2021 KTM 250 XC W | The Lemon | Chris Horner's Motorcycle Essentials

Is it about time for the Lemon Law to take affect?
Slavens ECU: slavensracing.com/shop/slaven...
Twitter: / hornerakg
Instagram: / hornerakg
Linton Horner Coaching: www.lintonhornercoaching.com
Filmed and edited by Garrett Horner
Garrett's Instagram: / garrett.horner
Garrett's KZbin: / @garretthorner

[@Sb3504PIR]

My new favorite channel. Dirt bikes, bicycles and fantastic storytelling. Was having similar issues on our 2020 KTM 150 XC-W. After multiple trips to the shop, the last one being 5 weeks, I do believe it’s been resolved. 2021 300XC-W has had no issues. We are picking up a 250 XC in a couple days and feel like we have a 50/50 chance it will run as intended 🤞

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Right. Seems to be hit or miss. My 250xcw will be back on Tuesday. So I will update soon on it.

[@robertcaddoo7694]

Chris. Been following your cycling career for years and enjoying the dirt bike videos. Keep 'em coming. I have a 2018 KTM 250 XC-W. Kinda glad it is the carburetor version. Thanks.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍 I bet you are. 😂

[@SMacInnis092]

Thanks for sharing this saga. I’ve got the carb version and have been thinking of getting a 2021. Also enjoyed watching you race during the Tdf days.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@psrod7]

Been waiting for this update, thanks.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊

[@hectoralejandro3344]

Hi Chris, LEMON ....LEMON...LEMON!!!!!!! DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!!!!!! The best for you and your family.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@pano360]

Love your vids... Chapeau. Thought for sure we were going to hear "Flipper" again lol. Looking forward to your cycling vids again too!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂

[@fedgshhsgdjk]

I’ve done 30 hours on my 2020 tpi and it’s ran perfect, had ecu reflash by tsp with a medium comp head. Amazes me every time I jump on, was always on the fence with ktm until this thing

[@petergranahan311]

You are a very patient man. I drop bike and keys and ask for my money back. Love the channel. Can't wait for the tours to start, now that Cavendish and Sam Bennett are together. Should be very interesting

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very ! 👍

[@jimjr4432]

Hi Chris, I just love your videos! In 1970 I rode a 175 Yamaha Enduro, I just loved it, but was not a great rider. Well anyway, I get a lot of mileage on a fat tire bike now. Cheers!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@ShiftGearsMoto]

Your son saying "rip it" was hilarious.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Got to love the little guys. 👊

[@tmlpony]

Hi Chris, i have the 2020 ktm 250xcw and really like it,i didn't have any staulling issues,but it does take a while to warm up and it sputters a little bit down low,, i live in New England so its cold up here,,but i just odered the TPI power kit,high comp head and reflash Ecu,, i hear it works well and will turn it into a 300 especially down low,where i like it on my technical rocky trails.I'll keep ya posted.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Got the Slavens ECU here and being installed. Will up date when the bike comes back from the dealer cause you know if I put it on, then I will get blamed for everything wrong with the bike there after. 😱

[@tonygSDWR]

My '05 CRF450 is looking better everyday, hope you get er figured out, brap!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊

[@Lssketch68]

Hey The dealer here in Idaho had a tech from KTM flown out to look at a handful of tpi bikes with problems. My bike felt like it had a restricted exhaust wouldn’t rev out. His diagnosis was the bike wasn’t reaching operating temp and when it did when the tstat opened it cooled it off and put it back to running super rich. I have been riding in freezing temps so anything below 50 degrees F they sell a cover for the right radiator. He put a piece of cardboard in front of the rad and said the bike ran perfectly. KTM is back ordered on the rad cover.

[@Lssketch68]

I’m hoping his fix isn’t just bs😬

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I like that idea just cause the bike never gets warm here in Oregon if you are moving at all. I get the 250xcw back on Tuesday so I will update soon what they did if it’s finally running correctly. 👍

[@rusty78364]

Not sure if you have gotten the issue resolved but if you still have it try swapping the Crank Case pressure sensor for the Ambient air pressure sensor. A faulty CCPS has seemed to be the issue for most the TPI bikes that have the same issues got a couple videos on my channel in a playlist label tpi on some guys who fixed it

[@markmtbrider]

Heck yeah. I am still on the tpi fence.....always keep a kdx in the garage.

[@robertmeringolo5609]

Hey Chris, there is a Tokyo Offroad video that talks about the crankcase breather that leads to the pressure sensor getting blocked. Search his TPI trouble shoot videos on KZbin. Simple fix, that you may have tried already... but just a thought! See you around bend

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🤔👍

[@normal_norm2627]

Cute little kid bud. He's gonna be a daredevil when he gets older. PS. Since you seem to be dirt biking these days, and since I can't afford one anymore, I'll help you out & take one of your pedal powered bikes! 😁😁

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@freedomrider2958]

Yes sir, i would be pissed!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly

[@darrellyazzie7664]

Radiator fan coming soon

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@justincallahan1833]

Hello Chris, how did the get ecu help out? I have a 21 TX300i and I have exactly the same issues and have brought it to the dealer a ton just like you have. Wondering if I should just purchase that kit.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

It didn’t help really at all. I would say it just changed how it was running but not any way better.

