FIRST LOOK: KAYO A300 SPORT ATV

KAYO A300 SPORT ATV: Could this be the entry-level sport machine America has been asking for? By the staff of Dirt Wheels

“There have been a lot of people asking about it lately, and we can tell that people are hungry for it,” claims Brock Harden, the digital and field marketing specialist for Kayo USA. He’s talking about Kayo’s A300 sport ATV that is currently available in Europe but hasn’t made its way to the USA…yet. We’ve been researching this machine for months now, and YouTube videos from owners overseas show that it rips! Could this be the entry-level sport ATV we’ve been waiting for? It does have a lot of similarities with discontinued models like Yamaha’s Raptor 250 and Honda’s TRX300X, as well as some upgraded features those machines didn’t get. So, why hasn’t it made it to U.S. shores? 

Harden continued: “One of the issues we’re up against is the EPA certification for all of our bikes. They’ve really cracked down over the last two years. As I understand it, the entire process takes about 13 months to accomplish. That’s a lot of work and money to bring over one quad, but there is a chance we’ll be bringing a new Kayo Bull 300 ATV (a utility model that shares a similar engine but uses an automatic CVT transmission) to the U.S. market in May [2024]. If we can get that certification packaged together with the A300, then that’s something we’re definitely going to look at.” 

KAYO A300 SPORT ATV – ENGINE

Kayo’s single-cylinder four-stroke engine is similar in appearance to the 292cc engine that powers Kawasaki’s KLX 300R entry-level off-road motorcycle, which is interesting because the ATV media and aftermarket manufacturers have been saying for years that Team Green’s engine is a prime powerplant for an entry-level sport quad. Bore-and-stroke dimensions are identical, compression is the same, and both use EFI fuel systems. The Kayo engine also has four valves and a dual-overhead-cam setup.

Kayo claims their engine makes 25.88 horsepower at the crank at 8,500 rpm, which is more than the Yamaha Raptor 250 rating of 18.77 brake horsepower and the Honda TRX300X rating of 22.12 brake horsepower (horsepower ratings according to California Air Resources Board findings). At 375 pounds, the dry weight is considerably more than the Raptor 250, but it aligns with that of the TRX300X. And, unlike the competition’s discontinued models, the Kayo engine is liquid-cooled rather than air-cooled. 

KAYO A300 SPORT ATV – TRANSMISSION AND FINAL DRIVE

Like any true sport quad, the Kayo A300 has a manual clutch and 5-speed foot-shift transmission with reverse. In a world where entry-level means you need an automatic CVT, we’re pleased to see the A300 sticks to sport-model basics.

The basics also include a chain- and sprocket-drive system. The Kayo uses a 13-tooth countershaft sprocket and a 47-tooth sprocket at the rear axle. A heavy-duty 530 chain gets the power to the wheels.

KAYO A300 SPORT ATV – SUSPENSION

The studio photos (seen here) that we obtained from Kayo show standard preload-adjustable shocks. Still, every video we’ve seen from European ATV media outlets and consumers shows piggyback reservoir shocks that include compression and rebound adjustments. Many of those videos include testing on motocross tracks where the A300 appears to corner well and can clear moderate tabletop jumps and step-ups. We believe the upgraded shocks have become standard equipment.

The specs don’t tell us how much wheel travel the A300 has. However, the gap between the lower frame rails is narrow, and the overall width is 45.5 inches. The Raptor 250 was just over 42 inches wide and 43.5 inches for the TRX300X. We expect the Kayo A300 will have slightly more wheel travel than both. 

At the back, a steel swingarm is mated with a single shock. We’re happy to see Kayo adopted the cam-style chain-tensioner design originated by Honda.

WHEELS AND TIRES

One thing we would change are the steel wheels on the A300. Swapping them out with aluminum wheels would shave a few pounds and reduce unsprung weight. The bolt pattern is the same as a Honda TRX300X.

CST Ambush tires come in traditional sport quad sizing: 21 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear. The tires are 4-ply-rated and directional and offer aggressive MX-style tread. The front tires are constructed with a center rib and self-cleaning design.

BRAKES AND PROTECTION

Up front, dual hydraulic disc brakes with a hand lever should work well for optimal stopping power and setting up corners. A single hydraulic disc brake with a foot pedal controls the rear axle and wheels.

A plastic skid plate provides minimal rear sprocket and brake disc protection while frame protection is bare. To remove more weight from this machine, we would install a 520 chain and use 19-inch tall rear tires on aluminum wheels.

WHAT ABOUT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES?

“We’ve just recently started working with Garrett Torres at Fuel Customs to try to get more ponies out of some of our units, and we’re trying to build up aftermarket options for all of them. It’s a long process, but we’re looking at skid plates, nerf bars, airboxes and fine-tuning in order to be a little more competitive,” said Harden. We know of a few other companies that have already taken an interest in manufacturing suspension and protection components for the Kayo A300.

Kayo has a vast distribution warehouse in Texas, which carries every nut, bolt and component for current models in the USA. Kayo USA headquarters is in Fontana, California, with its own distribution center. In addition to California and Texas, Kayo has distribution locations in Tennessee and Georgia. If a Kayo dealer doesn’t stock the part you need, they can get it quickly.

GO KAYO!

Harden summed it up with this: “The numbers that the Japanese manufacturers scoff at claiming that if they can’t sell X number of machines, they won’t import it; Kayo would be happy playing in that space. If we can just get close to the numbers that they are denying, that definitely makes a lot of sense for Kayo.”

We realize many U.S. consumers will balk at purchasing a sport quad manufactured in China, but when it comes to new machines with true sport attributes, choices are few to none. In the 1960s, buying Japanese vehicles was taboo. Today, Japanese designs and tolerances set the bar. We’re seeing a similar trend beginning with Chinese manufacturing and reliability. It has improved enough that KTM recently announced it is moving part of its motorcycle production to China. 

But, for most, the decision comes down to value. Kayo predicts that U.S. pricing for the A300 (tariff included) will be around $5000, give or take. In a different world with more sport quad offerings, we’re positive we’d be telling you that the price is considerably less than the competition, but the Kayo A300 has no competition.