Kawasaki's New Cheap Adventure Motorcycle Is Coming For Honda And KTM

For years, Kawasaki's KLX300 has been the sort of motorcycle you'd buy to disappear down a dirt trail, get thoroughly covered in mud, and return home wondering where all the daylight went. It's a straightforward dual-sport with genuine off-road credentials, and nobody really expected it to start picking fights with adventure bikes. But apparently, Kawasaki had other ideas, because the 2027 KLX300 XPL ABS is taking this familiar platform somewhere rather unexpected.

The XPL is Kawasaki's attempt to turn its trusty trail machine into a pint-sized adventure bike. It's still powered by a 292cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, but now there's a taller windshield, hand guards, a rear luggage rack, and adventure-inspired styling. There's also updated electronics, including smartphone connectivity and switchable front-wheel ABS.

Basically, Kawasaki looked at its dual-sport and decided it needed a little more Indiana Jones and a little less weekend trail hooligan.

And here's where things get interesting. At $6,499, the KLX300 XPL ABS lands directly in Honda CRF300L Rally territory. Both bikes take lightweight dual-sport foundations and add equipment intended to make longer adventures more practical. The Kawasaki retains its 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, long-travel suspension, and narrow proportions. It's a motorcycle that should be perfectly happy exploring trails, even if getting to those trails involves a few hours of pavement.

The Honda arguably has the stronger touring credentials, thanks to its larger 3.4-gallon fuel tank and more substantial wind protection. Kawasaki's little 2.0-gallon tank isn't exactly ideal when your adventure involves long stretches between gas stations. But the XPL counters with a lower claimed curb weight, making it particularly appealing when the pavement ends and things start getting sketchy. Because picking up a fallen motorcycle is considerably less romantic than the brochures suggest.

Then there's the KTM 390 Adventure R, which takes the lightweight ADV formula considerably further with its 399cc engine, more sophisticated electronics, and serious off-road hardware. It's also more expensive at $7,699. Even the discontinued BMW G 310 GS comes to mind, although that bike leaned more toward pavement than dirt. The Kawasaki takes a different approach, prioritizing simplicity and trail capability rather than trying to be a miniature continent-crossing machine.

Of course, the XPL isn't going to replace a proper touring motorcycle. Its modest engine and limited fuel capacity mean highway adventures will require patience and some planning. But that's arguably what makes it interesting. Kawasaki has taken a platform traditionally associated with dual-sport riding and given it just enough adventure equipment to enter an entirely different conversation. And at $6,499, it's suddenly giving Honda and KTM something else to think about.