The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM benefits from a few upgrades this year. While they aren’t revolutionary, they offer enough of an excuse to get out in the twisties and revisit this affordable supermoto bike based on the KLX300 dual-sport bike. The reality is that the KLX300SM is also a dual-sport bike—it’s a canyon carver and urban weapon.
- Kawasaki indeed spiffed up the looks of the KLX300SM. The primary change to the KLX300SM is new plastic. The headlight cowling, fenders, radiator shrouds, and side covers are all new.
- Of the new plastic, the new radiator shrouds and side covers are the significant functional change. Kawasaki moved the juncture point, narrowed the shrouds, and smoothed the side covers. Put all these incremental changes together, and you’ve made it easier to move around on the rider-active supermoto. While the change isn’t huge, improving ergonomics upgrades the riding experience.
- The ergonomics remain dual-sport-based. That means the motorcycle isn’t huge, but there’s still room for most riders to operate. The wide handlebar helps, as does the distance from the seat to the rubber-insert footpegs. It’s a natural, upright feel that requires no acclimation time.
- To test the new ergonomics, we spent plenty of time on back roads. Just about everything on the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM chassis is about turning. The steep 25-degree rake is matched to an astoundingly short 2.8 inches of trail and a wheelbase of just 56.4 inches. If that’s not enough to get your attention, the KLX300SM weighs just 304 pounds, and the IRC Road Winner RX-01 tires mounted on 17-inch wheels are narrow—110mm front and 130mm rear. All of these numbers add up to fantastic flickability.
- The 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM loves to corner. Despite the compact geometry, the SM is a predictable bike to ride. You don’t get startling oversteer, and the IRC tires have enough grip to keep things under control with the power the 292cc DOHC single pumps out. Cornering clearance is virtually unlimited, so you can confidently push it through a turn. Even if the IRCs start to get squirrely, the chassis is light enough for you to correct most errors.
- The little thumper will keep you out of trouble. Sure, you can ride faster than the backroad speed limits. However, on the straights, the motor isn’t going to accelerate into that three-digit range that puts your license at risk.
- You’ll search maps for the squiggliest roads, as big, swooping turns are not where the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM is at its best. You can jam it hard into corners, and the SM will happily turn on a dime. If you want to practice backing it into corners, don’t let us stop you. The 240mm rear disc and 130mm rear tire just ask for Supermoto-style action. For normal braking, the 300mm single front disc gets the job done, and it’s just waiting for you to do some stoppie practice.
- In urban confines, the KLX300SM flourishes. The motor is certainly adequate for jetting away from traffic if you are willing to twist the throttle a bit. Weighing just over 300 pounds, it is incredibly agile and forgiving. While the mirrors on the wide handlebar can come into play when lane-splitting and filtering, the KLX300SM still performs those jobs better than most motorcycles.
- If the 33.9-inch seat height isn’t a deal-killer for you, you will love the vantage it gives you in traffic. There are over nine inches of fork travel and more than eight inches of rear wheel travel, so that’s going to boost the height of the perch. Dual-sport and dirt bike riders will think it’s short, while short-inseam street bike riders might feel intimidated, at least initially. Once a rider understands that the KLX300SM is a lightweight motorcycle, the seat height will feel like less of a problem.
- The long-travel suspension makes short work of urban obstacles. The suspenders can handle any potholes, dips, or other irregularities you can throw at it. Pop the front end up a bit, and curbs are minor inconveniences. Let’s not even talk about how tempting speed humps are. Those looking to learn how to wheelie in a safe environment will find the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM to be a terrific training vehicle.
- The less freeway you have to ride, the better you’ll like the KLX300SM as a commuting motorcycle. While the 300 is freeway-legal and can run freeway speeds, you’ll have limited acceleration in your toolkit at higher speeds, which can be worrisome. Just as on surface streets, though, viewing your surroundings from the tall seat is a help. Once off the freeway, getting to your desk will be fun rather than work. The biggest problem will be pulling into your parking spot rather than riding past the driveway and going for a longer ride.
- The other plastic updates improve the look of the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM. It wasn’t like the old SM wasn’t good-looking. However, it will look dated next to this one. The fenders and headlight cowling match the radiator covers and side covers perfectly. Inside the new headlight cowling is a smaller LED unit, and the taillight is tucked in farther than last year. Add in the new two-tone seat cover, and it’s all an impressive freshening.
- It’s hard to believe you can have so much fun for $6599. While many look to low-slung cruisers and standard bikes for doing battle in the city, the 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM has a lot going for it in town. If your town is like Los Angeles and has nearby twisting roads—thanks, Santa Monica Mountains—then you’ll have a bike that is as enjoyable on the weekends as it is practical on weekdays. Any rider who can handle the seat height will be handsomely rewarded by this city-slickin’ supermoto.
Photography by Kevin Wing
RIDING STYLE
2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Single-cylinder 4-stroke
- Displacement: 292cc
- Bore x stroke: 78.0 x 61.2mm
- Compression ratio: 11.1:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 valves
- Fueling: EFI w/ 34mm throttle body
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multidisc
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Compression-damping adjustable 43mm inverted cartridge fork; 9.1 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable remote-reservoir shock; 8.1 inches
- Tires: IRC Road Winner RX-01
- Front tire: 110/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 130/70 x 17
- Front brake: 300mm petal disc w/ 2-piston Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm petal disc w/ single-piston caliper
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 56.5 inches
- Rake: 25 degrees
- Trail: 2.8 inches
- Seat height: 33.9 inches
- Ground clearance: 9.3 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Curb weight: 304 pounds
- Colors: Battle Gray; Phantom Blue
2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM Price: $6599 MSRP
2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM Review Photo Gallery