[@duanegriffey7021]

Chris, Have you tried backing out the power valve dolly screw about one half to one turn? Your bike sounded rich, backing out the power valve screw tends to lean the bike out a touch from 5500 - 7500 RPM..

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I have not. Will keep that in mind. Right now the dealer doesn’t want me touch anything. So it’s all on them to fix it. It’s back at their shop now.

[@lorenpinger3925]

Simple fix = adjust the idle and then back out the power valve a quarter turn at a time till bogging goes away.

[@Jobcat]

Dang, been eyeing these bikes and been watching your review...hope you get it up and running! Super frustrating. What is your electronic display?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s the Voyager Pro. GPS and will connect with other riders so you know where the group is at all times. Works when I’m out with my teenager so we stay connected

[@pano360]

@@ChrisHornerCycling It's your youngest one that you need to track on GPS - he rips it on that e-bike!

[@stevenburton7922]

Jeez I was thinking of getting the xcw 250 but when I buy a bike I want to ride it not work on it. Maybe I'll get the 4 stroke instead. That stinks. SORRY you are having that problem. Is that affecting the Husqvarnas as well?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

This 250xc-w was a problem. It’s fixed and running great now. And one fanatic ride finally. The 2020 husky TX300i and te 150i both have been great since new.

[@chrispederson4157]

My 2020 250xc-w has ran good since o bought last year and have 70 hours on it. Probably 25 hours with studs riding in way below zero temps. I find I had to turn out air screw 5 turns out to get idle good. Still running original plug. Turn power valve out also help. 1/2 turn in from flush. I am doing the TSP Ecu reflash and high compression head because it sounds like it works good. That would piss me off so much of my bike had all those problems. I also find dealer usually do not help much at all.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I should have the bike back this week so I will let you if the Slavens Get ECU has helped it any. Thanks for the info. 👊

[@markgray3855]

Sounds like my 2020 EXC150 low idle and not warming up. Started from new and got worse over time, probably crank case pressure sensor. Either they didn't replace it or the new one is faulty as well.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s what I’m thinking also. It’s back at the shop again to have both replaced this time.

[@Sanemancured]

Chris, love your channel as a motorcyclist and a cyclist in my late 60s. Are your expectations out of whack? What I mean is are you expecting 4 stroke tractability and pottering from a 2 stroke that struggles with pottering, idling and more trials like riding? I hope not and all the best with it.

[@caroliner6234]

Now that most manufacturers have gotten the mechanical side nailed down and making sound engines they seem to be on a learning curve with emissions. If you good just convert it over to a properly jetted Keihin flat slide that problem would be over.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🤔

[@taylorwilliams102]

Hey Chris do you think your power valve and silencer are getting clogged up letting it warm up that long without blowing the cobwebs out?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I don’t have that problem with my other TPI bikes when I warm them up the same way. With these TPI bikes I have been told from the dealer to let them idle a bit to warm up and for the ECU to calibrate

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I do have a video up where it shows the spark arrestor screen is clogged using the Fastway tip on the stock silencer. So switched to the FMF silencer that has a spark arrestor built in and have not seen that problem since.

[@packkai]

Same question; kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3S1Xpeea6x2bJo, Kyle seems to do it differently. Want to get the '22 version of this bike but now not so sure. // Loved your '03 San Francisco GP - so cool.

[@peteratmore6316]

My 2020 xcw 250 had similar problems, constant fouling and intermittent performance issues. Ktm have now agreed to give a replacement bike. Peter from sunny South Africa 🇿🇦

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Thanks. That’s good know. I think they finally found the issue with my bike, it’s running and not fouling plugs anymore anyways. Now I just got to work out the ECU Athena get system now to fine tune it. 👍

[@josephmayer8880]

Where were you riding at?

[@randytidwell5836]

I think you could have solved the problem with a bpr7eix plug. It's gapped to 28 and the book calls for 24 so yes gap it carefully. It's night and day in mine.before that I had to turn the air screw out 5 turns maybe 5 1/2 killing bottom end. At stock setting it kept loading up. With the plug the air screw is at 3 to 3 1/2 running great. At 3 it still needs a little more idle but not loading up.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Thanks.

[@codyjoseph44]

Do the idle screw mod so you can properly set the idle. It sucks that you have these issues, but your best bet would've been doing the TSP ECU flash/ head. Only $600... BTW, you might want to let your bike warm up a bit more before ripping on it like that. These TPI's are much more prone to cold seizures

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I got an idle screw from Slavens to go long with the ECU

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

It’s super cold in Bend right now. The bike only gets around 130 while riding if there’s any wind on the radiators. I have to be going up hill in the rocks and using a lot clutch to get the bike really warm. I would think it would need to idle for 10-15 mins before it got above 100.

[@codyjoseph44]

I think you'll be happy with it after the mods. My '21 ran clean stock, but I wasn't happy with the power down low. I went with the coober ECU, rk tek head, and slavens idle screw and it is amazing now. I wish I woulda known about the TSP kit though, it comes with all of that at a much better price... Weird it won't get warm with the thermostat. In that case I would block off the left radiator when riding in those temps.

