2018 KTM 250 XC-W Review - Long Term, 90 hrs - The good AND the bad

[@andrewbarr7606]

Dont usually comment, but your narrative style is perfect. Had to guve some credit! Thank you for being so explicit with brands and models of fixes youve made. Excellent work. Keep creating great content!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks Andrew! I really appreciate the positive feedback. Thanks for watching!

[@jimineutron259]

I just bought a leftover 250 xc-w today, sold my 200 last week. Most of your complaints are spot on, like that oil level bolt, and gas cap. I hope your wrong about the clutch, my 2016 200 was sold at 270hrs on the clutch. The compression could be adjusted with a thinner base gasket. Sounds like you could have adjusted the carb idle a bit, I hope I don't need a new carburetor.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Congrats on the new bike and thanks for watching. You’ll love the bike. I’m a perfectionist in some ways. The stock clutch and carb work fine but there’s room for improvement.

[@adambatchelder4121]

Assum to hear a regular guy c rider who doesn't try to pass him self off as a A rider. Nice bike and nice modifications to, the only thing I would recommend is the 36 mm kehin for the 250 and the 38 is ok on the 300s. The next time you do a top end you might like using a thin base gasket, just make sure your squish band is not tighter than. 050.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Adam Batchelder Great tips. Thanks for watching!

[@davidmcfarling8692]

Sounds like a good honest review. Judging by your comments it sounds like the 300 xcw tpi may be the way to go.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I haven't ridden one yet but it would be a serious contender in my opinion.

[@PNWEnduro]

My biggest complaint about the XC-W platform is the gap between 2nd and 3rd, I know it's a wide ratio transmission but I just find I'm always searching for the right gear in the slower terrain on these so I prefer the XC line. Nice review.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

PNW Enduro You’re right, there’s a gap between 2 and 3. I ride in 3rd on all but the tightest single track. If I could have the XC transmission in this bike I would prefer it. If the XC had spring forks it would be perfect for me. I’m not a fan of the air forks.

[@PNWEnduro]

FYI the air forks can be converted to traditional spring forks and I hear they work quite well.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

PNW Enduro Good to know! Maybe that’s my next bike. Enjoyed your vid on the Lectron mileage.

[@Tankerman]

I love a good honest review from a regular non sponsored rider. Stay safe

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@robw3761]

Great video I had a 2017 xc-w 250 it was a good bike I didn't have it that long I sold it because I moved back to California but now I am back in South Carolina and I went to go get a nother KTM xcw and they wanted over $9,000 and they did not want to give me the deal they gave me on my 17 so I ended up going and getting kx250f 2018 6500 out the door I actually thought I would really miss my KTM and I do sometimes but I do not believe that it is a better bike than this kx250f I have owned Kawasakis in the past never been disappointed and I have owned yamaha's too as well so I ended up putting hand guards and skid plate and I can honestly say that it is a great bike it's fuel injected it's not hard to start it would be nice if it was a electric start but not that big of a deal it was nice to hear your opinion on the KTM I didn't have mine long enough to know the pros and cons other than the gas cap and a couple of other little things thanks again for the video

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching. I have a couple of friends with KXs and my son rides a KX100. Kawasaki’s are fantastic bikes. Congrats on the new bike!

[@GOTDRAGONS]

For the low end you were lacking, you probably need to replace the jet block gasket and o ring for the needle valve with JD’s replacements. Half of the them are bad from the factory.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@natemccutcheon4328]

I have the same problem with my kickstand

[@xhulkdieselx]

I agree with all your negatives, I have experienced almost all of the same things. Some thing to note with regards to clutch: if you arent replacing the rubber DDS clutch dampers every 20 or so hours, they wear and cause a chatter in the hub that will accelerate the notching of your basket, which could be the root cause to your clutch drag.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I have around 135 hours on the bike and haven’t had the clutch cover off since installing the Hinson clutch at around 15 hours. Currently having no clutch issues but probably need to check those dampers at some point.

