Kawasaki Versys X 300 On & Off Road Review

[@paulclark723]

The best review of this little gem of a bike I have seen, well done. Thumbs up and subbed.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Rad! Thanks!

[@bradleyjones5932]

Sold my GSXS1000 and purchased a 2023 Versys x300, a few months ago and absolutely love the little kwaka

[@florme6494]

Wow that’s a real change in genre. It is a fun bike. Different type of fun. I own a versys x300 but have also owned the gsxs1000f. I’ve kept the versys much longer because it’s so uniquely run.

[@govinda102000]

Yep. Had a Nija 750 but I like the simplicity of my 2020 X300.

[@SummitCoyote]

love the bar. that's quite an impressive showing for the versys. cool to see someone really test it.

[@FrankOsman]

I just picked up a 2017 with 435 miles on the clock (yes, not even broken in) for $3300. I've been riding for a few years now and am completely satisfied with its performance. It's also my first motorcycle with genuine wind protection and I adore it for that.

[@nemo5335]

Seems like everyone who rides this bike loves it. I don't think I've heard a single bad review of it.

[@williamlawlor4637]

Good review. I like how you spoke from the bar too. I have the bike and agree with all you said.

[@boseisgood]

Thanks for the video. I ride my ‘20 model on day trips, lots of back road highways, occasional gravel grass dirt sandy roads with a mud hole here and there. I agree it’s a perfect fit for city, highways, and my very light off road style of preferred fun.

[@GeezerWheels]

Great Video! I'm in my 5th year of my Versys X300 and still love it. I also have a dirt bike (Husaberg FE390) and and a travel bike (Suzuki Vstrom 650XT (2017, Gen 3), but still like the X300 for a commuter and mild off road. I live 5 miles from pavement, so I ride gravel roads every time I ride. With a few farkles to fit my 6'3" frame and Mitas E07+ tires, the X300 is about as good as it gets, for a 300. Once you learn to ignore the low gearing and high revs, it becomes a 65 mpg + commuter as easy to ride as anything out there. Kawasaki did their homework on this one - and it's a genuinely viable mini-Adventure bike, with the exception of deep sand in Moab (on a trail I had no business being on) the X300 is excellent! (But my buddy on a KTM 350 went down in sand there also!) Several trips on Jeep trails went well - just pay attention to speed and suspension limitations. One out of state trip went perfectly, even over some Jeep type mountain passes in SW Colorado and SE Utah. I agree with you on bar risers. I added 2 inch Rox Pivoting risers (I stand a lot) and also T-Rex skid plate and crash bars. I also added wide, metal foot pegs for better balance when standing. GREAT bike for commuter, mild off road, and well-planned trips with luggage. Thanks for. great review.

[@bwnco]

You did a minor review thank you. That's where I live.Southwest.Colorado and Why I bought The three hundred. What kind of foot pegs do you like the best. I'm getting a Skid plate for it period i'm only 58 so it seems a bit pretty good standing up. Any other info you can give me don't be bashful!! I need all the help.I can get ha ha

[@GeezerWheels]

My pegs: I got wide, metal foot pegs that simple replace the rubber insert. The original pegs stay on the bike. Two screws hold the rubber on - remove them and the rubber insert and replace with the new part. I got them for about $20 on line. They fit the Versys 300, 650 and 1000. (When I try to paste in the link, KZbin won't let me. So do your own search.) They come in black and silver - the black matches the bike better and still look good after almost 5 years.

[@bwnco]

@@GeezerWheels Found em! 20 bucks on ebay. Thanks an ya, sometime it wont paste.. Just like Im not 58 im 5ft 8 in... LOL im 67 actually... im in 4 corners area

[@GeezerWheels]

@@bwnco I'm near Durango. If you'd like to ride or meet for lunch, etc. Let me know. I'm a minister in Bayfield, but I'm in Durango and Farmington regularly. I tried to put contact info here but it rejects my post.

[@bwnco]

@@GeezerWheels small world.. Ignacio my mail address..lmao..ya will have to figure this out..im just newbie starting.. Cowboy so mainly ride hosses..lol

[@jrobwebb]

Very well done. Thanks for showing what this bike is capable of doing. I like the bar setting for the video!

[@danielkoerner7127]

Nice video of the Scap-vern highway! Cool review and a cool bike!

[@jimh2061]

Very good all around bike. I have a 2019 and have been trying to find a reason to sell it and buy a bigger bike but it has a lot going for it. 4.5 gallon tank, lighter weight bike at about 400lbs make it easier to handle if your riding alone exploring. 69mpg and its fun to ride.

