Showdown: 2021 Honda CRF300L vs 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 - 4K

This pair of OG adventure bikes are all about short-range reconnaissance. Cheap to buy, maintain, and run, they’re built for exploring the world outside your back door.
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Established in 1994, Motorcycle.com is the premier online resource for motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts. With hundreds of high quality, detailed video reviews on bikes from Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and just about everybody else, it's the best place to go to learn about the latest and greatest two-wheeled creations. There's simply no better resource if you're planning on buying or if you just want to check out some awesome machines.

[@conscious4895]

I really dig this narrative style of review. Appreciate the extra attention to the videography and it felt like I was tagging along with two buddies going for a ride and talking about some cool bikes. Really well done!!

[@JK-yu7hj]

I suspect I would have been happy with the Honda but ended up with the KLX. It’s a lot smoother after the first oil change and a 1” lower Seat concepts made my rides much nicer. It’s been great on the off roading I have done so far. The only problem I have is that once I am out on the backroads/trails exploring I don’t want to stop riding!

[@reteptetep5078]

After owning the KLX250s, CRF250L, and CRF300L. I would pick the KLX300 without hesitation.

[@stevelamby7658]

Why is that? Im leaning towards the crf300l, only reason Id go kawi is the factory sumo setup.

[@phatsmitty]

John Burns, Jimmy Lewis, Nick Ienatsch... legends of the magazines I read back in the '90's. So happy that they are still at it!!!!

[@aaronbehindbars]

Before I watch, I'm going to guess the Honda has a better powerplant and Kawi has superior suspension.

[@PureCountryof91]

Honda has a better cluster too.. that gear indicator should really be on the Kawi too..

[@alupangguam7560]

The blacked out camo KLX looks better than the red seat CRF but that's subjective. What isn't subjective is the CRF's saggy replace asap suspension = total deal breaker for me. I'm ~200lbs and after some minor preload adjustment, KLX's rear shock is plenty firm with even more preload adjustment to spare. Also the stock KLX exhaust seems to be high quality stainless steel, whereas the CRF looks to be plain black painted steel that will rust. To me, the CRF is a prime example of function following form. Its flashy racy looks do not match its actual performance. Noobie slipper clutch too. The KLX delivers function first; it simply works. No brainer; KLX wins hands down for me

[@MMAD75]

amazing vid, love the closing scene on the mountain

[@njohnson3331]

Great video. The film crew or person is doing a great job at picking spots and the audio is spot on.

[@joeblow5037]

a nice 18 minute respite from the current day nuclear sheethole the world is facing. Thanks, Ryan and Burnsie 😁 as an '18 KLR-650 owner, looking at that dyno chart, for once you made me feel like I was riding a superbike 🤗

[@WillPower46]

I have a YSS rear shock, FMF exhaust, DNA filter and EJK on my CRF300l. It has completely transformed the bike making it feel like day and night from stock. I wasn't unhappy with the bike in stock form but I really love it now, for those thinking about doing mods to their CRF.

[@TheHemiphil81]

I did close to yours except I got the yoshi pipe and 550 ecu..it really woke the bike up..I've seen 110mph on the hwy.

[@FAFO_24]

@@TheHemiphil81 That's what I'm doing. The Yoshi will get here in a couple more days. Does it really make the top speed that much faster or did you have to do a lot more to it? I am doing an air box mod also

[@evanm.2300]

Did the rear shock make seat hieght alot taller? Do u feel like u need to upgrade the fork internals or is it not nessesary? I dont ride too fast but i ride hard when i can and want to put luggage

[@evanm.2300]

Did the rear shock make seat hieght alot taller? Do u feel like u need to upgrade the fork internals or is it not nessesary? I dont ride too fast but i ride hard when i can and want to put luggage

[@evanm.2300]

Did the rear shock make seat hieght alot taller? Do u feel like u need to upgrade the fork internals or is it not nessesary? I dont ride too fast but i ride hard when i can and want to put luggage

[@kedemah2763]

Old guy's way too chill lol 😆

[@hayvalley]

Hondas are always smooth. I've owned several but decided on the Kawi this time because of the suspension. I think I made the right choice. Either way, very comparable bikes.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Would be nice if kawi had a windshield version with a newer guage cluster with more stuff on it

[@hayvalley]

@@TheAnnoyingBoss yeah. I would like that but it’s a small matter

[@ar2043]

Why does Honda run there front brake line in a HUGE loop like it’s a wind-screen or number-plate or something??? It looks so ridiculous and it’s on all the CRFL’s.

