250XC vs 300XC - KTM shootout!

We took these two almost identical dirt bikes KTM 300XC and KTM 250XC for a little shootout and let you know what we think. Which one is better and why? Share your opinion below. Thanks Rado!
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#ktm #dirtbike #250xc #300xc

[@beverlyboys73]

I could hear the difference when you were riding each one. A slight bit more rpm needed for the same terrain on the 250. Great review. Great video.

[@ammechanical7660]

Quality content there guys. Another test that would be super popular is those bikes vs TPI!!

[@Montana_Motorized]

After (3) 300s and now an 18 KTM 250 I like the 250 better. The fun factor is higher, it feels quicker revving, snappier and it’s smoother off the bottom in real technical stuff. You can hear the difference in the video. 250 convert here.

[@stevetrojano1595]

Sounds snappier because you can ride the 300 a gear higher in a lot of situations. The 300 will tractor through things at an idle.

[@RealLordkiffington]

I've got a 2020 250 exc tpi, wayyy more fun

[@spencerclark2269]

SUPER AWESOME BIKES crazy that they both look so good

[@davidvelez7176]

Great video! For me, I think the 250 is enough for my type of riding (trail riding), don’t mind having a 300 (had an xcw 2018). My believe is a 250 has a little more fun factor. 👍🏼

[@bikevault2302]

I'm new to your channel, watching from Thailand. Lots of great looking video's for me to go through. I own a 500 EXCF

[@TheCarlejoseph]

They both look awesome and I think like you said the right bike is whatever one you can find for a good deal.

[@PBmxer]

imo small bore is the way to go. ridden both and the 250 is more nimble revs better and i can use more of its potential which leads to bigger smiles. everyone goes for the 300 which makes the 250 cheaper. i like that!

[@bryden_smith]

Agreed

[@benmorgan8862]

Right on !!

[@jamesdecker4166]

Exactly. I still use a 450 on the motocross track, but for woods, I’m on my 125. It’s so much fun to push a small bore bike to its limit. Plus, single track is amazing on a 125 just because of how light they are.

[@bryden_smith]

@@jamesdecker4166 even a 250 is more lively u still have that hit up top but it’s got way more bottom then a 125

[@yamahaxs6501]

Those bikes look just amazing.

[@zardportugal]

Great bikes. Both. Cheers.

[@zrbsrbija]

Nice review

[@johngray722]

Real good test

[@dcryder9736]

Can you make a video of how you get on and off and maneuver these tall Enduro bikes? The height seems intimidating to me.

[@duaneliptakjr493]

I would have preferred to see you ride both bikes in environments that are suited to each, and I'm not surprised you came to this conclusion from the trails in the vid...the grunt of the 300 is awesome in slower single track. The 250 shines at race pace, living higher in the rpm. The motors are set up differently to deliver power differently...it's more than just a displacement difference. And, for any of the faults of TPI...they still run pretty darned well, especially with an idle screw mod to allow idle and air bypass to be adjusted separately, and it sure is convenient to avoid what you talk about in carburetor setup for specific altitudes...I can ride in TX, load the bikes up, drive to CO, take them out and be riding in 2 minutes without jetting changes.

[@elliottandrade9336]

i can hear that the 300 has more grunt, i haven’t ridden either very much but i would assume the 250 is a bit more playful as smaller 4 strokes are similar in that aspect. anyways great video guys

[@TheRossillini]

No replacement for displacement but in the super duper tight stuff the 150 is amazing for guys around 160lbs.

[@RIPPERTON]

Bottom end Top end isnt capacity its port timing. You could turn a 250 into a stump puller and a 300 into a screamer by lowering or raising the exhaust port.

[@SuperTap007]

Nice bikes 😎

[@tmd2020bmf]

I am too old to race now so I go on long exploration loops. I've been around the White Rim and if ridden out of Moab it's well over 150 miles. I love everything about 2-strokes except the range. My 525XC would get 50+ mpg on a trail ride; with 3.8 gallon tank that's doable without toting gas.

