2024 KTM 300 XC-W Review | Dirt Bike Test

Jimmy Lewis explains in detail the DBT Team's findings on the 2024 KTM 300 XC-W. After 50+ hours, almost 1000 miles, and a top-end rebuild, we'll go deep into how this bike performs in Power, Suspension, and Handling.
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[@Matthew-wn8oq]

Its funny how people cant be satisfied with what they have. 98% of the riders looking for a new ecu or always looking for a new map flash , they cant out ride the stock maps on their bikes.

[@Dirtlegacyreal]

I hear ya man. I have a ‘17 KTM 300 carbed to perfection. It’s the forever bike. No interest in the fuel injection stuff. Very happy with my bike.

[@bryceridesbikes]

Many 4 stroke riders, myself included, are looking for some extra rideability by cleaning up off idle throttle response. The extra tuning resolution of a vortex/GET is worth more than any power gain to me.

[@aaronphillips2728]

While that's true.. I just picked this bike up and imo it feel like it needs to be a little more power sooner . But It'll do anything you want it out of the box

[@garthlundquist3623]

Jimmy, the XCW is made for hard enduro: finding traction where there is very little. The power delivery is perfectly linear for that reason. For the open terrain depicted in your video, the XC version would suit. Horses for courses.

[@tcdents193]

Or they forget to put oil in the bike

[@motofunk1]

Going 87mph WFO one handed holding a phone while getting video of both speedo's is a true 2024 moment.

[@Tacoexplorer]

Thanks for the video. Today I brought home a brand new 2024 250 XCW!

[@DerekJamesLynn]

I bought one last week too ! Congrats

[@Tacoexplorer]

@@DerekJamesLynn congrats man!

[@RallyNavigatorOnline]

Good review Mr. Lewis! That bike looks sweet.

[@utahdesertrider1806]

Great stuff dude!

[@samscola585]

Absolutely love my 24 300xcw 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@chuckshreve582]

Really like these reviews.

[@Natedog69]

Great video! Absolutely love mine!

[@PNWEnduro]

Great review. Just would like to see it more in the kind of terrain it was build for. I feel like they have plenty enough power.

[@NigelNaughton]

Great review!

[@jackaofdp]

I've rode one a litle bit and was amazed by how light the bike felt, I'm eager to now know more about the Fantic bike so maybe in a year or two I can buy one of them.

[@Superdisco199]

Good test. The bike does have a flat spot on the dyno 4-5000rpm versus the xc so alot are getting a remap. The frame has already been revised for 2025 as it was designed for SX. I think the pds is back at a steeper angle as well but havent seen this verified.

[@darklavalizard]

any idea when the 2025 will drop? Can't find hardly any info on the internet about them

[@avz46]

I will say (I have a 24 TE300pro) I wish there was a bigger difference between the green and white maps and didn't have the fuel pick up issue.

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Yep the new bikes really suck,thatsxwhy I jumped ship to rieju, couldn't be happier 😊

[@ogasi1798]

cheers Jimmy

[@jamesoso259]

On the xc you can for sure tell a difference with the map switch

[@MTrout5140]

I added a map switch to my XC-W and there is a very noticeable difference. The bike does in fact come stock with the mild tune. Low throttle, low RPM feels the same but when you open the throttle to go there is a very big difference in the power ramp.

[@matejkersic]

I put sponge around oil cap like Billy Bolt.

[@ottokirk2325]

Jimmy, that YZ125 with a new STIC Super carb would be a great test. It is smaller bore low end magic and upshifts can be made earlier than typical. MPH up top, it'll be like a 7th gear. No engine mods or exhaust change necessary. You know something is up when you can run an 80 pilot and a 205 main jet. It will do amazing things in the Piutes, miss that place. Rich Taylor stated in a mag that the Boswell(original version) made his stock CR250 faster than the HRC works 250's he tested for Honda. His only SX hole shot was with that carb. Is Rob Bush still riding? I hung out in his shop early 90's, saw you there a couple times and up in the Piutes. YAT

[@ottokirk2325]

My '24 300SX with WMR re-flash would be amazing up in the Piutes and at Bean/170th. Cain't get there from SETX. D'oh! I love short shifting in the hot map, but I warm up on the tracks with the 3/4 open PV white map. That front end sure gets lighter with the hot green map. YAT. Running '17 YZ front end currently, I slapped the WP/Coppersmith Hybrid front end onto my 200SX/06 chassis. Pretty much same same in ride quality. For those curious about AER fix. FYI, running Mystik JT4 Snowmobile full synthetic...$38 per gallon!

[@Trail_Trash]

My 19 TPI I visually look at the oil tank level before riding, waiting for the idiot light to add oil???

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Should try a rieju mr300 pro, the map switch is night and day!

