Kawasaki KLX300 XPL revealed

An outdoor shot of the new Kawasaki KLX300 XPL

Kawasaki has launched the KLX300 XPL in America, priced at USD 6,499 (equivalent to Rs 6.17 lakh). This travel-oriented dual-sport motorcycle is based on the base KLX300 but has factory-fitted accessories which include a tall windscreen, handguard and rear carrier. This lineup also comprises the standard KLX300, the KLX300 DF (which adds a hand guard and a rear carrier as standard), and KLX300 SM (supermoto with 17-inch wheels and road-focused tyres).

Powered by a 292cc liquid-cooled engine making 27hp, 25Nm of torque
Gets adjustable suspension both at the front and rear
Uses a 21/18 wheel setup like the KLX230

2027 Kawasaki KLX300 XPL details

The liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine makes around 27hp and 25Nm of torque

Setting the new KLX300 XPL apart from the rest of the range is a distinct round LED headlight. All four variants are powered by the 292cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, producing 26.8hp at 8,000rpm and 24.9Nm of torque at 6,800rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Kawasaki has introduced revised internals like a new connecting rod bearing design across the 2027 range to enhance engine performance and reliability. The twin-radiator setup from the previous model has also given way to a repositioned single unit to accommodate the new ABS hardware.

On the features front, the 2027 updates brings a redesigned LCD instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity through the Kawasaki Rideology app. Kawasaki has also equipped the KLX300 lineup with front-wheel ABS, which can be disabled to tailor braking performance when riding off-road. When the motorcycle is turned off and restarted, ABS automatically returns to its default active setting.

Chassis setup comprises a double cradle frame paired with an aluminum swingarm. Up front, it features a 43mm USD fork with adjustable compression damping, while the rear gets a fully adjustable link-type monoshock. Despite the additional equipment on offer, the KLX300 XPL (142kg) only weighs 3kg more than the KLX230 which is sold in India (139kg).

In theory, the KLX300 would make for a good step up from the KLX230 (Rs 2.19 lakh ex-showroom) sold in India, which has an air-cooled 233cc motor. However, Kawasaki India currently has made no announcement to indicate that the liquid-cooled KLX models will be coming to our shores.

USD-to-INR conversions are based on exchange rates at the time of writing.