[@jwaller1327]

I have to agree with the assessment that the Honda is better on the street and the Kawasaki is better on the dirt. And the history of the two bikes would show why that's the case. The Kawasaki is really just an updated early 90s dirt bike, which started out as a 4-stroke take on their successful KDX200. Look at the chassis of today's KLX and a KDX; they're almost identical. It's just now a 4-stroke with road gear and styling that was updated in 2008, I believe. So, yeah, a 30-something old dirt bike design, but still a dirt bike design. The CRF300L comes from the CRF250L which was a clean sheet design with a motor lifted from a single cylinder beginner's sport bike, the CBR250, I believe. So, it was never a dirt bike that morphed into a dual sport like the Kawasaki. It was always meant to be a dual sport: a street bike with dirt styling that's capable of being taken off the road. I own the Kawasaki, but have a buddy with the CRF. My buddy's CRF is definitely the looker. And I think it's probably the better bike for the majority of riders looking for a dual sport bike, to do dual sport things: it's more refined, has better instrumentation, better gas mileage, more modern looking, and with a much better aftermarket potential. But if your idea of a dual sport is more dirt leaning, to include trail riding on single track, the KLX is the better of the two, and not by just a little. I've not ridden the CRF on anything but single track, so I don't KNOW that it's better on the road, but the feel of it suggests to me that it would be better there. But I found it to be harder to ride on the single track than the Kawasaki. It could be that I own the Kawasaki and am used to it, but it didn't even feel that the two bikes are really all that comparable at all, off road.

[@JohnnyBoy919]

I agree, but with a suspension upgrade in the crf I believe it will blow the klx away off road. The suspension seems to be the real only downside to the bike.

[@KentwoodWarrior]

With a little bit better suspension the Honda is better from top to bottom easy. The klx is just a bored out 250. The 300L is all new.

[@jwaller1327]

@@KentwoodWarrior The Honda IS better as a dual sport for most people. New doesn't necessarily mean better, it depends on the task. Also, the KLX300 isn't just a bored out KLX250. The KLX250 was a sleeved down, neutered KLX300R (a dirt bike, not a street legal dual sport) dating from the 90s. Kawasaki did that in 2006 to replace the KLR250, essentially watering down a dirt bike to make it a beginner friendly dual sport like the outgoing KLR250. So the KLX300 engine just got put back to the displacement it had before 2006 and what the KLX300R already had. Anyway, my buddy's CRF already has aftermarket adjustable suspension set up for his weight and closer to being properly set up for my weight while my KLX is still stock. The weight of the bikes, within a percent or two, is carried differently and the Honda feels heavier to steer in dirt and less responsive in tight single track. Finally, something very telling with regard to design philosophy of the manufacturers, my buddy dropped his CRF in sand and the plastic side fairing by the exhaust snapped. It's the same type of plastic used on sport bike fairings or on the Gen 2 KLR 650, the kind that doesn't bend, but cracks and breaks because it's brittle. Any bike seriously expected to be dropped with regularity wouldn't be made with that sort of plastic. You don't find that sort of plastic on any dirt bike or any other small dual sport I know of. Now, if Honda would make a CRF250RL like they've done with the CRF450RL, neither of these two would be able to touch it off road.

[@SmokinZen]

@@JohnnyBoy919 By the same token you could throw extra money on any bike and blow others away

[@IvanRides]

I’ve test ridden the kawi and it’s great. Def has more power than an xt250, its hard finding a dual sport in dealers now a days

[@samueljlarson]

Seriously! I cannot find a single klx300 or crf300l in my state for sale (Oregon.)

[@jamiebizness1]

I did a 3 hrs hiway ride on my klx 300 it was loud but it wasn't so bad . Sorta slides around at speeds over 100km but it's fun to rip around on

[@danielthatcher5345]

A comparison that many people will benefit from

[@patricksandeberg8184]

And have waited for! I’m still undecided. Hopefully this’ll help a little😂

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

@@patricksandeberg8184 We were anxious to do this test, but we had to wait quite a while to get the bikes due to supply chain issues.

[@patricksandeberg8184]

@@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist Very understandable! The Honda has made it to Scandinavia but so far not the Kawi🙂. Keep up the great work guys! Gonna go and watch the video now😉

[@patricksandeberg8184]

The video was great and it did help a lot! Since I will be doing 30-60 minutes of highway miles before hitting the trails here in Skåne Sweden 🇸🇪. The Honda will make the better choice. Rear suspension will have to be replaced tho. Cause I’m 210 lbs. 😉

[@patricksandeberg8184]

@@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist The video was great and it did help a lot! Since I will be doing 30-60 minutes of highway miles before hitting the trails here in Skåne Sweden 🇸🇪. The Honda will make the better choice. Rear suspension will have to be replaced tho. Cause I’m 210 lbs. 😉

[@Kr1zToV]

twist of the wrist 3 great video. keep this editor.