[@indee105]

That's funny, I'm in the same boat. I have an 18 I purchased new. As much as I want to sell it, I just can't.

[@florme6494]

I have the 18 too. I couldn’t sell it. I run a few other bigger bikes but I keep coming back to the versys. Like you mentioned great on fuel, fun to rev around everywhere, super light and you can almost go full throttle around the bends. I just find it fun.

[@SomewhereInside]

Versys bikes do that to an owner , have a 23 Versys 650 , it is not a serious off road performer , but it does every other thing you ask . Motorway , smooth gravel , back roads , twisties. Seriously looking at the X 300 and mod it to be a decent off road machine.

[@wer4everyoung]

Man, i got this as my 1st ever motorcycle and it has been treating me so well. still only a month in

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Congrats! That's awesome, I hope you have many adventures!

[@astrostrotch]

Just goes to show what's its capable of if you can ride a bit. It's only drawback is limited ground clearance with the standard exhaust. Brilliant review, thank you.

[@newlife155]

You are a very good rider..

[@govinda102000]

I love my 2020 X300. I commute in heavy hw traffic, sometimes lane splitting and sometimes country rides.

[@johngriffin1137]

Well Done! Keep the bar, it adds flavor. I love the single track. I'm in the market for a small adventure bike. KTM 390, Triumph 400 and the Versys X300 are my top 3. I live in SoCal. You are right about needing a R1 to zip thru traffic but at the age of 60 my insurance will be thru the roof.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Thanks! In the next videos I film, I think we will do some more things in the bar to keep it interesting. I got a new video with the Versys launching tomorrow morning btw and more 390 content coming this spring! Also, agreed, the Triumph 400 looks really intriguing, and I want to get my hands on one.

[@newlife155]

@@FreeTimeAdventuresju

[@miguelmesa1983]

Absolutely fantastic review of this bike and the best that I've seen so far. Love the bar scene. Thanks so much for sharing. Could you let me know what trails you were on? They looked amazing and I live in the area. Thanks so much! Subscribed! Looking forward to more videos. Cheers!

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Hey thanks! This is all filmed on two different parts of trail #1 up above the Roger's Camp parking area. It's a relatively chill trail with stellar views and it's surprisingly quiet most of the time. Good luck out there!

[@johnherian781]

I got a seat cusion from Wild Ass to help soften the seat. Yes,change out the foot pegs right away.

[@ComfyDadShoes]

Absolutely mesmerizing, relaxing, and informative video. Thank you for sharing!

[@hankwojo]

Great review! Most of the time I just start out in 2nd unless I'm on an incline. I also find that the speedo is 4-5 mph optimistic compared to my Zumo XT but the engine is still quite relaxed doing 70 indicated on the GPS. I purchased one of these in mid-September. I went for a long test ride with a young sales guy (I'm 70). We both were riding 300X's. He took me on some old backroads here in New Hampshire. We were buzzing around going through the gears having a great time. I was impressed. When we got back I bought it. I went from an Africa Twin to a CRF300L Rally to the Versys 300X. The 300L Rally was great but the 300X has it beat for long stretches of tarmac. BTW, where did you have the Insta360 X3 clamped to on the bike?

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, it really eats up the miles, I'm surprised how good it feels on a distance ride. The day I did for this video was over 350 miles. Also, it has SW Motech crashbars, and that's what the insta 360 is mounted too.

[@bwnco]

Thank you! makes me smile for my choice. 1st ADV bike I found a versys 300 2017 with 960 miles on it. Watched ton of reviews. This just more confirmed, so no buyers remorse an its been fun to ride so far, although been limited.. getting tags, insurace blah blah as I just got it last week. Tires ya, plug an go.... but believe mine are tubes.. Anyone use fix a flat just to get to next area.. Im not changing out in boondocks.. to old for that shit less abso f king loootely have to.. I put tannerus liners in my Mtn Bike an love them... Thanks for great Rivew!

[@GeezerWheels]

I have used "Ride On" brand tire sealant in my inner tubes. Works great and it literally balances the tire as you ride. Check it out, watch vids, customer reviews, etc. I also put Ride On in my ATV tires. I've used Slime, but like Ride On better.

[@bwnco]

@@GeezerWheels Thank you, I appreciate the help and love reviews from people who have actually used the product.I use slime in my mountain bike tires before the tanner is liners.