[@greensocks4507]

I got a 40 hour '04 KX500. I'll hang to it. Thanks for the post

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Had an 04 so sorry I sold it.

[@mikeyx2415]

What bar bend is on the 250xc?

[@g_moto_mx_2097]

Both them bikes look like a dream!

[@kenenthparker9069]

Thanks for doing this comparison. I’m Jet getting back into riding after 25 years snd now way am I getting a tpi bike. What’s considered a good deal in a 2017 or newer 300 with low hours and would you recommend an xc over xcw for trail riding? Thanks

[@dirtbiketv1]

Happy to give some tips - just send me an email. Contact info in About tab

[@stavencapp]

fact u can even get on and ride3 either at ur height has me impressed lol

[@ronemery8986]

when you change your oil and use the same filter, do you clean it with contact cleaner???

[@mt1885]

Only use air filter cleaner (gas) will ruin the air filter open up the pores (eats up the glue) then it will suck in dirt. Don't use contact cleaner on filter. To clean around in the air box - yes (but be careful) of knocking dirt in the air boot. I use paper towels generally as less lint and then clean all around. The price of rebuilding the bottom end/top end and cylinder replating is not worth spending money on air filter cleaner.

[@enduro-parts-aus]

mikuni modded carb with jd jet kit is great !

[@GeniusEnis]

Imo the 300 is easier to ride. I feel that I can ride one gear higher and I have a smoother ride. When I try a 250 i miss the 300 bottom end and when the 250 picks up power it just flies away without control. But I guess people prefer what they own and ride themselves. What you’re used to is what feels right for you.

[@dirtbiketv1]

Yes for sure-- I like the 300 but easily if I spent a lot of time on the 250 I would think its the best thing ever. I am also riding a 350 more and love that :-)

[@mihaidobrescu7430]

I think if you race and push your endurance to the limit the 250 is more easyer on your body, you use less energy. 250 carb bikes are realy good. For normal riding where you don't push yourself to the limit to ride very fast, 300 is better.

[@gregmulfort9577]

The 250 is fun and racey. The 300 is a tractor. Some guys like a tractor, some guys like racey.

[@J_Business]

Jay mentions sometimes that he prefers carb to TPI. Maybe a back to back to show the actual differences that make carb so much better

[@dirtbiketv1]

Yes- need to do that

[@elihamou6902]

Just make sure they do it with a TPI with ecu/head combo to keep apples to apples

[@elibuda7203]

Why does Jay dislike the TPI bikes

[@ktom300]

How's the mileage on the Mikuni VS TPI? I'm seeing 250 TPI ranges of 80+ miles at elevation. Really impressive for stock tank

[@dirtbiketv1]

Email me-- contact in bio and on my site and instagram.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

Almost everyone in all the comments across the board in these type of videos you see more folks saying the had a 300 and went to the 250 and love it much better.

[@neilthomas7130]

Hi guys great video. What's the advantage of cutting the head? How much do you take off?

[@dirtbiketv1]

More power and grunt with the added compression .020" off is good -- or you can have TMR cut and reshape for ever better.

[@neilthomas7130]

@@dirtbiketv1 nice one guys thanks for the reply much appreciated .going to get this upgrade done asap.living in the UK so I'll get .020"taken off👍

[@stealthmode9086]

What's faster?? 250 or 300

[@gamer2350]

Seems like the 250 revs much faster but has less power down low

[@jromem7313]

Heard you cant get a crank for the 17 and newer bikes?? That would be a problem

[@dirtbiketv1]

I assume if they are out it will not be long- also Rado has 250 plus hours on a stock crank-

[@andrecasanova3753]

after 3 ktm’s and happy to replaced it for yz250x I could say wp stock suspension sucks especially air forks that’s the only issue I had with those bikes great video guys.

[@mt1885]

Enjoy it while you can - new climak scam is going to put an end to the sport. Plus most likely ban sell of any and all 2 strokes as well as ban all riding areas. Check out the sema RPM act - if you don't believe me.

[@twowheelpilot]

Yip agree 100%. However until Yamaha make a e start, 6 speed Ballance shaft modern two stroke KTM still gets my money in the two stroke war. However I have changed to a Yamaha 450 from Orange and it's much better out the box than anything from KTM.

