New Ktm 300 or thumper??

[upfront719]

Looking for some advice guys. I have had a 2013 450 and 500. I really enjoyed both bikes, but I'm thinking of going with a 300 for something different. Trying to decide what to buy? I ride in Michigan but make at least two trips out west every year. I don't mind changing the jetting for those trips but really would prefer not to hassle with the jetting in Michigan. In other words I do not want to be wrenching every weekend. Hopefully you guys can provide me with some guidance here. Again I want the 300 because I know it's a sweet bike but I am hoping I am not making a mistake by going from EFI to a carbureted bike. Please let me know your thoughts, I value and appreciate the feedback.

By the way my '13 500xc-w is listed for sale in the swap meet section

 

[tomk]

Looking for some advice guys. I have had a 2013 450 and 500. I really enjoyed both bikes, but I'm thinking of going with a 300 for something different. Trying to decide what to buy? I ride in Michigan but make at least two trips out west every year. I don't mind changing the jetting for those trips but really would prefer not to hassle with the jetting in Michigan. In other words I do not want to be wrenching every weekend. Hopefully you guys can provide me with some guidance here. Again I want the 300 because I know it's a sweet bike but I am hoping I am not making a mistake by going from EFI to a carbureted bike. Please let me know your thoughts, I value and appreciate the feedback.

By the way my '13 500xc-w is listed for sale in the swap meet section

once you go 2 stroke u will never go back, I wish I never would have wasted my time with my 450, 2 strokes are just better suited for the WFO conditions of snowbikes. plus they are easier to work on, less maintenance, less oil changes, lighter, cheaper to rebuild, and well, just cooler. That is where BRAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPP came from right?

 

[rottinjonny]

I think you should get the 300, but only cause I wanna ride it!

 

[dooman92]

I think you should get the 300, but only cause I wanna ride it!

Me too!

 

[mtn-doo]

Looking for some advice guys. I have had a 2013 450 and 500. I really enjoyed both bikes, but I'm thinking of going with a 300 for something different. Trying to decide what to buy? I ride in Michigan but make at least two trips out west every year. I don't mind changing the jetting for those trips but really would prefer not to hassle with the jetting in Michigan. In other words I do not want to be wrenching every weekend. Hopefully you guys can provide me with some guidance here. Again I want the 300 because I know it's a sweet bike but I am hoping I am not making a mistake by going from EFI to a carbureted bike. Please let me know your thoughts, I value and appreciate the feedback.

By the way my '13 500xc-w is listed for sale in the swap meet section

The Carb and jetting issues have been resolved. Now you can ride there at home, load up and come out west and not have to touch anything. There are several threads that contain info on the American Performance Technologies Smart Carb. Rather than try and find then all, I will give you a few quick references. The Smart Carb is a sealed Carb and has signal ports allowing barometric pressure, "density" to affect fuel metering based on temp and altitude. Sea level to the sky, no jetting and spot on. Be sure to order the "Billet Model". Keep it for life. It's a long term investment. Next order the Carb heat package for that Billet Smart Carb from Avid Products. For other options with your project reference the "ultimate 300 build thread". Be sure to start with a 300XC, not the XCW. If done correctly, they are super fun. Have fun!

http://www.powerapt.com/
http://www.avid-products.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK1m2wbGLZU

 

[KAWGRN]

Yep If I was riding at sea level I would go 300

 

[mtn-doo]

Don't be discouraged upfront719. The 300 set-up is comparable in HP to a 450f. That is why the 250 two strokes have to run in the 450f classes. They produce about 20% more HP per CC. You will start with a baseline of approx 58hp. They are also significantly lighter with a more aggressive power delivery. They work well and are super fun out here in N.W. Montana. Not a "which is better" , they all work well and deliver smiles. If you are looking for something "different" and fun, you might love it. If you choose to go that route, give me a shout. I will be more than happy to help you get set up.

 

[Rush44]

Yep, "which is best" is different to each person. It's so hard to answer people's question "which is best".... you'd have to ask that person about 20 questions to determine what type of rider they are and what part of snowbiking they hold most dear. Then the daily conditions will also dictate what is "best" for that day.

Sometimes I feel like I need a 450 LT, 300 SX, KX/CR500 LT, and a 450 Turbo ST.... anyone see any extra cash sitting around I could have?

 

[upfront719]

Great info guys. I'm buying one....just need to sell my 2013 500 xc-w which is listed in the swapmeet forum.

Randy - I will give you a call.

Thanks again,

Ryan Ellis

 

[Curt_T]

Get the 300 so I can try it out!!! Can't wait to ride

 

[powderzone]

a contrarian perspective

I had my TS kit on my 300XC for most of one season. It had lots of braap but the carb icing issues that plagued me on colder days drove me crazy. The bike would be sputtering and farting and on one occasion i had to stop the bike about 20 times because the carb was icing up so bad.

Plus I felt like the engine was going to grenade at any moment since you had to be WOT going up hills / mountains in deep snow. To get the most out of a 300XC as a sled bike you'll need to ceramic coat the pipe, SX ignition, aftermarket head, billet smart carb, heater unit from Avid or some other home-made solution...all this adds up.

