I bought a new 2021 KLX300 to Compliment my 2015 KLR650 (48K miles). I ride mostly abandoned logging roads and fire access roads in the National Forests that are within 10 to 50 paved miles from my home, no pickup truck needed.
With the KLX I feel more comfortable on bad roads as I am 73 years old and that big KLR can be a handful when things get gnarley. In the last 20 months I have logged 18,000 miles on this wonderful little machine.
Problem arises when I take the KLX on longer rides as the advertised TWO gallon tank really has only 1.6 useable gallons. At about 90-100 miles the fuel light starts flashing and at 110 miles the motor starts to run intermittently. Like Pow-Kpow-kPOW -pow-pow-pow- kpow. You know, running out of gas!
The bike can be nursed along for another half dozen miles with small throttle openings but it can't be doing the engine or drive chain any good.
At the non-ethanol gas pump I will take 1.6 gallons telling me that there should be .4 gallons and at least 20 miles left.
I took it in to my dealer at 14,000 miles for a recall issue, replacement of Fuel Bypass Tube. At the same time I had the valve clearances checked and although within spec, I asked the Service Dept to shim clearances to optimum.
Of course I mentioned my fuel problem. Service technician road tested and agreed that indeed only 1.6 gallons were useable.
Service tech said that the fuel filter sock in the tank was partially exposed and sucking air.
After consulting with Kawasaki Headquarters in Orange County the verdict : Carry a spare fuel bottle
Can anyone else relate? I would suggest Kawasaki revise the fuel capacity on their KLX300 Specification Sheet.
All this being said, I love both my Kawasakis.
With the KLX I feel more comfortable on bad roads as I am 73 years old and that big KLR can be a handful when things get gnarley. In the last 20 months I have logged 18,000 miles on this wonderful little machine.
Problem arises when I take the KLX on longer rides as the advertised TWO gallon tank really has only 1.6 useable gallons. At about 90-100 miles the fuel light starts flashing and at 110 miles the motor starts to run intermittently. Like Pow-Kpow-kPOW -pow-pow-pow- kpow. You know, running out of gas!
The bike can be nursed along for another half dozen miles with small throttle openings but it can't be doing the engine or drive chain any good.
At the non-ethanol gas pump I will take 1.6 gallons telling me that there should be .4 gallons and at least 20 miles left.
I took it in to my dealer at 14,000 miles for a recall issue, replacement of Fuel Bypass Tube. At the same time I had the valve clearances checked and although within spec, I asked the Service Dept to shim clearances to optimum.
Of course I mentioned my fuel problem. Service technician road tested and agreed that indeed only 1.6 gallons were useable.
Service tech said that the fuel filter sock in the tank was partially exposed and sucking air.
After consulting with Kawasaki Headquarters in Orange County the verdict : Carry a spare fuel bottle
Can anyone else relate? I would suggest Kawasaki revise the fuel capacity on their KLX300 Specification Sheet.
All this being said, I love both my Kawasakis.
Paul
