The Honda CRF300L and Kawasaki KLX300 are street-legal 300-class dual-sport bikes priced $250 apart: $5,749 for the 2025 CRF300L and $5,999 for the 2027 KLX300 ABS. The Honda has more suspension travel, ABS at both wheels and a lower-seat CRF300LS version. The Kawasaki lists a lower curb weight, suspension adjusters and smartphone connectivity.
| Specification | 2025 Honda CRF300L | 2027 Kawasaki KLX300 ABS |
|---|
| Base MSRP | $5,749 | $5,999 ($6,199 in Cypher Camo Beige) |
| Destination charge | $600 | $650 |
| Engine | 286cc liquid-cooled single, DOHC, fuel-injected | 292cc liquid-cooled single, DOHC, fuel-injected |
| Transmission | Six-speed | Six-speed |
| ABS | Front and rear, can be turned off | Front wheel, can be switched off |
| Seat height | 34.7 in. (CRF300LS: 32.7 in.) | 35.2 in. |
| Wheel travel, front and rear | 10.2 in. and 10.2 in. | 10.0 in. and 9.1 in. |
| Ground clearance | 11.2 in. | 11.0 in. |
| Curb weight | 311 lb | 304.3 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 gal | 2.0 gal |
| Wheelbase | 57.2 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Wheel sizes | 21-in. front, 18-in. rear | 21-in. front, 18-in. rear |
Prices are base MSRP and exclude destination, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees. Figures come from Honda's and Kawasaki's US websites, read on 16 October 2026. Browse dual-sport and other motorcycles for sale on Searchshop to see what dealers near you are asking.
The comparison uses published data, not test rides. Every specification and price comes from the manufacturer's own US website, read on 16 October 2026, for the newest model year each brand lists there: the 2025 CRF300L and the 2027 KLX300 ABS. Dealer asking prices come from Searchshop's own listings on the same day.
- Honda does not publish a horsepower or torque figure for the CRF300L on its US spec page, so the two bikes are not compared on power.
- Honda's curb weight includes a full tank of fuel. Kawasaki's includes a tank more than 90 percent full and the tool kit, so the two weights are close but not measured in exactly the same way.
- Prices are compared on one basis, base MSRP, with each brand's published destination charge shown separately.
The 2025 CRF300L costs $5,749 base MSRP, $250 less than the 2027 KLX300 ABS at $5,999. With destination added, the totals are $6,349 for the CRF300L ($600 destination charge) and $6,649 for the KLX300 ABS ($650 destination charge), or $6,849 for the KLX300 ABS in Cypher Camo Beige.
Each brand has a second version worth knowing about:
- Honda CRF300LS: the same $5,749 base MSRP as the CRF300L, with a 32.7-inch seat and shorter suspension travel.
- 2026 Kawasaki KLX300: the previous model year, sold without ABS at a base MSRP of $5,649, or $5,849 in Cypher Camo Beige/Ebony. Dealers still list new 2026 units.
Honda also sells the CRF300L Rally at $6,499 base MSRP, which Honda lists with long-travel suspension, a large fuel tank and rally styling.
Both engines are liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC singles with six-speed gearboxes and chain drive, so the differences are in the details. Honda's 286cc engine has a 76.0 x 63.0mm bore and stroke, a 10.7:1 compression ratio and a 38mm throttle body. Kawasaki's 292cc engine has a 78.0 x 61.2mm bore and stroke, a 10.9:1 compression ratio and a 34mm Keihin throttle body.
Honda says the CRF300L engine uses a counterbalancer to run smoothly, and that fuel injection gives quick starts in cold weather. Kawasaki says fuel injection on the KLX300 gives seamless starting and crisp throttle response in a wide range of conditions.
Kawasaki rates the 2027 KLX300 ABS at 26.8 hp at 8,000 rpm and 18.4 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm, measured under ISO standard 4106. Kawasaki notes that this figure may be higher than a measurement to SAE standards. Honda lists no power figure for the CRF300L on its US spec page.
Both makers have worked on rider heat. Honda says redesigned side covers and a repositioned radiator fan redirect warm air on the CRF300L. Kawasaki says the KLX300's radiator fan directs hot air down and away from the rider.
The CRF300L has more suspension travel, and the KLX300 lists suspension adjusters that Honda's spec page does not. Both use a 43mm inverted fork. Honda lists 10.2 inches of travel at each end, with a Pro-Link single shock at the rear, and says it stiffened the springs and reworked the internals in response to rider feedback. Kawasaki lists 10.0 inches of travel at the front and 9.1 inches at the rear.
Kawasaki's fork has adjustable compression damping, and its Uni-Trak rear shock has a piggyback reservoir with adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload. Honda's spec page does not list suspension adjusters for the CRF300L. Ground clearance is close: 11.2 inches for the CRF300L and 11.0 inches for the KLX300 ABS.
