With the CRF300, it's superior fuel injection includes a free "Stalling" issue from the factory, and somehow managed to keep it the SAME weight as a 20 year old 400cc Steel Framed bike, while keeping the engine size smaller.......now that's innovation!
I couldn’t be happier with my KLX. It has far exceeded my expectations. Fun simple comfortable and great response to the several upgrades for 2023. Super bike so far.
Iv had several KLX, liked them all and most have been different variations of the same frame, motor and suspension. But after buying an old DRZ to fix and flip for $, I ended up keeping it and selling my latest KLX. Im 6'2 215lbs and the DRZ is a BIG bike, the KLX/CRF feel like 7/8th the size compared to it. Geometry fits me better and its the first enduro suspension that I never had to re spring for my weight, there is enough adjustment to not sit too low in the plush stroke. Brakes suck but the transmission shifting and clutch feel better. And obviously the power is addicting, with the power mods this thing HAULS ASS and is almost very hard to stall. It does feel 50lbs heavier than the KLX offroad but for the tradeoffs everywhere else its worth it to me.
Great bike. I'm downgrading to a dual sport from my adventure bike because I love offroad way more than on road riding and for me it's between the crf300l rally and the klx300.
Congrats! That's a great machine for sure. I have a couple of buddies that have one and they love being able to push that much deeper into the trails with it.
I faced the same decision, but went with the KLX because of the better suspension and availability. I got it so I could throw it around on the trails a bit without being intimidated. My Tiger 900 Rally Pro and KLR 650 (love both, btw) are fairly heavy in comparison.
Good video. You have probably been doing your homework based on what you presented, but don't skimp on the suspension. I own a KLX300 and did a racetech upgrade. The KLX was easy as both the forks and shocks are easy to upgrade with racetech springs and gold valves. Works awesome, worth every penny. I did the work myself, so it was about $850 total for both ends. I would expect to spend about $2000-2500 on the CRF to get something good, as the stock shock has to be discarded and the fork internals will need replacing along with new springs. Racetech, YSS, rally raid all offer upgrades. I think everything else would be OK for some decent trail riding, you may find that gearing change would help if you start riding rougher stuff along with better tires. The 300L rally will make a great light weight adventure bike. Look forward to your updates.
Great video sir - thanks for sharing. You are spot on about all three bikes. - I'm in SC and have owned the XR650r, dr650 and DRZ400. last year I sold my Suzuki (s) and picked up a CRF300l late Feb 2022. of course, did a hand full of mods, 550 ECU, stiffer suspension, etc... the CRF300 is a little under powered, but I NEVER once expected the 300 to feel like my larger displacement bikes, that's where other go wrong...
My experience is a different than yours. I am a road rider, touring on HD and Victory(now on an 18 Goldwing) but mostly I did enduro riding, bombing around tight New England trails... Age(and a career change where I need use of my limbs) caught up with me and I decided to cut way down on the single track\hard enduro and move to more ADV riding. I initially wanted a mid-sized ADV but as I investigated and looked at the options, I realized they weren't what I was looking for. What I needed was a true dual sport and for me it came down to the DRz400, DR650 or XR650l. After months of looking over the options and what was available I finally found the right bike at the right price, I snagged a 2020 slightly modified DRz400s with 900 miles. I'm really looking forward to where this bike will take me 👍
Good choice I reckon. I'm 6ft6 / 240lbs so very interested to see how you get on once you have taller bars and stiffer suspension. I currently have a DRZ and a Tenere 660... pros and cons to them all.
I find myself in the same situation. i LOVE my BMWR1200GS Adventure. Just great in so many ways but i too ride alone a bunch and will turn away from some hill climbs and sketchy trails on the 500lb wonderbike. My research narrowed it down to the same 3 bikes. Appreciate your thoughts sir!
I chose the DRZ, because of Torque...... I can ALSO convert to Supermoto for the summer!.....makes a nice bar hopper and grocery getter to rip around town!........I have larger street motorcycles, but the DRZ is just more practical for local rides....and has plenty of power, but not Crazy amounts to have a target on your back like with my Street bikes.
