The klx300r is a solid bike but the seat height is a little to high for shorter riders. I went the crf250f simply because of seat height and the lack of maintenance required. Air cooled bikes are my passion. Nothing better than riding a bike for 1000 hours and all you need to do is change the oil and oil filter every 150-200km of riding and clean out your air filter. Crash the bike and there's no radiator fins to worry about. Can't for the life of me understand why so many recreational riders choose such high maintenance machines. If your competing I could understand but I ride trails for fun with groups and every 30-50 hours they are rebuilding the top end. Nothing better than parking my bike up knowing it will keep going until the day I die with little maintenance and on going cost. Not to mention the bike is half the price of the higher performance bikes new. The other great thing with the Honda crf250f is the availability of aftermarket parts and the fact that Hondas are known for their durability particularly with their air cooled bikes. Resale value is also much better for the Honda than the Kawasaki, at least where I live.
Thanks for watching, and for commenting. I am a fan of the 250F. One thing you may be unaware of, is how low-maintenance the KLX300R and DRZ400 are. Did you know that they say right in the owner’s manual that you can go for thousands of miles between oil changes? The KLX300R, CRF300L, and DRZ400 are in a class of their own. They are low-maintained liquid cooled bikes. They make more power than the 250F, but retain the low maintenance. They also have superior suspension to the 250F. So they fill a middle ground, where you are talking about the polar opposites of high-compression four strokes, and low-compression air cooled bikes. The DRZ400 and KLX300 and CRF300 fall into a middle category. They cost a little more than a 250F. But they also have more power and superior suspension. They also cost half what a high-compression race bike costs. I’ve now owned all three. I can say that I appreciate the desire and place for each one. The power and capability of a high-compression liquid-cooled race bike is truly exhilarating and addicting, and in some cases necessary. But for me, I prefer the lower seat height, more mild manners, and low-maintenance of the low-compression trail bikes, like the 250F, KLX300, and CRF300L. The DRZ400 is tall and heavy. But the CRF300L has a low seat height like the 250F. The KLX is in between. We all end up finding the one that fits us best. But when it comes to reliability and low maintenance, it’ll be decades before Honda’s new 250F proves it’s as reliable as the KLX300 and DRZ400. They’ve been proving themselves low-maintenance for 23+ years. Most have never had a rebuild or top end redone.
Well the DRZ has more horsepower and torque then the KLX and weighs only 10 lbs more. The DRZ rider is either too large or cant ride well enough to beat a slower bike.
Several factors at play. My KLX had been tuned by an experienced rider, although it was still factory and original. But figure that I weigh 180, and my buddy weighs 230...that 50 lbs makes a difference! On top of that, there are several versions of the DRZ out there, and this one is the California version that makes the least power of any DRZ.
@@SouthwestORV I hate to tell you that your wrong. But although there are several versions of the DRZ, the E, S, SM, the California S does not make any less power then the other S models. It just comes with a charcole canister. The S model still has a higher horsepower to weight ratio. preview.redd.it/7e3bezl7kg721.png?width=468&format=png&auto=webp&s=a4d571bfcecbadd74559496c0dedad927da06c8a
I have a KLX 300r from 2006 , it's only 106kg and seat height is over 920mm . I believe it to be faster than the drz in my experience in the past at least. I'm guessing it's possibly superior to the New KLX models and lighter too.
Yes, I loved it. Very fun. I sold the KLX300R in October, right before we bought our Pioneer 500 SXS. But, last week I bought a 1985 Kawasaki KLR250 that I will be riding this year for my two-wheeled adventures. I'm excited to introduce it on the channel soon.
Have you done anything to reduce weight on the 300r? I ride lots of desert and steep technical. I worry the 280lbs would be a lot to heft around. Currently on a crf230F.
No. I grew comfortable with it as it was. My buddy on his 230 did better when it came to dabbing because of the shorter seat height on the 230, but he was envious of my suspension by a long shot. There is more power on tap with the 300 as well. But no, I don't think I could have done much to reduce weight, the bike was great for what I did.
@@SouthwestORV simple sprocket changes take care of that. What I see is how from 5th it was about even and then your gear change to 6th he was already passing. Changing gears took you out of your power band and also took time, not alot of time of course but just enough. I'm sure that 300 with the right mods in the right places it would have stayed with or even walked on it but they are both stock no ?
Kind of... The DRZ does have taller gearing in the tranny, which can't be changed...but can be helped with sprockets, yes. Case in point, the KLX300R in this video is geared down one on the countershaft, which helped it pull hard, but means it ran out of breath while the DRZ still had some gear left. Yes, both bikes are pretty much what you'd call stock - although my 300R had the airbox opened up, stock exhaust opened up, and rejetted carb to match, which did help it.