[@dougjc2000]

Excellent review. Dont tell us it much better than a Beta since I own one. 😊

[@DirtBikeTest]

Lucky for you, we have a comparison between the two coming out VERY soon!

[@stephensanders5894]

Are you able to elaborate a bit more about the fuel tank and residual fuel that is left in the tank. You eluded to it earlier in the video, thanks. Does it limit the range? BTW great review.

[@speedtoad6167]

I listened to his Tech Talk Tuesday podcast. He was coming back home on a road. If he was trail riding it wouldn't have happened.

[@x_apollyon2822]

The Fuel pickup was changed from the bottom left side of the tank to the center of the tank. meaning the pick up sits higher now so u could still have some fuel left on the sides of the tank but unless the bike is splashing fuel up to the center of the tank you may run out of fuel.

[@wfodavid]

The older I get the more I lug the bike compared to when I was in my 30's. Put a 48 on the rear and was better. Went with ERM ignition even better. WP Pro components we are getting there. Removed top engine mount bolt couldn't tell a difference. Still not as planted as my 22. Always respect for your insight.

[@scottdrew6403]

The shock is a straight rate not progressive maybe that’s why you feel unplanted.

[@wfodavid]

@@scottdrew6403 I put a progressive spring on the WP Pro shock. Suspension guy is going to revalve forks and shock.

[@tcdents193]

A short wheelbase compared to what?

[@Jimmy_Lewis]

I'll be here live to answer questions and fill in the blanks, even take the heat! see you at 8

[@motoboggle7525]

Hi Jimmy did you play with the yellow cold start screw to clean up the off idle at all ?

[@L0rdZedd]

How does KTM not catch the gas tank issue during R&D?

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Crazy goofy design 🤪

[@edking9336]

Cool

[@codygrams]

Just refill the oil every 5 gallons and don’t worry about the stupid light??? No chance in hell I’m trusting a little light for no good reason. I slightly overfilled mine the first time. After that, you’re just being silly for over filling time and time again. What that light really should be for is to tell you if your oil pump has stopped pumping…. Then it would actually be useful..

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Fuel starvation with plenty of fuel in the tank sucks! Gotta remove fuel tank to changd out a sparkplug, Gotta hand it to ktm to come up with some real goffy designs!

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Ride a rieju MR300PRO, now thats what a 300 should feel like! The new offerings from ktm feel dead now,had a yamaha yz250 x before the riehu and both have better power imho!

[@garthlundquist3623]

Try testing a hard enduro bike on hard enduro terrain. An XC would suit flatlanders much better.

[@Jacare1973]

Tell Yamaha we want a 300 with electric start & EFI! lol

[@douglaswilliams1792]

Sounds detuned. Like a Honda XL

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

I have to laugh at riders buying a hard enduro to ride a trail😂

[@calvingaudette]

Why?? What's better? They make excellent trail bikes.

[@asherlito3801]

Sure is cool, but I think I'll stick with my drz

[@rayrayray4116]

KTM pioneered the technology Ok. Bye bye

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

The motors on these are lame,and unreliable, would never buy one,ever!

[@rebelliontotyrantsisobedie5602]

I have this bike and fixes I have done: 1. Delete oil pump for $40 and run premix and never think about that oil pump again! 2. Reflash ECU and get the power valve to open earlier makes a huge difference. 3. Rear shock stock valving sucks, It need a revalve and the "oil relief hole" on the shock shaft needs drilled out I will link a video from one of best suspension guys kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5q0iH6rfNiqrJYsi=B-nHhR2e6E6jGsJp 4. Forks are much better with re-valve too for woods . ...I'd be you $100 your oil light stopped working due to the ECU flash you ran, case in point I know first hand Two Stroke Performance sent back customers flashed ECUs without the oil light working....they didn't catch it unitl many months later...you by chance weren't running a TSP ecu?

[@onthethrottle7104]

You are spot on with everything, rebelliontotyrntsisbedie! It was like I wrote the post myself. Best bike I've every owned - I have 95 hours on it now. Super dependable. Killer machine.

[@L0rdZedd]

Seems like they would have auto kill switch when oil runs low, instead of letting you ruin your bike.

[@onthethrottle7104]

@@L0rdZedd That would just increase the amount of electronics. They made is super easy to eliminate the oil injection system all together and it's only there due to emissions in Europe. It takes $40 to get rid of the oil injection system and then you mix your gas like a real two stroke should be ran in the first place...Cheers!

[@Den.D425]

Damn, a 14k dollar bike and still need to do all that? No thanks honestly…. Might as well get a sherco, and it will be ready

[@onthethrottle7104]

@@Den.D425 $14K? I paid $11,500. Sherco's are great, they are all great but we like to fiddle with them. Don't need to, just like doing it. So even if I had a Sherco I'd still do stuff to it.