We all know that Kawasaki makes some pretty sweet motorcycles. But they also produce some awesome ATVs. One of their most popular ATVs is the Brute Force 300. This machine is built to tackle just about anything you throw at it. Whether you are hitting the trails or just cruising around the farm, the Brute Force 300 is up for the task.
The Brute Force 300 is fueled by a reliable four-stroke 271cc SOHC engine that churns out plenty of power. It’s got a comfortable seat and a suspension that can take a beating. The machine is also equipped with some great features like four-wheel drive and a front differential lock. Simply put, it’s a great machine that won’t disappoint you.
Even the greatest has faults! Similarly, this great Brute Force 300 has issues you may face anytime. They can be either technical faults or design failures which you should be aware of before buying this bike. In this blog, I will discuss the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 problems and their possible solutions.
List Of Kawasaki Brute Force 300 Problems
Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is a perfect ATV for trails. If you love adventure, you will love the decent speed of the Brute Force 300 with convenient controlling capacity. However, over the years this ATV has seen a few problems resulting in major customer dissatisfaction.
The main problems of Kawasaki Brute Force 300 include gasoline leakage causing fires from the fuel panel, irregular acceleration, and carburetor problem
| Problem Name | What Happens | Possible Solution |
| Fire Hazards | Leakage of gasoline | Repairing the carb |
| Electric Starter Button Failure | Buttons prone to stick | Call the dealer |
| Acceleration Issues | Difficult to handle on rough terrains | Engine repair or replacement |
| Excessive Heat from Engine | Engine overheating often | Clean the air filter and use recommended oils |
| Soft Front & Rear Shocks | Softness or fast-paced riding | Replacing the parts |
| Carburetor Problems | Oil in the carburetor | Cleaning or replacing the carb with an OEM unit |
| Compromised Transmission | Knocking noise in transmission | Call the dealer |
So, these above are the problems I explain below for better understanding. You should know that the list of these Brute Force problems is discussed in different user groups and forums. They also suggested how to deal with the problems. So, I have collected that information and am including it here. I think you will love to read the whole article.
Problem – 1: Fire Hazards
What if I say you ride a bike (quad bike like Brute Force) and discover fire or smoke coming from it unexpectedly? What will you do? Sadly, several Kawasaki Brute Force 300 owners found their bikes having a fire hazard issue. Especially, models in 2011-2017 have had this problem.
Gas leakage onto the bike’s engine’s hot parts is the problem’s prime source. This leakage could cause explosions after reaching the ignition point. Though the company warned about a fire hazard in the product’s manual, they recalled the bike to sort out the problem.
Possible Solution
Kawaski recalled around 20000 units of Brute Force 300 in September 2017 to repair the bike. Kawasaki received around 260 reports of fuel leakage from carb or fuel tap. So, they suggested immediately stopping using the bike and taking it to the dealer. You should also contact your dealer to inspect the quad bike.
Check this page to know more about it: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Kawasaki-Recalls-Brute-Force-300-All-Terrain-Vehicles
Problem – 2: Electric Starter Button Failure
A faulty electric starter button is another problem in Kawasaki BF 300. In this four-wheeler, you may find it challenging to use the buttons as they are prone to stick. As a result, you may get into trouble starting the ATV; especially it would be annoying if you are in a hurry.
Possible Solution
I suggest you contact the dealer to fix the problem quickly. There’s nothing much you can do since it is a manufacturing problem. So, instead of trying to fix it on your own, consulting the dealer will be the right solution.
Problem – 3: Acceleration Issues
It is one of the major causes why many owners were dissatisfied with this all-terrain ATV. They found the quad bike oppugning to drive and control on rough terrains. Usually, the problem becomes more visible when the machine provides sluggish accelerations.
Another reason for this problem is the difficulty in handling the electric starter button. Overall, this ATV seemed a high-maintenance terrain bike, making it relatively less attractive to ATV lovers.
