KTM 300EXC or KTM450SX for explorerin'?

[snowhawk jockey]

The 300 EXC is a 5speed, wide ratio, two stroke, torque monster, with a FMF fatty that lets it rev to the moon. 450 is actually an SMR supermoto with the 6speed close radio. I gotta move one of them to buy the kit...

Oh, by the way, I traded my spare Like NEW '03 503ST for them.

 

[snow hawk gal]

Who?

Did you push this person to join us on the forum?

 

[x2468]

i think you might be able to put the same explorer on both. they have the same or similar swingarms.

but if i'm wrong, i think the 450 would be better.....

but both would be good. i think it depends. if you're climbing high elevations, then you want the 4-stroke because the 300 will need jetting changes. if you're going to be single tracking, than perhaps the 300. i think both wouldn't be bad choices.

 

[bigfoot]

The 300 won't need jetting changes unless you change 10,000 feet in elevation and it warms up 20 degrees at the same time.

 

[Dobber1]

Go with the one you would prefer to ride with the wheels on....or get one for both!

 

[snowhawk jockey]

Did you push this person to join us on the forum?

Not everyone has as much computer time on their schedule as we do. I will share an invite, but I have a theory that he is too busy for this kind of banter.

I am thinking that the 450 will be the better choice of the two as well.
The close ratio tranny with the short stroke, light flywheel, quick revving motor would be easy to maintain some track speed. It doesn't have a lighting coil and to ride in Oregon you gotta have lights. I have a 5w White LED pumping out about 115 lumens for two hours on two AA batteries. With a spare set in the pocket that would give 4 hours of lighting, I could be tired by then. Should I use more than duct tape to hold it on the handlebars?

I can't help but to wonder how the legandary 300exc handles spinning a track on the single track. I think the trails might have snow on them soon...

 

[J&L Snowhawk]

lights

talk to offroadrider on here. He can set you up with some bad a@@ lights for your bike with lighting coil and all. Light up the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TLKDPROD]

...
I am thinking that the 450 will be the better choice of the two as well.
The close ratio tranny with the short stroke, light flywheel, quick revving motor would be easy to maintain some track speed. ...

I can't help but to wonder how the legandary 300exc handles spinning a track on the single track. I think the trails might have snow on them soon...

I wonder how "track speed" is dealt with when the transmission system not a CVT. You can't "tune" that type of transmission, if you can't reach your "rated RPM" in soft or deep snow, you have no choice of modding the motor itslef instead of tuning your clutch system like adding a stiffer secondary spring.

Don't want to start a fight on that but let's face it: I think that, part of the reason why the explorer/2 moto kits won't be able to keep up with a snowmobile/Snow-Hawk machine will be because of that. When you shift, of course you'll try to do it as fast as you can but there's no way you can shift as fast or backshift as fast as a nicely tuned CVT. And how about high speed, how about shifting from 4th to 5th gear in deep snow ? Will the track loose some of its momentum and won't be able to keep the track turning ? That's just a question, on trails, I have no doubt that the kits would be a super good thing.

That being said, I think the 300 would be my choice ! Actually, my first choice would be a modded to death CR500AF... I don't know how the power feels on these kits but I think you'll need around 70 horses to get things going properly. Well hopefully i'll try one during christmas time. Gotta tell you: I'm a two stroke guy... owned three 125 in my life and the good ol time (2003 and below) when the sound of racing was the true sound of racing according to me... 125 class was still 125... these factory modded 125 races were just a symphony to my ears. Don't get me wrong, tried 250F and 450F and they're so much better, easier to ride but... anyway...

 

[MOONMAN]

I know nothing about 1 ski's but, I would think kickstarting a bike with icey snow boots would suck! If the bike is a SMR it would have stiffer susp. and
e-start

 

[adrenalinejky]

Go with the 450. Or better yet sell both and buy a 530. Tourque is what you need. The bigger the motor the more tourque it makes. This of course depends on where you plan on riding most. If in the MTN's go big, If on flat ground with little to no elevation, it doesn't really matter. That 300 exc is a great motor. That would be a hard decision.

 

[Dobber1]

Don't want to start a fight on that but let's face it: I think that, part of the reason why the explorer/2 moto kits won't be able to keep up with a snowmobile/Snow-Hawk

I'm not sure anyone is expecting to "keep up with" anything....I think we all understand it's just a different mode of winter recreation.

 

[offroadmatt]

Owned a 450 loved the thing had a gear for everything, wished it had a little more power, my next KTM will be the 530. Owned a 525 before the 450 the power was awesome but the 4 speed sucked might make a great single skier because of the killer track speed not sure though.

 

[TLKDPROD]

I'm not sure anyone is expecting to "keep up with" anything....I think we all understand it's just a different mode of winter recreation.

You're totally right Dobber1.

 

[Dobber1]

You're totally right Dobber1.

Maybe not "totally", but in my own mind...

 

[roo]

more power!

had 2 moto on big bored 70 h.p. ktm, was alot of fun, but................
the guys that are really serious about the conversions are now running turbo charged 110 plus h.p. machines. my take if you own the bike and you want some adventure outside summer, go for it. it is unmatched in the tight stuff, you can go anywhere. but don't expect to buy one and keep up with your buddies on sleds. these machines should not be compared to others, but taken for what they are, A TON OF FUN!!! recomend talkin a buddy into buyin one to, I think it would have made a big difference with my experiance. props to both companies for pushin the sports. this will be my second season, totally hooked (obsessed?)

 

[snowhawk jockey]

I would be tracking the KTM to ride with other snowbikers. There going to be a few of them around here soon. I just saw two bikes, a CRF450X and WR450, setup at the Honda shop here in town. They were customers bikes, getting equipped. At my old haunt, a kitted KTM big bore sits by the front door. These kits are going to catch on and we are going to be over run with snow explorers soon. Mark my words!

 

[snowhawkaddict]

Discounted.

Maybe they should try it first, or priced it this way from the start!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/946050285.html

 

[buffaloHAWK]

nice way to get people on an explorer and get rid of old stock....and hes still makin money. whats gonna happen when all the explorer ridin guys and gals want to upgrade? is adb gonna make a street bike kit or a kit to fit them bmw's(like addicts) or are they gonna be at a loss trying to find a HAWK?

 

[877snowhawk]

it will fit both ktm's , and i think one is just as good as other,,, both bikes have plenty of power,,, my ktm 250 does real wekk with the kit on... but most people into real power will want 450 and up, and the 300 is great power also, i will try to be live more on my webcam today.... thanks


mike

 

[snowhawk jockey]

I have followed the conversion of a DZ400SM with a homemade turbo system. It functioned very well and looked to be easily tunable for the kind of boosting that a KTM would need for snow application. I haven't looked into it seriously, however, since I am not going to swing that kind of cash for the snowbike.

I can't wait to ride!! I had to install my anti-vibe bar mount just to keep busy and not think about riding...

On another note, now that I have sold the spare Hawk, I am going to list all my spares for sale. Check for a spares for sale thread soon.