Days Like This Are Why I Ride! | Fun With Friends

In an effort to get a day of riding in before the arctic blast arrived here in Texas, I headed out to the Reload Ranch with my ridding buddies Michael Kasberg and Mike Krause. Conditions were absolutely PERFECT! Kasberg was ripping on a 2024 KTM 300 XC and Krause was on a 2023 KTM 250 SX-F. I had to share this because it was one of those days that we all live for and reminds us why riding dirt bikes are so much fun.
Bike: 2024 KTM 250 XC-W
Exhaust: Akrapovic slip on
Tires: Michelin StarCross 6 Medium/Soft with Michelin Bib Mousse (Rode with the StarCross 6 Mud 19in rear tire too while testing gearing.
Bar Clamp: XC Gear Mako 360sx
Suspension: WP XPLOR PRO Cone Valve Fork (4.6 springs) and Trax Shock (6.9 spring)
Suspension Tuned by: Solid Performance (fork line 1.5, sag 110mm)
Gearing: 13/48 - 13/49
Protection Parts: Enduro Engineering
CDI: OEM
GPS: Trail Tech Voyager Pro
Clutch: Rekluse TorqDrive Manual Clutch
Headlight: MotoMinded
Footpegs: IMS Core Enduro Sharp
Lubricants: Motorex
Seat: Seat Concepts
Follow along on instagram: @colekirkpatrick or @gnarlyroutes

[@BradSheasby]

You show us mere mortals what can actually be done on a dirt bike. Amazing riding as always and thanks for the inspiration!!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I appreciate the kind words and am glad you enjoyed it!

[@BPGas]

Dude! You're ripping!

[@Andrew-gu1zr]

That place looks incredible!!!!

[@lowclassmediavideos]

The speed. Is insane.

[@Tlisotta2010]

Nice riding as usual! Love riding w buddies as well. Makes for a great day!

[@Hendy711]

Love the videos, also thanks for putting your build out on your description, looking to get my 24 TE 300 put together. You make the XCW sing, which is awesome because some people make it sound under powered. Can't wait till the snow melts so I can get on my bike

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@simplejackenduro]

Are you running A-kit suspension on that bike? Looking to perhaps get an XCW again, but I was never super impressed with how PDS did in whoops and chop

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Yes but have a setup set of oem suspension on it too. I prefer how the pds feels in the woods and feel like I can go plenty fast in whoops and chop too without it catching me by surprise.

[@kelvinhuotari2729]

Love the speed you’re carrying in the woods. Can you post a what you added / did to that XCW 250 since you first got it? Are you running stock suspension still, bars , gearing etc. Not too many guys posting about that bike. Thanks.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I’ve posted bike specs in the description and plan on doing a video that highlights the build soon. Running WP pro components but have spent time on the stock suspension and also had the stock set revalved and have been really happy with it.

[@harry_lyles]

Cole, as a fellow camera guy/rider, I'm curious on your go pro pov settings. I've played around with some with mine shooting at 24fps, locking in the shutter speed at 1/48 with an ND to follow the 180 degree shutter rule but was a little unhappy with the results. I felt the footage was a little too bury and the shaky. Maybe a 30fps with a 1/60 SS is the key for better footage, especially under contrasty light conditions. Curious on your thoughts and setup. Thanks!

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I need to do a video on my setup but it's pretty close to what you mentioned. I tried the 1/48th and just like you said it doesn't play well with the hypersmooth feature and results in blurry/shaky footage. I've had best results with 1/96th when shooting 24 and I do use an ND. Hope that helps!

[@harry_lyles]

Rad, it totally does. Thanks Dude!@@ColeKirkpatrick

[@boli8551]

New to 4 strokes here , is it normal for the exhaust pipes on 2013 450 sxf to get quite hot 10-25 seconds into starting them ? And the radiator hose closest to the rad was pretty hot too

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Yes, the headers of the four strokes get hot quick

[@williamcrotts7054]

Great riding Cole. So what did you decide on for final gearing? The 13/45 is just a tad tall on the 300. Still riding the 350?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I’m still going back and forth between a 48 and 49 on this 250 XC-W. I want to try a 50 but am waiting until I need a new chain so I can run the axle where I like it. I still have the 350, it’s almost time to cycle it out and sell it so I’m trying to decide what to replace it with.

[@williamcrotts7054]

@@ColeKirkpatrick I was just seeing if you've tried a 12 on the front. I love the 350 XCF, it's much better with the K-Tech link. If you want to sell that Apov muffler let me know.

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

@@williamcrotts7054 I haven’t tried a twelve yet up front. A smaller sprocket up front would wear quicker than I’d like it to so that’s why I’m going bigger on the rear.

[@scottcoplin8322]

Looks like a blast, can anyone ride at Reload Ranch or is it personal invitation?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It’s private at the moment

[@sergiomonohoma.]

Great video! Which twinwall is this?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

999…according the the Renthal fit finder, the 999 is the same bend as current ktm oem bars.

[@sergiomonohoma.]

@@ColeKirkpatrick great! Thank you for the reply!

[@westcoastfrisco]

Surprised to see you’re running a Rekluse on the 250. Where do you find it has its advantages for your type of riding?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

It's the torqdrive so it functions as a manual clutch.

[@westcoastfrisco]

@@ColeKirkpatrickah ok

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

@@westcoastfrisco I updated the description as well so it makes more sense. Thanks for watching

[@westcoastfrisco]

@@ColeKirkpatrickHave 30 hours on my TBI 300. Its so damn good. 🤙🏽

[@HuntertheHoleshotKing]

Why aren’t you riding the 300xc?

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

Waiting on a 300 XC-W to arrive but I prefer the PDS chassis for the riding and occasional racing that I do now days. I have a 350 XC-F as well and it works great but like the way the PDS feels.

[@selcosucks]

how do you like the new KTM? I think ktm knocked it out of the park with the frame and the new motors

[@ColeKirkpatrick]

I’m stoked on it!