Good and Bad - Things I Do and Don't like on 2023 KTM 300 XC

[@nightrider4370]

Have you tried the 2024 map update?

[@joshmundy]

I was not aware another map update came out. I have the latest as of Oct 2023

[@nightrider4370]

@@joshmundy that's probably the one.

[@joshmundy]

@@nightrider4370 it’s been fine for me, but I think I’ve only ridden 1-2 times since that update

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

You want to get at the skid plate bolt by the kick stand, lean it against the wall for a second.

[@joshmundy]

Yeah I’ve done that, or just balance with 1 hand

[@ryeann2567]

Weird.... I just picked up a used300XC, and my start/stop switches are on the left side of the handlebar, and my map switch is on the right.

[@joshmundy]

The previous owner moved them around. I have done the same also. It’s easier to start in a dead engine hare scramble or when on the side of a hill and you have the clutch in.

[@plushbraap9156]

Considering this bike myself ,so I appreciate the pros and cons, thanks Josh.

[@joshmundy]

Its not perfect, but its pretty good. For most of it I felt I was being picky, but the biggest complaint is the stator so far, I was hoping for alot more output for lighting

[@plushbraap9156]

That is disappointing, I currently have a yz250 with the panthera kit (great bike imo) and so having a factory starter and stator was a draw card for me but the weak stator is not a deal breaker, the extra 50cc and map switch etc definitely of interest . How do find the suspension, compared to the sss kayaba ?

[@joshmundy]

@@plushbraap9156 Its hard to beat the KYB SSS Forks, they are so damn good they havent really been changed in a long time and they still are regarded as a fantastic setup. The new air forks on the KTM 23 bikes seems better than previous and they have done some internal tweaks to help with bottoming resistance so you can run less PSI without bottoming out. I have ridden my friends WP AER XC300 2018 that was worked over by Ride JBI suspension (who i recommend and have used for years) and it feels really good to me, just a little plushier but good holdup when needed vs the new AER forks, but again the new AER forks are pretty good. Biggest drawback to AER is you have to maintain them a bit more, as in adjust / set air pressure when you get to your riding spot. So instead of just bleed air out of fork before riding, you have to bleed air and set air pressure. I guess you dont HAVE TO, but for optimum performance you should as your air pressure in the fork acts as your spring in the KYB SSS, so too much or too little fork air pressure is like installing too soft or stiff of a spring and throws the entire bike off.

[@plushbraap9156]

I do like the idea of being able to fine tune "spring rate " easily, whether or not it actually works like that in practice? If all else fails mount these sss haha . Thanks for the insight.

[@joshmundy]

@@plushbraap9156 Thats exactly what it is - the air pressure is your spring rate. Alot of people get hung up on the air pressure and over think it, but how it works in the bike (as its been explained to me) is it is your spring rate. They do have SSS internal swaps you can do to the WP forks for about $1500, but I am going to give the air setup a good try and see how it goes. So far its not bad even in stock form.

[@toddstube9585]

You did not talk about the gas tank and if you run out of gas before the tank is empty? Number 1 reason why I won’t buy one just yet. You will likely need an oversized tank which are still hard to get.

[@joshmundy]

There have been quite a few tests and as far as I have seen, riding the bike does prove to allow enough fuel to get into the sump for it to run nearly empty, 95% empty. IMS does make a biggest tank, but they are no longer recommending using their fuel pickup system to get fuel from the bottom of the tank as there as issues with pump losing prime if you lay bike over while it is running.

[@wykittypreps5794]

You nailed it. One thing I would add to your list is fuel pickup. It won't be an issue for me but racing folks need to be able to access all the fuel in tank without having to do a double back flip to splash gas up to the pump. I would like to add a fan later so hopefully I can without running battery down to low. Which is worst a overheated bike or dead Battery? Lol

[@joshmundy]

I conflicted at this time how big of a deal the fuel issue is. Highland cycles did a great video and got about 96% of the fuel out of the tank before it quit working. I agree it would be awesome to be able to use all the fuel no matter what, I think the majority of users will never have an issue but I do intend to do a full breakdown of how the fuel pickup works

[@ricknoonan8640]

How many to a tank of gas? Has anyone tested that yet?

[@joshmundy]

@@ricknoonan8640 highland cycles has tested the fuel range and got pretty far - don’t remember it exactly. It’s going to vary based on each rider and how hard they ride / what terrain they ride. I’m guessing I’ll get about 50 miles to a tank

[@andrewpereira1117]

Yes they have it empties

[@jaywalk6628]

Your thoughts on the suspension compliance in the woods?