I looked at all 3 of these too. Went with the DRZ400. I live in Southeast MO, grew up racing motocross in SoCal. I’m 48 now. While the Kawi, and the Hondo, (yes hondo) were good. The DRZ was GREAT! The gearing felt better off-road, and the suspension was a million times better. (5’10 190lbs) the Hondo bottomed out like crazy, on the smallest of whoops, and the Kawi was a bit stiffer, but not much better. DRZ could probably handle a Moto track, not even joking. I was jumping that bad boy. No comparison on power, bigger motor= more power, no brainer. I can do 70mph on the freeway, and still have the juice to pass. Yes, no 6th overdrive gear is nice on the other 2 bikes, but I have a Harley for cruising on the highway. These bikes are for the dirt IMO, and in the dirt the “dirty DRZer” is king out of the 3. For sure the Kawi, and especially the Hondo, are cool AF in the looks department, but (maybe cuz I’m old) the DRZ has an endearing retro quality that I really love. To me, the Rally should be compared to the KLR 650, it’s a different category. And in that category I would take the proven reliability of the KLR. When a bike has been around, unchanged for 20+ years, like both the DRZ, and KLR, the amount of parts, and support can’t be ignored. Both bikes have proven themselves on every Continent. ItchyBoots is doing well with the Rally right now, but this is just the beginning of the legacy. So to wrap it up, old, beat up, dirt riders… DRZ400, young, capable rippers who weigh 135lbs wet the other 2 might get you laid.
Well thought out post. Appreciate your thoughts. Either way I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. Parts availability was and is a good consideration. Thanks for watching and posting.
Oh wow! Congrats man, all good options, glad you got that one, that will be a blast and a beast off-road. A few friends have the 250 and the only complaint is poor highway performance, but love them on back roads and trail riding. That’s a sweet lookin’ bike too, cheers!
Excellent! I have the KLX 300 and it’s great for me, but it could use more fuel capacity. The IMS tank is only 2.7 gallons. When you were going through your needs and the choices I instantly thought the Honda would be the best choice for you. Congrats Boxxy!
I looked really hard at the KLX. I knew that I would want the IMS tank and the suspension and I think that pushed me over the edge. I have a buddy that got KLX and he is about my size and he absolutely loves his. I dont think I could not have gone wrong with any of the three. Thanks Pinkie!
@@BOC_Adventures I agree, a person can't go wrong with these bikes, low cost of ownership and proven engines, etc... You'll have fun modding it, and it won't cost nearly as much to mod as those performance machines. Side note, Harley bought back my Pan Am the other day and they had a KTM Super Adventure R on the floor, that had been there for what seemed like a year, that they had gotten in on a Pan Am purchase. So I grabbed it for now. I needed something and there were zero middle weight ADV oriented bikes in my area.
Witch one would you recommend for a new rider that’s is going to be mostly on pavement I’m leaning towards the Klx just don’t know witch one would be better for pavement rides
@@pinkiewerewolf wow! That is one mean machine! The horsepower on the super Adventure is off the charts! Congrats man! So do you have both the Pan Am and the super adv R?
Thanks man. How are you? Been trying to reach out to you. Hope all is well. Sent you an email a while back. Hit me up if you still are interested in getting together for a camp out or ride.
Great question. Bottom line was the short service intervals and price of the 450. However, the 450 has many advantages including power and a way better suspension. 450 would also be a solid choice.
I would have bought A KTM 500 and carried 65 pounds of oil and tools for oil changes with me and still ben 5lbs lighter on my adventure rides and had a far superior machine to any of these.
You make a good point. However, the KTM 500 is about double the cost of any of these options. No argument on the performance of the KTM 500. I still have trouble understanding how they make them so light yet still so powerful.
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA W2D2 | Fall | เครื่องร้อน พร้อมลุย](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JO2_bLow_1Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Sold my Klr and bought a Drz and never looked back. The weight difference is amazing.
I hear at some dealerships, if you buy a DRZ, they throw in a free VCR.
With the CRF300, it's superior fuel injection includes a free "Stalling" issue from the factory, and somehow managed to keep it the SAME weight as a 20 year old 400cc Steel Framed bike, while keeping the engine size smaller.......now that's innovation!
Just saw this. Hahaha.
Yeah, Beta Max.
I couldn’t be happier with my KLX. It has far exceeded my expectations. Fun simple comfortable and great response to the several upgrades for 2023. Super bike so far.
