OpenTube

3 Years With the Kawasaki KLX 300 | Honest Long Term Review

KLXplore

35,367 views

Best viewed in 4K!

After owning and riding my Kawasaki KLX300 for about 3 years, I wanted to make a true long-term review based on real riding experience.

This bike has taken me through logging roads, technical forest trails, OHV areas, and long backroad transfers around British Columbia. It’s been dropped, pushed, and ridden hard — and in this video I break down what it’s actually like to live with the KLX 300.

In this review I cover:

• What I love about the KLX 300
• The things I don’t like
• Reliability and maintenance
• Real-world performance on trails and logging roads
• Highway comfort and limitations
• The mods and upgrades I’ve done
• Whether I would buy this bike again

If you're considering a dual sport like the Honda CRF300L or looking at stepping up to something like the KTM 350 EXC-F, this video should help you understand where the KLX 300 really fits.

My goal with this channel is to share real riding experiences — exploring the forests, mountains, and backroads of Canada on dual sport motorcycles.

If you enjoy cinematic riding adventures, consider subscribing to follow the journey.

Ride safe and I’ll see you out there.

Bike: 2023 Kawasaki KLX 300
Camera: GoPro Hero 8 Black
Instagram: klxplore

Mods:
Renthal Fatbar 1-1/8" McGrath/Short
Acerbis X-Factor Handguards
Pro Taper Clamp-on Pillowtop Grips
Ricochet Offroad skid plate
Kemimoto Tail Tidy Kit
Amazon LED front signals
Amazon adjustable adventure mirrors

#motopov #dualsport #advriding #klx300 #asmr

20 Comments

@KLXplore Creator 6 months ago Pinned

Hey everyone! First time actually talking on camera for the channel, so bear with me 😅

I’m used to just filming rides and letting the bike and the scenery do the talking. But I wanted to make a proper long-term review of my KLX 300 and share my real experience owning it.

Also, the audio isn’t perfect. This was my first time using a lapel mic and I’m still figuring out how to get it dialed in.

Appreciate everyone watching and supporting the channel. If you own a KLX 300, I’d genuinely love to hear your experience with it too — what do you love about it and what would you change?

@irishadventurer9759 6 months ago

After watching countless motorcycle videos from seemingly profesional YouTube "creators", it's refreshing to hear the opinion of an "average Joe" on what is clearly a bike for ordinary weekend warriors to enjoy at a reasonable cost to performance and reliability ratio. I know myself I just like to have a bike that can get me in and out of the backcountry, and maybe zip around town(s) if that's what I'm in the mood for. For that purpose the KLX is well suited. Very nice honest review!

@MrJeepguy1974 1 month ago

That was the most honest review I’ve seen!

@h.adamhall 3 months ago

Dude. I just bought a white 2026 a week ago and love it. I have already put 700 miles on it. I just posted a video. YOU ARE THE ONLY OTHER PERSON I have heard say the bike is fine. It needs NOTHING. The stock tires are fine. Its all in the air pressure. Clearly a skill thing. Its not powerhouse but "zips" around great.

@Astartes-g9h 6 months ago

Great review. I appreciate saying what the bike is and where it shines, while acknowledging some drawbacks. I have a stock klx 300 this will be my second year. It is nice to see aomeone else learning and not just instantly putting a ton into performance.

@irishadventurer9759 6 months ago

Good solid review from the type of person most likely to actually purchase a bike like this: somebody who just wants something reliable and suitable to ride on and off road that isn't terribly expensive. I own a KLX230s and I don't have it to set any world records or impress other riders (it won't do either!🤣). I ride it to get out of the house, get lost, see something new maybe, and have fun, and I have not been disappointed. 👍 I'm very tired of YouTube "influencers" telling me I need to spend $8000-$10,000 and then rebuild the engine, gearbox, and suspension, or I'll never be one of the cool kids. 👎

@ascbeerman 3 months ago

Thanks for your no nonsense and honest opinion. You are about the same size and height as me. I've been eyeing this exact bike and this video really helps. Cheers!

@MaxwellOakes-zt8ki 2 weeks ago

I had a 1998 KX 300 R, that thing was like the ultimate cornfield Street and trail rider. If I had a $5 bill in my pocket, I could ride anywhere I wanted for an entire day. Good times back in the 90s.

@PervyK 4 months ago

Got the SM version of the KLX300sm. 2022. Just finished doing a valve adjustment and changing out the fork oil. Not hard to do. Valves were about .10mm to .13 under the min spec at around 6k americna miles.

I got a ims 3.8gal tank, and it was the greatest addition I've done for the bike. Just nice having no range issues. Really opens the bikes freedom greatly. I have my bike built to be a mini adv kind of bike. It doesn't do much well, but what it can do is quite alot.

@stevensmith1902 6 months ago

Excellent video you did a wonderful job. Thank you so much and much love from Southwest Michigan brother.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

@Iwouldashouldacoulda 6 months ago

I came so close to getting one of these and sometimes I regret getting the KLR instead but I think I'd have the same regret the other way around. I have done some really long trips that would have been difficult on a KLX but I have also passed on some cool trails because of the size of the KLR. Great video!

@curtiscollins2174 6 months ago

Great review. Great bike. Ride on my brother.

@TurpisHaereticus 6 months ago

Great review! Lots of practical tips and info. Subbed.👍

@Holeyguagaamoley 5 months ago

Great video very relaxed style, well done

@throttletherapyfilms 6 months ago

Fantastic content and creations my friend. Very inspiring and insightful. I'm new to motography and YouTube and ironically its the toughest road ive toured yet with my Honda Africa Twin. But its channels like yours that keep me motivated and trying at it all to grow. Thanks man just subscribed 👍

@wx7yp7 6 months ago

part 2 please

@tjbarke6086 5 months ago

An incredibly adequate bike. Love mine.

@brokendowndog 6 months ago

I just picked up a '25 KLX 300 in the new year as my first bike. I'm also on V.I. and wanted a dirt bike, but I also wanted something I could just hop on and ride to the trails. I agree with you, strait out of the box it's good to go out and have a blast. I can't wait for my next ride and to go explore and build on my skills. I can't keep a smile off my face when I ride that dang thing.