[@joshmundy]

I have not ridden it in the woods yet, so no feedback. However, my guess would be its just fine once you set the air pressure for your weight and back out the compression a bit. Also depends on what you call woods riding. Comparing to gnarly technical stuff, this isnt the right bike for most people. Its more of a GNCC race bike than slow technical woods riding bike.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

Have you ever rode a yz250x? I am choosing between the 250x and the bike you have in this video. Thoughts? Thanks

[@joshmundy]

I actually have owned a 250x since 2016 and I still have it. They are both amazing bikes, but gun to my head id go 300. email me ([e-mail])and I can explain more if you want, i have lots of videos on my 250x.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

@@joshmundy Man. I already made a purchase. I went with the all new 2023 KTM 250XC TBI Fuel injected Throttle Body. Its sick and more Bike then I need lol. Its lighter and a better fit for hare scrambles in my area. The dealer had both the 300 and 250 in stock and they suggested the 250 for our terrain. I have already done a few heat cycles each day the last two days and I take it to its first hare scramble on Saturday. Wish me Luck.

[@joshmundy]

@@MR.TOYBOX awesome man. The 300 does sign off just a touch sooner than my yz250x on the top end, but it pulls crazy in low to mid. I really like how narrow and nimble the new ktm is.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

@@joshmundy They say the TBI 250 pulls almost as good as the TPI 300. I have not been on a tpi so I can’t confirm.

[@joshmundy]

@@MR.TOYBOX the tpi isn’t anything special. My yz250x pulls harder. Tpi is smooth and predictable. TBI is like a perfectly tuned carbed bike

[@sammurphy5645]

Thanks for the content man, appreciate it! Any chance you could do a quick video on what you did before you jumped on your bike for the first time? (greasing bearings, checking spokes, bolts etc)

[@joshmundy]

Appreciate you checking it out! What exactly are you thinking - like a walk around of everything that I did before I raced it and things users should watch for?

[@j-eazy51]

Awesome video! Just wondering how much do you weight I’m about 215 and what have you set the front forks at on air. Still waiting on my 300xc to get here but haven’t really ridden with the air forks and just curious on your setting thanks

[@joshmundy]

240 pounds. Rear I went with Race Tech 201-632552 Shock Spring 5.2Kg. All clickers are set to stock on shock and fork. Forks I started at 160 psi per racetech website but was only using about 3/4 of fork travel so went to 150psi and now im about 7/8 of travel from the 24hr race so that gives me just a little cushion before bottoming out. Suspension will be going off to Ride JBI in California in December when we cant really ride for them to do full revalve and setup.

[@peteregger7928]

Start and Stop right next to each other... what could possibly go wrong! Lol!

[@adambatchelder4121]

I sure hope they put a big stater in the w when they give it tbi. Ive become very used to having grip heaters and a real light . I need to call bajaha designs and see if they can l re wind thenew stator s

[@joshmundy]

so far no one is rewinding the stators or making a larger one, which really sucks. Also depends if the XCW does go TBI or stays TPI. I believe the XCW is street legal in EU which is my understanding why it has to be TPI. I could be 100% wrong though

[@adambatchelder4121]

@@joshmundy ya its a mixed blessing if the w gets the new motor . I like having a kick starter on 100 mile days but the new motor runs better. For years ktm has run the same stator in the big 4 strokes and the 2 strokes so it was easy. I'm surprised they went to a smaller stator at the same time they went to electric power valve .

[@joshmundy]

@@adambatchelder4121 yeah its a bummer for sure! Love the bike but I gotta figure out something for better lighting. There are some weaker lights out that will get you off a trail and home safely, but they are not made for running at race pace and I am sure grip heaters draw quite a bit

[@adambatchelder4121]

@@joshmundy ya maybe some battery powered mtb lights and a battery powered helmet light and a smaller light running off the stator .

[@mitchculb780]

Thanks for the input, still deciding on a new 300 xc or 350 xcf, been riding 2 stokes past several yrs so maybe the 4stroke? Good decision to have!