Possible Solution
Talk to the dealer and let them inspect if there is any internal failure of the engine. Also, let them check the bike’s battery, which may cause slower acceleration. Many times changing the battery will solve the acceleration issue.
Problem – 4: Excessive Heat from Engine
Overheating is a serious problem with any bike you ride. Likewise, many riders or owners of Brute Force 300 have faced this overheating issue. The main reason for this problem is ATV’s design. Its design cannot perform well during long-time exposure to high temperatures. Besides, inspecting the issue has brought some other reasons: low level of engine fluid and dirty air filters.
Possible Solution
The primary solution to reduce the problem is using only the recommended oil for the Kawasaki engine. Also, it would help if you kept the air filters clean.
Follow this video to learn how to clean the air filter:
Problem – 5: Soft Front & Rear Shocks
Several owners of Kawasaki ATVs report the excessive softness or fast-paced riding of their front and rear shocks. It led them to strict control and unstable riding on rough terrains. However, it has been identified as a defect of the ATV design.
The poor shock absorption means riders will have a hard time on the quad-bike. It also causes minor injuries to the riders on the tough trails. So, while riding Brute Force 300, riders must be careful as not to trip over due to jerks and vibration.
Possible Solution
I have found the solution from the owner’s conversation in the forums. They suggest replacing the shocks with aftermarket items to prevent the problem. You may try out the following shock absorbers for the Kawasaki Brute Force 300:
- 2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 Kvf300c Front Right Shock Absorber Suspension
- 12 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 2×4 Front Shocks KVF300
You may get them from eBay and Amazon. Also, look into your local Kawasaki dealer for the right aftermarket shock absorbers for the latest manufacturing years.
Problem – 6: Carburetor Problems
Here is a small conversation:
“My son’s friend tipped his 2014 BF300 over… Once back home, we could barely get it started, and it ran terribly.” (Source: https://www.polarisatvforums.com/threads/helping-my-sons-friend-with-a-probably-carb-issue-on-a-kawasaki-brute-force-300.197702/)
Tipping the quad bike resulted in a notable amount of oil in the airbox and carburetor. Even after pulling the carb, there was another issue. The owner found the choke cable that connects to the carburetor was cracked. Thus, he tried to solve the problem in different ways, like changing the oil, new choke cable or spark plug, fresh gasoline, and so on.
Still, the consequences of this problem persisted. For example, when the owner hit the throttle, the bike stopped. Then again, he added throttle slowly, but it died again after several hundred RPM. After releasing the throttle, the bike went to idling smoothly. In short, adding a throttle made the bike unable to start or operate.
Possible Solution
One responder or participant in this conversation suggested cleaning the carb, specifically from the main jet. Another owner suggested repairing the defective carburetor or an OEM carb replacement. To clean the carburetor, you must remove it and use lubricant to remove the debris from it.
Thus, you can check this video to learn how to clean an ATV carburetor:
Problem – 7: Compromised Transmission
Another problem with Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is the knocking noise in its transmission. “The noise only happens when in 4 wheels” – this is how one owner described the problem. Yet this owner had never driven his bike for a long time in a 4-wheel drive on pavement. But he took his ATV to trails and rocks more.
Possible Solution
You may need to call the dealer first to check out what is causing the noise from the transmission. If your ATV has a warranty left, you may get a free service. Hence, you can check this conversation to know more about this problem: https://www.kawieriders.com/threads/2013-brute-transmission-problem-knocking-noise.134660/
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is a great machine that won’t disappoint you. However, it has some issues which you may face anytime. These problems include fire hazards, electric starter button failure, acceleration issues, excessive heat from the engine, soft front and rear shocks, and carburetor problems.
However, there are solutions to these problems. So, if you do encounter any of them, don’t despair. Take your ATV to a qualified Kawasaki dealer. They will be able to help you fix the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 problems. Thankfully, many of its problems are minor and you may fix them at home or from a mechanic with ease.
The key is to maintain the quad bike properly since it is a heavy-maintenance bike. So, ensure you take care of the Brute Force 300 properly.