Ktm 300 Questions....

[wwillf01]

I am trying to decide whether to pick up a used Timbersled or put cash down for a new one next year looking at the upgrades.... I have a 2013 Ktm 300 with the sx head and ecu, rekluse and Lectron carb.... With gear I am sure I am around 200lb... Do you guys think this should push a long track? If I like it I am sure I will end up with a cr500... I live in the powder land of Utah so it will be very light snow...

 

[chumbilly1]

Go LT ! You will be frustrated on a ST in the Utah blower pow. 300 will push it fine with proper jetting/gearing/compression. A little NO2/methanol injection never hurt anyone either!

 

[Summitseeker]

I was trying to decide ST or LT for my 2014 KTM 300 as well but ended up snow checking a 2015 ST as I was concerned about the power out of the 300. I wouldn't mind hearing from others on ST vs LT on the 300. I ride deep powder on the Sea to Sky corridor in the Whistler BC area. Will still have a sled for real deep days though.



Am I going to have regrets about not going LT?

 

[Uncle si]

I was trying to decide ST or LT for my 2014 KTM 300 as well but ended up snow checking a 2015 ST as I was concerned about the power out of the 300. I wouldn't mind hearing from others on ST vs LT on the 300. I ride deep powder on the Sea to Sky corridor in the Whistler BC area. Will still have a sled for real deep days though.

Am I going to have regrets about going LT?

Long track goes better with 50 hp!

 

[chumbilly1]

It is all about the setup. ST just has to be pinned a lot more. However last day we rode my buddies stockish 300 with st was the fastest sled on the hill. Working so hard it burned off the carbonfiber pipe guard though!

 

[kiliki]

will the 300 carry a long track???

 

[chumbilly1]

yes! and well

 

[Summitseeker]

Hmmmmmmmmm.........I wonder will it be too late to change my order to a long track? I kept hearing that the ST is more maneuverable in comparison to the LT and I will be mostly riding trees but it is usually deep. Crap......what to do!?

 

[chumbilly1]

I am betting that there will be more aftermarket track options by this time next year. This sport is about to grow faster than anyone thinks! IMHO Everyone that rides one for the first time is ready to sell sleds to afford a nice snowbike and rightfully so! It is too much fun

 

[wwillf01]

I was trying to decide ST or LT for my 2014 KTM 300 as well but ended up snow checking a 2015 ST as I was concerned about the power out of the 300. I wouldn't mind hearing from others on ST vs LT on the 300. I ride deep powder on the Sea to Sky corridor in the Whistler BC area. Will still have a sled for real deep days though.



Am I going to have regrets about not going LT?

I will second my explanation also I have a turboed nytro for those real deep days it just seems like as each year passes we get less and less snow... That being said it seems like you should still be able to get to places with deep snow where the common person can't manuver a sled?

 

[swedenturbo]

Ridden a turbo 4 stroke 500 for two seasons. Rock solid. Dont worry, they work and are reliable
Edit: posted in wrong thread, cant delete? Anyhow, 4-strokes work....

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

short vs long

if you have trees and a boondocking attitude you will benefit from the long track on any size bike. same as the sleds, the longer track allows you to spend your energy and bike energy searching and riding lines rather than always needing to make ground speed to stay out of trouble with the ST.

as going in the snow is evolving, we are seeing FLOATATION AND TRACTION displacing the old school GROUND SPEED AND TRACK SPEED.

bikes are a little behind the curve because we don't have the traction option yet, getting better, not quite there yet.

 

[mtn-doo]

if you have trees and a boondocking attitude you will benefit from the long track on any size bike. same as the sleds, the longer track allows you to spend your energy and bike energy searching and riding lines rather than always needing to make ground speed to stay out of trouble with the ST.

as going in the snow is evolving, we are seeing FLOATATION AND TRACTION displacing the old school GROUND SPEED AND TRACK SPEED.

bikes are a little behind the curve because we don't have the traction option yet, getting better, not quite there yet.

