I'm PISSED OFF and can't be quiet any longer about EFI 2 strokes

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Can we just stop with the BS talk about how KTM EFI 2 strokes suck? Seriously. Are they all perfect? No. Are all carbureted 2 strokes perfect? No. Here is the thing though... this is the way forward and the EFI run better than 95 percent of the carb bikes out there. Yes, some tuning was often required on the TPI models. These TBI models though... they are a HOME FREAKING RUN! Most people have never ridden a properly tuned 2 stroke carb bike, so when they get on these EFI bikes, their minds are blown. I talk to them nearly daily and have for the past 6 years.

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[djnord]

My only complaint about TPI and TBI is affordability. I'm excited to buy your well-maintaned used one in about 5 years. I'll continue to complain about the lack of kick-start options though. Cheers!

[Exuberator]

Kyle started a new cycle and is jacked up.

[marktarascio]

The main problem is the TPI sensor all it has to do is get hit hard or get water in it in the bike cuts off. You are right when fuel injection works its great. But even if my carb setting are off it will still run and not leave me stranded.

[rzyam]

My take as a 50+ year motorcycle rider, both dirt and street: No doubt, the 2023 XCs are fantastic. I have two friends with them, and I have ridden one of their bikes. Impressive engine, and the suspension seemed fine as well.

But...lets admit, there are more potential single point failure items on these new bikes than we have on a carbureted bike that also has a kickstarter. I have experienced that on the trails with not just one, but several riders (I also have friends with TPI bikes, and new Betas without kickstarters).

IF you are going to buy and ride one of these newer bikes, I implore you to learn how it functions, what its fuses do, what its sensors do, what the idiot lights on the dash mean, and learn whether or not you can start it if the battery dies! I've had to lend my mechanical and electrical knowledge to riders of these new bikes ON THE TRAIL to get their bikes started so we could finish the ride or even start the ride! Sure, I've had to do that over the years with carbed bikes as well, but the complexity of these new bikes adds a whole new set of potential problems to diagnose. If you never ride more than a short walking distance from your truck, you probably don't need to worry. But if you typically ride hours away from your truck and far from cell service, I strongly suggest you learn all that you can about these new machines.

One last point, and I believe others have commented on this as well, Kyle never keeps a bike very long. When you keep a bike 300-500 or more hours, routine maintenance becomes a must. The old carb/kickstart bikes are pretty simple in that respect. Not so these newer fuelie bikes.


Get out and ride!!!

[ktm]

Possibly the 2023 models have got most of the problems sorted out. But I don't think your sample group of three is statistically valid. You'd need a much bigger sample group to speak with authority. If you speak confidentially with mechanics who've had a lot to do with TPI models there have definitely been many cases which prove there are serious issues. They aren't all caused by the owner!

[prestonatamanczyk]

Kyle, over the years, I have really appreciated the work you have done on your channel, especially your bike reviews. So please don't take this personally. 😊 But I vehemently disagree with the content of this video. Here are 4 reasons why:

1. The main reason carb bikes don't run well for most people is simply because they do NOT know how to tune them. My father is a carb guru, and we have ridden many carbed 2-strokes over the years, including the bikes we have now, that run great. In fact, I think our current carbed bikes run better than the EFI bikes I've ridden. The EFI bikes have too soft of a bottom end. My 2022 Sherco SE 250 Factory will smoke my friends 2021 KTM 250 XC, all the way through the powerband.

2. A big reason why people complain about the EFI bikes, and is the reason I won't buy one, is because they have had terrible experiences with them, not just because of what they've seen on the Internet. I have heard and seen first hand so many horror stories from people I know that I am not willing to take a chance on them, especially since our carbed bikes run phenomenal....like today, and 25 years ago.

3. 2-strokes were never going to die, and KTM sure as heck can't take the credit for "saving" them. The hot 4-stroke trend started before you started riding back around the year 2000. People jumped on the bandwagon and started buying the 4-strokes. But over time, a lot of those same people realized the hot 4-strokes weren't what they were cracked up to be, and they started migrating back to 2-strokes. 2-strokes were already making a comeback before KTM went to EFI.

