05/30/2026
KTM DOMINATES Japanese Bikes!!! Always have always will!! Power / weight and Quality.. 💥🧡🍺
🏍️ 1997 KTM 300 EXC vs 1997 Kawasaki KLX300R: Two-Stroke Beast vs Reliable Trail King
In the late ’90s, the 300cc class offered two very different flavors of off-road performance. One was built for pure adrenaline, the other for all-day capability.
Up top is the 1997 KTM 300 EXC — an orange two-stroke firecracker packing 51 hp at 8,000 rpm and 47 Nm of torque. This was a serious enduro weapon: light, explosive, and ready to attack technical terrain with that signature KTM aggression. If you wanted raw power and razor-sharp handling, the 300 EXC delivered without compromise.
Below sits the 1997 Kawasaki KLX300R, a green four-stroke trail bike producing 33 hp at 8,500 rpm and 28.4 Nm of torque. While it gave up significant horsepower to the KTM, the KLX300R offered smoother power delivery, better low-end torque feel for technical riding, and legendary Kawasaki durability. It was the perfect choice for riders who wanted a dependable, easy-to-ride dual-sport style machine that could handle trails all day long.
Two completely different philosophies: explosive two-stroke power versus usable four-stroke refinement. Both became icons in their own right.
Which one would you pick for your garage — the fierce KTM 300 EXC or the trusty Kawasaki KLX300R?
