KLX 300 vs. CRF300L long term review from owner!

[@5280MTM]

I’ve got 12k on my 23 KLX. I love this bike. It takes on everything from the high rockies in CO to some of the most aggressive trails in Moab. Most of my riding is singletrack, exploring, dirt roads. I commute to work and that's 90% dirt roads. I live Steamboat Springs, so the exploring is endless. I'll also hang with the KTM and 300 2t guys, and sometimes I am actually faster- thats not a bike thing but skill thing. I thought the small tank would be an issue, but it hasn't been. When I do ride pavement, this bike is a joy in the twistys. I wouldn't ever want to do long distance on highways. The only things I've done to my bike are HealTech gear shift indicator, KDX snorkel, Emperor Racing skid plate and radiator guards, MotoZ tires, Tusk hand guards, A2Z levers, IMS footpegs, and a TST tail tidy. I'm thinking im going to upgrade the springs to Race Tech this winter- but there is no reason to other than spend $. This bike has been perfect and never had an issue. I can't compare it to anything because the KLX is my 1st motorcycle. My only real complaint is the temp light will sometimes flash after long loose climbs that require a lot of clutch and throttle. The bike has never overheated but on some of these same climbs, I've seen my friends KTM 300 thats brand new overheat. My low fuel light also seems to be endless. I've tried to run out of fuel, but it never has.

[@AndrewBogert]

Ive been trying to decide between the two. Very helpful video, best one I've seen yet, thank you.

[@kcoutside7143]

Thank you!! Thanks for watching!

[@JohnnyJaySlickster]

I Got A 2024 KLX300SM , Love It .

[@battleax002]

I have a ‘23 KLX, I took the secondary throttle plate out, huge….. way more midrange! It takes a couple of minutes, do it. You will feel a difference.

[@Juanre889]

is an ecu remap necessary to do that?

[@battleax002]

@ no, works just fine without

[@fergustheproclaimer689]

Great video! I just picked up the Klx 300, leaving stock but adding accessories!

[@skipknot7389]

I still LOVE my 2021 KLX300. I got a Yoshi Exhaust, KLX400 snorkel, with the Yoshi upgraded tail light and plate holder. Just put 7/8 Pro Taper KX Highbend bars on! LED bulb, too! She's My Girl. I'd love to try the Honda Rally with better suspension. LOL Thanks!

[@kaleba9333]

look forward to hearing about the DRZ400S. Still love my CRF300

[@kakarotochozo577]

for the price the crf 450 RL

[@pinkiewerewolf]

The only deal breaking negative for me when I had the 21 KLX 300 was that there were no high capacity fuel tanks available. Other than that I loved the bike.

[@NorthwoodsNomad]

I’m patiently waiting to see the new DRZ4S that is coming out, and wondering when Yamaha is going to get in the game with this 300-400cc segment of dual sport bikes .

[@Seveneleven44]

Best way to get your front brake line out of the way is to put some sort of washer,bushing, and or spacer between the fork clamp and the circular bracket the brake line goes thru. I had some teflon bushings, about 3/8” thick that I used as a spacer that brings the brake line far enough away from your line of sight of the gauge cluster.

[@kcoutside7143]

That is a great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@MrSilus2000]

We need a klx300 Rally

[@joshdoddadbod]

Adventure rally x makes fairings for it.

[@ADVKLX250]

just get the 18 litre bolt on kit and you have one

[@Ntyuask]

Thanks for the review! I've got a 2007 klx250s thats modded about as far as i want without boring the engine out. Its a great bike but its a compromise to gear it correctly for all riding situations. Its see's a ton of highway and light single track and because of my skill level i can go almost everywhere i take my 250 enduro (minus the Jarvis stuff lol). Im really up in the air though. Would like to sell all my bikes and buy a 300L of some sort for road and light offroad with the capability to be able to put on longer 2-3 day mix use rides which my 250L just cant do and then pick up a 125 2 stroke and make a dedicated woods machine that can be super light weight and easy to fling around compared to my 250 enduro. Idk lol... I guess im leaning towards the Honda 300L and will just do the full suspension upgrade and then have a bike that can handle mild single track and more highway miles. Thoughts? Planning a once in a lifetime trip this fall from Oregon to Indianapolis 😂

[@kcoutside7143]

With suspension upgrade, the Honda will be awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@joshdoddadbod]

Looking forward to the drz4s vids. Once i learn about whether they fixed the gear ratios ill decide if im getting one.

[@terratrodder]

I had the forks and shock re-valved on my 300L and it's a whole different bike for me. It's more of a cruiser/explorer bike, nothing aggressive, but it does pretty well. I know what you mean about feeling a little e cramped though.

[@Mjr1348]

I have both. Both great bikes imo. I do like the Kaw better on trails and aggressive riding. Just ripping around town the Honda is nice.

[@kcoutside7143]

Right on!