[@murraehaynes3182]

Guys- thanks for the review as I’ve been considering both of these as lightweight ADV bikes to complement my larger ADV bike…my only other comment is “Burnsey, what happened??? We both got old😜”

[@billingsfmx]

I ended up with the Kawi! Fun do it all bike! I have a few upgrade vids on my channel that made it a bit better for me. I would have considered the honda if they upgraded the suspension. The gears on my bike do feel a little clunky sometimes, especially shifting down into or past neutral.

[@selfhealingacademy]

Change the oil, these boxes are smooth as silk normally.

[@aakashk530]

Finally !! Been waiting for this comparison. I need something like these bikes to supplement my Duke 790 when I want to hit some trails here in Northern California. I just don’t have a truck or trailer to take my bike, so being able to ride to the trail is awesome 😎 great review as always 🍻

[@natekerx85]

I think either of these plus your 790 is a pretty awesome two bike stable! Just picked up a 300l to go along with my street bikes and I already know it’s going to get the most miles this year!

[@aakashk530]

@@natekerx85 thanks I think so too! How many miles you got on the 300l

[@natekerx85]

@@aakashk530 I’ve only had mine about a week and it’s winter here. But I’ve gonna a couple hundred miles in the snow and muck and it’s a blast! It’s got a little more power than I expected, even during break in, and I have to say as a novice dirt rider I’m pleasantly surprised by the suspension

[@Porsche996driver]

This is also 15 from me. A bit different on the big GS but equally fun! Good to ride with a buddy - just in case ha. 🤙🏼

[@michaeljohnson2922]

I’d love to get the John Burns take on the Triumph Bobber, Street Scrambler and the basic Street Twin. These are really gaining in popularity.

[@danielthatcher5345]

Good comparison if I had a great place to ride like this 15 minutes from my house I would own either one of these bikes

[@PureCountryof91]

If you live in a place with shitty roads, you can get an off-road emulation..

[@aaron___6014]

Under $6k? Why does everyone fail to mention the $1k+ in addition to the msrp that every dealer puts on a new motorcycle?

[@jamiebizness1]

7500 in Canada after all the taxes and fees

[@jonboy87]

People don't mention it because everyone already knows about it

[@PureCountryof91]

I've seen dealers selling at MSRP. But, you can't find em often. And, the other fees, taxes, and charges, you end up a grand over. Again, if you can find one. I'm really wanting a KLX300 SM. But, the oriental blue/ebony colors.

[@coltonmullins2274]

Are you all in Colorado? Looks like it from the city to the mountain snow. Looking at the crf300l. Seems like you guys endorse it as a solid choice.

[@johnnyblue4799]

So if I get a jacuzzi and a plastic duck will I also get invited for a ride?

[@stephaniemusick171]

Great video of a fun day.

[@wade998]

Was hopping some street race pulls.

[@basilistitieh5862]

anyone, what trail/location this that?

[@davidrivera1727]

Please help me decide . I have on order crf 300l but I used to have an XR 650 L and loved it. I’m 57 years old now so the 300 sounds good(Low maintenance)but I do feel like I might miss the Torque I was also thinking about a DR 650 but I haven’t had a carbureted bike in a long time I don’t wanna to regret the decision of going back to carburetor/old-school bike. Anyway what do you think? (I’ll probably end up riding mostly on the road I do were 200 pounds.)thanks

[@Thundernoob98]

The real answer to which is better is which you can actually find and buy. I’m on a waiting list for both ( they predict multi month waits )

[@coyotebrown2294]

So what did you end up getting?

[@Thundernoob98]

When he says you don’t want to go to Yosemite on these what did he mean specifically? Like it doesn’t have enough power for the trails or would be uncomfortable for a long road trip

[@samueljlarson]

I think he means because of the long distance road miles it would take to get there from where they are, which I presume is Los Angeles.

[@allans7281]

Winner: kawa all day! Suspension is everything I personally love the Ergonomics and looks of the kawi

[@tarnishedsquid2967]

I wonder how these stack up against a WR250R(rip)

[@samueljlarson]

Wr is lighter and makes more power with better suspension, longer service intervals and to me just looks a whole lot better than both of these with the evil bird looking headlight treatment. Yamaha all the way!

[@sinewave5020]

Where is this test based?

[@johnnyblue4799]

So two tough guys, with good riding skills, complain about not wanting to ride these on long trips while Itchyboots rides her CRF300 allover the Americas... the world is upside down. We have manly girls and girly men! :D:D

[@johnburns8956]

seems like Itchyboots, who we love, finds herself mostly on dirt roads in exotic little countries. For that, her CRF300 Rally is perfect. Not so much on 85-mph freeways like we wind up on a lot here in the spread-out US. I think we made that point repeatedly didn't we?

