TBI vs TPI vs Carb 2023 KTM 300XC vs 2021 KTM 300XCW vs 2017 300XC

TBI vs TPI vs Carb! Back to back ride on my 2023 KTM 300XC with Throttle Body Injection (TBI) vs my 2021 KTM 300XCW Erzberg with Transfer Port Injection (TPI) vs a 2017 KTM 300XC with Keihin carburetor. Even on this short woods loop the differences between TBI and TPI and Carb stand out.
2021 KTM 300 Erzberg: Lap time 1:36
The 300 TPI engine on my 2021 KTM 300 Erzberg has smooth linear power that has run perfectly for me from 11F to 95F temperatures. I like oil injection for the gas and go simplicity. The TPI 300 engine has very smooth roll on torque - which some riders complain is too smooth and lacks the stronger more torquey response of a well jetted carburetor. The PDS chassis feels smaller and has quicker steering than the newer linkage chassis on the '23 300XC.
2017 KTM 300XC: Lap Time 1:38
Easy to feel the stronger initial throttle response of the Keihin carb 300XC, especially after jumping off the 300XCW TPI. That meaty low end bark of a well jetted Keihin carb is what some riders feel TPI lacks. The carburetor is such a simple device and this 2017 300XC still runs strong.
2023 KTM 300XC: Lap time 1:33.6
The '23 300XC TBI engine is powerful! The low to mid partial throttle roll on torque on the '23 300XC TBI engine feels stronger than the 300XCW TPI engine with a more classic carb like meaty power feel. The 300XC TBI engine feels even stronger than the 300XC carb engine down low. There is also a noticeable difference between Map 1 and Map 2 on the '23 300XC TBI engine. Map 1 is a little smoother response while Map 2 is beast mode with stronger throttle response and is very good for moto tracks. The chassis on the '23 300XC feels firmer and bigger (better ergos for taller riders...I am 6' 2" 190 lbs).
All three of these 300 2-strokes are great engines with broad linear power though the character of each stands out when ridden back to back. The 300 TPI is so silky smooth it feels a little less powerful overall with a smoother roll on power feel. Perhaps better for the off road woods riders. The 300 TBI feels like it makes 3~4 more peak HP and has more meaty and stronger low to mid throttle torque feel and Map 2 is very responsive. Perhaps better for more open style off road and moto riding but I have ridden it on tight slow technical trails and it ran fine. Finally this Keihin carburetor equipped 300XC has strong initial throttle response and runs strong. The all new TBI matches that "carb" feeling with a little more power and refinement and no need for jetting. TBI fuel injection just might be good enough to get a few riders to give up their carburetors and jetting. All are very good engines. Nice to have choices!

[@danarobichaud9493]

This deserves 10 million views.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks!

[@firffighter]

Nice work! Appreciate you comparing all the generations!

[@mxengineer1]

There is always a 300cc smoker in my garage...now there are even more choices in fuel management!

[@Mikey97D]

That was great! really enjoyed the comparison of Carb, TPI, and TBI on the platforms. You appeared the most comfortable on your new bike and your Six Days. Your buddy's bike is nice and makes me kinda wish I went with the newer air bladder.......I converted to KYB instead.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! The newer '22 internals on those '17 AER forks worked well. The WP forks with KYB inserts I've ridden worked very well too.

[@bcoffroadriding7001]

that was cool!!! Thanks for sharing this one! If I was riding in the middle of nowhere, I would pick the carb bike, closer to my truck it would be TBI for me!

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! Yes the places you ride being able to fix things on the mountain is important!

[@johnkling3537]

Three nice wheelies 🚀

[@mxengineer1]

You know I gotta do wheelies! Great way to check power character and partial throttle response;)

[@Steveman61]

Nice comparison buddy! thanks, Steve

[@mxengineer1]

Wish you were here to try them all out!

[@dzugina]

i wanna ask you , how works wp cone valve forks ? is it good suspension for no profi rider ? im hobby is it working for slowly riders ? I can buy them for good money, but I'm afraid of that

[@mxengineer1]

I think anyone can feel the difference in the first 50 feet. The friction free suppleness over little chop is noticeable. Great suspension benefits all riders...stiff suspension capable of SX tracks not so much;)

[@whiskeythrottledave]

Hi good video, just wondering where you got the red bull decals for the '23 300xc? Hopefully my '23 is coming soon. Thanks

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! I put the shrouds, seat, and front fender off my KTM 450 Factory Edition on my 300XC

[@whiskeythrottledave]

@@mxengineer1 thanks, bike looks great!

[@philipsmith6152]

Great video, If you had to pick 1, which would it be and why ? thanks

[@mxengineer1]

I have been riding TPI 300's for 3 years now and my '21 300 Erzberg has been my favorite 2-stroke to date. This new 300 TBI engine in my '23 300XC has more power and is more thrilling/fun to ride so the mixing gas is worth the effort. Today I would pick the '23 300XC as me new favorite 300 2-stroke but I have no plans on selling my '21 300 Erzberg;)

[@philipsmith6152]

@@mxengineer1 Cheers, enjoy

[@darinvanderpol3351]

Do you think the 300xc TBI would wear you out more than the 300 TPI on a longer, harder off road ride?