The Honda CRF300LS is the lowest option across both lineups, with a 32.7-inch seat. Honda says that is a full two inches lower than the standard CRF300L at 34.7 inches. The LS gets there with shorter suspension travel, 9.3 inches front and 9.0 inches rear, and its ground clearance is 9.6 inches. It costs the same as the CRF300L and lists the same 311 lb curb weight.
Kawasaki lists one seat height, 35.2 inches, for the 2027 KLX300 ABS. Seat shape, bar reach and suspension sag also affect fit, so sit on both before buying. Shorter riders comparing other bikes can read Searchshop's guide to the best motorcycles for short riders.
The KLX300 ABS lists a curb weight of 304.3 lb, 6.7 lb less than the CRF300L at 311 lb. Honda's figure includes a full tank and Kawasaki's a tank more than 90 percent full, so treat the gap as small. The CRF300L holds 2.1 gallons of fuel and the KLX300 holds 2.0 gallons. Neither maker lists a fuel economy figure on the spec pages read, so this article does not estimate range.
Both bikes use a single disc at each end, and both now come with ABS that the rider can switch off. Honda lists a 256mm front disc with a twin-piston caliper and a 220mm rear disc, with ABS at both wheels, and says the ABS can be turned off for more feel when riding off-road. Kawasaki lists a 250mm front petal disc with a dual-piston caliper and a 240mm rear petal disc with a single-piston caliper. ABS on the 2027 KLX300 works on the front wheel, with an on/off function.
Both bikes roll on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel. Honda lists IRC GP21 80/100-21 and GP22 120/80-18 tires. Kawasaki lists 3.0 x 21 and 4.6 x 18 tires.
The KLX300 ABS adds smartphone connectivity, which the CRF300L does not list. Kawasaki's new LCD panel shows a digital speedometer, bar-type tachometer, clock, odometer and dual trip meters, and links to the Rideology motorcycle app. Kawasaki also lists an LED headlight.
Honda's digital instrument cluster shows a speedometer, tachometer, clock and twin tripmeters. Honda lists an LED headlight and LED turn signals, an optional USB-C accessory port and 10 genuine Honda accessories, including handguards and enduro footpegs.
Searchshop dealer listings on 16 October 2026 put the median asking price of a new 2026 Kawasaki KLX300 at $5,649, its base MSRP in the standard colors. Counts are listings whose title matched the model name, and prices are dealer asking prices.
- New 2026 Kawasaki KLX300, without ABS, all colors: 36 listings, median asking price $5,649, ranging from $5,106 to $5,849.
- New 2025 Honda CRF300L Rally ABS: 5 listings, median asking price $6,499.
Only one new standard CRF300L was listed, and no CRF300LS, 2027 KLX300 ABS or used units of either model, so there are too few to give a median. Listings change daily, so ask each dealer for a written out-the-door price that shows destination, fees and taxes.
Choose on seat height, ABS and how much you want to tune the suspension, because that is where the published figures split.
- Choose the Honda CRF300L if you want the lower price, 10.2 inches of travel at both ends, ABS at both wheels and slightly more fuel. Shorter riders can look at the CRF300LS with its 32.7-inch seat at the same price.
- Choose the Kawasaki KLX300 ABS if you want the lower listed weight, adjustable compression, rebound and preload, smartphone connectivity and a published power figure. Buyers who do not need ABS can look for a new 2026 KLX300, which Kawasaki listed at $5,649.
Moving up to a bigger dual-sport? Read Searchshop's comparison of the Suzuki DR650S and Kawasaki KLR650 or the guide to the best adventure motorcycles. New to off-road riding? Start with the best dirt bikes for beginners. When you are ready, compare CRF300L and KLX300 listings from dealers on Searchshop.
Yes, the 2027 Kawasaki KLX300 ABS adds front-wheel ABS that the rider can switch off, at a $5,999 base MSRP. The 2026 KLX300 was sold without ABS at $5,649. The 2025 Honda CRF300L comes with ABS at both wheels as standard, which Honda says can be turned off for off-road riding.
The makers' own data cannot settle it, because Honda does not publish a power figure for the CRF300L on its US site. Kawasaki rates the 2027 KLX300 ABS at 26.8 hp and 18.4 lb-ft of torque under ISO standard 4106. The Honda's engine is 286cc and the Kawasaki's is 292cc.
The Honda CRF300L has the lower seat, at 34.7 inches against 35.2 inches for the 2027 Kawasaki KLX300 ABS. The Honda CRF300LS is lower still at 32.7 inches, with shorter suspension travel and 9.6 inches of ground clearance, at the same $5,749 base MSRP as the CRF300L.
The Kawasaki KLX300 ABS lists a lighter curb weight, 304.3 lb against 311 lb for the Honda CRF300L. Honda's figure includes a full tank of fuel and Kawasaki's a tank more than 90 percent full, and the Honda holds 2.1 gallons against 2.0, so the real difference is small.