[@johnnyblue4799]

​@@johnburns8956 Sure you did, but who says you need to go on the interstate? Anyway, surely enough we'll see in a short while how she'll do, crossing USA and Canada, to get to Alaska... And please don't get offended. I meant it as a joke. You kind of led me to it with the floating duck! :)))

[@johnburns8956]

@@johnnyblue4799 I imagine she'll stick to the Blue Highways and take her time, not really an option for most people. All jokes offend me!

[@johnnyblue4799]

@@johnburns8956 And what are you doing when offended? Asking Trudeau to freeze the offender's bank account?

[@joeblow5037]

sorry..I tried to follow Itchyboots...but gravel roads gave her fits, and I lost interest

[@RangerRyke]

I prefer the old way of reviewing. Only because the script is trying to hard.

[@gm2256]

looks like a great time once you hit the dirt

[@michaeljohnson2922]

Old Burnsy in the tub, classic!

[@Weltbummler23]

Which trail in orange county was this?

[@evanm.2300]

Thats what i want to know too

[@basilistitieh5862]

did you find out where?

[@Weltbummler23]

@@basilistitieh5862 nope, lemme know if u hear tho

[@basilistitieh5862]

@@Weltbummler23 found it, its Santiago Peak, has many trails connecting to it. That road is called Maple Springs Road.

[@Weltbummler23]

@@basilistitieh5862 nice man! Thank u, gotta check that out!!

[@THETURZO]

My two 300cc favorite bikes

[@Deertracks123]

212 pounds rode both they both need new springs front and rear.

[@Firestorm637]

KTM 390 Adventure 43 horsepower, adjustable suspension, TFT dash, stability control

[@Broxty]

Way more money.... as well it is basically a damn road bike...... ugly as fuck mostly!

[@mr.rocketeer777]

These bikes I wanted to see 👍

[@aeror115]

Damn what an important video and comparison Edit: The Kawi could be the better choice for my off-road adventures but i would buy the Honda😅 got to many Kawis in my garage

[@belanger.fran6]

Honda need a stiff suspension package as option.

[@patricksandeberg8184]

The video was great and it did help me out a lot ! Since I will be doing 30-60 minutes of highway miles before hitting the trails here in Skåne Sweden 🇸🇪. The Honda will make the better choice. Rear suspension will have to be replaced tho. Cause I’m 210 lbs. 😉

[@Porsche996driver]

Greetings to Sweden! 🇸🇪🇺🇦✊🏼

[@patricksandeberg8184]

@@Porsche996driver ✊🏽

[@diversion641]

one of the best Moco videos ever. funny, informative, great photography, natural banter between Ole Burnsy and that young Upstart Ryan. the only thing it's missing is a Foxy Lady. That coulda been easily remedied if only Burnsy had been look at bikinis on his lap top instead of...."not that there's anything wrong with it..."

[@SmokinZen]

Kawasaki suspension is far better out of the box going off-road is what it's for, for me I already have a T7 for street and whatever floats your water bottle

[@ih8momjokes1]

that one dude just repeated everything the older guy said. like bro give a homeless biker that job at that point...

[@insatiable_mind]

Honda has a higher 6th gear, maybe partly why highway speed feels better.

[@Firestorm637]

The lighter the bike off road the more fun

[@dailylife3975]

And honda has a gas Guage and the rally version is even better,transmission, and tank,windscreen ,headlights

[@Firestorm637]

KTM 390 adventure gives you Led headlight, more horsepower and TFT dash

[@Broxty]

Twice the price tag.

[@selfhealingacademy]

Only on the road...

[@jonboy87]

It also gives you more time in the garage

[@silversurfer4326]

With wet weight around 170kg ( 340 pounds) the KTM is 30kg (60 pounds) heavier then those two... Its a dealbreaker. Couple Kilos more and you can get a 800 ...

[@bonjovi1354]

I don't know why we don't get this dual sport bikes in India ... 😑😑 Such a drag ... Even these companies do sell their top end machines kind of all of big brands .. from h2rs to v4s .. s 1000 nd everything road related .. but not a single off road oriented machine though we can buy Kawasaki MX series only kawa ... Suzuki used to get rmzs that's it .. and it's so expensive 8 lakhs !! I can z650s truimphs ducatis honda yamaha 😑

[@davidelizabeth4933]

🇺🇸 BURNS-ADAMS 2024 🇺🇸

[@douglassfwilson]

👍👍👍

[@TousleyMotorsports]

😁

[@MrDavidfuchser]

Those are 2wd sedan, 1200gs, type roads. These bikes are meant to go the same places that lifted 4wd rigs go. Sorry but this was kinda meh off roading.

[@c0ck_l2oach75]

Conversation is cringe.

[@Firestorm637]

KTM 390 adventure twice the horsepower

[@Broxty]

It's literally twice the price and terrible offroad..... why the fuck have you posted 3 comments?