[@100868ful]

Great Video! To the informative and to the point.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@crjmoto]

Thanks for sharing - I have a 2015 wr250f, thinking of switching it up this season...

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching! Good luck with your race season.

[@Ctvracingg]

Well made video Donnie! Enjoyed it !!!!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

CTV Thanks!

[@GladiusJon]

Great review! You covered a lot, and was spot on!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks!

[@DmenDuroRider]

All the excf bikes have the pds set up as well. And my 17 excf also has a sight glass.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Dakota Miller Thanks for watching and for sharing that info!

[@chrisdunn2544]

No problem good video, I'm waiting for the the stick reeds to come out, I already got King carb with stic, and lowered inches and valved my air forks and rear shock

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

chris dunn Nice!

[@christopherdelapena154]

What graphics are those? Killer informative video.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks! The graphics are from Decal Works. It’s a semi-custom kit in digital camo.

[@stevenburton7922]

Good review!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks!

[@jered2177]

Good and Honest review.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Alabama DS Thanks!

[@The2006200]

The 2018 ktm 250 xcw was a tpi bike with no carb? Did they also make a carbed one?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

2018 was the first year the TPI was available but they made both the TPI and the carb version that year.

[@carlkruse5043]

I have a 2008 300xcw, I agree with the seat assesment i also went withthe EE seat and love it. I consider myself a c rider as well. I just turned 500 hrs on the bike and still have the same low end. 5 top ends and still have the same cylinder. would not buy anything else but KTM unless the Japanese reallly step up their game. As far as the bolts and other issues you mentioned I have not had had them. It took a while to get the jetting right, but now it screams.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

They are excellent engines, no doubt. I’m up to 115 hours and still loving it. Just did the top end around 100 hours. Thanks for watching!

[@PetterIvarsson]

Fun to hear someone who ran many hours without problems. Many are very nervous and renovate the entire engine after 100 hours.

[@jeffloucks2120]

I've got the white version of your bike and while they have some differences I feel much the same way. I went the same route on the carb but haven't messed with heads. I did put on the Husqvarna factory pipe which is like a fatty and that combined with the Keihin got me the low end feel that I like and lots of mid. Guess I better go out and check that sidestand bolt. :)

[@michaelbertalan289]

Great video! To the point and informative. Thank you.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Michael Bertalan I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@straightnobraker4677]

spot on

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreysisti6653]

Nice bike, I have the same one carburetor and all, but mine don't look as nice. This winter I'm gonna overhaul the bike and it will look good.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Awesome, Thanks for watching!

[@TheJROC311]

Nice review. Thanks for posting.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Jason Charles Thanks!

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

I got my Mikuni to work great, even though I like the Keihin better.

[@Ron_C]

Nice review! I've been discussing the possibility of getting a proper trail bike with Gladus Jon and this is one of the models he recommended I look into.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Ron C I really do like this bike. It’s a great bike and if you get one you’ll have several mods to talk about in future videos! 😀

[@halfbit]

I like your style. Subbed..

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@bpowa]

I agree with it all. I love my 18 250xc. the jd keihin carb I put on made the bike. I was having buyers remorse before the carb swap. JD has a fix now for the mikuni. Known as the jet block gasket deteriorating. It seems to fix the carb issue. I wish It was out before spending over 300 bucks on a new carb. Heck I with I would have just got the carb right off the bat before a JD jet kit for the mikuni. close to 500 bucks to make it run right. It was not ride-able. Stalling up and down hills. Other than that its perfect .

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Sounds like we had a very similar experience with the Mikuni. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@crjmoto]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Contemplating ditching my 15 wr250f for a 250/300 2stroke. Might chicken out and go 350 4 stroke though lol

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

crj moto Thanks for watching. You can’t go wrong with that choice.

[@billybobbubbawubba9457]

If your a woods/single tracker, I'd go for the 2-stroke. I owned a 16' 350 XC that would flame out every time I cracked the throttle. I did all the usual things, and improved it, - but not like a 2- stroke.