[@Hanibul_Lecktor]

@@mt1885 TPI saved 2 strokes, you have no clue wtf you're talking about. They pass emissions bruh. I'm 50yrs old, people have been saying we're losing all our riding areas since I started riding back in 77. Hmmmm, still plenty of riding areas as more people get involved more places open up.

[@TJ-po9ol]

@@Hanibul_Lecktor KTM just announced their 2023 bikes & they dropped TPI 😂. Mix your fuel again

[@Hanibul_Lecktor]

@@TJ-po9ol thanks, I'll check it out. We've got a TPI and have had zero issues. My personal bike is a FX450 so I'm good on mixing any gas.

[@dupiilatuk7697]

Great vid man,Can you Help Me to fix my bike I have ktm sxf 2011 Carb ... The timing its on top And new spark plug the fire its workin ... Compresion bike ok, and still Cant Start

[@dirtbiketv1]

Email Jay with any questions. Contact info in About tab.

[@bryden_smith]

Personally I prefer my 250 To My dads 300 just a more lively motor if u ask me makes things interesting and for me I’m about 150lbs it’s got tinned of bottom no complaints there but then again this are the 2011+ models so. A bit different

[@KLYCHVV]

Whats model of rear tire?

[@dirtbiketv1]

Dunlop D803GP

[@bikevault2302]

how does the husky 300TX compare to these bikes.

[@bryden_smith]

Same bike just a composite subframe engine frame suspension all the same

[@twowheelpilot]

It's White. That's about it unless you really want to get picky. Few very minor differences.

[@goodboyringo9716]

SAD THAT THE DEALERS ARE OVER PRICING THE BIKES. I REFUSE TO PAY 1500.00 OVER RETAIL.

[@WillyD1]

I agree I’m not into them fuel infected two strokes

[@twowheelpilot]

Me either, Lectron carb two strokes all the way.

[@chrispederson4157]

You got to try 250 TPI bike with high compression head and Ecu reflash. Amazing setup.

[@mistrmintmoto]

Hi Jay, I am now a little confused. You say the 300 is a good bike for the kids. I need to get my son a "new" bike. He is 14 years old and quite tall. He only started riding 8 months ago on a KX85 but has improved immensely. We do a lot of mountain riding with serious rocky sections. He tried the 125EXC last time we went but there really is no bottom end grunt. I was thinking of getting him a 200 but now I'm not sure anymore. He likes riding my 2014 300 XC-W but I think there is way too much power there for him now. What are your thoughts?

[@dirtbiketv1]

email me if any further questions- my thoughts are that when I reference the 300 I am really talking about the 2017 and up-- no vibration and very easy power-- the 2014 you have is a faster harder hitting bike than the newer versions. My son was 15 when we got the 2017 300 for us to use and it was great for him on Mnt trails.

[@mistrmintmoto]

@@dirtbiketv1 understood, thanks.

[@john-yn5nz]

All depends on set-up ... but I agree the 300cc is better for less skilled, heavier, lazier riders fit the green power valve spring and chug away ... if your a racer the 250cc your be faster

[@tommyplante4850]

it seems that the 300 lugs down low easier than the 250!

[@Fuckjoebiden928]

I remember you , parked your Mercedes van along the fence then ran through my gas pump as I was in the back of my truck getting my dirtbike fuel tanks situated it was pretty rude just so you can go to Alberto‘s at shell gas station on ethanac

[@dirtbiketv1]

Wow-- sorry -- all I can think is that Fat dudes are in a hurry for food after a moto-- Sorry and it sounds like I owe you a burrito next time :-)

[@MXJEFF94]

Kyle Brotherson and the picks of the 300 will disapprove of this shootout!

[@MR.TOYBOX]

300xc for the west and 250xc for the east. Unless its hard enduro slow technical then the 250xc is all you need. More flowy trails but not as open as a desert the 250 will shine.

[@g_moto_mx_2097]

I got my KZbin back Jay! I’ll add you in my new Instagram