2023 KTM 300 XC First Ride

My buddy Michael just picked up the first 2023 KTM 300 XC in Texas and he was kind enough to let me spin a couple of laps on the bike. The bike had one hour on it and was totally stock, Michael set the air pressure in the AER fork and sag was in the 105-110mm range but I didn't check prior to taking it out for a spin. Let me know what questions you have and I'll be happy to answer. This bike is absolutely incredible!

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

I'm sure the bike is awesome but I'm just in awe of the pace you were ripping! Damn dude, you were hauling!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Thanks dude!

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

@@Iride505 Lol, damn I'm doing it all wrong because my riding doesn't look like that.

[@upshift123]

I was lucky enough to get one last week. I got about 10 hours on it so far. The thing absolutely rips and I instantly felt comfortable on it. Everything works so well together and the suspension is surprisingly good for a stock setup. I'll probably never ride my 450 again!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

heck yeah, enjoy that 300!

[@onthethrottle7104]

Coming from someone as good as Cole, it must be a super beast of a bike!!! Wow, can't wait to get one.

[@lowclassmediavideos]

Absolutely blasting through there! Sick bike!

[@mrlarrybobjr]

I’ve been watching all the new videos of the 300. You were moving the fastest on one and it looks good. Thanks for the cool video guys

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@LowTide_LowLife]

Ripping! Thanks for the video, excellent display of how badass this bike is.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@TylerBrezai]

I was gonna say that finally some one who showed us how that bike is supposed to be ridden!

[@YZFMX256]

The handling looks like it’s really damn good. I got to ride a 2022 TPI 300xc at Ironman gncc this year (for one lap🤫) and instantly noticed the bike handled better than my 2017 crf450r, and the power was more manageable in the woods too. I loved how low i could lug the bike. I go Saturday to pick up my 2023 300xc and i can’t wait for that first rip

[@steelshotproductions]

Holy shit dude!!! You were killing it!!! I've been watching any/all 300 videos, waiting on my 300SX.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

That 300SX is going to be badass!

[@MH-md6tb]

So sick!

[@scottfast03]

So good. Can’t wait until the 300 xcw comes out with TBI next summer. I’m IN !!!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I'm excited to see that version too!

[@andrecontois8510]

Yeah! Two strokes!

[@mmig2116]

Sounds sick!

[@highlandcycles]

Man I love my new bike. They are so good.

[@hivoltagentx]

I have to ask where you were riding, looks like an awesome place to practice. Thanks for the input, been thinking of breaking down and ordering the Husky version, but been nervous about pulling the trigger on a fuel injected bike, but sounds like they've took a step in the right direction.

[@yfngme6730]

Nice video bro one of the few yt videos were there actually ripping on the bike 💪🏼💪🏼

[@SWFlowseeker]

Impressive bike..and impressive riding 🤙🏽

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Thanks!

[@texlee1640]

Watching you rip on that bike made feel so slow that I now question whether or not I should own my 300 or even ride at all lol. Great video, wish I had access to that track, looks like a good spot to practice corners, thanks for sharing.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

You're welcome, thanks for watching and I'm really luckily to have a spot like that to practice. It's never easy so I can quickly tell if I'm out of practice, riding shape, or have some tuning to do on a bike. If everything clicks at this place then I know things are working well.

[@FaizWhimantaka]

Nice skill😍

[@rickstrom6097]

Nice riding that was impressive I wouldn't be comfortable riding a buddies bike that fast but whatever. Sounds like map 2 may be too much HP for that kind of track maybe map1 would make it a little easier to set for the turns but wow that was Sick!

[@performancebasedheatingair8006]

Scooting along there pretty good. Ill have to live vicariously through you. In California these are only allowed on private property or circuit tracks. lol

[@jamesdyer744]

I would move out of that state ASAP! We rip where ever want on what ever we want! TEXAS!

[@MC_795]

Holy shit that was intense to watch

[@shannonshull6989]

Damn you fast... Railing them berms!

[@stevedouglas1654]

The 2024 KTM 300 XC TBI is gonna have spring forks. 👍

[@KingFriday274]

Want one!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

me too!!!

[@THMXCO]

Hey man, if you could only pick 1, 300 XC or 350 XC-F which would it be?

[@1Thirty1]

GREAT RIDE!! Now I have to go spend $11k 😂

[@brianhardy1812]

That bike sounds wicked strong!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Oh it is!

[@tedgodoy7097]

@@ColeKirkpatrick You rip! Just got one and was wondering what air pressure you run on the forks?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

@@tedgodoy7097 congrats on picking one up! I can't remember what Michael had it set on this bike. I want to say that he put what the sticker recommended on the outside of the fork. The bike was totally stock and I think it was in the 9.5-10.5 bar range. I know that's a wide range but this was a few months ago and my memory is rusty. Give the bike 5 hours to break in (chassis/suspension). It'll feel better and better as it all starts to wear in. Enjoy!