[@zelllakey4163]

Omg a video on the bike I want with my favorite profile colors

[@newlife155]

At 25 minutes you said your friend who owns the bike has no problem keeping up. In the marksmanship world we have a saying," Beware the man who only owns one gun, he probably knows how to use it." Same for a motorcycle rider.

[@PoppedBitADV]

G'damn that is a sick studio you got there.

[@scottmain3173]

Great video!! I'm a 6'2" 53 year old man that's looking to return to riding and I have been looking at both the Versys x 300 and the 390 Adventure. Which one has better leg room. It looks to me that the Versys X300 pegs are farther forward .

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

The 390 has more leg room by a mile. Especially with the flat rally seat, but the bars are also a good bit lower. Either way works really, you can get a much taller seat for the versys or you could raise the 390 bars and achieve roughly the same result either way ergonomically.

[@harleyman69181]

Awsome review great job cheers

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Agree with everything you said. I was really surprised at how well it does off-road even on single tracks for basically a street bike with off road tires. LOL Great video.

[@kd350]

All this one handed gesticulation...If I ride one handed, it's with the left hand on the throttle and reverse think the counter-steering. Give the right hand a breather. 2020 Versys here with 11 other bikes. 15T counter, 11 k miles with 8 grand so far on the Dunlop Trailmax Missions (did a hundred miles AFTER seeing my rear flat, these are essentially run-flats). No one noticed the aftermarket shield and bark busters. These mods help with the sub freezing riding done this time of year.

[@lewmascord4416]

Mine is set up the same . I’m a 67 yr old new rider . Live in the country and do lots of dirt roads and B roads . I love it , the mission tyres are a great decision over factory . So much to learn and pleasure on this platform 👍

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Great vid!!👍👍 im loving this bike, it may be the perfect companion for my 2024 klx 300.

[@billysharp2242]

I dig the backdrop

[@AK-gg2yk]

Nice vid. Excellent bike! What's is your PSI on tires when doing off road?

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Honestly, I didn't change it from on road and was just running it at around 34psi...

[@eraserone1]

i like the bar

[@billwalsh3672]

Great review. Can it do 70 & 75 mph for long periods. I understand in hillier highways it struggles to maintain speeds of 70 or more.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Oh for sure! It will absolutely haul at 70 to 75 all day without issue, it's got plenty of capability at that speed and it's very smooth.

[@EuanDuncan-pk1wn]

Have you ridden the KTM 390 Adventure? How do you think they compare? I'm stuck between these two for my next bike, but leaning towards the Versys as it seems to be more reliable.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

I own a 2021, KTM 390 Adventure and 3 of the 6 most recent videos on my channel are riding that bike. Definitely check them out if you want to see it in action. It's hard to cover all of the differences in one comment, but to hit the major points, the 390 is a bit punchier on the power, but still very smooth on the road/highway, has more tech and better, more adjustable suspension, but it can be more finicky. It's also significantly more expensive because of all that. It does have tubeless wheels which I view personally as a plus for ease of fixing a flat (or tubed/spoked wheels as an option). Also, it is substantially taller with a decently wide seat. My overall impression is that if you can manage the height and added cost of the KTM, it has more tech, a little more capability, more power and better aftermarket support, but it can also be a bit finicky. Take all that together and it is my personal preference. I think both bikes are really excellent, the Versys has a leg up, not only on cost, but on dead simple reliability. No weird issues have come up with it over the last two years that I know of and the KTM has had some odd issues with things like a leaky oil filter cover or random quickshifter errors. Nothing that impeded use of the bike, but that are just bothersome. I hope that helps and check out some of the other 390 videos on the channel!

[@jimh2061]

@@VersysX300 that's why I bought the x300 also. When I want to go out for a ride I don't want any problems 50 miles from home. To me reliability and comfort come first. I think the x300 has just a slightly better ergonomics too.

[@Donnie64inPa]

When you were off road it sounded pretty loud, like something was clunking? How tall are you?

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Yeah that was filming stuff I couldn't get secured better and the mics picked up the sound of it clanking around on bumps... Also, I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam.

[@jedkerr]

Do you think this bike is a good option for long trip with luggage? Like 3k kilometers, without speeding on highway.