That is subjective. Avid Products and the owner Robbie is a good friend and local riding buddy. When the 3" X 174" craze hit a few years back, that was the "thing". However, in the steeper, deeper stuff the truck and trailer 12 foot long sleds were actually back in the pack.

A good example is Chris Burandt or Brett Rasmussen. I have ridden with and filmed them both with Sledheads and Tahoe films. The Looooong track discussion usually came up at lunch. They both laugh and say they have ridden them, hate them, and could never do what they do on one of them. And those guys tend to get off the trail from time to time. Ha!

We are talking bikes, not sleds, so it is not exactly the same. However you can see the point. Our group would have several 174" sleds and a recorded 34 mph track speed at WOT in bottomless POW, and a ground speed of about 12mph. I could sail right past him and brake trail with a shorter track and a 70 mph track speed. Then tight turns in the trees on steep ground is another story.

One of my best friends is not in great shape, 40 lbs over weight and has a 174" X 3". He can sit down and "tractor around" not spinning his track, and get anywhere. So for him it's great! There is not one track length that is "better". It depends on how you like to ride and a host of other factors.

 

[wwillf01]

But as far as sticking to bikes and the steep and deep through trees would the lt be a better option in Utah champagne snow? Even on the 300 sx?


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[mtn-doo]

But as far as sticking to bikes and the steep and deep through trees would the lt be a better option in Utah champagne snow? Even on the 300 sx?


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Yes, probably the safer bet. Your snow is unique for sure. I have never seen snow so dry and zero "body" to it. Amazing pow. I remember walking in waist deep pow with my feet on solid ground underneath! You could fill a shovel scoop full and "blow" it off! Ha! Craziest pow for sure. The LT would be the safer "flip of the coin" in your Utah pow. Ski and track on the dirt with pow over your helmet! lol, and you're laughing because it's true!!!

Up North we get huge dumps but they have some "body" to it, and in about 3 days you're on top again.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

back pack

going to be interesting to see if ski doos 3" track and 174 " sled ends up being a back of the pack operation.

so far the age and experience of the pre season buyers could lead one to think otherwise.


and so far on the bikes the only long track negative seems to be not owning one.

 

[tillbuilt]

My snow here in Colorado is not quite Utah snow but it is the closest thing to it for reference.

I started this season with a LT on a lazy enduro style FX450 and was so impressed how well the lower power transferred to the snow on the 450. We all thought it would be a DOG but it held its own with the FE570's all day long until wide open drag races. Then mid season I installed a ST on this same FX450 and the rev's came on faster and it became mor sporty. It was a go anywhere bike with the LT and then became FUN with the ST.

Now to your 300. I also have a MtnDoo inspired hot rod 2014 300XC with an SX. THIS BIKE IS THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER RIDDEN!!!!!! I have been a lazy 4stroke rider all my life and had to learn how to ride a 2stroke. It is a completely different world. I have not ridden a 300 LT, but I would think you would have to be amazing on the clutch to be able to ride this setup and have FUN. The LT transfers the power so well it will load the motor all the time and not let that 300 run free with track spin in a way I like. I would recommend the ST for the 300. You will not have to work as hard to keep it in the power and it will feel much more like a birt bike with the ST, and that is why we build 300's. If we want to go any where we build Enduro style lazy 4strokes. If we want to blast through the trees with our hair on fire and branches sticking out of our helmets we build 300's.

 

[mtn-doo]

Ha! LOL, That was a good description Toby. Hair on fire and branches sticking out of your everywhere! LOL. I can tell you've spent some time on it. Amazing fun. Most fun I've ever had on a Snow Bike for sure. I will be starting "The Ultimate 300 Build Project" soon.

 

[Summitseeker]

Some good reads here. I talked to my dealer this morning about changing my spring order from ST to LT but it's too late. however he did manage to find me an LT if I wanted it but I am now back to the ST after reading the last couple of posts. . Glad I will still have my XM for deep days!

 

[wwillf01]

Ok I did the opposite Knowing the type of snow and most likely going with a cr500 later I went Lt...... Put money on a 2015...


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