[@localresident7826]

Nice job! You say you don't think you can get the low end on the KLX to match the CRF even if you remove the secondary throttle plate but you should try it just to see what improvements it does make since it wouldn't cost you anything but a little time.

[@kcoutside7143]

I’ve done a lot of research, it’s seems that 80% of the time folks say they feel no difference, so then I always put it on the back burner.

[@KarterSchraw]

​@@kcoutside7143thats crazy ...2nd plate delete is a game changer but i think the ecu controlled spring needs removed also to fully take effect. Transformed my bike tbh.

[@mt1885]

I got a CRF300L think will do rallyraid front/back but got other bikes as well. I sure wish Yamaha would build a YZF350 so we could have a WR350. Kinda looking at the CRF450RL myself.

[@stephenmueller8154]

The Ohlins works good and you save a few bucks.

[@kcoutside7143]

There are rumors of Yamaha working on a 350 bike🤞🏻

[@jeffloucks2120]

You're a lot like me. Love my modded 300l. Would die for a Yamaha effort in this space again because you know it will be good. Have also considered the 450l/rl as well but seems like it would he more of a pain in the tighter technical stuff I like to ride as much as possible. The 300 is just so easy to ride.

[@johnmclaughlin4802]

Correction “world hard enduro”

[@mt1885]

@@jeffloucks2120 The top heavy is my concern as well, sure hoping 2025 things pick up and Yamaha does the YZF350 and then a dirt street version would be awesome. Kawasaki is building a KX300X but it is in Europe check that out, it is still a 5 speed.

[@d1aman]

Remove the sub throttle plate on klx and you will have bottom which is better than on CRF. It has been a while you are reluctant to do so. Its time!

[@zr2trackerjoe]

Best mod you can do. Night and day

[@ADVKLX250]

and it is a free of charge mod!!! how cool is that..

[@JohnnyBoy919]

Why did you trade the 2021 klx for 2024? Also the 2025 crf300l is supposed to be getting suspension updates/LED lighting.

[@kcoutside7143]

Liked the updated look, I like to trade or sale bikes before mileage gets to high. Less money I have to put toward next bike. Updated suspension would be great on the CRF!

[@JohnnyBoy919]

@kcoutside7143 gotcha, I'm considering the new crf300l as my next bike.

[@TheFrog767]

Excellent

[@DualSportDoug]

I'm buying a DR-Z4S because I don't think I will be happy with the lower power of the CRF or KLX compared to my current 2002 DR-Z 400S that I've had since 2006. 4:10 I felt the same when I sat on a KLX. I love the ergonomics of my current DRZ. It has a greater seat to foot peg distance than the KLX. I haven't sat on a CRF yet.

[@leesops710]

KLX 300 10.2 inch ground clearance. CRF 300L 11.2 GC. Per web site.

[@kcoutside7143]

Thanks for checking!

[@pnwguy221]

I thought this was a long term review. Nevermind!

[@EffequalsMA]

Shoot dood, I have over 10,000 km on my '23 CRF, since February of this year when I bought it new. It's fully farkled....

[@kcoutside7143]

Awesome! Always good to hear the amount of miles folks put on!

[@EffequalsMA]

@@kcoutside7143 Ride every day! My ZX14R can wait for old Sol to return. 😀

[@KarterSchraw]

Your only at 250 miles ...the power on the klx doesnt set in till about 800-1000...

[@kcoutside7143]

I had 2500mi. On the ‘21, same set up.

[@ih8momjokes1]

Unless you're a mechanic and doing big engine work, just buy a dr-4s. you're not going to notice 30lbs difference when the bike makes 10hp more. that's a lot of power when your max is 27hp... power to weight ratio will prove that to you. (0.0882 hp/lb vs. 0.111 hp/lb)

[@AceCarleton]

take the 2nd throttle plate out

[@Skitv904]

250 miles😮.. I'm almost at 4000

[@pnwguy221]

2024 klx300 with 3300 miles as of today.

[@DesertCoyote-t5k]

So the Honda is good except suspension. The Kawi I need to eat more donuts and bring a gas bottle.

[@kcoutside7143]

lol! Exactly!

[@brandongardner9829]

The only problem is being a long term review, but youve hardly ridden them.

[@Diurama1212]

Getting a new bike tends to take care of a torque problem

[@KarterSchraw]

That header pipe is where you lost your low end. Throttle plate ,ecu spring ,airbox lid , with an ecu tune and the klx eats that honda

[@Skatefishofficial]

None, WRR 250, end 😂

[@parascolaireelectroniqueet6776]

to use as a boat anchor, i guess?

[@Skatefishofficial]

@parascolaireelectroniqueet6776 the CRF and Klx are slower what are you talking about

[@phantomshtter]

Just putting a stronger spring on the CRF shock is going to exacerbate the problem. The issue is the valving, total lack of dampening. So that just made it worse.🫤 Also, zip tying the brake line like that is a horrible idea. You may find they move a lot sharper and farther than you think.