Iv had several KLX, liked them all and most have been different variations of the same frame, motor and suspension. But after buying an old DRZ to fix and flip for $, I ended up keeping it and selling my latest KLX. Im 6'2 215lbs and the DRZ is a BIG bike, the KLX/CRF feel like 7/8th the size compared to it. Geometry fits me better and its the first enduro suspension that I never had to re spring for my weight, there is enough adjustment to not sit too low in the plush stroke. Brakes suck but the transmission shifting and clutch feel better. And obviously the power is addicting, with the power mods this thing HAULS ASS and is almost very hard to stall. It does feel 50lbs heavier than the KLX offroad but for the tradeoffs everywhere else its worth it to me.
Great bike. I'm downgrading to a dual sport from my adventure bike because I love offroad way more than on road riding and for me it's between the crf300l rally and the klx300.
Congrats! That's a great machine for sure. I have a couple of buddies that have one and they love being able to push that much deeper into the trails with it.
KLX300 for the win I just put a gallon rotopax on the rack my T7 handles the distance
Cant go wrong with the KLX. My buddy has one and loves it.
I faced the same decision, but went with the KLX because of the better suspension and availability. I got it so I could throw it around on the trails a bit without being intimidated. My Tiger 900 Rally Pro and KLR 650 (love both, btw) are fairly heavy in comparison.
Can’t go wrong with the KLX! My buddy got one and loves it. I almost went that way myself. Thanks for watching and ride safe my friend.
Good video. You have probably been doing your homework based on what you presented, but don't skimp on the suspension. I own a KLX300 and did a racetech upgrade. The KLX was easy as both the forks and shocks are easy to upgrade with racetech springs and gold valves. Works awesome, worth every penny. I did the work myself, so it was about $850 total for both ends. I would expect to spend about $2000-2500 on the CRF to get something good, as the stock shock has to be discarded and the fork internals will need replacing along with new springs. Racetech, YSS, rally raid all offer upgrades. I think everything else would be OK for some decent trail riding, you may find that gearing change would help if you start riding rougher stuff along with better tires. The 300L rally will make a great light weight adventure bike. Look forward to your updates.
Thanks man. I think the KLX is a great option as well. My buddy has one and loves it!
That's awesome Sean!!! I tried to get one when they first came out but ended up with my gen3 KLR instead.
Nothing wrong with that new KLR. Saw one recently in the dealership. Looks cool and you are doing good stuff with her!
Great video sir - thanks for sharing. You are spot on about all three bikes. - I'm in SC and have owned the XR650r, dr650 and DRZ400. last year I sold my Suzuki (s) and picked up a CRF300l late Feb 2022. of course, did a hand full of mods, 550 ECU, stiffer suspension, etc... the CRF300 is a little under powered, but I NEVER once expected the 300 to feel like my larger displacement bikes, that's where other go wrong...
last one I would pick
Yeah all three were in the running and I think I would have been happy with any of the three. All great bikes.
My experience is a different than yours. I am a road rider, touring on HD and Victory(now on an 18 Goldwing) but mostly I did enduro riding, bombing around tight New England trails... Age(and a career change where I need use of my limbs) caught up with me and I decided to cut way down on the single track\hard enduro and move to more ADV riding. I initially wanted a mid-sized ADV but as I investigated and looked at the options, I realized they weren't what I was looking for. What I needed was a true dual sport and for me it came down to the DRz400, DR650 or XR650l. After months of looking over the options and what was available I finally found the right bike at the right price, I snagged a 2020 slightly modified DRz400s with 900 miles. I'm really looking forward to where this bike will take me 👍
Good choice I reckon. I'm 6ft6 / 240lbs so very interested to see how you get on once you have taller bars and stiffer suspension. I currently have a DRZ and a Tenere 660... pros and cons to them all.
I ordered a new suspension. I will let you know how it goes. Hope to have it in by January
I find myself in the same situation. i LOVE my BMWR1200GS Adventure. Just great in so many ways but i too ride alone a bunch and will turn away from some hill climbs and sketchy trails on the 500lb wonderbike. My research narrowed it down to the same 3 bikes. Appreciate your thoughts sir!
I chose the DRZ, because of Torque...... I can ALSO convert to Supermoto for the summer!.....makes a nice bar hopper and grocery getter to rip around town!........I have larger street motorcycles, but the DRZ is just more practical for local rides....and has plenty of power, but not Crazy amounts to have a target on your back like with my Street bikes.
