2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM First Look Preview

Alongside the announcement of a new KLX300 dual sport, Kawasaki also revealed it would add a supermoto to its lineup in 2021 with the KLX300SM, priced at $5,999. It’s a somewhat surprising and welcome addition, providing riders with a more approachable supermoto entry point than, say, the Suzuki DR-Z400SM ($7,499) or KTM 450 SMR ($11,299).

It’s doubly nice for riders to have an out-of-the-box option in this price and displacement range. Of course, modifying off-road bikes for supermoto duty has long been a pastime of the supermoto faithful, but the time and expense of such an undertaking no doubt dissuaded many from taking on the challenge. I can see the 300SM motivating those riders to finally go for it.

It shares many elements with its dual sport sibling. It’s powered by the same fuel-injected 292cc single, for example, which is housed in the same high-tensile-steel perimeter frame. But there are some differences.

The 43mm USD fork with adjustable compression damping offers slightly less wheel travel at 9.1 inches. The Uni-Trak gas-charged shock with adjustable rebound damping also travels less than the dual sport variant, at 8.1 inches.

The front brake arrangement is slightly different too, with a larger 300mm petal disc and dual-piston caliper setup.

And obviously, the wheel sizes are different between the two models, with the SM sporting 17-inch spoked wheels front and rear.

The SM will feature a digital instrument panel, sharp lines that flow through the fenders, bodywork, and mirrors, and the option for accessory hand guards or a rear rack for an additional cost. The 300SM will come in either Lime Green/Ebony or Oriental Blue/Ebony.