[@mxengineer1]

Not at all. The strong partial throttle torque of the new TBI engine gives it excellent throttle to rear wheel connectivity which makes it easier to ride. The stiffer chassis and stock suspension setting on the '23 300XC could tire a rider out more on a longer ride

[@darinvanderpol3351]

@@mxengineer1 Thanks for the reply. I'm considering getting one to replace my TPI 300xcw. Haven't loved that bike like my carbed '17 300xcw.

[@mxengineer1]

@@darinvanderpol3351 I think you will find the 300 TBI engine has more of the classic 2-stroke carb feel in terms of throttle response

[@terryberner]

Wot a perfect video I have 17 sx with Keihin tpi head and adore it My question is about the air fork I’m was looking at the pro components forks but £3.100 with woods setup Was the 21 air fork miles away From the cones Thanks for your time

[@mxengineer1]

Glad you liked the video! My buddy Greg who owns this 2017 300XC put the parts needed to update his 17 AER forks to '22 300XC AER forks and rode them off road in Colorado and loved them. They worked well for me in this video and my CV forks were not miles ahead. If you can get the few parts to upgrade your 17 AER forks to 22 AER specs much more economical way to achieve good performance with AER

[@terryberner]

@@mxengineer1 thanks 👍

[@bryden_smith]

@@mxengineer1 when u say updated to u mean the 2022 calving or are the cartridges completely different

[@mxengineer1]

@@bryden_smith There are a few part differences in the AER forks from 2017 to 2022. It is possible to upgrade the older forks to the new specs (on the air side)

[@mikeb4708]

Pro Components and “comfy” are two things I usually don’t hear in the same sentence. Who set your stuff up?

[@mxengineer1]

These WP Pro Components have a standard XCW enduro setting which are fairly soft. The coatings on these forks reduce friction and give a very smooth friction free movement easily noticeable in the first few feet of riding.

[@simongilbert2704]

all three seem spot on to me ;;;

[@mxengineer1]

Nice to have choices!;)

[@AlbertKlanort]

ktm exc 300 tpi better than ktm exc 300 tbi hard enduro/hard extrem?

[@mxengineer1]

I think both are very capable for hard enduro/extreme enduro. Some riders prefer the PDS chassis because of extra clearance around the rear wheel. KTM races PDS bikes on the factory team while the Husky/Gas Gas models have linkage and TPI though that could change when the 2024 models are announced.

[@SWFlowseeker]

Could you share what suspension you put in the tpi plz? Ty for your vids

[@mxengineer1]

I have WP Pro components suspension on my '21 KTM 300 Erzberg: WP Cone Valve forks with 0.46 spring and a WP TRAXX rear shock

[@SWFlowseeker]

@@mxengineer1 Ty I was looking at the 6500 pro conversion Have you had any experience with those?

[@mxengineer1]

@@SWFlowseeker Yes have ridden a 22.5 250 Factory Edition, 22 Gas Gas MC350, and '23 350SXF with WP6500 pro spring conversion - those forks all worked great and felt similar to much more expensive Cone Valve spring forks. Brad at RideWorx near Cincinnati did the set up and has experience with this kit.

[@SWFlowseeker]

@@mxengineer1 Very cool Ty.

[@stephenlittle8541]

- Is TBI premix ?

[@mxengineer1]

Yes running the recommended 60:1 with Motorex 2-stroke oil

[@esmelinlopez3431]

KTM nice ❤

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks ✌️

[@billypulsipher7313]

tpi, rear shocks too soft and it turns too quick, carb you are too on and off the throttle, makes your corners jerky, it looks to rev too fast. the tbi is smooth and it handles better than the tpi and the carb, but thats probably the head angle seeing as its an xc.

[@mxengineer1]

Interesting insights from watching the GoPro! The 300 Erzberg (TPI) setting is woods focused now (clickers set softer) while the 17 300XC is a buddy's bike and he has it set fairly soft for woods riding and the bark busters alway add some friction to the throttle (the TPB/TBI throttle movements are very light and friction free). The '23 300XC chassis is precise and the suspension the firmer setting compared to the other bikes. Always fun to ride bikes back to back as the characteristics of each really stand out.

[@billypulsipher7313]

@@mxengineer1 the w can handle similar, you just have to run the forks flush with the triple clamps. they still handle sharp without that feeling of the front end tucking. stiffer suspension will help with that also.

[@mxengineer1]

@@billypulsipher7313 Yes I agree. My Erzberg setting is woods focused with quick turning and plush absorbing over the rocks and chop - it is a compromise when speeds pick up. I can spin the clickers and change the fork height and it works pretty well on the moto track....kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp7KZ2adp9JggZI

[@deanhickman9972]

Ahhh tbi feels like carb, it seems this is what they working towards a bike that feels like a carb....so why not just refine the carb🤣 also you didnt click you watch at the same speed, and rode them all differently😉🙃

[@mxengineer1]

Ha! I try to ride with the same level of effort but that very powerful TBI 300 just wicks up the FUN factory;) My KTM/Husky 300 riding buddies rejected the smoothness of TPI and preferred the more meaty classic hit of their carb 300's. This TBI engine has that hit with a more refined 4-stroke linearity their carb bikes (with mechanical power valves) cannot match. How lucky are we that we have so many choices in 300 2-strokes!