2020 Kawasaki KLX300R Project Bike Riding Impression
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- Опубліковано 11 лют 2025
- Jay Clark took a 2020 Kawasaki KLX300 and gave it the project bike treatment, and we rode it to see what the modified recreational trailbike was capable of.
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I always find the critiques of modern bikes amusing. My brother and I had a POS Benelli that would never run right, then we graduated to a 1978 Yamaha GT80 that needed to be push started lol. Eventually I was fortunate enough to receive a new 1994 YZ80. Good times. I've had a lot of bikes and enjoyed something about every one of them. I'm picking up a 2023 KLX110R & KLX300R, for my oldest son and myself in another day or two. Very much looking forward to teaching him how to ride 😊
My son and I just got bikes as well. I got the 300r and he got a TTR 125. Man are we having a blast. It cracks me up as well seeing everyone critique every little thing about every bike.
When are these companies going to learn that we don't want to hear music.....we want to hear the bike run!
I got a 2023 with 11 hours on it for $4800. It has some road rash on the muffler and the plastic is melted a bit where the bike laid on the hot metal. Otherwise looks new. At this point in time, it was a great deal as these are going out the door for near 8 grand. The best upgrade for power is removing the secondary air valve inside the throttle body. It improves about 5HP right in the mid range where this thing lives. The silencer, head pipe, air box and fuel controller mods can add about another 5 if you have an extra thousand laying around. Kawasaki got this one right for the target audience who want's something with fuel injection and e start that doesn't need an hour of maintenance every time you ride it. My biggest problem is it runs hotter than the hubs of hell due to the emissions crap. The first mod for my bike is going to be a fuel controller to give her some more juice and reduce the exhaust temp.
Just picked up a 2022 klx 300 for 2400. Supposedly had an engine problem after a crash. The clutch is definitely slipping. Guessing the damaged clutch perch is not allowing the clutch to engage and may have messed it up. Best case, new clutch perch and cable or worst case is adding a clutch to repair cost. Love the videos.
Did you end up fixing the bike?
I sat on one when they first came out and I like it for what it is. I would probably go with a Honda CRF250RX, Suzuki RMX450Z, or a GPX FSE 300R instead, but this is a really solid option for a chill cruise around trail bike for sure. The engine should be indestructible basically.
They need to bring the KDX back. Think about doing a KDX build. Ride safe my 2 wheel friends.
Awesome video I want to pick one up and have been looking for potential mods!
I would like to see this on the dyno with those mods
looks like a fun bike for a beginner to learn on and with some suspension mods you could probably continue to ride it as your skills improve.
That’s the thing about this bike is the price point is fantastic you can get one out the door right around $6400 but if you have to throw another $1500 at it to improve it you might as well just spend $8000 on a YZ250F which would dominate that bike in every sense of the word. I am going to buy a new bike next week and seriously considered the KLX300R until i realized what i would have to put into it. Currently looking at the YZ250F and the CRF250RX as a result. Great looking build though great job!
The YZ250F would not have the low maintenance and long term reliability of this bike. Also, even on the YZ250F you would probably end up putting some money into it as well, better handlebars, etc etc
Also YZ250F is not green sticker and may be banned on public lands next year in California. I don't make up the rules but we still have to follow them unfortunately.@@PeckedToDeathByADuck
What did you get?
I am gonna get a KLX 300r real quick. I am having issues finding a skid plate. Any ideas ?
Thanks Tony
what do you think performance wise is with the Dyno and the FMF?
Stickers and cool tires. I guess that's all that matters. I have this bike, love it, and I know it is not a Beta but for less than $4k with EFI and electric start...sold. I wanted a 20 year old XR250 ------------------they don't exist on the open market. So I spend an extra $500 on a brand new bike. If you want speed, get something else. This thing will cover a lot of hard trails, slowly.
Where did you find this bike for under 4k brand new?
@@WestBeachFLboy Florence Colorado 2 years ago. Had a little handling plastic damage that was replaced. Even straight out of the crate they're $4400.
My Dad got this bike, and you can get this thing reasonably quick with the KDX air box snorkel, Pro Circuit Pipe, and the Dyno Jet Power Commander v mapped for the Pro Circuit full system.
On trails, he has no problem keeping up with my TM Racing EN300ES 2t and my CRF450R (being built to be an RX through XPR Engines. He has not yet got the parts above, but there was a guy at the ORV park who had this bike and these mods, and was impressed at the performance available from $1300 dollars worth of engine modifications...if you throw those on and change gearing, get suspension modified, and know how to use the Wide Ratio to your advantage (especially 3rd and above to the rev limiter) I think this bike actually could be raced and have pretty decent results!
It's quite surprising what this little bike is capable of doing! I bet if someone made it possible to map it with a Vortex (heard of a camshaft modification for the KLX300R too) this thing could possibly have KDX 200 type results. -CERTAINLY is a bike in its own class - faster and more powerful than other trail bikes,but not a full on ra e bike. It's perfect for my father in his late 50s, and am surprised at his ability to utilize the WR transmission to be just a little ways behind my bikes (this isn't me all out sprinting of course, but this machine is respectable and capable nonetheless ). 😉 👌☝🤌🤘
@@NotElmerKeith1now they’re $6500 😮
Do you run Rotella t4 oil in the Klx300r
The size of that fmf is absurd lol
Looking for a green sticker bike here in CA this looks like a great choice for me with some experience and 6'0" the ttr230 and crf250f suspension looks too soft
What is that black frame gaurd that is on the bike
Cool to see a down to earth build that didnt have a laundry list of parts. Couple small additions/ changes and go ride. We need more of this and less, buy everything and replace every part on the bike. Huge fan of KISS. Keep it simple stupid. The fuel injection on these bikes is the only departure from simple.