[@scottfast03]

Damn. This sucks man. My buddy has a 2019 TE300i and had similar issues. Went with the GET from Slavens and it helped but he still didn’t like how it ran. I’m getting a 2021 300 xcw TPi soon and really thinking I need to hang on to my 2019. Never had issues with it!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🤔 Thats when someone really gets upset if you sold a good bike and bought a Lemon

[@westcoastfrisco]

Love my 18 XC even more after seeing these kind of videos. Super frustrating man

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Right 👍

[@tadeolar]

it is terrible all this bad experience you are dealing with. I just recently sold my Tx300 carburated 2018 and order a new 250 Tpi EXC. I am crossing my fingers now hoping this doesnt happen to me. please keep us updated

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

New update coming soon.

[@martymorse2]

That bike is pricey to begin with. All the best with sorting it out.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👍

[@stephendavis7707]

Surely for the KTM dealership it would be better to make an effort to fix this problem for their reputation and so they can fix what will probably be many other bikes with the same problem ,they should at least help more and or give you either a bike to use or a new bike

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Something. Pretty soon the 2022 bikes will be out.

[@TopshelfJunior]

Right when I was thinking about upgrading from my KLX 300R, to the KTM 350 XCF......I think I'm gonna pause on that front. Scared now. Kawasaki has given me no problems, bike is running fine...I was just trying to get something lighter and faster but... shiiiiiiiiiiiiii*t, not if KTM is gonna have all these problems...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

So far no problems with any of my four stroke bikes. And I love the 2021 KTM350 xcf that I have. Would love to have a 250xcw that runs though. 🤦‍♂️

[@claudioteixeira5917]

Bad luck with the bike, thousands of ktm/husqvarna tpi same have problems!🤞good luck

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly. Just a roll of the dice. 🤞

[@Ckevinsparks]

Should have bought the white ktm. Plastic makes all the difference. Actually my buddy had problems with his ktm and ktm sent mechanic from California twice. Ended up buying it back from him

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s good to hear. 👍

[@donaldblank8873]

Screw the power valve out flush.

[@kennethgarza1386]

I just bought me this bike today, hopefully this doesn’t happen to me man I’m scared lol

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂 I just dropped off the new Athena Get ECU unit from Slavens Racing to have it installed at the dealer and will update how it works out. I do like how the bike handles and feels. Good luck with yours.

[@mlemorande]

Dang, I would not be pleased!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Right. Me either at this point

[@weenthemollusk]

air screw brah

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🤔

[@kevinsmith2349]

My Kawa has run flawlessly for 7years. You shouldn't have to spend money on a new bike just to get it to run right.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

True that. 👍

[@metamurph]

in the front the little guy is getting dressed :-) bummer with the bike (lemon law for bike?), your going to need to get a done with a follow me. On non-motorized bikes though, story of your favorite bike.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

The little guy is always half dressed all day long seems like. 😂

[@timbruner4628]

Tough luck Chris. At this point I’d switch to a Yamaha.

[@timshig2226]

+1

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I got few Yamahas and they have always ran good. They just don’t make that two stroke off road bike that is all put together. They are all missing the E start 😔

[@jackbauer9347]

I was waiting for this update. Bike still sounds like crap. Sorry Chris..sucks. My 20 TE300i runs so good with 80 hours so far. Bummed to hear you are going to have to throw more money at this thing.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Right. Yikes

[@randygravel2057]

What are you complaining about? Those things are dirt cheap.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂

[@Epitome63]

Wow. Not good. I would try to get them to eat it. POS. They are poking and praying. They have no idea. Is it getting fuel?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

It does drive so must be getting some fuel. Lots of praying 😂

[@Epitome63]

@@ChrisHornerCycling Yeah, I know it is getting some, and since it is new under warranty, they should troubleshoot it. If it were me under my shade tree, I would start at the basics, but these critters are really complicated now. Good Luck.

[@tomcumby1118]

2015 husky re250 getting more valuable

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂 every day.

[@whynotride327]

Wait, this thing has a motor??? With your legs, why?

[@scottfast03]

Try it and you’ll understand! It’s mountain biking on steroids x 100! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@whynotride327]

@@scottfast03 I don't do mountain bikes.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

It’s that flying up all the hills and through the air I like. 👊

[@Kosmonooit]

I am sure a four stroke will run a lot smoother at the bottom end, two strokes like to have the $h!t reved out of em

[@garybonham6048]

And thus, you demonstrate you just don't get off road bikes. Unfortunately Chris might have gotten a lemon. My XC 250 was divine. If he's not getting what it should be, lemon law. God forgive him if should go to a 4 stroke!!!

[@Kosmonooit]

@@garybonham6048 Or maybe he should just go electric like his son, lots of low end torque there! ps I've had loads of bikes, many off road, though not for a while though, including an Yamaha IT425 , what a power band that thing had once it started revving.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

You are right on your comment when dealing with the MX version 2 strokes or the much older models but the new off road ones will idle at low speed all day long. Well..... the ones that work correctly anyways. 😂😱