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2027 Kawasaki KLX300 XPL and DF: A $6,499 Answer to the CRF300L Rally

Kawasaki's KLX300 range grows to four bikes for 2027, with front ABS, a new dash and two new models. The XPL takes on Honda's CRF300L Rally at the same price, while the base bike gets $350 dearer.

Trail Roamer Editorial TeamOct 14, 2026 · 6 min read
The 2027 Kawasaki KLX300 XPL ABS in Ebony, its only color. - Credit: Kawasaki

Kawasaki just gave the KLX300 something it has never had: a version built for the long way home. The new 2027 KLX300 XPL ABS adds a windshield, hand guards, a rear rack and a round LED headlight to the same 292cc single, and it lands at $6,499. That's exactly what Honda asks for the CRF300L Rally, so the small-adventure fight just got a lot more interesting.

The XPL isn't the only news. The whole KLX300 range gets front ABS, a new dash with phone connectivity and a little more power, and a second new model, the KLX300 DF ABS, slots in between the base bike and the XPL. The trade-off is price. The base bike went up.

Four bikes, four prices

Here's how the 2027 lineup prices out on Kawasaki's US site. Every number below is base MSRP and leaves out the $650 destination charge.

The 2026 KLX300 started at $5,649, so the base bike is $350 dearer. In fairness, the 2026 bike didn't have ABS, and the 2027 one does, plus the new dash. Whether that's worth $350 depends on how much you value a front wheel that won't lock on a wet gravel road. We'd say it's worth more than that, but the cheap-entry KLX300 is a little less cheap now.

What changed across the range

Front-wheel ABS is now standard on every 2027 KLX300. On the dual sports you can switch it off with a button on the left bar, and Kawasaki lists that as selectable ABS on the XPL and DF pages. The rear wheel isn't managed at all, so you can still steer with the back end on the trail. On the supermoto, TopSpeed reports the ABS is always on, and Kawasaki's SM page doesn't list the on/off function the dual sports get. TopSpeed also notes the front ABS defaults back on at every restart, so make switching it off part of your trailhead routine.

There's a new hexagonal LCD dash too. It pairs with Kawasaki's Rideology app over Bluetooth for call and email notifications, ride and maintenance logs and navigation. Voice commands need a separate license, according to TopSpeed.

Power goes up a touch. Kawasaki lists 26.8 hp at 8,000 rpm and 18.4 lb-ft at 6,800 rpm for 2027, against 25.0 hp and 17.7 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm on the 2026 bike. TopSpeed credits a new plain bearing in the bottom end. You won't feel a revolution, but a slightly fatter, lower torque peak is exactly what a 300 needs when it's carrying gear.

The XPL is the one that matters

Kawasaki pitches the XPL as a rugged dual sport built for long-distance exploration, and the hardware backs that up within reason. You get a 5.1-inch round LED headlight, a tall clear windshield, hand guards and a rear carrier with tie-down hooks, per TopSpeed's rundown of Kawasaki's spec sheet. The chassis is the familiar KLX300 package: a 43mm inverted fork with 10.0 inches of travel, a Uni-Trak shock with 9.1 inches, 21 and 18-inch wheels and a 35.2-inch seat.

The extra kit costs weight. Kawasaki lists the XPL at 313.1 lb curb against 304.3 lb for the base KLX300 ABS, so you're carrying about 9 lb more. That's a small price for wind protection on a two-hour road section.

The number that should give long-range riders pause is the tank. Kawasaki lists 2.0 gallons for the XPL, the same as every other KLX300. If you're planning real distance between gas stations, budget for an auxiliary fuel can or an aftermarket tank.

TopSpeed reports the XPL reaches dealers in early January 2027, in Ebony only.

XPL vs CRF300L Rally

This is the comparison everyone will make, and the sticker is a dead heat. Honda lists the CRF300L Rally at $6,499 too, with ABS that can be switched off for the dirt, just like the Kawasaki.

Where they split is the approach. Honda leans into the rally look, with a larger fuel tank, dual headlights, a taller screen and extended bodywork. Kawasaki keeps the XPL closer to a standard KLX300 with bolt-on touring parts. That makes the XPL the slimmer, more dirt bike-feeling option, while the Rally makes more sense if fuel range and weather protection come first.

The Kawasaki's ace is the new dash and app connectivity, and a rack comes standard. Honda's ace is range. If your rides are mostly fire roads and trails with regular fuel stops, the XPL's packaging is attractive. If you're crossing empty country, the Rally's bigger tank is hard to ignore.

The rest of the cross-shop

If you don't need the adventure parts, the field opens up. Honda's CRF300L is $5,749 with switchable ABS, which undercuts the 2027 KLX300 ABS by $250. KTM lists the 390 Enduro R at $6,049, which buys a bigger engine for less than the XPL but none of the touring kit. Suzuki's DR-Z4S is $7,999 after its recent price cut, and it's the step-up choice if you want more motor and a more modern chassis.

If you're still deciding between the KLX and the old-school Suzuki, our KLX300 vs DR-Z400S beginner comparison goes deeper on who each one suits.

Who should buy which KLX300

The KLX300 DF ABS is the middle child, and Kawasaki hasn't said much about it yet. Its US page lists hand guards, a rear carrier and blacked-out styling, but seat height, weight and wheelbase are still listed as TBA. Think of it as the XPL without the windshield and big headlight, for $200 less. We'll update once Kawasaki fills in the specs.

Buy the base KLX300 ABS if you're newer to dirt, you mostly ride trails and backroads, and you'd rather spend the savings on gear and accessories. It's the lightest of the dual sports and the cheapest way into the new ABS and dash.

Buy the DF if you want the protection and the rack for day rides and short overnights but don't want a windshield in your face on tight singletrack.

Buy the XPL if your rides involve real road miles between dirt sections and you want wind protection, a better headlight and luggage space straight off the showroom floor. Just plan around that 2.0-gallon tank.

The bottom line

The KLX300 XPL ABS is Kawasaki's most direct answer yet to the CRF300L Rally, and at the same $6,499 it's a genuine choice rather than an also-ran. Go to a dealer and sit on both, and be honest about how far you ride between fill-ups. That's the question that decides which one fits.

Sources

FAQ

How much is the 2027 Kawasaki KLX300 XPL?
Kawasaki lists the 2027 KLX300 XPL ABS at $6,499 MSRP plus a $650 destination charge. It comes in Ebony only.
How much did the KLX300 go up for 2027?
The 2027 KLX300 ABS starts at $5,999, up $350 from the 2026 KLX300's $5,649. The 2027 bike adds front ABS and a new LCD dash. Cypher Camo Beige is $6,199.
Can you turn off the ABS on the 2027 KLX300?
Yes on the dual-sport models. Front ABS can be switched off with a left-bar button and defaults back on at restart. The KLX300SM's ABS is always on.

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