I looked at all 3 of these too. Went with the DRZ400. I live in Southeast MO, grew up racing motocross in SoCal. I’m 48 now. While the Kawi, and the Hondo, (yes hondo) were good. The DRZ was GREAT! The gearing felt better off-road, and the suspension was a million times better. (5’10 190lbs) the Hondo bottomed out like crazy, on the smallest of whoops, and the Kawi was a bit stiffer, but not much better. DRZ could probably handle a Moto track, not even joking. I was jumping that bad boy. No comparison on power, bigger motor= more power, no brainer. I can do 70mph on the freeway, and still have the juice to pass. Yes, no 6th overdrive gear is nice on the other 2 bikes, but I have a Harley for cruising on the highway. These bikes are for the dirt IMO, and in the dirt the “dirty DRZer” is king out of the 3. For sure the Kawi, and especially the Hondo, are cool AF in the looks department, but (maybe cuz I’m old) the DRZ has an endearing retro quality that I really love. To me, the Rally should be compared to the KLR 650, it’s a different category. And in that category I would take the proven reliability of the KLR. When a bike has been around, unchanged for 20+ years, like both the DRZ, and KLR, the amount of parts, and support can’t be ignored. Both bikes have proven themselves on every Continent. ItchyBoots is doing well with the Rally right now, but this is just the beginning of the legacy. So to wrap it up, old, beat up, dirt riders… DRZ400, young, capable rippers who weigh 135lbs wet the other 2 might get you laid.
Well thought out post. Appreciate your thoughts. Either way I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. Parts availability was and is a good consideration. Thanks for watching and posting.
It seems that everyone that chooses the smaller bikes over the DRZ for "off-road" are only puttering around at
Oh wow! Congrats man, all good options, glad you got that one, that will be a blast and a beast off-road. A few friends have the 250 and the only complaint is poor highway performance, but love them on back roads and trail riding. That’s a sweet lookin’ bike too, cheers!
Get a dr650! Also those folks saying it's not for interstate/highway..that's why you got rural routes! Better scenery to!
Excellent!
I have the KLX 300 and it’s great for me, but it could use more fuel capacity. The IMS tank is only 2.7 gallons.
When you were going through your needs and the choices I instantly thought the Honda would be the best choice for you.
Congrats Boxxy!
I looked really hard at the KLX. I knew that I would want the IMS tank and the suspension and I think that pushed me over the edge. I have a buddy that got KLX and he is about my size and he absolutely loves his. I dont think I could not have gone wrong with any of the three. Thanks Pinkie!
@@BOC_Adventures I agree, a person can't go wrong with these bikes, low cost of ownership and proven engines, etc...
You'll have fun modding it, and it won't cost nearly as much to mod as those performance machines.
Side note, Harley bought back my Pan Am the other day and they had a KTM Super Adventure R on the floor, that had been there for what seemed like a year, that they had gotten in on a Pan Am purchase. So I grabbed it for now. I needed something and there were zero middle weight ADV oriented bikes in my area.
Witch one would you recommend for a new rider that’s is going to be mostly on pavement I’m leaning towards the Klx just don’t know witch one would be better for pavement rides
Thanks Pinkie. The KLX is really cool too though. If it were up to me I would have one of each!
@@pinkiewerewolf wow! That is one mean machine! The horsepower on the super Adventure is off the charts! Congrats man! So do you have both the Pan Am and the super adv R?
Good video. But why would you have music playing when you were doing your pros and cons? It just makes it harder to hear you.
Good feedback. Thanks. I will be mindful of that in future vids.
Woo Hoo!!! I'll have one on 2023...one way, or another! Then you can give me some riding lessons.
Good choice
Thanks man. How are you? Been trying to reach out to you. Hope all is well. Sent you an email a while back. Hit me up if you still are interested in getting together for a camp out or ride.
@@BOC_Adventures i sent you my number...check.. leema
@@manofmanythingz4812 Got it great! Thanks. Sent you my details.
@@BOC_Adventures call me
I liked your dog at the end!
Thanks man. That is Tanner is a good boy.
Hmmm that bike looks familiar. Gotta get one this coming year.
For your size why not the 450 honda.
Great question. Bottom line was the short service intervals and price of the 450. However, the 450 has many advantages including power and a way better suspension. 450 would also be a solid choice.
👌
I would have bought A KTM 500 and carried 65 pounds of oil and tools for oil changes with me and still ben 5lbs lighter on my adventure rides and had a far superior machine to any of these.
You make a good point. However, the KTM 500 is about double the cost of any of these options. No argument on the performance of the KTM 500. I still have trouble understanding how they make them so light yet still so powerful.