@@SouthwestORV I have often wonder if the Z400 quad had a 6th and if it could be swapped over seeing as it's the S motor. ACT makes a wide ration kit but you have to machine a few parts mainly the case's and I think one of the forks but it's not a 6th gear mod for obvious reasons. I was looking at the specs between the 2 and both bike's are kinda, close as on paper stock for stock. Being down on the counter gave you the acceleration and punch absolutely, I've gone from 13 - 15 on the front and 38 - 44 on the rear just to experiment. 13 goes through gears quick and it would just spin off road till about halfway into 3rd gear with a 38 rear but still would do 92 Max on the roads and I mean max. 15 with 38 was great for roads and highway but going through trails I needed to use quite a bit of clutch work depending on the conditions. My DRZ is loads of fun but that lighter weight on that 300 makes a load of difference but having 6 gears it probably rips better with the stock front sprocket the way the ratios are. I'd ride one, why the hell not right dual sports are loads of fun
I agree amigo. Both bikes are great. My buddy (in this video) just bought another DRZ400 because he missed his old one - the one you see in this video.
No. The old 300R's were kick only. Not street legal from the factory, but YES has factory lighting. Now, for 2020 Kawasaki reintroduced the 300R, but they removed the lights, and added fuel injection and electric start. I wish they had left the lights.
Yes not having the light would be a deal breaker for me . I had a 89 300r I bought new . It was the hardest bike to start I ever had ., I had to take it back for a refund ,the dealer mechanics couldn't start it unless they sprayed starter fluid .
looks like both of them are having fun!!! :)
We had such a blast riding these bikes together.
@@SouthwestORV yeah, i even envy watch your video lol, friends and bikes :)
I'm pretty luck to have buddies who like to ride as much as I do.
When u are researching 2 bikes separate and find a video that puts them toghether. Cool!!
Ha! That's awesome. Glad I could help.
Thanks for this. My old bike was the drz. Hoping to pick up a klx next week
You're welcome. DRZ is great bike. Hope you enjoy your KLX! Great bike.
The klx300r is a solid bike but the seat height is a little to high for shorter riders. I went the crf250f simply because of seat height and the lack of maintenance required. Air cooled bikes are my passion. Nothing better than riding a bike for 1000 hours and all you need to do is change the oil and oil filter every 150-200km of riding and clean out your air filter. Crash the bike and there's no radiator fins to worry about. Can't for the life of me understand why so many recreational riders choose such high maintenance machines. If your competing I could understand but I ride trails for fun with groups and every 30-50 hours they are rebuilding the top end. Nothing better than parking my bike up knowing it will keep going until the day I die with little maintenance and on going cost. Not to mention the bike is half the price of the higher performance bikes new. The other great thing with the Honda crf250f is the availability of aftermarket parts and the fact that Hondas are known for their durability particularly with their air cooled bikes. Resale value is also much better for the Honda than the Kawasaki, at least where I live.
Thanks for watching, and for commenting. I am a fan of the 250F. One thing you may be unaware of, is how low-maintenance the KLX300R and DRZ400 are. Did you know that they say right in the owner’s manual that you can go for thousands of miles between oil changes? The KLX300R, CRF300L, and DRZ400 are in a class of their own. They are low-maintained liquid cooled bikes. They make more power than the 250F, but retain the low maintenance. They also have superior suspension to the 250F. So they fill a middle ground, where you are talking about the polar opposites of high-compression four strokes, and low-compression air cooled bikes. The DRZ400 and KLX300 and CRF300 fall into a middle category. They cost a little more than a 250F. But they also have more power and superior suspension. They also cost half what a high-compression race bike costs. I’ve now owned all three. I can say that I appreciate the desire and place for each one. The power and capability of a high-compression liquid-cooled race bike is truly exhilarating and addicting, and in some cases necessary. But for me, I prefer the lower seat height, more mild manners, and low-maintenance of the low-compression trail bikes, like the 250F, KLX300, and CRF300L. The DRZ400 is tall and heavy. But the CRF300L has a low seat height like the 250F. The KLX is in between. We all end up finding the one that fits us best. But when it comes to reliability and low maintenance, it’ll be decades before Honda’s new 250F proves it’s as reliable as the KLX300 and DRZ400. They’ve been proving themselves low-maintenance for 23+ years. Most have never had a rebuild or top end redone.
@@SouthwestORV The crf250f is not the race bike, its the air cooled EFI trail bike. Similar to the KLX230R, also very low maintenance.
Should of swapped riders and do the same run
Sure. We didn’t, but both of us are experienced riders. I’m lighter than him, so that would have changed the outcome some too.
Well the DRZ has more horsepower and torque then the KLX and weighs only 10 lbs more. The DRZ rider is either too large or cant ride well enough to beat a slower bike.
Several factors at play. My KLX had been tuned by an experienced rider, although it was still factory and original. But figure that I weigh 180, and my buddy weighs 230...that 50 lbs makes a difference! On top of that, there are several versions of the DRZ out there, and this one is the California version that makes the least power of any DRZ.
