2020 and 2021 KTM 300 XC-W Full Review

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For the first time since 2014, I feel like I can't live without an XC-W.  Many of my rides have gotten slower and more technical.  For that type of riding the XC-W is king.  No Linkage to worry about, soft forks, tight turning, lug factor,... smooth power.... it's all here on those days that I need it.

From what I can tell, the only things they changed for 2021 are plastics. 

Geometry tweaks in the front end  and frame
- More XC like in it's balance and feel
- New Frame for 2020!  SWEET.  It is stupid good.
- more balanced front to back - no more stink bug effect

Suspension tweaks
- best fork KTM has ever put on the XC-W
- absorbs the sharp nasty stuff really well
- can still get out and hit whoops but you use a lot of stroke.
- doesn't deflect!

Motor tweaks
- 2020 mapping starts SO MUCH BETTER than the 2019 version.  Huge step up here
- many of these are really snappy, so much so that I stay with the gray throttle cam
- remember to tune your power valve to your liking.  The all come different.

Bad:
- Rear fender setup
- No kickstart
- Power valve leak - many of the 2020 and 2021 bikes leak transmission fluid slowly out of the power valve gaskets
- Air bypass screw is stupid for adjusting the idle - give us a real way to adjust the idle without leaning the mix.
- No spark arrestor on these bikes
- Radiators can get pushed back and cut the lower radiator hose (power valve puncture)
- Needs an aftermarket capacitor to bump start on dead battery.  XC has it... why not the XC-W?

Good:
- Tightest turning radius of any bike I've ever ridden.  Love this for the nasty stuff.
- Motors are the smoothest (least vibration of any in the industry).  Runs SUPER clean.
- Oil reservoir gives you 5+ tanks of fuel. 
- Starts great - ambient air pressure sensor hasn't skipped a beat for me
- Suspension rings allow you to see how much travel you are using.
- Air filters standard across all the big bikes
- air filters with no tools
- One bolt seat is nice
- Lock on grips
- Pipes are tucked up and away
- Pipes are strong - won't get better performance with aftermarket.

Charles Blair, Robert Kingsley,  Sean Winters, Donald Stafford, Scott Pickard
James Myers, David Lindgreen, Rodney Smith, Roland Thompson, Bruce Mesner, David Gagnon, Rodney Stevenson, Craig Kelly, David Bullen, Tommy Simper, Michael Hammond, Travis Winston, Ryan Woodley, Steven Brady, Keith Brothersen, Mark Fleishman, Matt Williams, Kenneth Conley, Micheal Abramo, Clayton Walther, Chad Dwyer, Jason August, Elliot Swan, Craig Briscoe, Robert Briscoe, Robert Boener, Joe Siddens, Jeremy Slatton, Raymond Woo, Alan C Sharp, Michael Mercer, Daniel Mcrae, Albert Soto, Brian Lynn, TC3 Cattle, Tom Nooney, Martin Schreier, Dick Hess, Tom Wyatt, Tony Elmore, Thomas Summerfield

[hoosiertrailrider]

Kyle, This has to be your best review yet. Well done! Hit all the touch points and referenced the interchangeable parts very well.

[mofekka]

I have 1, 000 miles on my '21 300 xc-w and I can say the bike is awesome. I was on the fence 250 or 300. I'm super glad I bought the 300. 5'10 185 lbs. Perfect bike for me.

[scottyparutube]

Absolutely love my 20 XCW the only bike that has improved my riding as much as it They have their little issues, but the good is way better than anything else I've ever ridden...

Keep the vids comin, you're doing a great job, thanks...

[mikemoralesofficial]

6:14 - as Billy Bolt mentioned, a lot of pro Hard Enduro riders (other than being mandatory using it) they run the tail light and licence plate holder because it's another way you can grab the bike, with that's extra plastic underneath (on Huskys and Katies). Of course it's not ideal, but just wanted to let you know. I know you guys in the States like to get those "XC-W's" (they're called EXC's here in Europe) naked but that's one of the reasons we don't (AND of course because we can ride them in the streets too). ;-)

[groundhawg]

Finally landed my 22 xcw and this channel helped me on again on 2nd bike first was a 19 yamaha 250x and love that bike

[slything]

Thanks man! I haven't ridden in many years but after watching videos on these bikes for the past few hours I think the decision on what to get is easy! Going full send and grabbing myself one of these bad boys.

[strictlymitch]

Great review can we finally get a 350 4 stroke? Seriously one of the most popular bikes going here in Australia

[elbab]

First Comment! I just got a 2019 XCW 300 with just 6 hrs and just because I started seeing your vids haha

[lukeyoung]

Your reviews are by far the best and most realistic on Youtube.

[markus]

ordered a 22 because of you. thanks for the in depth review mate!

[waltsprenkle]

IM 65, MY OCCUPATION KEEPS ME FIT
TO RIDE A 2019 KTM 500 EXC F ON TRAILS AND MOUNTAIN ROADS, 3000 MI. LAST YEAR. IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD BUY AN XCW EFI FOR MORE AGRESSIVE TRAIL RIDING.
I THANK YOU FOR THE EXPERT WORK YOU PUT INTO YOUR VIDEOS TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS IN THE DIRT
BIKE WORLD. I JUST RENEWED MY SUBSCRIPTION FOR YOUR MAGAZINE BECAUSE THIS ONE I READ, LOL.

[sanon-su]

Holy smokes your footage as you are talking is crazy gnarly

[BlueDawnEnduro]

I totally agree with you on the seats. My WR250F seat was harder but a tad wider. But my TE 300i is softer a bit narrower.

[traskforcenick]

Just ordered a 22. Should have by the end of June. Great review. Thanks Kyle! Trask Force!

[mxgryan]

There's some very good info here Kyle.

[GoViking]

Having recently bought a new2me 2020 300 XCW, I would say this review is fairly in line with my experience so far, other than he left out the 'bottom end sputter' issue. I was worried about the suspension coming off the XC, but its actually pretty awesome, the gearing is perfect for the tight gnar, and it does pull like a train!

[ryanbarker]

My after market pipe just makes more power for sure and sounds wonderful. But I really notice a better power band.

[verdonrocksphotography]

Keeping eye on that bike and hoping so badly it will be sitting in my garage one day, keep up good work, thank you, cheers V!

[fcsgfdp]

What I want is you reviewing a 2021 SHERCO 300 SE Factory please!!!

[RacerRed]

I really like the 300’s because they are so versatile. In competition I would much rather be on a 300 than a 250. Also, the fuel injection is apparently working awesome now.