2024 Kawasaki KLX300, KLX300SM & KLX300R First Look Preview

From dual sport explorers and supermoto shredders to off-road warriors, Kawasaki whets motorcyclists’ appetite for fun with its beginner-bike-friendly KLX platform.

The KLX300 (which replaced the KLX250) and KLX300SM were both new in 2021, and now these fraternal bikes receive styling/bodywork updates for ‘24 iterations. The KLX300R off-road trail bike receives a new colour.

Let’s start with the 2024 KLX300 and KLX300SM.

Both feature a revamped KX-inspired look with updated bodywork that is slimmer to facilitate better movement on the bike—when you’re off the beaten path or slinging the supermoto left and right, you’re going to want the freedom to move around. According to Kawasaki, the radiator shrouds are longer and slimmer; the ends are 25mm slimmer on each side. The two-piece side covers are also slimmed down to further help with rider movement.

The front fender is redesigned to contribute to the athletic silhouette, while the LED headlight is encased in a slim new front cowl. There are new headlight mount covers to keep the appearance tidy.

The rear fender’s taillight is positioned farther forward for a more compact appearance and there’s an updated rear flap that shields the rider from flicked-up mud, dirt, or water.

Also new for 2024 is the two-toned seat cover which replaces the solid black seat cover of previous models.

Powering these machines is the same liquid-cooled 292cc single that we’ve come to know since 2021. It’s fuel injected and has a flat-top piston travelling through a cylinder with a 78mm bore and 61.2mm stroke. Our dyno records indicate an approachable power output of 24 hp and 15.6 lb.-ft. of torque from this mill.

Although the KLX platform shares a high-tensile steel perimeter frame, the suspension, brakes, and wheels are specific to the bike.

The fork is still a 43mm inverted cartridge fork with 16-way compression damping adjustment available, but travel is 10 inches on the dual sport and 9.1 inches on the supermoto.

The shock is preload, compression, and rebound adjustable for both models, but again, the travel differs; 9.1 inches for the KLX300 and 8.1 inches for the SM.

The KLX300?s front brake is a 250mm disc, and the SM’s is a larger stoppie-triggering 300mm disc. Both feature 240mm rear discs.

Since the bikes serve different functions, the wheels have to follow suit. The dual sport’s spoked rims are fitted with dual-purpose tires more suitable for off-road travels with 21- and 18-inch diameters (front/rear, respectively). The supermoto features 17-inch wheels and street tires.

The dual sport also has slightly more ground clearance (10.8 inches versus the 9.3 inches on the supermoto) to aid in clearing over rocks or other trail obstacles. Seat height is 35.2 inches for the KLX300 and 33.9 inches for the SM.

The 2024 KLX300 is available in Lime Green or Battle Gray for $6,199. For $200 more, you could get it in Cypher Camo Gray.

The KLX300SM comes in Battle Gray or Phantom Blue for $6,599.

Meanwhile, the KLX300R makes its 2024 return with a new colour. Battle Gray now joins Kawasaki’s go-to Lime Green. The Lime Green is also a little more prominent than last year, with the number plates and fork guards taking on the colour. The seat cover colours are also flipped to have green on the outside edges.

Besides the colour updates, the KLX300R is the same, mechanically speaking, as the prior model year, so you have the same 292cc four-stroke engine that we mentioned previously with the KLX300/SM. Like its cousins, the KLX-R’s engine is paired with a six-speed transmission and EFI and starts up with an electric starter. You’ll, of course, be ready for the public riding areas because, like the dual sport, the R is equipped with a US Forest Service–approved spark arrestor.

Considering the off-road-only chops, it makes sense that the R’s suspension would have the most travel. The 43mm inverted fork and Uni-Trak shock both offer 11.2 inches of travel. Ground clearance is also a loftier 12 inches (11.8 inches for the California model), and seat height is 35.4 inches.

The front brake disc also slides right in between the two previously mentioned models. The diameter is 270mm.

The KLX300R doesn’t require all the extra street-legal equipment of the other bikes, so the claimed wet weight is understandably about 20 pounds less (282 pounds and 287 pounds for the California model).

The KLX300R is available in Lime Green and Battle Gray for $6,199.