2023 KTM 300SX Two-Stroke TESTED

#motocross #sports #outdoors #adventure
Motocross Action Magazine tests the 2023 KTM 300SX Two Stroke at Glen Helen Raceway. What did we really think of the bike? The $9199 KTM 300SX lives up to the hype. It is ultra-fast, ultra-smooth and ultra-stable. Because the bike is so fast and so comfortable out of the box, we think many riders will be happy with the stock setup and won’t feel the need to add on oodles of aftermarket upgrades.
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[@KyleMicena]

God bless KTM for continuing to develop 2 strokes.

[@racefeen22p]

If KTM can get the 300 in a supercross or Motocross race and win, that could open the floodgates for other companies to start developing two strokes again.

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

God could you please get rid of the AMA?

[@Davido50]

Be sure to support them with your purchases or they will go away. Facts.

[@Davido50]

@racefeen22p Not happening bud ..due to CARB / emissions standards.

[@tymotoboy53]

This bike should be allowed to race by the AMA. The 450 class needs something different and I think bringing the 300sx into the mix will create more diversity rather than an unfair advantage.

[@jpesicka492]

💯

[@racingjunk7024]

I think people should be able to race any bike they want . Most of these 450s are detuned so not a advantage

[@daneg]

the 2-stroke/4-stroke rules have always been tilted toward 4-strokes. some of the rationale used for the displacement "equivalents" aren't even relevant in 2023. but in all honesty, electric isn't far away. putting aside the environmental impact debate, a lot of MX tracks have been closed simply over noise complaints. for that, I give you the Stark Varg. voila. I'm guessing something like 10 years. the unfortunate thing is that electric motors dumb down the skill level required to race. but that's also a complaint 2T fans make of 4T, so...eh. if I could still ride, I'd have one of everything at this point 2T 125 & 250, a 450 4T, and an ez-mode Varg. 😄

[@darrylmarbut47]

Oh yeah definitely that the only way it could clearly compete as four strokes got so powerful in the last few years

[@chrisbeerad8835]

unfair advantage !! it will get smoked

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

The AMA should allow 300 two strokes to race against 450s. That's a fair equivalence, especially considering you dynoed the KTM at 55 hp, which is in the stock 450 ballpark. Back in the day, they put two strokes at too much of a disadvantage when they limited them to 250cc's.

[@FrankyboyGiovanni-yz8qi]

Enginge horses

[@gregroybal348]

I love my 300SX!!! It’s the best 2-stroke I’ve ridden!! The power and handling are top quality! Excellent job Josh! Looking forward to a modified test of this model in the future 👍👍👍

[@daneg]

glad to hear it. gonna be honest though, a 1994 CR 250 with zero mods beyond a Bill's Pipe had all the power I ever needed as a B rider. though I'm sure modern 4-strokes are easier to ride.

[@justincoats7236]

​@@danegI had a 2001 RM 250. My buddy had a new 2011 RM 450. He let me ride it. I thought, it's nicer but not $10,000 nice. I do like extra power and torque of a 450.

[@daneg]

@@justincoats7236 tbh, I would choose the 2T simply for the ergos/"feel" of the lighter bike. but the extra cost and complexity is insane. TBH, I was shopping around gear in 2024. Alpinestars and SIDI want over $500 for a pair of boots. I could swear I saw models over $600. I mean...really? the sport has always been expensive, but this sheeit is getting absurd. fwiw, KTM's fuel injection 2Ts and electric start, etc. are beginning to close the initial price gap between 2Ts and 4Ts. I'm not sure what to think of that. Does bringing 2Ts into the 2020s warrant an additional $1000? I'm not sure considering much of the reason they still sell is cost and difficulty working on 4Ts. w/e. it's a mess and we'll all be swapping out battery packs between motos in 5-10 years. 😄

[@Jrockilla137]

I haven't ridden mx since 2015 - the part I miss the most is finding a natural jump on some terrain and just hitting it all day until you have it so perfect it's just like butter

[@MaxwellKina]

we're back, 2 strokes rock!

[@davidmcnerney3048]

The AMA Needs to let the 300 compete in 450. Every 450 moto this year has been boring other than hearing Matt Burkeen ripping around.