Where you are riding is obviously an important consideration. But the day I rode with a bunch of guys on 450's...and they were walking away from me in all conditions and terrain, well frankly, it was hard to ignore. I had poured so much effort and $ into making my 300XC perfect, and here were stock thumpers kicking my butt. Then I rode one and it actually felt lighter than my 300...even though it is heavier, I think the linear power delivery helped with that. I guess in reality, i was able to ditch one of my extra fuel cans so I saved some weight that way...in the end, the weights between the two (with fuel) are quite similar.

In the end, I bought a 450 for winter duty. In my area the 450 thumpers (in particular the 450sxf) are selling out well before summer due to the increased interest from sled bikers. That's got to tell you something.

Now, before all the smoker fans jump all over me, I will say that my summer bike is a 300XC and I love it. If you are trying to run one bike then I'd maybe get some feedback from people who have used the smart-carb / avid heater combo. There's some well-informed people here on the forum but I'd want to see more data points before I put my 300 back into winter service.
That's my 2 cents.

 

[powdermuncher]

What he said --- that is my experience as well hard to beat 450 torque and EFI

If you are into doing a build and have more fun trying to make a 2 stoke work

it may be for you --- if you prefer to just ride 4 stroke is where it is at.

By the way I love the 200 and 300 for the dirt. looking at a 250 for next summer for winter YZ 450 it rocks bone stock .

 

[M5-]

I'm not sure what the answer is. I see the 300s running strong but they don't seem like its all that relaxing riding one, as in you can never take a break from WFO. I was happy with my 450 and even happier when I made it a 520 but it didn't like having the piss revved out it either. This season I'm going the CR500 route hopefully for its ease of maintenance, the all out peak power and $hit loads of torque. If you look at a dyno chart for a CR500 they make most of their power below 6000 rpm so I should be able to lug it almost like a thumper. I guess time will tell. As the old saying goes There's no substitute for cubic inches.

M5

 

[Uncle si]

I am sticking with my KX500 for the same reasons. I liked the smooth power delivery of the 450, but I put around 200 hours a year on the bike and all those 4 stroke parts are expensive and time consuming to maintain.

The 300sx is high on my wish list - maybe next year.

I'm not sure what the answer is. I see the 300s running strong but they don't seem like its all that relaxing riding one, as in you can never take a break from WFO. I was happy with my 450 and even happier when I made it a 520 but it didn't like having the piss revved out it either. This season I'm going the CR500 route hopefully for its ease of maintenance, the all out peak power and $hit loads of torque. If you look at a dyno chart for a CR500 they make most of their power below 6000 rpm so I should be able to lug it almost like a thumper. I guess time will tell. As the old saying goes There's no substitute for cubic inches.

M5

 

[n16ht5]

I'm on the fence. I am rebuilding my YZ450F, and I really don't want to do it again... 2T would be so much easier on maintenance. I have a CR250, and Eddie Sanders makes a 345CC kit.. or there's the CR500 motor to transplant...

 

[wwillf01]

I'm on the fence. I am rebuilding my YZ450F, and I really don't want to do it again... 2T would be so much easier on maintenance. I have a CR250, and Eddie Sanders makes a 345CC kit.. or there's the CR500 motor to transplant...

I would go transplant....

 

[powdermuncher]

I guess the question is how many guys have 2 strokes that run without

Messing around for 200 hrs just kick and go.

If there are a bunch of you guys out there chime in.

That would help others a lot to make up there mind.

Whats the life expectancy of a top end ? the crank ? how many have blown up?

We usually get 200 hrs out of fuel injected Yamaha's just change oil thats it.

What is your reliability record.

We should have a thread just for engine failures by brand and model.

 

[Uncle si]

How many hours can one get from a fi Yamaha? My guess is that if you get 200 hours on all the original rotating parts that is much better than a Kawasaki or KTM.

I'd really love to have more qualitative info on motor longevity and maintenance needs. Last season I spent over $2000 on motor parts and hundreds of hours wrenching when I'd rather ride.

I don't have 200 hours on my kx500 yet, but I will share when I have some hours this winter. I figure the maintenance interval will still be very short, but the parts fewer and cheaper. I try to keep the maintenance preventative. It was a miracle that I didn't need a tow last winter - I had seven major failures!

Cams and buckets were the biggest pain on my kx450f.

I guess the question is how many guys have 2 strokes that run without

Messing around for 200 hrs just kick and go.

If there are a bunch of you guys out there chime in.

That would help others a lot to make up there mind.

Whats the life expectancy of a top end ? the crank ? how many have blown up?

We usually get 200 hrs out of fuel injected Yamaha's just change oil thats it.

What is your reliability record.

We should have a thread just for engine failures by brand and model.

 

[2015ktm300sixdays]

Y not a 300 xc-w. I just got a 2015 300 xc-w sixdays. I've never had a snowbike but I'm thinking of coverting my new bike. will I have trouble with the xc-w gearing

 

[827revdog]

I think you should get the 300, but only cause I wanna ride it!

what jon said