills. It has enough power for my riding preferences. Ian, thanks for your extremely helpful reviews. I bought my CRF 300L after watching your review two years ago.

[rickreid]

Spot on video & series review of the KLX 300. I agree with your power & suspension commentary. My KLX is a 2023. I am happy with it as is.
It never promised to be a rally bike. Just an easy to ride reliable duel sport. No more, no less.

[dirtdad]

Sooo true about the suspension. Most important aspect of a d/s or off road bike for me. Too bad Yamaha does not offer anything yet. I currently own 2023 WR450F and 250.
Absolutely the best bikes I have owned in all my 50yrs of riding. I live in NM, so my 450 is plated. Sucks about California with the Yamahas. I decided to convert my 450 in to my d/s bike. I do love the KLX and Honda's price and reliability. Great bikes, I owned the KLX250S and it was a fun bike. I appreciate you testing these level of bikes. They are very fun and great bikes for any level of rider.

[jackreece]

Again, the best reviews and commentary of any YouTuber. Thank you for the time and effort here.

[rogeliorodriguezlll]

I bought a KLX 300 last month because of you. It’s my first dual sport. I enjoy the hell out of this bike! It’s taken me places I never knew existed. But please get the CRF 450 next. That’s next on my radar and would love to know what you think. Thanks!

[RetiredAdventureRider]

You nailed the reason I sold my Africa Twin and bought a CRF250L for off-road. I was intimidated by the weight to try more difficult routes, and now I feel confident to go into something knowing I can get the bike turned around if I need to.

[ronlawson]

As a KLX 300R owner, your comment on the power and suspension are spot on.For the money it’s a great bike.Yes it is not on the same level as anything from KTM group or the WR line…..and is not intended to be.Keep up the great work

[kaleba]

I kept kicking around a KLX300 for a couple years. Ended up purchasing the CRF300l based on it being $1k cheaper for me, based on local dealers. Also the additional upgrades available for the Honda, and the display with a gas gauge just put the Honda on top for me. Thanks for your great videos!

[mikemathews]

Your comments on suspension are right on...as a multi national champion road racer it makes a lot of difference. I did do some simple power mods and picked up 2hp (dyno verified) for the little KLX 300. I used the Twin Air filter, KX250 snorkel, EJK fuel controller, and drilled six 1/4 holes in the stock exhaust (took a while). The exhaust noise is only slightly louder than stock but lets more air flow through the engine (I don't like loud exhaust either). The added power was really worth the mods while riding the TAT on the mountain passes and trails in CO and the sands of UT and NV. I completed the TAT from NC-OR last year and rode the bike back to SC....now having more than 20, 000 miles on the bike. Mileage was as high as 74mpg on trails and low as 60mpg blasting down the highway. I was carrying almost 90lbs of luggage with a MoskoMoto Rackless 80 setup. Plan to ride the Continental Divide this summer. Thanks for your review of a great bike for trail riding. I use my Yam Super Tenere/Tri Tiger 955 for my adventure road trips...11 bikes total in the garage!

[xerpiggy]

The easy fix for the filter spring falling out is to take a pair of pliers and bend the last loop of the coil outwards to make a slightly bigger circle. Then it will fit snugly inside the four raised areas and never fall out again! This does not affect operation at all as it's only job is to keep pressure against the oil filter.

[KLX-Rider]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video & your breakdown of the different bikes! I just bought my first bike & went with the KLX 300 Lime Green. As a newbie I didn't want to buy to much bike, I wanted something I could learn on without committing accidental suicide. I narrowed it down to the CRF 300 & the KLX 300, eventually settling in on the KLX. Suspension & handling were the most important considerations for me, plus I wanted a bike that I loved the look of. The lime green KLX in my opinion wins out, especially with the TST Industries rear fender eliminator & the Doubletake Mirrors. At 6 feet 185lbs the bike feels great. I've seen videos of people my size topping out at 82 to 85mph on level ground, plenty fast enough for highway speed limits at 55mph in upstate NY. Some are 65mph, but most are 55.

I absolutely LOVE this bike! I've ridden it on the streets & dirt roads, it's awesome. I'm not confident enough yet for "rough trails", being a greenhorn rider - soon... Commuting to work is much better on a bike than in my WRX, lol. There is major loop through the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY where I live, 694 miles total, 200 of which are dirt / seasonal roads. My buddy and I are planning on doing this route this summer, he has a CRF 300. Hopefully I'll have a GoPro setup by then. I enjoy much of your content - subscribed, keep up the great work, I'm learning a lot from your work!👊👍

[I_Santos_]

The detail and useful information so clearly explained on this channel just can’t be beat. You take great pride in doing the best possible work and it shows. I really enjoy what you do here.

[leanit]

I have owned a couple of DRZs, DR650Ss, XT250s, EXC-Fs, a CRF450L, and a XL500, over the course of 42 years riding dual-purpose bikes. Now I have.a '24 KLX300. It is my favorite so far. I wish it had an honest 350cc engine, but I still prefer it over the other bikes. The reason being the compromises this bike balances are a good match to what I want. It is good at so much (power delivery, brakes, suspension, seat height, seat comfort, standup riding position, and handling) and it has no glaring and annoying shortcoming(s) unlike each of the other bikes (other than the XL which was so long ago I can't remember one way or the other).

[plokmko]

Thanks for a honest well reasoned video.

Spot on with the Honda, put $700 into the suspension and maybe a lighter street legal muffler and done !!!

A DRZ 400 with EFI, a 6spd and ABS is my dream bike ... 🙏