This lightweight dual-sport nameplate was introduced for the 2021 model year as Kawasaki’s all-new 300cc on/off-road entry. It marked a significant step for the modern KLX family, bringing a liquid-cooled single-cylinder platform to riders who wanted a more approachable machine than the larger dual-sport options while still keeping the rugged, dirt-capable character the line is known for. Kawasaki positioned it as an everyday-friendly machine with genuine trail ability, aimed at riders who wanted one motorcycle that could handle commuting, back roads, and casual off-pavement use.
The 2021 launch was part of a broader update that also created a supermoto sibling, but this dual-sport version was the more versatile, all-surface model in the pair. Its history since introduction has been straightforward: there is no separate earlier production era for this nameplate, and it has continued in continuous production through the present model years. Enthusiast interest has centered on its balance of manageable size, modern fuel-injected single-cylinder layout, and the return of a true lightweight Kawasaki dual-sport to the market after the company’s earlier small-displacement trail bikes had aged out of the lineup.