[@chrisbeerad8835]

4 strokes been the main bike for a decade and this year is boring !! gotta be something more

[@mikebrown41182]

I think the aftermarket pipes will open up the rev a bit more aswell. Admitting it is great to see KTM pushing the r&d, but a slight concern if they want to mimmick the four stroke powerband, i think two stroke should keep the classical bark, but that is my subjective opinion.

[@WilliamStewart1]

The traditional 2 stroke powerband is what makes them not competitive, spinning isn't winning.

[@derkbrock5996]

Would love to see a carson brown type on one of these especially with how the field is looking rn in the 450 class I bet he could top 10

[@gamermoejoe]

Love my new 250sx! A PC pipe and silencer is a big improvement over the FMF equipment though IMO

[@steveg56]

Which combination did you go with?

[@spacejaime]

A stock 300cc peaking at 55hp, truly amazing. Wonder what an ECU tweak can do. Probably fatten the powerband and grab a couple of horsies at peak.

[@CoolcatAMA-Pro]

It BS AMA needs to change the Rules

[@jimbo4203]

It's crazy how the AMA is so out of touch and won't change , almost like they try to keep the sport small on purpose

[@CoolcatAMA-Pro]

AMA & Its Organizer, Get Their Money Comes From the people To wield it's Power

[@koybaker643]

I just got my 24 300 SX can't wait to rip it this weekend! 🤘

[@derkbrock5996]

300 should be aloud it 450 class and 250 in the 250 class for the pro nationals it’s a no brainer

[@derkbrock5996]

@@patrickkearney8774 the 2 stroke is faster in stock trim yes but the advantage comes from the rider. Plus a factory 250f against a stock or privateer level 2 stroke is pretty fair and it really comes down to the rider. A lot of people can’t even ride a 2 stroke properly.

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

no - yamaha has not use an electronic powervalve, ever TM has and Honda has the yamaha uses an electronic powerjet

[@40rpt]

Yes, I heard that also. You think someone would have caught that before the vid was published.

[@spacejaime]

Josh - I've never seen you this fast at Glenn Helen (on video, of course). You are truly hauling butt!

[@urbanhagman2078]

I had one for 4 hours. Sold it because of bad knee... Bike felt really rigid in frame and suspension at first. A little better already after 4 hours. I was happy with the ergonomics of the 300 SX. Engine character didn't make me all smiles. The rev limiter is a problem IMO. My old Husky TC 300 -18, with Keihin carb and lots of mods (RK Tek head, FMF pipe et c), pulls stronger everywhere in the powerband and revs far longer. A few tweaks with the ECU and some more time to soften it up I think the 300SX will be a winner though.

[@Davido50]

Will be a winner 🏆 for sure!

[@panic-revv85]

When has Yamaha ever used an electronic power valve on a 2t? I think you're thinking of sherco.

[@kellybrown6988]

Maybe they thinking of Honda’s cr250 RCvalve

[@panic-revv85]

@@kellybrown6988 Honda also used a mechanical power valve. Sherco and the KTM brands are the only ones with the electronic PV. Unless Yamaha has some unreleased goodies for 2024.

[@Krondelo]

I was privy to ride this bike. Not track tested but damn I loved it!! 9/10.

[@HotBlooded_21]

Marked! Best regard from the Philippines! 2stroke user. I can smell the smoke 💨💨💨🤘🤘🤘

[@stevefowler2112]

"you can't remap your new KTM ECU"...as a recently retired Aerospace/Computer/Software Engineer with a large American defense contractor who was a Principal S.E. on the F35 Flight Dynamics and Battle Space Management software suites, breaking into any commercial CU on the planet only requires some sniffer software and enough computing cycles; intel i7 or up or AMD Ryzen CPU to overpower whatever security they have. With the current automative or motorcycle ECU's, it's about a 30 minute job.

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Great video its always nice to watch someone shred a new mx bike on a sunny day...especially one that sound propper

[@YZ250W1]

Some of us will be on two strokes until we die. I'm still on my YZ250. Not changing any time soon. No on the electric start, everything else is cool.

