2023 KTM 300XC vs 2022 KTM 250SX Back to Back TBI vs Carb

TBI vs Carb! Back to back ride on my 2023 KTM 300XC with Throttle Body Injection (TBI) vs my buddy Bill's 2022 KTM 250SX with Mikuni carburetor. Riding these bikes back to back really makes the differences between TBI and Carb stand out. My buddy Bill has a '23 KTM 300 Erzberg and '21 KTM 300XC so he is familiar with TPI fuel injection. This was his first ride on a TBI 300. He was impressed and liked the strong linear power.

2022 KTM 250SX:
Easy to feel the strong initial throttle response of the Mikuni carb 250SX. That meaty low end bark and instant response of a well jetted carb is what some riders feel KTM Transfer Port Injection (TPI) lacks. The carburetor is such a simple device and still works great and this '22 250SX runs strong.

2023 KTM 300XC:
The '23 300XC TBI engine is powerful, especially on this slippery dry track. The low to mid partial throttle roll on torque on the '23 300XC TBI engine feels stronger than a 300 TPI engine with a more classic carb like meaty power feel. There is also a noticeable difference between Map 1 and Map 2 on the '23 300XC TBI engine. Map 1 is a little smoother response while Map 2 is beast mode with stronger throttle response and is very good for moto tracks.

These KTM 2-strokes are great engines. The 300 TBI feels like it makes a couple more peak HP and has a more meaty and stronger low to mid throttle torque feel and Map 2 is very responsive. The carburetor equipped 250SX has strong initial throttle response with good pull into the upper RPM's and is still a very fun bike to ride. Simple and effective. The all new 300 TBI matches that "carb" feeling with a little more power and refinement and no need for jetting. TBI fuel injection just might be good enough to get a few riders to give up their carburetors and jetting. Both are very good engines. Nice to have choices!

[bartman]

My nephew races there a lot. I'm liking your vids! I just got a 2023 250 XC

[AndrewDeVries]

Great video. Kicking myself for passing up a recent deal on a 22 ktm 250sx. I definitely have the 2 stroke itch again. Hopefully I’ll find another one over the winter.

[wykittypreps]

Love the new xc. What ratio are you running in fuel an are you getting any fouled plugs or spooge out of shorty can?

[Pint]

That 250 sounds nasty. Thought I was going to loop out in my chair

[MR.TOYBOX]

Great videos! Opinion? I am going to start racing hare scrambles in the south East. Alabama to be specific.

It’s the secca series if you want to see a lap on a course to see what I am up against YouTube channel it.

B rider when in shape but starting this year in c class . Got to get back into shape and I never took it serious before . Enter 3 races like 7 years ago.

I am torn between the 2023 XC 300 or the 23 xc 250? I currently have a 04 YZ 250 I also have 13 wr450 but it’s heavy and I am selling and the yz to get new bike .

One rider said this series is more about stamina then HP to win. But I guess the top riders are in shape and ride the faster bikes available. Not sure . Thoughts on which one I should get ?

5-8 210lbs for reference.

Thanks