Kawasaki KLX 300R

In terms of size and stance, the Kawasaki KLX 300R has got the visual appeal of an entry-level quarter-liter performance-oriented motorcycle. However, it is compact and light-weighted enough to make sure it strikes the chords of dual sport motorcycle enthusiasts just by the way it looks.

The Kawasaki KLX 300R is devoid of a proper conventional headlamp, and in its place, it gets a simple plain looking white plastic shield, which also acts as a weight-saving measure to give the motorcycle an additional boost in performance. The long and curved front fender positioned slightly higher over the front tire makes the front look rugged. The lower portion of the front forks too gets slim black finished plastic cowls to protect them from the outburst of flying stones while you wish to make the motorcycle face rough stuff.

The side profile of the Kawasaki KLX 300R follows the conventional path of a traditional dual-sport motorcycle, with the lean profile of the motorcycle characterized by a very small and slim looking fuel tank adorned with sharp and broad tank extensions on either side. The off-road spec tires as well as high ground clearance of the Kawasaki KLX 300R make it look ready for all kinds of terrains.

The very slim and sleek looking side body panels positioned below the slim single-piece seat ends up at the rear in a pointy fashion. The right side of the motorcycle gets a high-placed single-piece exhaust pipe on its right side, which too gets a large protective white shroud. As a measure of weight saving, even the tail lamp, turn indicators and a proper rear fender have been given a miss.

The motorcycle even misses out on a proper instrument console, and the rider’s dashboard is comprised of only a very basic looking straight horizontal handlebar. The silver-finished levers for the clutch and front brake do look premium. Despite many of the conventional components of a road-spec motorcycle obviously missing on the Kawasaki KLX 300R, the motorcycle doesn’t show a single sign of compromise when it comes to build quality and fit and finish, which does make it look premium.

The light weighted Kawasaki KLX 300R gets robust mechanicals given its hardcore off-road usage. The suspension combination of heavy-duty hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a fully adjustable mono-shock with rectangular aluminum swingarm at the back is tuned on a stiffer side and is capable to take on each and every kind of rough terrains with great aplomb. The ride quality is on a stiffer side, but given it is strictly meant for riding off the road, it is not that great matter of concern.

Powering the Kawasaki KLX 300R is a very capable and refined four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 292cc engine, which is specifically available only on this motorcycle. This engine, here in the Kawasaki KLX 300R, is coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, and produces maximum power and torque outputs of 28.8 PS and 26.3 Nm respectively. Add in the factor of its low kerb weight of just 128 kg, and the impressive power to weight ratio of the Kawasaki KLX 300R makes it an incredibly peppy motorcycle.

Again, for saving in the unnecessary amount of additional weight to hamper the performance of the motorcycle, the Kawasaki KLX 300R is devoid of any modern safety feature. However, the petal disc brakes on both ends of the motorcycle work fine and aid in total control of it.

For a quarter-liter dual-sport motorcycle, the Kawasaki KLX 300R ticks all the right boxes with an impressive engine and a very capable and sturdy frame and suspension to back its mettle on the off-road circuits.