[@kellybrown6988]

I must’ve got a knockoff yz250, bc mine doesn’t have a electric power valve 😢

[@86rustbucket]

Hopefully will see the full 2023 TC250 review soon. We had a 2023 TC250, it didn’t even compare to our 2019 TC250. Might have just been the fact that we had more than 100 hours riding the 2019 and were used to the power hit, but the 2023 felt very muted, even down on power versus the 2019. Also, add the fact that the 2023 was significantly heavier. AND…finding parts for the 2023 is just about impossible. Almost nothing available and if it is, parts are on back order. Sold it back to the dealer after putting about 10 hours on it…..😢

[@Zarigueya007]

I,ve got one. It’s a nice machine. Powerful and easy to ride. My previous bike was a 150SX 2018

[@motoxmatt]

Love the testing videos!

[@andy5786]

Really like the KTM 300 its sounds great brilliant test josh thanks👍👏

[@andrewmarshall360]

Never ridden one, however I would love to build one starting from stock . Nice bike !

[@Davido50]

Get one! I am. If we don't they won't build em anymore. Facts.

[@oskarfrye9971]

I like the FI instant power from the bottom end!

[@joenobody2580]

Whose the 2stroke pilot ? Dude can ride 🤙🏻

[@keelangerken5154]

1: Can't believe Josh got this one wrong, It was Honda that started the Electric Servo driven powervalve using cables. 2: the older 19+ 250sx was a much faster, much more powerful bike, especially when paired with any carb that isn't a Mikuni. The Yamaha has a Kiehin and that's one of the reasons why they have more response off idle. 3: These new ktm 2 strokes feel slow because they are designed to Dig, and maintain traction much like a 4 stroke, making them easier to ride, thus allowing riders to hold on longer without fatigue.

[@Davido50]

Sounds good to me!

[@maxrpm2215]

It even looks better on the track than the 4strokes

[@Davido50]

That's purely subjective bud. We are better off with ALL types MX bikes. Not 1 type.

[@daneg]

OMG. I had to go back to 1:00 and rewatch twice. I thought at first that you were pouring premix directly into the gas tank and I was like, "NOOOOOO!!!!" 😄

[@jdub976]

I have to think KTM is working on getting these in to racing. This bike is a direct competitor with a 450 otherwise why build such an awesome bike. Thank you hope they can get this thing in.

[@mxhusky5308]

I love my 300SX!!!

[@ndegraafndg]

Now that I cant ride anymore they release this bike, I would of loved this thing. I rode a friends bike with a 280 big bore in the 250sx and it was amazing, I imagine this is just that much better with the EFI. Love the 2 strokes and love that KTM hasn't given up on them. Canada has a rule that you can ride up to a 285cc two stoke, wonder if they will up that to 295 or something to let this bike be legal.

[@Davido50]

Get one! I am. 💯

[@ChunDayOfficial]

2 stroke all the way

[@bfondon]

What fuel are you running? I picked up a 2024 300 sx a couple of weeks ago and have ridden it twice using a premix ratio of 60:1 per the owners manual. The fuel itself is 93 octane ethanol free - but it doesn't seem to be running as clean as yours. I've read conflicting comments about what premix or octane to run so I"m just putting feelers out.

[@kawicepticon8866]

I bet with some ecu tuning they can be made to fly on the big end while retaining some bottom end and throttle response especially on c12 with port timing changes and pip to suit . We are now in a new age of 2t boys :) Time will tell

[@andrewmarshall360]

With the new fi you might be able to get away with 40 /1 on decent fuel . Mapping plays a huge part as well.

[@Davido50]

Maybe. Then buy premixed fuel from VP or ETS. -NY

[@mikebarger3563]

TPItuning has remaps available for the TBI bikes.

[@cbogolo]

4 strokes made racing boring especially supercross. It takes less skill and the creativity from the rider having everyone pretty much running the same lines

[@TrueNorth13]

I truly appreciate ktm for this

[@chrisvids1820]

Nice hp numbers. What about the torque?

[@keithkeller698]

Yamaha never used an electronic powe valve. Honda did.

[@ianmangham4570]

These are awesome beast's

[@Santor-]

Something is def wrong when one have to "work hard to crack the ecu", when one are buying competition equipment. There is zero reasonable excuses for locking the owner out. No buy.

