RK Tek Head : KTM 300XC-W

[@dirtdad8478]

Enjoying your videos. I recently installed an RK Tech head on my 18 TE250. I am running the PWK keihin 38mm with the stic emulsion tube. Original set up was JD red needle #2, 48 pilot, and 180 main, 50:1. Pump gas 6,000 ft, here in Albuquerque NM. Bike ran fine but I am getting a lot of spooge, I am talking dripping down on the swingarm spooge. So I ended up getting white needle #3, 45 pilot, 175 main. I decreased the jetting size. Gonna test it tomorrow. Before I installed the RK Tech head I was getting almost no spooge, and bike ran fine with the original jetting set up with the keihin. I will say that the power increase was terrific, I just don't like too much spooge, and feel that something may not be right.

[@highlandcycles]

Thanks for joining in on the live show

[@BLSdarrin]

I put the RK Tek head on my '18 300xc. I also went Lectron and 250sx CDI with a FMF shorty and of course the crappy stock reeds I changed . Its a rocket. I wish they made heads for Kawi's. I got a '96 kx125 I just built and it could use a new head and they are hard to find.

[@highlandcycles]

They will re shape the KX head. Just send it in and tell them what you want.

[@Bigredwelder77]

Once you get some time on this, you gotta try his custom piston with modified port timing. It is sooooo good.

[@highlandcycles]

I will for sure once I need a top end b

[@painsrides]

This is awesome, a few buds I ride with are running RK heads now and 💖them...... But I PROMISED myself I was not going to do anything more to my TE than what I need to set it up for me and keep it running..... So far I've lasted 2.5 weeks 🤐

[@highlandcycles]

Hahahah. The head is awesome

[@jimmydacey3]

I was looking into getting a higher comp head (and possibly ECU tune) for my 300 XC-W TPI and was considering RK, but then I saw how he was getting pretty aggressive with his competitors on some of the forums and he kind of turned me off. Kels is obviously a very intelligent and talented guy, and I'm sure he makes great stuff. And yes, I know it's tough to gauge someone's tone in text or forum post, but his attitude turned me away. I'm super glad that you are loving the RK heads for your bikes! Thanks for all you do, Morgan!

[@highlandcycles]

He is a very opinionated and stubborn person. Probably a little of why we get along honestly. The difference is that he doesn’t have a filter. I know quite a few people like him and they run some people the wrong way for sure. They need people like me to buffer them from the public hahahaha. I can say that his work really is better than the other guys (at least the bigger names, there is probably someone out there doing great work but on a private level). If you ever want to try one, you can buy it through us to support what we do. He will still make money but it will be less 😂

[@jimmydacey3]

@@highlandcycles Thanks Morgan! I apricate your reply and your offer.

[@prestonthomas9406]

Jimmy, I just installed an S-3 head (0-6000 ft) from Slaven’s on my 2019 300XC-w TPI with an Athena ECU (they re-map it for free) and an injector re-location kit and it is awesome. The bike is so linear and runs great with awesome torque throughout the rpm range, and with the re-location kit I don’t worry about pre-mature wear and cold start seizures. It also idles lower and for some reason is quieter. Probably can’t go wrong with either head IMHO. Anyway, my 2 cents, good luck.

[@EC-xo4ti]

Bike sounds really good, like you changed jetting from prior videos, perhaps lifted the needle or changed your fuel and or premix ratio, smooth and predictable.

[@MakeItHappenOriginal]

any update on the jetting? did you mess with the needle after riding it? I will be running this exact setup on my 18 300 xcw would love to hear if you got it dialed and what the final jetting specs are. I will be running mostly sea level to 5,000 at most. thanks in advance I also plan to do some of the recommended carb mods let me know if you think its necessary

[@lyndonewright330]

I run Evans myself its good stuff

[@codyjoseph44]

Haha yeah I gave you the tip about the spark plug, I'm glad it helped! Is silver an option now on the ktm heads from RK? I like the less flashy look, I only seen black and orange when I got mine

[@highlandcycles]

I think it’s one that hadn’t been anodized yet. I like it too.

[@johnfavre1987]

Make me want to get one for my 18 300 XC-W

[@highlandcycles]

Do it. Totally worth it.

[@garym776]

I'll be interested in the change in gas mileage change if any.

[@highlandcycles]

Will check for sure

[@prestonthomas9406]

Morgan, agree with you that you don’t need to torque a head down on a 2 stroke. I’ve been owning/riding them for 40 years and have done numerous top ends without using a torque wrench, no issues, period. Also, I just recently installed an S-3 head (0-6000 ft) from Slaven’s on my 2019 300xcw TPI and was wondering if you had any experience and/or comparisons to the RK head? Love the videos man keep um coming. Thanks

[@highlandcycles]

I have ridden both on different bikes. I really like the RK better.

