2024 KTM 250 XC-W First Ride (I went to a motocross track)

[@Avelinoferr]

Finally a good review on motocross track! Most of the videos on KZbin only show the main feature of whatever they say on the KTM website. This video is what we want to know, how is the bike performing on motocross track! Thank you

[@226Scotty]

This video is exactly what I've been looking for. I like to race MX and also really enjoy trail riding but in Aus to trail ride you need to have a "road worthy" bike. The EXC (XC-W in the US) is the only KTM model that can be registered, so seeing you rip around the mx track gives me confidence that I can comfortably do it all on the one bike.

[@med0ri]

Another Aussie here and the new TBI exc 300 will do it all

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Bike Specs: 2024 KTM 250 XC-W Gearing: 13/47 (Stock is 13/45) Tires: Michelin StarCross 6 Med/Soft with Michelin Bib Mousse Inserts Suspension: OEM, OEM valving: Rear Shock (LSC - 12 out HSC - 1.5 turns out) Fork (C - 7 out R - 9 out) - Fork line 1.5, Sag 110mm on stock rear 6.9 spring. Rider Weight: 175lbs , 6'3 Exhaust: OEM Handguards: Enduro Engineering EVO 2 Throttle cam, black (quick turn) Ignition map: Green (aggressive) Everything else on the bike is stock or OEM

[@lowclassmediavideos]

CRISPY!!!! Kasberg! He’s alive!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It was so good to have him back riding again!

[@ParkerRichards360]

Thanks for the video! That track looks so fun! I picked up one of these bikes last week and rode some intermediate trails with some slow and fast paced riding! Can’t wait to take it to the track!

[@vonrunner]

Thanks for the video and initials thoughts. Looking forward to see how you set it up for trail riding, and would be cool if you did another build video like your last 2 stroke. This new XCW has me contemplating moving back to the 2 stroke world and giving the PDS a go (only ever ridden linkage).

[@arranpowell1848]

Great video mate! I’m away to buy the same bike, you have inspired me to use it on MX tracks along with enduro tracks! You know how to ride!

[@LawLow86]

Looks like that xcw actually did really good on a track to be honest! Awesome to see someone do that !

[@GeoffCasburn-od5st]

Thanks for your time. I appreciated your view of track performance. I will be interested in trail experience. Great commentary and video.

[@Hendy711]

Awesome review. I torn between the new TX and TE. But since about 70% of my riding is in the single track and the rest is in desert and Moto I think I will go with the TE. Sounds like they are much more firm and better power then my 21 TPI. Which is why I was looking. At the TX. But with some suspension work it looks like this bike can be competitive. I have been combing the tube looking for someone that went and put this bike on some high speed Moto or desert and it looks capable for sure And you are a much faster rider then me so I think I will be good!

[@simplejackenduro]

Thanks for the vid Cole. This might be the exact bike I get next year. Not much of a 300 guy for racing, and the rumors of the “race-ability” of this new XCW platform, has me contemplating going back to a PDS shock for my main race bike. Looking forward to the videos to come!!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@gianmarcozaccariamantegani7278]

Hi Cole, awesome build. For a 24 xc-w 250 enduro racing use (like u.s. sprint enduro) do you reccomend a 48t or a 47t rear sprocke?

[@MH-md6tb]

Looks like it rips. I have a deposit on a 300. Just waiting for it to come in

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Sweet! Enjoy that new ride once it arrives!

[@kirkdunn1379]

Pretty mellow track, easy transitions and not super rough....probably wouldn't have taken much to make that bike pretty good on that track odds enough.... Xc model would have been perfect for a stock bike anyway

[@user-rl1kn9rc8g]

I have same bike it’s my first. You mentioned the mako360 it got me interested. Do you run it with a stabilizer? Which model would you recommend? Also gonna look into that 47 sprocket. Keep showing it off please 👍

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I don't run a stabilzer but I do tighten down the steering stem nut so that there is some drag on the bars when you turn it side to side.

[@KTMyamaha1]

What camera setup are you running? Also, what oil and mix are you running? Great vid!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

GoPro 11 and I'm running pump 93 fuel with Motorex CrossPower 2T. This bike injects the oil into the fuel so I can't comment on the ratio as it's always changing.

[@KTMyamaha1]

@@ColeKirkpatrick thanks I was thinking that was TBI too. I’m still trying to decide what ratio I like on my ‘23 125XC

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

@@KTMyamaha1 it is TBI but differs from the XC and SX models in that it also injects oil into the fuel. The XC and SX models do require fuel to be mixed by the user.