[@johnlastname2895]

Yamaha yz250 with electronic power valve??? Do you mean the old Honda cr250 that hasn't been made in 16 years? What the hell are you talking about??

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Sounds factory team bike going up the hills oh my

[@massboys7313]

I thought you were allowed to run a 250 2 stroke in the 250f class in amateur races?

[@marcusbarnes5929]

Whats KTM recomended premix ratio for the new fuel injected 300sx ?

[@kelliebrooks9094]

I will say this KTM just killed their shot i do FMX an im building a small SX track i was thinking of getting a 23 YZ 250R 2 smoke but i heard good about the 300 ktm and to me the 300cc 2 smoker is the right size...but i hate rev limiters that why us hard core 40 year mxers cant stand 4 stroke noise...i like the 2 stroke because that full song is so sweat

[@Davido50]

Get one. You will love it. It's amazingly smooth & strong!

[@francisguerrero3240]

You shred😎

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

Looking forward to the Beta/TM/Husky/Sherco shootout.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

FANTIC as well would be cool👌🏻

[@adisantoso2602]

Mantab Bang...mesin 2 tak khas suaranya

[@902_Nick]

2024 is out now lol

[@georgecarmel6114]

I thought the AMA allowed 270cc in the 450f class and 134cc in the 250f class?

[@shondalewashington3239]

Great job ktm the premix is better then oil injection

[@anthonymejia5964]

ill make sure to get one for me and my girfriend so we can cruise the offroads of Ocotepeque Honduras

[@barnescycle]

I've been waiting for this one

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Im building a small supercross track in my front yard an this 300cc engine of a 2 stroke is my ideal first choice...or mitch is gonna build me a maxxxed out 23 yz 250cc 2 S

[@Lee-mx5li]

Good job on video

[@dylanjames4537]

Ama needs to sanction the 300cc 2t capacity to the 450cc class and a 150cc 2t to the 250f class my 2c, I'd buy another new ktm 2 stroke next.

[@ggilesy]

Gimme one of these over my YZ450f any day! That looks sick as!

[@Climb_Trees]

That is a good looking bike

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Yeah test a ktm against its self...i like the white plastic....thats main difference that an probably frame geometry...the huskys look so cool

[@stevefowler2112]

..."or you really needed to know what you were doing"...therein is the key to going fast on a two stroke!

[@morley3810]

Huh? Yamaha uses an electric PV on the YZ250? Nope. You need to figure out who told you this and kick them in the junk for making you sound silly lol. The YZ uses a spring loaded governor style PV. Totally mechanical.

[@superfan311]

Off the water pump gear I think

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

I think I would want to wait for tuning options if I was looking into these tbis myself

[@d.m.7234]

they can crack the ecu i already have mine remapped greetings from Europe

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

@@d.m.7234 good to know

[@Mineratron]

@@d.m.7234 cool. How is it?

[@ianmangham4570]

Mad Power 💯🤟💪

[@andrewmarshall360]

Weapon in certain classes . Do they allow them in isde ?

[@alincdhr]

Hey Josh, the front end doesn't feel as planted to me, and I have remember to lean forward more on eccelaration than a husky/ktm 250 or 350 4 stroke. What is your take on that?

[@jordanthomas7043]

Coming off a 350 I felt the same. Ended up fixing with both running less sag and running forks higher in clamps. Spring forks also give you more front end bite. Just my 2 cents

[@mattcowlard4662]

Yamaha does not have an electric power valve lol this magazine company think they know everything TM have been making a 300 for 25 years soon as KTM make one they can't stop talking about them, do a head to head with a TM 300 you won't because they don't pay your bills

[@davidgledhilljr71]

Hey man. That was a great test. Your best so far. Very descriptive. Specs are awesome, but the seat of the pants analysis is the best. Slower pace. Very nice. Thank you. That bike is awesome. The front wheel constantly off the ground is perfect. The AMA needs to readjust the rules, as they did with 4strokes, to allow them to compete. Two strokes now require the same. Would broaden our sport, create dynamic variety in racing, and satisfy the eternal dirt bike question: two or four stroke? Which is better- playing out on the world stage! Ohhhh yeaaahhhh. Let's lobby.