4. A huge reason Beta and Sherco are becoming so popular is because enough people have had bad experiences with the EFI bikes, and they want to go back to a carb. It's because people DON'T want EFI that those other brands are thriving. In effect, KTM is helping those other brands because they are losing market share to the brands with carbs. The biggest reason KTM is the biggest brand is because they hit their stride with the off-road market several years before Beta and Sherco, not because they make a superior product.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a KTM hater. It's just that every time I ride a 2020 or newer KTM, Husky, or Gas Gas, it feels like a disappointment compared to our Betas and Sherco.

I really do appreciate your passion, Kyle, but I think it's important for the truth to be known.

[kirt]

I personally had a 19 tx300 and a 21 300xc and the 21 felt sluggish and underpowered I sold the 21 and kept the 19. I'm excited to see what the tbi is like but did not like the power from the tpi. Not a bad bike I just didn't like it.

[MichaelTucker]

The exception for a carby bike is one fitted with a SmartCarb. Starts easily, doesn't have air/fuel mixture issues, uses less fuel and will run upside down!

[dirtbiketherapy]

I rode a 2023 300sx 3-4 months ago back to back with my built 2022 250sx. Both bikes are very fast, but the responsiveness and smooth power is something a carbed bike will never match. First time I’ve ever thrown my leg over a bike and thought “this bike is revolutionary.”

[joeypowell]

Glad your experience has been so good. Not everyone's has. These bikes were developed to pass emissions. They are undeniably more problematic than a carbed bike. No, I'm not comparing it to my twenty-five-year-old YZ250 on a perfect day. I'm comparing them to my 2018 te300 with a Billetron carb that I ride in various elevations regularly. I have no oil pump or tps sensor to worry about. It's the best running and most reliable bike I've ever had.

[WASemiHardEnduro]

I can’t really disagree.
To be fair though the TPI bikes aren’t perfect and can be difficult to troubleshoot (but for the most part the community has figured out most issues now).
TBI remains to be seen if they have fewer issues than TPI (like CCPS, etc).

[georgedragojlovic]

Couldn't have said it better myself
I have a 22 300xc I've put 120 hrs on it in 8 months and it has never missed a beat
There so good. Thanks for the good content stay safe and ride hard

[UTPP]

I've had my Sherco 300 2 stroke for over 18 months and it runs like a dream. I'll stick to carb thanks.

[robstriegel]

I fully concur. I Primarily race MX and have a 23 450 SX. I liked having an XC bike around so I could race the occasional woods races. I had a 14 250 XC I bought to beat around on in the woods and loved it but it was kind of dated so I bought a 350 XCF as I didnt like the TPI bikes. I also didnt like the 350 personally but I must add i had a Rekluse in it and it neutered the bike but was needed to prevent stalls. I sold the 350 a couple months ago and picked up a 23 300xc. i have been on these since 76 and competed in MX and off road for about 30 years. This 23 300XC is the most perfect 2 stroke bike I have ever ridden and the most fun to ride woods competition motorcycle I have ever ridden. Honestly the entire bike in my opinion is damn near perfect. i have cone valves on my 23 450 and expected to have to do major suspension work to this 300 but honestly even the suspension is decent.

[LizardHunter]

The best part about 2 strokes is the simplicity. Bringing all this tech to two strokes is amazing, but there is a reason the YZ250 is still selling as well as it is. Also carbs like Smart carbs/Lectron are a fantastic middle ground solution and a great example of what can be achieved if they put more R&D into carbs instead of just jumping to EFI.

[juanky]

I don't have anything against the EFI 2T but I think they should keep a version with carb and kickstarter. This reminds me the day Honda stopped making 2T... they killed all the fun and that's the reason I have a 2008 KTM 300xc today.

[Isaacab]

I honestly haven’t heard anything bad about the fuel injected two strokes from people that own them

[charlesmiller]

I ended up buying my 2020 xcw 300 becauseof finding your channel and haven't regretted it for one moment. It puts nothing but a smile on my face every time I ride. I haven't done the idle mod, but haven't needed to yet but from what your saying about fine tuning in this video, I 'll reconsider it. Thanks for all that you do Kyle. Have a good one brother.

[wobbebeullens]

What is a better race bike a ktm 125cc 2022 or a ktm 125cc 2023 I want to buy one but I don’t know which one can someone help me please?

[stroberts]

I bought a 23 125sx for my son to race this year and he has little over 10hrs on it and likes it. I've started to look for parts to do a top end and it seems all oem pistons are on backorder till August. I've looked for aftermarket pistons and haven't had any luck with that either. How is he going to race it this year with no parts available to service it? Where do you get your top end rebuild kits?