@@SouthwestORV
I hate to tell you that your wrong. But although there are several versions of the DRZ, the E, S, SM, the California S does not make any less power then the other S models. It just comes with a charcole canister. The S model still has a higher horsepower to weight ratio.
preview.redd.it/7e3bezl7kg721.png?width=468&format=png&auto=webp&s=a4d571bfcecbadd74559496c0dedad927da06c8a
Good info!
You need to swap riders because of the weight I bet we see a different result
Yes, we did swap and obviously the weight difference changes things a bit.
Thanks man! 👏🏽👏🏽👌🏽
You’re welcome.
I have a KLX 300r from 2006 , it's only 106kg and seat height is over 920mm . I believe it to be faster than the drz in my experience in the past at least. I'm guessing it's possibly superior to the New KLX models and lighter too.
Possible, although I imagine Kawasaki tried to improve the bike with the revisions. EFI is certainly an improvement.
Must be the cameras but both looked slow compared to my DRZ400
On wide angle, that’s how it looks.
Enduros are usually heavier and slower then dirt bikes so I’m very pleased with the fez’s proformace
Yes, heavier, and lower compression engines.
Klx300r nice bike
Yes, I loved it. Very fun. I sold the KLX300R in October, right before we bought our Pioneer 500 SXS. But, last week I bought a 1985 Kawasaki KLR250 that I will be riding this year for my two-wheeled adventures. I'm excited to introduce it on the channel soon.
Have you done anything to reduce weight on the 300r? I ride lots of desert and steep technical. I worry the 280lbs would be a lot to heft around. Currently on a crf230F.
No. I grew comfortable with it as it was. My buddy on his 230 did better when it came to dabbing because of the shorter seat height on the 230, but he was envious of my suspension by a long shot. There is more power on tap with the 300 as well. But no, I don't think I could have done much to reduce weight, the bike was great for what I did.
You sound a bit lighter than the other guy, too. In short, DRZ killed KLX but you are more confident on gravel, right?
Yes, I'm about 60 lbs lighter than the DRZ rider.
I see why now the DRZ doesn't have a 6th gear and it makes sense. I love it though it's such a fun bike
Yep, they're just spaced out. The DRZ has tall gearing - not the best for tight/technical/slow stuff. The KLX300R was much better in this regard.
@@SouthwestORV simple sprocket changes take care of that. What I see is how from 5th it was about even and then your gear change to 6th he was already passing. Changing gears took you out of your power band and also took time, not alot of time of course but just enough. I'm sure that 300 with the right mods in the right places it would have stayed with or even walked on it but they are both stock no ?
Kind of... The DRZ does have taller gearing in the tranny, which can't be changed...but can be helped with sprockets, yes. Case in point, the KLX300R in this video is geared down one on the countershaft, which helped it pull hard, but means it ran out of breath while the DRZ still had some gear left. Yes, both bikes are pretty much what you'd call stock - although my 300R had the airbox opened up, stock exhaust opened up, and rejetted carb to match, which did help it.
@@SouthwestORV I have often wonder if the Z400 quad had a 6th and if it could be swapped over seeing as it's the S motor. ACT makes a wide ration kit but you have to machine a few parts mainly the case's and I think one of the forks but it's not a 6th gear mod for obvious reasons. I was looking at the specs between the 2 and both bike's are kinda, close as on paper stock for stock. Being down on the counter gave you the acceleration and punch absolutely, I've gone from 13 - 15 on the front and 38 - 44 on the rear just to experiment. 13 goes through gears quick and it would just spin off road till about halfway into 3rd gear with a 38 rear but still would do 92 Max on the roads and I mean max. 15 with 38 was great for roads and highway but going through trails I needed to use quite a bit of clutch work depending on the conditions. My DRZ is loads of fun but that lighter weight on that 300 makes a load of difference but having 6 gears it probably rips better with the stock front sprocket the way the ratios are. I'd ride one, why the hell not right dual sports are loads of fun
I agree amigo. Both bikes are great. My buddy (in this video) just bought another DRZ400 because he missed his old one - the one you see in this video.
Does the 300 have electric start like the 400 ? Is the 300r street legal from the factory like the 400 ?
No. The old 300R's were kick only. Not street legal from the factory, but YES has factory lighting. Now, for 2020 Kawasaki reintroduced the 300R, but they removed the lights, and added fuel injection and electric start. I wish they had left the lights.
Yes not having the light would be a deal breaker for me . I had a 89 300r I bought new . It was the hardest bike to start I ever had ., I had to take it back for a refund ,the dealer mechanics couldn't start it unless they sprayed starter fluid .
I live in AZ and having the factory lights just makes it so easy to be street legal and have factory reliability on the lighting.
this bikes can have 2 person?
Yes. But ideally, not designed for 2 persons.
That is not a drz400, is a drz400e or drz400s.
You have a good eye.
Moja honda crm 75 ma o wiele lepsze przyśpieszenie
przyspieszenie lepsze wiele o ma 75 crm honda Moja.