[@fireinthewhole]

Good vid. Where can I get the I HEART DIRTBIKES hat?!? Its 🤘🤘🤘

[@highlandcycles]

From us. Email me at [e-mail]

[@fireinthewhole]

@@highlandcycles emailed last night

[@highlandcycles]

@@fireinthewhole got it. Will be getting back to you soon

[@richardhartley7094]

Not so easy on a tpi got to mess about with throttle body and ecu as i am sure you know nice job Morgan👍

[@codyjoseph44]

You don't have to do either of those! Talk to Kelsey, he has heads for the TPI that make a huge difference, and work fine with the stock ECU

[@richardhartley7094]

@@codyjoseph44 oh right thanks I didn’t know that👍

[@highlandcycles]

But it’s a little more annoying because of all the dumb wiring and stuff in the way 😂🤣

[@codyjoseph44]

Poor Andrew... He closed the gap on you by adding the RK head to his TPI, and now you had to go blow it wide open again 😂

[@highlandcycles]

Exactly! 😂🤣

[@matt2437]

It would be interesting to see a shootout between Rk Tek and other heads like the Slavens mule head which btw is almost half the price

[@highlandcycles]

I actually have an S3 head to test.

[@peteregger7928]

Haven't looked into it recently but KTM did offer two different versions of the 300 conversion kit. The one with higher compression and performance was the SXS kit. Just curious as to which 300 conversion kit you installed?

[@highlandcycles]

I don’t know if they still offer both but this was the sxs kit. I could only find one when I bought this one.

[@peteregger7928]

@@highlandcycles Thanks! Waiting for the ride review!

[@kellylargent2634]

So I took my carb off my yfz and im rebuilding it but when I took bowl off and the rod that pushes the accelerator pump is bent just a little is it supposed to have a slight bend ?

[@highlandcycles]

I don’t think so

[@kellylargent2634]

Same I think I did it !!! Well I guess I will replace it so when new one comes I will let you no. Thanks for all the help.

[@lathenhornback003]

so Is it because of your altitude you run a high compression Head normally I thought you would do it Low compression to give it more bottom in the woods/ trails

[@codyjoseph44]

Generally raising compression will actually give you more bottom end, not lowering it. You can go too far though, especially on a 300, and the power becomes less useable (wheel spin). Morgan is at high altitude, so it won't hurt at all to bump it up some... There's a lot more than just the compression ratio that goes into these heads though.

[@highlandcycles]

Yeah, we are at 6k and more compression always helps. And like Cody said, it’s not just a bump in compression

[@drdonfunke]

I put a RK tek head on my 300 xcw. Wasn’t long before I noticed a coolant leak. I chased it for months. Finally noticed that it was leaking between the head and the cylinder. I tried changing o rings, retorquing bolts nothing worked. Finally put the stock head back on. No leak now. Kinda sucks. It ran great with the RK Tek head. Any ideas? Thanks.

[@highlandcycles]

I would talk to Kelsey. We had an issue like that with the 125 and it turned out it was a super small tolerance issue with the insert. Sent it back, he machined it, made some notes for future customers and it’s all good. It sucks to have that happen but he is a very small shop and small mistakes are going to happen from time to time.

[@Chanthagod]

What’s your front sprocket size and the back size too

[@highlandcycles]

I run a 14 / 52

[@Chanthagod]

@@highlandcycles do you think 13/51 is good for desert/forest riding like your area

[@highlandcycles]

@@Chanthagod yeah

[@ericc90]

Hey Morgan, do you think this head will be a good combo with a lectron for my 300? Do you think the lectron will need some tuning to adapt to the head? Thanks

[@highlandcycles]

It would be great and yes you would need to richen up the lectron to get the full benefit

[@rvh77]

Hey Morgan, I just put one of these on my 17 300 xc. I haven't run it yet because I'm doing a few other mods. I didn't put grease on any o-rings, but did use the spark plug to hold the insert inside the head. I replaced the two o-rings on the cylinder, but didn't grease them. Do you forsee any issue? Or you think they need grease to seal right? Thanks in advance for your expertise!

[@highlandcycles]

No, you’ll be just fine. The grease just makes it easier to keep them in place.

[@rvh77]

@@highlandcycles oh, man.. thanks for giving me a little peace of mind. I really didn't want to take all that apart again lol😂

[@ptft4]

If you install the RK head on a TPI will the fueling still be OK?

[@highlandcycles]

Yes. But it gets even better if you put a power commander on it and bump up the fuel.

[@ptft4]

@@highlandcycles ok, thx for the tip. Btw I like you vdo's and you honest and un-snoppy style, keep it up 👍

[@highlandcycles]

@@ptft4 thank you very much

[@200xcBruce]

Original O rings?

[@highlandcycles]

Yeah. Since it’s mine and they looked new still. I’d put new ones in for a customer but I don’t mind risking it a little on my bike.

[@highlandcycles]

They were still sticking up above the surface of the cylinder quite a bit.

[@200xcBruce]

@@highlandcycles understand fully. Do you concern yourself with X dimension on your KTM's? I used to set at zero on my 200 XC and it really made the motor run strong. I may try the TEK insert on my Beta someday.

[@highlandcycles]

@@200xcBruce I don’t worry about it much. I know you can get more punch but the 300 runs so strong that I don’t mess with it. Now with the RK head it’s going to have a ton of grunt.

[@handendaer]

Such bad mechanic.

[@highlandcycles]

You are an odd one. I don’t know what you are talking about.

[@lathenhornback003]

@@highlandcycles that’s why you are a mechanic and he some kid playing video game on KZbin

[@highlandcycles]

@@lathenhornback003 hahaha true