[@daveyboy7305]

Is it competitive with a 450 ?

[@kelliebrooks9094]

I am really exception at holeshot in motocross...one thing i do is shift really fast like an air shifter...that would be away to work around the rev limiter...i get upset with all the 4 stroke panic revving use that power to drive away on landing..its not good for any race motor to free rev its the worst thing u can do to it....if u want it to last...money is no object no worry about it

[@rong4911]

Call up noleen and see if they would make a long rod kit for it.

[@rong4911]

I mean it has been a while since anyone has sported a L.R. kit.

[@whiteman3075]

Yamaha does not use an electronic power valve and any of there 2 strokes dirt bikes so not sure where you got the false information. Honda did use an electronic power valve on certain years of there cr250. The efi system has n these bikes is not a very good design that’s why the carb versions will all make more horsepower. Efi on a two stroke is very hard to get to work properly to get best performance. Yes they are achieving better fuel economy and smoother power but it’s never going to be the performance of the carburetors. I love the evolution bulgur they are making the 2 stroke too complex and taking away from the simplicity.

[@-GodIsGreat-]

That bike is sick!! But I'm still waitin patiently on that new KAWI 250 smoker to be released 😭😭😭 #Kawi4Lyfe

[@Corteum]

Here's a question:- Why do AMA rules for the 450 class limit the max displacement for 2-strokes to 250cc? Isn't that a bit weird? It seems so stuplt to me why you would even make a rule like that. I mean, why does that rule even exist? Maybe it'st time that they updated the rulebook to allow for anything from 150 up to 350cc 2-stroke engines. Thoughts?

[@Ranger4444]

Is MXA running 100% pump gas on the 300sx?

[@corey-em8kn]

Seems to run thr best on vp 110 or t2. Cleans up much faster and you can tell the crisp feeling on power.

[@dhdyrjfmenrydka]

busssin

[@andrewmarshall360]

With e start ,light and quiet pipe I could make it to the store and back before anyone noticed.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

Yall are about a year late on this test lol. The 24 just dropped.

[@Northwoodz1961]

In the first couple of minutes you stated TWICE that KTM has never produced a 300SX for motocross? WRONG!!!! I owned / raced the very first year of the 300SX in 1992! And I'm pretty sure there were many other years.

[@Pompomgrenade]

😂I NEED one..

[@shmirdonkin]

What does a two-stroke on the rev limiter sound like? You guys want to make a follow-up video with it?

[@_WatsoBrii94_]

The first 2 mins you can hear him in the limiter go back and watch it

[@shmirdonkin]

I only hear a warble when he revs in the air. Kind of a let down.😂

[@aaronw1338]

No Kickstart? I'm out

[@randysmith8604]

This bike probably would be sick with a paddle in the sand dunes

[@bryarjamak]

How tall are you ? in foot our CM ? pls

[@darrylmarbut47]

They got minor complaints about the inertia of that 300 kind of making a bike want to stand up not layover and flickg as easy talk about a bike that's a b**** to lay over and flicking a corner that's a kx500

[@viggohansen2754]

Holy sh## i really want one now

[@RichardStrom-f7p]

2025 they need to step it up to a real big bore 360cc is the magic displacement they will no longer need a rev limiter because you will be more then satisfied with the power and the motor will last longer also.

[@jimmysmyth7510]

Can the 300 be raced at district ama races?

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

In open classes absolutely. 250/450 a b c classes I don't know

[@rogershipman3578]

Josh has the worst riding form ever. Dude, you gotta keep your elbows UP! Lean forward, stand and keep both elbows up. When you ride with your elbows down the bike is pulling you, when it should be pushing you. Both elbows up in the turns keeps you from dabbing your foot in the turns. Attack position! Jody should have taught you better.

[@cbogolo]

It would have made since to not let 300 2 strokes race 20 years ago but it's stupid to not let them race now with all the advances the 4 strokes made since they came out making 250 2 strokes pretty much obsolete in racing

[@andrewmarshall360]

Fancy

[@jasonlawrence8302]

this 300sx sems like a futuristic cr500 lol

[@andrewmarshall360]

34 to 1 ?