Been there, done that, 4 stroke that is, ran the gas gas last year with cast smarty, carb ice won, went to 300 Xc and finished season with it, as far as having to rev the crap out of it I haven't had to. Also as far as the four strokes feeling as light as the 300, NO WAY. Everyone that has ridden the smoker and the four strokes back to back can not believe how nimble and light the 300 feels.i ride for the fun factor and the 300 makes me smile. I will admit going straight up a hill the big thumpers have more torgue but I did enough of that with my old sled. Bikes are for trees and these things shine.
New Ktm 300 or thumper??
- Thread starter upfront719
- Start date
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portgrinder
Well-known member
Snowbikes are still in the tinkering phase. We've got about 1996 technology if you look at sleds and how they progressed.
Anything will work if you just want to toodle around. If you're replacing a sled though, it's going to take some effort no matter what setup you run.
A few more years and it will be a lot different I think.
Anything will work if you just want to toodle around. If you're replacing a sled though, it's going to take some effort no matter what setup you run.
A few more years and it will be a lot different I think.
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upfront719
Active member
I pulled the trigger on a 2014 KTM 3-hundy xc-w today. I put 45 miles on it and she absolutely rips. I have a torn up shoulder so it was mostly road riding and some two-tracks to break it in before I put a track on it this weekend. This thing wants to be on the pipe...and I love it. Heading to Colorado in December. I may be too excited to sleep b/t now and then. 
Thanks for all the input. Pics to come once I have it set up in two weeks.
Ryan
Timbersled Rep - Michigan
Thanks for all the input. Pics to come once I have it set up in two weeks.
Ryan
Timbersled Rep - Michigan
Just curious, why the XC-W vs the XC?
M5
M5
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upfront719
Active member
The ktm website says the tranny's are the same. Im thinking the W is wider but if ridden properly it doesnt matter all that much. I had a 450 sx and a 500 xcw and i could get the 500 to rev just as quick as the 450 with proper clutch workings. We do some road riding in the summer and trail riding in the winter so the xcw is better for offering a smooth ride. Other advantages for me was shorter seat height, softer suspension, shorter wheel base and light kit. Both bikes are great bikes.
I would like to know if the trannys are different. Again according to ktm's website they are listed as the same ratio
I would like to know if the trannys are different. Again according to ktm's website they are listed as the same ratio
I pulled the trigger on a 2014 KTM 3-hundy xc-w today. I put 45 miles on it and she absolutely rips. I have a torn up shoulder so it was mostly road riding and some two-tracks to break it in before I put a track on it this weekend. This thing wants to be on the pipe...and I love it. Heading to Colorado in December. I may be too excited to sleep b/t now and then.
Thanks for all the input. Pics to come once I have it set up in two weeks.
Ryan
Timbersled Rep - Michigan
Nice that's a great pick.... Going to Co I would look into a smart carb
makes life easy...Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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upfront719
Active member
Thanks Wallace. I ordered the Smartcarb and Avids heater today... Looking forward to this winter!!
I ran a timbersled kit on a 300xcw for two years. This summer I sold it and went with the 500exc. I absolutely love the 300 for dirt riding, but it just doesn't perform well as a snow bike. I spent a lot of time messing with jetting, installed a carb heater, rebuilt the top end, tried different gearing on the secondary sprockets....ect. It never performed near as well as the 4 strokes.
I had to run it wide open to produce any power, and once the rpms dropped I was screwed. I also broke several sets of reeds, which isn't fun to change in the snow. I think the 300 is the best trail bike ever made, but it just isn't a good snowbike.
I had to run it wide open to produce any power, and once the rpms dropped I was screwed. I also broke several sets of reeds, which isn't fun to change in the snow. I think the 300 is the best trail bike ever made, but it just isn't a good snowbike.
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thejean
Well-known member
I had a similar experience on my 2009 5 speed xcw. What year and tranny ratios were you running? The bike had plenty of power at full song but anywhere else I struggled. I noticed it most when making a shift during a steeper climb. All of my buddies on thumpers would just tractor up while I had to turn out or risk burying the back end.
I also HATED mixing gas in the cold.
I'm on a 450 XCF this year. If I don't notice a huge improvement I may go back to a newer 300 next year.
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mtn-doo
Well-known member
Not all 300's are comparable. You can't report on an older, stock XCW and say "all 300's" don't work. A properly set up XC is a totally different experience. No jetting issues, no 3rd gear bogging issues, etc. We will post lots of you tube footage of a properly set up 300 for the folks who are curious as to how they work.
You are making a good point and I concur with your statements. One thing to remember is the 2s has to always be on the pipe or it will not pull a gear .
So for most people the torque of the 4 stroke makes for a better riding experience all around with less shifting and a more relaxed ride.
That is especially noticeable at the end of the day or on longer trips.
If I get less busy one year I might built a 2s just for giggles but not as a permeant ride. Same as some of my dirt bike buddies that have 150s, they are fun and remind us of the good old 125 screamer days but they all have there regular rides as well and use the 150 for the fun ride once in a while.
So for most people the torque of the 4 stroke makes for a better riding experience all around with less shifting and a more relaxed ride.
That is especially noticeable at the end of the day or on longer trips.
If I get less busy one year I might built a 2s just for giggles but not as a permeant ride. Same as some of my dirt bike buddies that have 150s, they are fun and remind us of the good old 125 screamer days but they all have there regular rides as well and use the 150 for the fun ride once in a while.
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thejean
Well-known member
Completely agree. My buddy has a 2013 300 xcw and I believe he will be just fine. Newer track kits and gear ratios will be a huge improvement over my older bike. But it is important to recognize which 300's will be uber fun and which ones will be just mediocre.