Will the EE hand guards work with a stock klx300r or did you guys have to modify the metal throttle tube ?
Lol entry level bike really it's a dam good 3 way bike it is a do all well unless your a frikn pro rider is is very forgiving light and has good power suspension is very good fir track trail or what ever so the pro rider enjoyed it much to there surprise lol 😂 there your sign.
Id love to see how these bikes compare to the old klx300
Basically the same exact bike. The old ones were carbureted, they now have fuel injection. But pretty sure same frame and forks with restyled plastics
What's up with that chain link? I hope it stayed together.
2020 Kawasaki KLX300R Dyno Test
Great video! I also have. 2021 klx 300r and I'm looking for better suspension. Can you send a Link where you got your suspension from? Thanks!
Hi Conrad, thank you for the compliment! The stock suspension was revalved by Race Tech. You can reach them at (951) 279-6655 or by email at sales@racetech.com. Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks again for tuning in!
Which plastics are those and how did they fit them? looks like they put some kx/kxf plastics on the rather boring looking klx 300
Will the new fuel injected , electric start engine fit on the older klx300r something around 1998 to say 2005 ? I was going to start searching for the used bike with a bad engine but good bike and just add the new engine if that is possible.
Saw the missing master link in the chain
perfict for my size
I could see just how painful it was for the tester to brag about anything. was waiting on its just a trail bike low on power for beginners. I beg to differ though since i have a friend that races one every once in awhile when he isn't on his kx450x. this guy is smoking all your typical enduro bikes on this beginner bike
It frikn rips.
I’ll take that
Damn I thought you guys would throw in the 351 kit
Ummmm...
351 kit?!?
I wanna see😲
@@tbear68- Is your Google broke?
Cool bike! About how much does the bike we see cost?
Lol...
The upgrades cost more than what he probably paid for it..
But its still a cool bike!
great video 👌
Can this bike be compared with a KTM350?
Hi Brian, the KTM 350 XC-F is an off-road competition model while the Kawasaki KLX300R is a trailbike, so they are designed for different types of riding (racing versus casual riding).
Klx is almost half price
Looks like an early KX250F
How much does it weigh?
I have a 2021 and its pretty heavy compared to a stock kx250f. dont notice it when riding but if you gotta push the bike you are in for a workout lol
282lb stock - little less with mods. Excellently balanced for a novice to intermediate rider wanting the electric leg
great clip 🙃
TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY TWO POUNDS
Something about the suspension looked off.
The rear looked a little jacked up but maybe that could be down to plastics like how polisport restyle kits do.
286lbs full of gas in stock form? So could hit 300 with basic trail add ons...........shocking.
Take the stock exhaust off and remove the led acid battery and add a lithium one. Probably save 10lbs right there. For a MSRP of 5900 cant complain to much for a brand new bike.
According to Kawasaki, this bike is suspended for a 150# rider from their factory. How many people are tall enough to touch the ground with a bike this tall and at the same time only weigh 150 pounds? Also these bikes have a wheelbase that’s a full 1.5 inches shorter than most other adult sized dirt bikes. So when you combine the bikes high center of gravity with the shorter than normal wheelbase, you get an unstable machine. I think Kawi missed the mark on the Klx300r yet again. They learned absolutely nothing from the first run of these bikes in the 90s and repeated the same errors once again. The bike is too heavy and tall for beginners and the suspension/engine arent up to the task for intermediate riders either. Klx300r the bike that's good for no-one.
Let me correct you, LipShits...They purposedly shortened the wheelbase to handle sharper, tighter...thats why it handles so well. Basic geometry. Same as the KDX in case you want to argue. Iv had the early KLX300R, rode this new one and have 2 other KLX. Im 200lbs experienced rider and dont think the suspension needs $ spent on it, cuz its a trail bike and you are not meant to race it. They have the KX250X for that. If u are tiny, get the CRF250F but full size men dont fit on that and the suspension is sprung for a 100lb child. Kawi nailed this bike for its intended market. The problem is Bro's who cant ride buy the wrong bike for what they ride, and worse yet try to tell others what to ride.
Im 5’8” and 155. I have the 2022 version. It was a little tall for me, but I shaved the seat a little and its fine now. Looks like the 2024’s have a thinner factory seat from pictures ive seen.
The short wheel base is awesome in tight trails. I weigh 168ish and the suspension has been good for me. My 300R weighs 166lbs with a street legal kit, skid, barkbuster etc. I saved weight using a lithium battery, big gun exhaust, pro taper bars, tusk shifter, amazon aluminum rear brake, tip over sensor delete, and pair valve delete.
You have a bad scale. There is NO way your 300R weighs 166 pounds unless you removed the engine.@@TheStephenspann27
@@jeffpaxton9172😂😂no way it’s lighter than yz 125 lol
How about that vid was lame
To bad they are 282lbs. 🐷🐷🐷🐷
You can shave 10lbs pretty easy.