[@joshmundy]

I was on the same fence as you! Rode a husky fx350 and tx300 back to back last year when trying to decide. They both were a blast and were fun. I felt fast on both and really enjoyed the 350, it had a free revving feel to it, it came down to it being easier to work on a 2 stroke vs 4 stroke

[@duffyrides]

Just lean the bike against the wall to get the skid plate off. Don't need the kickstand or the lift. Hope that helps ! Good stuff as always

[@joshmundy]

I have done it by holding bike up and getting that 1 screw off. Hard to put bike against a wall when its in the middle of driveway to be washed. I know there are ways around it, but seems like a simple oversight that could have been avoided

[@duffyrides]

@@joshmundy cool. I also spoke to my dealer about the code. They haven't heard of the issue from the other customers as yet. However they sent me a KTM service bulletin with some details. I'm told so far that if I get the issue I would be able to resolve it with the diagnostic tool. Let's see what happens when the bike gets here.

[@joshmundy]

@@duffyrides Which diagnostic tool? Everything I am finding and hearing is it has to be the dealer diag tool - XC2 i believe is the latest one. Ive been trying to get it to work with a basic OBD2 reader without luck

[@tomcorle1400]

@@joshmundy Old school triangle swingarm stand!

[@duffyrides]

@@joshmundy looks like the XC2 but maybe KTM/Husky the tool tool from COOBER USA might work ? Seems to be a good price , cheaper than the XC2. Will have to do some research.

[@kurtheidelbach]

Hmmm hearing people run a fan and Acerbis lights

[@joshmundy]

Its possible with a fan with a low draw and a weak light. Its not just me, lots of reports about that state people are seeing roughly 25-28watts available to play with. So a 15watt draw fan and 10watt draw light would be safe. The 30 watt light I ran we thought would be fine, but again after almost 2 hours at night I ran into issues and light was showing weak battery supply. Once light was turned off bike went back to running fine.

[@200xcBruce]

Grease that filter at the seal

[@joshmundy]

I know why people do it, but to me its not needed anymore. Old bikes / filter setups sure, but with the way the filter cages seal on any modern bike I dont think its necessary. I ride powder / silt all the time and never have any dust in the intake, even on my yz250x. My opinion is always run a clean air filter vs worrying about greasing the seal.

[@brianricoh3242]

I would service that filter better before it sucks dirt

[@joshmundy]

How so? I am assuming you want grease on rim (which I have never done and have never had a dirty intake) or more oil on filter (which I don’t think it needs and excess oil will just get pulled into your intake and cause issues)

[@Mostviews111]

Smh there's the right tool for every job get a swivel socket for the skid plate.

[@joshmundy]

Might work, still might have interference from kickstand

[@TylerBrezai]

My fi light came on and I was very careful about hitting the start button. just like you’re bike 2.5 hours the light came on. So hopefully ktm will have fix for this issue soon seams to many people are having the same issue. Good job on the 24 hour race. I did that event in 2015 was such a blast.

[@joshmundy]

What error code is your Fi light showing? Mine was from hitting the start button while bike was running, so far no issues

[@TylerBrezai]

@@joshmundy five blinks at idle. Runs fine when riding just at idle it starts doing it. just a huge pain in the ass if I have to take to the dealer.

[@joshmundy]

@@TylerBrezai Damn that sucks. At this time looks like dealer is only option. I am trying to find a reader that can talk to the ecu for reading and clearing codes

[@wykittypreps5794]

​@@TylerBrezai I had same issue an dongle provided will not clear it. I had to go back an let ktm dealership clear it with the ktm diagnostic tool.. They called it a hard code. I think because of all new design bike dealerships are missing this clear code part after unlocking bike.

[@TylerBrezai]

@@joshmundy I was hoping you had figured it out so didn’t have to take it in! Hopefully I’ll see you out there this year. I mainly do xc races but this year I wanted to do some more gp style stuff. I live in clackamas Oregon.

[@Dtay630]

Put some dang grease on your filter dude.

[@joshmundy]

Some people do it, I never have and never had an issue.

[@Dtay630]

@@joshmundy you said you rode Yamahas, those are very durable bikes. They can take dirt and not have an issue. I’m telling u man put grease on your filter. Dirt does make it through. And water.

[@kurtheidelbach]

That’s way old school. KTM filters fit fine

[@Dtay630]

@@kurtheidelbach it’s not that they don’t fit better then Yamaha it’s that Yamaha can take dirt through the motor ktm can’t. All I see is bikes blown up because they don’t have enough grease on the lip.

[@kurtheidelbach]

@@Dtay630 Never had any problems with my KTM’s. Have seen bikes with hundreds of hours on them and nobody using grease. If it gives you piece of mind go for it.

[@goodboyringo9716]

Wow , KTM couldn't even install a stator that would run a light or fan. The stop button should be on the left side with the map buttons in red . The fuel pump's location suck.

[@joshmundy]

i agree with all