[@crjmoto]

@@billybobbubbawubba9457 Wound up w/ 2018 250xcw and it's been the best moto I've ever owned. I can't find an excuse to get anything else other than maybe adding something more comfortable for dual-sport type rides

[@billybobbubbawubba9457]

@@crjmoto I just bought an 18' 250 XC-W today! Original owner, 38 hrs. $7600. Hope to ride it tommorow.

[@crjmoto]

@@billybobbubbawubba9457 Great deal! You're going to love it, guaranteed

[@JourdonGulick]

Never ridden one, but nice review 👌👌

[@chrisdunn2544]

I'm surprised u haven't change your reeds, I haven't even rode my 2018 yet because of winter, but I pulled mine out and you can see lite through all four corners

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

chris dunn That seems to be a common problem with these. I just finished putting a new piston and rings in the bike and while I had it apart I checked the reed cage. I guess I got one of the few without issue because my reeds still look great with 106 hours. I do plan to buy the Vforce reeds soon just to be safe though. Thanks for watching!

[@advsquared]

Loose fasteners...I've had my fair share including the kickstand bolts. My KTM also forced me to buy a spoke torque wrench because they are always getting loose. Great review!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

ADVsquared I need to get one of those too. Thanks for watching!

[@flashdrz]

Nice video, thanks for telling it like it is.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

flashdrz Thanks for watching!

[@markgunnison]

Great review. I would also add it should come with a spark arrestor. Maybe the newer ones do but my 2014 did not.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Mark Gunnison You’re right, it should but does not come with one.

[@NirHason]

Great video!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@singletrackmarc819]

Do you like the fx better than the 250xc

[@SkinnySkinch]

great video!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks!

[@aaron___6014]

Do you know what handlebars are on it stock and their width?

[@SANDS78]

Wow that's strange about your clutches. I've never had an issue with any of my KTM clutches. I would say they are best I've ever used, especially on my 150xcw.

[@noirxplorer3185]

I've always felt like the 250XC-W is the perfect woods bike. I'm 5-9 170. I know larger riders that prefer the 300.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I agree, I love it. Thanks for watching!

[@BenIngold]

FYI the EXC also uses the PDS

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Appreciate the info. Thanks for watching.

[@chrisdunn2544]

How do you like the switch for different maps I'm going to buy KTM 300sx black box

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

chris dunn Honestly, I never use the traction map at all. I’m so used to how the bike performs that it messes up my rhythm when I switch to the other setting.

[@SkinnySkinch]

where are these trails?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Most of the trails in this video are from Bradley Farms in Bessemer, AL. It’s not open to the public but There’s a SECCA race there in the fall each year.

[@SkinnySkinch]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie Looks really sweet. love the rocks too.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

SkinnySkinch The rocky stuff was at Minooka Park in Jemison, AL. It’s open year round and great riding there.

[@SkinnySkinch]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie maybe one day ill make it down that way. i love rocks! you doing TKO?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

SkinnySkinch No, my skills aren’t quite there yet, but I may be there to video.

[@SLP-eb1wp]

KTM just assumes your made of money so they put give you a 2x4 seat

[@noirxplorer3185]

Yep. 10K bike that doesn't come with a fan that they know you're going to need. SMH.

[@Brian-th4qn]

If you would like to sell the stock mikuni Ill take it.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I'm going to keep it for when I sell the bike. Thanks for watching!

[@grainger7760]

KTM use that type of gasp because it cannot be accidentally opened, thats the last thing you want while racing

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Good point. I've definitely never had it come off unexpectedly. Thanks for watching!

[@zeeetow]

Nice video! I have the same bike and finally resolved the tuning issue with the stock Mikuni. Took 20 mins to do the “Jarvis Mods” check this link for how they’re done. thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1279917-graham-jarvis-mikuni-carb-mods-and-jetting-specs/?page=1

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Every bike out there has a terrible seat.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Very true!