Back to Back on KTM EFI 250 XC-W TPI vs Carbureted 250 XC | Here is what we learned

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To be completely honest, I was pretty nervous for this day. This was the day that we’d ride my 2017 KTM 250 XC back to back with the 2018 EFI 2 strokes. As most of you know, I have been head over heels in love with both the 2017 250 XC and 300 XCs this year. I’ve specifically grown to love the 250 XC. The 250s just have a playful feel to the motors that I’m digging over the 300s right now. In order to make this test as close as possible, I’m running the stock head, stock carb, stock header pipe, and an FMF Turbine Core 2 silencer on the 2017 250 XC. I have the bike jetted/running very well. It’s running as good as any 2 stroke I have ever owned and I love it.

After riding the EFI bikes for the past month, I was worried that some of that luster would have worn off the 250 XC as compared to the EFI 2 strokes. I was worried that I wouldn’t like it quite as much. Even though the carbureted bike seems to make a bit more power on the low end, the quick revving EFI bikes have a lighter feel to them. The throttle tension isn’t as hard on the throttle tube either since you are just turning a butterfly valve in the throttle body and you tend to notice that as well. The XC-W TPI and the 250i just feel great. Sure, there are things that I don’t like about the EFI bikes, but I have to nit pick to find them. In truth, I could ride any of them as my primary bike. If you give me the gearing I want with the EFI motor…. that would be the ultimate bike for me. These EFI motors are going to save 2 strokes for the masses.

Robert Van Huss, Nick Ptolemy, Brian Falcon, Max Messina, Kelly Roach, Bryson Stafford, Seth Green, Terence Seymour, Sean Williams, David Mariotti, Ryan Woodley, Jon Colson, Flo Motorsports, Nate Winget, Steven Brady, Travis Winston, Steve Yurko, Keith Snow, Chad Cooper, Jim Bass, Nathan Weber, Mitchell Forrest, Mark Fleischman, Dion Jaramillo, Ken Paulino, Paul Warner

[dirtbikesicehockey]

Descions, descions, descions, seems like you're a winner no matter which bike you pick

[davidsferrazzo]

Hey Kyle, I finally got my first dirt bike! It’s a 1989 YZ250 still very relevant with parts etc.. kinda. Anyway just wanted to let you know that your videos are and have been helping me with working on my bike .

[bernhard]

I like watching the mechanical videos as much as the riding vids haha I just like watching how others work on stuff and maybe spot a different way to do stuff so its educational and entertaining haha

[mikeross]

The XC-W will feel smoother than the XC, whether using a carburator of TPI. Their ignitions are mapped differently. The XC has more motocross/track characteristics and different suspension, rear wheel, and gear box. The XC-W mapping, PDS suspension, gear ratio, and even the cast vs. machined triple clamps will give the bike a much smoother trail riding feel. You're not comparing apples to apples.

[TheHuckHD]

Kyle you should match up the EFI with a Lectron or a Kehin carb! I don't think the mikuni can speak for us carbys :D

[johnbrisbane]

I bet these two bikes make IDENTICAL power. The TPI is pushing a WIDER RATIO GEARBOX. Two stroke power with closer ratios will always be in the meat

[trevinjacobson]

I know what you mean when you say it’s lighter. Hard to put words to it but I experienced the same thing when I rode a fuel injected 450. Something about how it makes power and delivers it so smoothly makes it feel light. First time I rode a fuel injected bike it felt almost electric to me vs that tractor pull of a carb’d 450 and even though they weighed the same and made relatively the same power it felt like a 250 under me

[EreksonJ]

Kyle, Have you ever wanted to try riding sand dunes? I get that you love singletrack, just curious if you've ever considered trying out the sand? Power difference become pretty obvious (and relevant) in the sand...

[harryhiggins]

Another great video very informative exactly what I thought have a good one that looks like great riding wish I was there!!!!

[madman]

Scott is ahead of me on my "old" 2017 250 xc, haha, jeez man, I feel sorry for the bike. ;-)

[CustomcrowdMitroc]

i wish we had trails like these in australia

[ZSharkPH]

Having a light front end is a big plus....But did you give that deep sand hill climb another try and conquer it??

[jonathanhamilton]

So how do you feel about the PDS shock compared to the linkage shock? Does it ride really differently or is it something that isn’t really noticeable??

[tylerberry]

Hi I really enjoy your YouTube videos very insightful and I'm learning a lot from what you're telling us I have a question for you what's the best way to approach people on the trail that are hiking biking and horseback riding when I feel like I get nothing but negative comments and things about bikes on the trail dirt bikes on the trail?

[markmtbrider]

Splliting hairs it sounds like. That is a good thing. For now then I am stickijng with a tried and true carb. Thanks for the comparisons. It will be along time until an efi bike hits the reasale ads for a decent price anyway.

[cliffordreed]

Can you provide details of your jetting and needle settings, and how those compare to the book tables for your altitude?

[MyersJOriginal]

please tell me you monitored fuel consumption during this big test. Its the only real reason I want an EFI bike. I do long rides without a gas stop...

[carmane]

Now you need a 250 Xcw carb to compare

[IcemanSam]

I prefer the future proof models, electronics are great until you can't find parts. Even with the new KTM models they seem like they are always on backorder...I can only imagine 10 years from now...*Yamaha and KTM owner speaking*

[ktm-bcdw]

It’s your air fork that’s the issue. We don’t have that Europe! It’s nots so good off Rd enduro races.