KTM 300XC vs KTM 300XC-W - Dirt Bike Magazine

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[gpaull]

Don’t pass up a deal on a 250. A lot of people in my group (including me) have gone back to the 250s. Deals can be found on them because everyone wants the 300. In addition they can be ridden a little harder and feel a little lighter. That equals more fun and less tired. The 250 still has more than enough power…250s we’re the prime bike size before 4 strokes were king and they’ve only gotten better since then. .

[ttreb]

Having just purchased a 22 300xcw, I love it. I'm more of an intermediate rider and love the lower gear ratio. It allows me to still make steep climbs at lower speeds. I had my suspension done by motoexperts and I couldn't be happier.

[josephsoderberg]

I jus t got the 2022 300 xc last weekend. I spent a lot of time trying to decide between the 250 and the 300. I also wasn't sure about xc and xc-w. After riding the bike, I am very glad I got the xc for three reasons. First, the air fork is much more planted and responsive compared to the oil fork. It is also a lot more adjustable. It keeps the front end lighter, which I like. Second, first gear in the xc is almost too low, and first gear in the xc-w is even lower. Third, I love the power. There really is a difference in power between the 250 and the 300. Even though the bike is the same weight. If I come to an obstacle in the road I get an immediate hit to lift the front end on the 300, but not so much on the 250. I also love the non stop torque when hill climbing with the 300.

[wfodavid]

Hero dirt for this test. Rode the XC for decades. I'm old now and switched to the XCW. Nice work gentlemen.

[TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Thanks for breaking it down and reviewing the bikes. Just recently got into riding and liked the sound of the 4 strokes. Didn't realize there was such a significant difference in "stall'ability".
Now I get to learn clutch work. 💪😃.

At least in amusing my 2 stroke friends along the trails and posting my fails for all to enjoy.

[The]

if you get the skid plate and linkage guard for an xc it will slide over logs better than a pds bike.

[gpaull]

PDS needs the correct spring for the riders weight. In my experience everyone who spends the money to do this LOVES the PDS. The linkage is more forgiving to spring rate…hence why you hear about more people liking the linkage.

[troybond]

Update - after putting some more hours on the 21 300 xcw the gap between 2nd and 3rd is not as big an issue as I originally felt it was. Growing up on 2 strokes you get used to hearing them scream or being in the power band aka on the pipe however this engine seems to handle sustained pulling through the mid range no problem. I don't want to say it lugs fine in 3rd as in my mind that term seems to fit the low end of the rpms just before staling. This past weekend we rode some pretty fast very whooped out sandy single track I found 3rd to have a lot of comfortable range from mid to top rpms. I was probably in 3rd most of the time and dropped to second for cornering, I feel like it's important to rev it out at times like that as well to keep things clean and to not foul the plug. I have two tpi bikes the 300 xcw and a 21 150 xcw as well my son rides. The 150 fouls plugs much more often and I'm pretty sure it primarily happens on the down hill decent using some engine braking. For sure the first two times it happened were after long descents. I now have him clutch and rev up at times and esp near the bottom when he will be getting back on the throttle and that seems to help. The mechanic at the dealership also showed me where there was a small sensor with a rubber boot over it by the throttle body (can you call it the carb on an efi?) to carefully blow off as that apparently has been causing some plug fouling. Thankfully compared to a 4 stroke swapping plugs is pretty easy however they are very expensive esp for the 150. I still want to get on a new 300 xc to compare and might make that happen we have a 450 xcf in the stable that may get updated to a 300 xc.

[chrispederson]

Add a TSP high compression head Ecu reflash and you will not miss a 300. Way more mid to low and revs up like 250 does. Lots of fun.

[GoViking]

I'm at work watching this and just drooling.. Cant Wait to ride my New2Me 2020 300 XCW again.. I was on a 2013 300XC for almost a decade.. A very Awesome bike and I was worried about the suspension on the W. I have to say, I had nothing to worry about, and the tranny is perfect (I ran 13/52 on my XC and that was about the same as the W stock).

[Bubbleuprubberdown]

The best KTM/Husqy comes in red and a handful of $100’s less.

[unes]

What would be the best to ride as a daily(supermoto) and do some enduro and snow biking? Is there a bike that can do all of them?

[strvenoconnell]

Looks like the Cajon pass, southern California

[goodboyringo]

A 400 2 stroke xc would be the Cat's ass, smoking the 450 4 stroke

[NdnxdidhhNndhxydh]

Harris Jason Gonzalez Brenda Anderson William

[troybond]

I currently ride the21' 300 xcw and my 14 year old is on the 21' 150 xcw for our woods bikes. My previous woods bike was an 09 300 xc. I would have loved to ride both xc and xcw as we also ride track and dunes (21' 450 sxf and the 150 sx) and I like the sx/xc suspension better than the new xplorer set up stock vs stock that being said I had pro action do all new susp on my new 300 and it is perfect for off road. I like no linkage for sliding over logs and such and I just don't worry about it at all back there but endless ppl ride linkage and don't seem to be getting hung up or breaking things. I think I would like the xc tranny/gearing better in 2nd/3rd but love the low crawling 1st gear of the w but I assume 1st on the xc isn't much taller as it seemed pretty low on my 09 xc. I don't use the tall 6th gear of the w at all other that a gravel road on occasion back to the truck, no fire roads where we ride. Only thing I would change on the 300 xcw is the gap between 2nd and 3rd is pretty big where you're climbing and feeling like its screaming a bit in 2nd so you up shift and find 3rd is too tall and can't keep it as crisp so I think the xc would be a tighter gap right there. Lots of climbing takes place in 2nd and 3rd, otherwise love the bike as is esp with the new suspension but I generally do the susp anyway on my new bikes. It's my first W bike and still deciding if I am in love or not. My oldest son rides the 450 xcf and I had an 08 505 xcf and loved it so with 3 xc's in my history and now the two xcw 's I think I like the xc gearing better at least in the middle. As you can see not a clear cut case for either as I have one and still can't decide:) whichever one a person buys they will love it and it will be the best offload bike they've been on. You just can't beat the fun factor of the 300. I have the 500 xcfw as well and it's a tourque monster and has its place but I take the 300 every chance I get it just puts a smile on my face from the first fire up but I'm a 2 stroke fan. In summary give me the 300 xcw with the sx/xc suspension setup minus the linkage and stick the 300 xc tranny in it.

[edsmith]

So the whole video is about the PDS vs linkage but I bet 90% of us would think it would be about the transmissions because that's why we watched.

[GrotrianSeiler]

What a great review. Makes me want to get one of each. But their has clearly moved on for 2024. Great company.

[IgWannA]

PDS without linkage gives better ground clearance, better for enduro

[WASemiHardEnduro]

Correction: Both bikes share the same tank. KTM's website is incorrect, but they actually do have the same part #s if you look a the fiche.