[@MumanRides]

Yes. The mileage on the highway at around 65-70 mph is awesome. It’s very comfortable, has extensive OEM and aftermarket luggage options and will carry as much as you can pile onto it, and the wind protection for a small bike is superb. So it excels at relaxed interstate touring with luggage. It will also comfortably sustain interstate speeds between 85 and 100 mph without issue, but the drop in mpg is very noticeable. It’s comfortable and will carry plenty. I’m 15k miles in on my 2022 X-300 and I’ve taken road trips with luggage, with and without a passenger, many off road miles and daily commuting to and from work. This bike is an amazing value. It’s so much better than people think who have never owned one. It sits in a truly unique position where it does everything well that it is designed to do. It’s one of those bikes that once you buy it, even after getting other bikes you just can’t let it go because it’s the most fun bike you own.

[@chasingghost4499]

Cool video!! I think my next bike will be able to go off road, haven't been on a dirt bike since the 90s.... dunno if I want that, but a good adventure bike would probly work better for me than a dual sport.... or I will find a dirt bike, and throw it in the pick up?? Dunno?? Gotta pay off my Harleys first!!

[@raulrinconhernandez9616]

Felicidades por el traje. Creo que vale la mitad de lo que vale la moto 👍👍👍 saludos desde Mexico ✋

[@richardkolk7850]

In your opinion, would this be a good BDR/X motorcycle?

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

I think it probably depends largely on your riding style. It's comfortable, light, and perfectly capable of getting through BDR terrain. I could see myself riding this on the OR-BDR, and having a great time. That said, when it gets into the more challenging sections with lots of sand, mud or big obstacles, there's other bikes I'd rather be on. So of your riding style is more chilled out, comfortable, and meticulous - it's a good option. But if you want to ride hard and fast over the rough or sandy stuff, maybe not.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

Note: I only rode it on section 6 of the OR-BDR, but having ridden section 4, 5 and knowing section 7, I think it would be great. Sections 1-3 are really sandy, but I could see this still working well, assuming you have super knobby tires and a desire for a challenge..

[@XLV750RD01]

The bike was a total flop in Europe. It was taken off the shelves after only 2 mode years. There are less than 300 units on the German register. Most of them were dealer demo bikes.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

That's really too bad, it's a great little machine.

[@Fiatmannen1]

It was discontinued due to emissions. It is only euro4.

[@lewmascord4416]

Not really an auto barn bike . More a Swiss Army knife as the name implies . More for underdeveloped nations and less populated countries . Good on fuel and reliable .

[@bradleyjones5932]

you talking about instant power & alloy wheels. LOL, the X300 in def not the bike for you. ride it like a 2 stroke, it is the way.

[@fullmetalcorgi1350]

Needs a turbo

[@nirvanero85]

love your videos man, but i hated you when you play the music instead of that screaming motor.

[@louispaulter8733]

Setting of video is secondary to review facts / data, esp. backed up by vids,- even if audio is dubbed in afterward due to wind , etc. Fact backed opinion bolstered by vids, WINS no matter where reported from. Basement bar or high tech equippped garage/tool shop don’t amount to a bucket of warm spit, - Detective Joe Friday style “ just the facts, ma’m WINS !

[@Pasha10111950]

Обо всём и ни о чём, так много слов. Нет сравнения с 390 вообще. Непонятно какой расход по бездорожью например. Ну и раз есть 390. Мне бы весь обзор сравнивал его с 390м. Раз есть такая возможность. Честно говоря этот обзор можно было сделать на 15 минут. Ладно то такое спасибо и на этом

[@allenantonio4389]

5'9 and 200 bills. poor bike

[@BUGBYTE_]

No versys 300x has ever seen that much off roading ever.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

They should though! It was fun offroad, would be even better with some knobbies.

[@blackbeltelvis5292]

My uncle has one and he takes it off road often. He’s done two BDR’s on it. Every thing from fire roads to single track. I have a t7 and honestly there are times I wish I was on his bike. Smaller and easier to handle at slower speeds. A way underrated and often overlooked bike. Best value going.

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

@@blackbeltelvis5292 nice, that's awesome. They really are underrated. Dirt Bike Magazine's review straight up said they're only good for fire roads, and that's not at all true.

[@critter4436]

I’ve ridden my 300x at Hatfield McCoy trails in West Virginia and Wayne National Forest in Ohio. I’m no beginner and this has been the most fun I’ve had on a motorcycle!

[@FreeTimeAdventures]

@critter4436 Heck yeah, that's rad!

[@mgabiel]

pasas hablando todo el día y no dejas escuchar la moto y encima cuando no hablas pones música, malísimo el video

[@peteortiz3554]

Dude stop for a minute you are riding in the most beautiful country in the world who gives a shit what you are riding?