[@KTMyamaha1]

@@ColeKirkpatrick wild - I didn’t think any of the TBI’s had a reservoir like that

[@nickmckinney7122]

Trying to decide between the 24 300 Xc or 300 Xc-w. Trying to get the best all around bike to bridge the gap between enduro single track and some faster pace GP style racing on East coast (WV, PA & Ohio). Curious which one you would recommend? I have watched the video of you ripping the 23 Xc and now this video and they both look great

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

They're both good options...I like the XC-W with the PDS on the rear. Less maintenance and I think it works better for the enduro single track stuff.

[@ryansanford13]

I’m only 140lbs with gear on, with my suspension on the “sport” mode per my owners manual, will I have problems bottoming out? The suspension feels pretty firm and has been redone by a certified race tech technician. wanna do some motos outside of just harescrambles.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Hi Ryan, it's hard to say but I tend to be okay with bottoming out once on my test loop. That means that I am using every bit of the travel. As long as you've got good hold up in the suspension and it doesn't feel like it's diving then you should be okay. Depending on what valving adjustments your tuner made, you should be able to just add compression to firm it up. It still won't be as good on the motocross track as a straight up moto setting would be but it will help it.

[@chrjamrho]

whats your thoughts on pds vs linkage? do you notice that pds starts to pack up sooner in heavy whoop conditions, very little, or any at all? i know theyre both capable but im curious to hear from your experience. thanks

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I think they both work really well. I prefer PDS because of the front end feel that I get and for my application (mostly offroad racing and riding) it requires less maintenance than the linkage. I've been riding my 350 XC-F again recently (linkage) and have enjoyed how that bike feels too. In whoops, I think the linkage has more of a progressive feel and when you bottom out it isn't quite as noticeable. Packing is going to be a result of your rebound being set to slow and no matter what, if your bike isn't balanced or is setup incorrectly neither shock platform is going to work as good as it could.

[@sonnyrico]

I was looking at the beta 300 for a minute but think ill go with the ktm250 instead, im riding single track up in Washington state . Any thoughts on possibly looking at huskys

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

The huskys are great bikes too. It comes down to what rear suspension setup you're looking for. The husky uses a linkage rear shock where the XC-W KTM's use the PDS style shock. You'll have a little lower seat height on the husky because of the linkage rear shock.

[@Slotopro]

I’ve heard the gearing on the 24’s is more similar to the XC bikes now? Is that true or false? I’ve always been intrigued by the XCW bikes but I loved the transmission that came in the 16-22 XC bikes.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

From look at the microfiche it looks like they are the same internally but the XCW 250-300 bikes come with a 45 rear tooth and the XC two strokes 250-300 come with 47 rear tooth sprockets.

[@nickconsin2639]

How’s the new 250 xcw compare the 300? Do you have to ride the 250 on the pipe? I’m purely riding trails and usually in the lower revs. A gear high in some cases. Unless I’m in the desert. I’m a smaller guy, 150lbs no gear. Any info helps. Thanks in advanced.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I find that I have to rev the 250 more and work harder to go fast than on the 300. If you like riding a gear tall or lower in the rpm range I think the 300 would be the way to go.

[@nickconsin2639]

@@ColeKirkpatrick that makes sense. My hang up is I currently ride a 200rr and never really felt like I needed more. Wasn’t sure if the 300 would be to much.

[@C_Scalese]

Think the 300 would perform just as well?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Yes and I’d probably like to have the additional 50cc’s.

[@chewyb383]

What made you decide on the 250 over the 300?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It’s going to be used on upcoming Gnarly Routes tours and will replace the current 250 that we have.

[@GNR325]

Did you get rid of the 350? If so, why?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I still have the 350

[@mikeschlup5279]

How do you like the Starcross 6 vs the 5's?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Hi Mike, I've really been impressed with the StarCross 6. Especially the durability across the range. Traction is improved and the bibs seem to fit the tires better than before. I haven't raced as much this year as in the past but my go to combo for riding around DFW has been the med/soft front 80/100-21 and rear and then for west Texas racing I'll use the med/soft front with the med/hard rear. In the mountains I like the med/hard front and rear with a 90/100-21 front.

[@blarpieman]

I'd say that's broken in.

[@konradsky8978]

How much do you weigh?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

175 lbs