[@tedgodoy7097]

@@ColeKirkpatrick Thanks Cole! Raced it yesterday with 140 psi on the forks and it felt fine but a little jarring coming fast into braking bumps. Great bike overall!

[@Dylan222B]

Ktm300xc and tm 300fi are so powerful

[@nojfrom.baya.]

I have a ktm 125 xc 2023, what time do you recommend that I leave it on while it is cold? and how many ounces of oil does gasoline take per gallon. They already give me a spark.

[@brianmullins739]

Awesome video! I have a 300 SX on order. Anyone have an opinion on the WP 6500 fork kit?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

The 6500 kit is excellent!

[@fiddler181-twowheelin]

This video will sell 2023 300XCs. Nice ride!

[@eric6rock]

3:04 Would of been a sick stall right there especially on the carbed Bikes. That Bike Skill you have is badass 🤟

[@Tlisotta2010]

Wow. Sick ride Cole! So - you selling the 350? :).

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

No haha! I was just talking trash because of how much fun that two stroke was in the moment. I'll keep it around but have planned on getting the 300 XC for a while. Just have to find one!

[@ElanC]

supposed to get mine at the end of the month?🤞 cant wait!

[@ncguy6518]

Same! But until then I’ll probably watch this video 50 more times lol

[@michaelanderson1727]

I imagine after that ride you were on the phone trying to locate one😂

[@samuelford]

Well you rode the shit out of that!

[@C_Scalese]

Annnnnd im sold.. 😂

[@alvaros.miller9228]

does it comes with 18 inch rear wheel?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It sure does, the 300 sx comes with a 19.

[@shannonscott5788]

How is this new 300 compared to the 2023 350?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It's a completely different riding experience. I went right back out on my 23 350 XC-F after riding the 300 and still felt very fast on it. The four stroke seems to be more planted and has a slower feel left to right which is to be expected. The acceleration of the 300 really surprised me compared to the 350. The two stroke is all out fun and flickable. I've pretty much only ridden two strokes in the past so I'm trying to give the 350 a chance and be patient as I adapt to riding it. For me, if it's only about fun, the two stroke delivers a much more exciting and fun riding experience. I'll have to get the stopwatch out once I have a 300 of my own in the next few months.

[@shannonscott5788]

Thanks for the reply. I totally agree. I have fun on both but seems like the 2t rips more. (But) I’m actually few seconds faster on a 4t when I’m timing laps or sections. Sounds weird but the numbers don’t lie. So me personally will race on a 4t but play and have more fun with 2t. Thanks for your info and ride safe friend.

[@mrrandy1]

so this bike is now pre-mix and not tpi?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

that's correct. Premix at 60:1

[@Fixxzer]

Correct. Technically they are tbi (throttle body injected), but yes you use pre-mix. And the power valve is auto-calibrating (electric), which makes the maps actually do something.

[@chrisbigsoldier2180]

I believe green mode is not the fast mode. The white mode should be more aggressive

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Per page 112 of the manual, the green mode is the advanced or direct response mode. White is standard or a balanced response.

[@2strokenut]

Which map was that in?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Aggressive one

[@2strokenut]

@@ColeKirkpatrick hell yeah

[@reineherrera8897]

So a fourstroke that sounds like a two stroke and has ZERO engine braking? I’m in.

[@crazidirtbiker]

Your riding entirely way to fast on a bike that’s not yours lol 😂 I was so nervous you were gonna drop it. Good riding bro that track looks sick.

[@chewyb383]

I'd bet 100 on the fact you are faster on the new 300 vs the 350.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I'll do a lap time comparison once I have a 300. I'm thinking I'll have to have a couple of locations so that I can test them both in good dirt and hard pack conditions. It's going to be fun!

[@brianmullins739]

Can’t wait to see that video!

[@JB-th4bx]

Review invalid; you barely cracked the throttle ;)

[@Medium.enduro.montana]

It's called break in mode

[@MrRonronnj]

you just put one year worth of wear on the guys bike in 2 laps lol

[@andrecasanova3753]

after 30 minutes riding you starts get harsh on front forks wp suck so you pay 12k then you got pay 5k to suspension shop to make it rideable ,nah !! better keep my yz 250 x and ride whole day without arm pump specially on rocks who cares about e start , lazy boy!

[@The2006200]

Ha ha. Cool don’t buy one. More for the rest of us!

[@thatfast3002]

The counterbalancer is defenitely awesome though. I had my forks spring converted with the k tech valving set up which ran around 1500 and my forks are good. Yz definitely better bang for the buck

[@billwiernicki3364]

Jap bikes art even in the same class anymore.

[@thatfast3002]

@@billwiernicki3364 a yz250 is still capable yes

[@philiphayward8900]

You should of got a beta mate they are well better brew

[@shannonshull6989]

KTM is Alpha, so why even ride a Beta.

[@philiphayward8900]

@@shannonshull6989 are you a girl is that why you ride ktm men ride beta 👍