The Most Fun Two Stroke In Existence?! - 2024 KTM 300 SX | First Impression

Presented by O'Neal
Yep, it's that time of the year. 2024 models are officially rolling off the assembly line and into our hands. We recently took delivery of our 2024 KTM 300 SX and ventured out to the track for our first impression. Donn Maeda and Rene Garcia spun some laps on the well-liked two stroke at Cahuilla Creek before giving us their first thoughts!

[@fusilikevin]

The kid hit the nail on the head. It's a lot more forgiving cuz you get 450 power and delivery without the weight and crankshaft inertia of the 450 fighting against you. FWIW, my '24 doesn't have any lazy rich feeling on the track. It DID have that weird 'loaded up' act when in neutral, but that cleared as soon as you put it in gear, and running T2 cleared it up in neutral as well. The only thing I didn't like, was when it signed off, it SIGNED OFF. I personally ran into it being a problem at Glen Helen(faster track) where I'd be tapped in 3rd in certain spots, and I'd end up leaving it in 3rd losing power cuz the amount of time I'd spend in 4th if I up-shifted was negated by the amount of time it took to up/back shift before the next corner. I don't have that problem anymore since I threw on a Bill's pipe and silencer. The power keeps building now instead of signing off. Gained more in the bottom and mid too, and I would've been fine leaving that alone😁

[@neoufa7929]

👍👍

[@barnescycle]

So after the latest map update through the dealer and FMF exhaust along with Klotz R50 50:1 93 non ethanol, mine is crisp and does not load up at all. After a 20+ year brake i came back to 19 450 honda then to 22 250 honda then to 2017 450XC on the to 2023 KTM 300 and this is the one ive been searching for!!

[@stevefowler2112]

Do you ever run racing gas? Like 98 octane?

[@barnescycle]

I have once but noticed no performance gain just a nice smell lol

[@Mineratron]

I run mine on 93 E0 with Motul 800V 60:1… was great stock, now running the two stroke performance ERM kit with 1.2mm squish head and tweaked MX4 map. Was out on it today… absolutely phenomenal. Been riding the tuned 300EXC last few rides… this thing is another level though… 🦾🦾🦾😎

[@barnescycle]

@jmorr1s I recently spent some 1700 on spring conversion on the front and bladder in the rear long with complete revalve for me and now so much better, I've always be ok with the power but I would like to ride or know the difference between what I have and what you have. Is it more power? or just way more smooth?

[@OneNineTre]

Yup. That bike did get me the hole shot at Mammoth. Well the engine in that bike did 😎

[@redball4093]

Good video, thanks.

[@ottokirk2325]

PC pipe and re-flash(Florida shop?) has mine crisp, top end boost and no loading up. Ohlins spring insert tuned by Copperhead Racing with an Enzo tuned shock. Buttery rut master and sticks like glue.

[@nathanvanlieshout7834]

I really like the purple on it 💜

[@stevefowler2112]

I always get a kick out of listening to modern riders discuss 2 strokes like they are alien technology. I grew up on two wheels in the 60's/70's and that meant two stroke dirt bikes and and then two stroke Trials competition, then/during two stroke motocross, earning an AMA Experts license in 125cc (YZ125) motocross and then earning an AMA expert/Pro license in 250cc/350cc Road Race and racing in the '75 Daytona 200 as an 18 year old Sr. in HS on a fully sponsored to me privateer TZ350 (D). I have owned a number of Superbikes since then and loved them (my current street scooter is a '23 Ducati V4R) but every dirt bike I have ridden that was four stroke just didn't calibrate right with what my brain remembered learning as a kid. At my age i certainly don't want to get off any longer but I am tempted to get one of these just to play around on.

[@jeffbrown5709]

Sweet bike !!!

[@loneventhorizon]

yum

[@alexoreo718]

Did KTM update the piston/crank clearance issue on the 300?

[@ottokirk2325]

I'm hoping so

[@panic-revv85]

Tsp head and tune

[@stevesmith756]

Shouldn’t have too after spending over 10k on a new bike!

[@panic-revv85]

@@stevesmith756 they run great, but a head and tune can help any bike. TSP is just the best option for these.

[@stevesmith756]

So I buy a super expensive premium bike and I have to spend thousands on pipes ecu’s remapping and other stuff to make it right?!?! Why can’t the factory get it right before they sell It?????

[@SpeedDemonExpress]

The bike is more than good stock.

[@mark_Hershey]

Man, i just cant get rid of the random bog on my 2023 300xc i mostly ride on a track. Nursing some busted ribs right now cause it did a little bog out on a small double. So aggregating. Best running bike i’ve ever had. Reaching out ktm but we all know where that goes..

[@benfiddy6721]

Check tps setting, check ccps, and intank fuel filter replace

[@mark_Hershey]

@@benfiddy6721 heres what ive done.. -Replaced inline fuel filter multiple times -Replaced fuel pump pick up filter($60) -Tested old fuel pump(48psi) and replaced with new fuel pump, with part number ending in 200(supposedly updated)($275) -stripped down and checked wire harness, also with bike running trying to move wires to find short. -ended up cutting open wire harness and checking for shorts on main trunk and throttle body branch. Looked beautiful in there. -pulled all connections looking for issues -changed spark plug 3 times, plugs always looked good, never fouled one, currently tried a 7 range plug.($25) -6/1/24 had dealer update software to latest and look for codes, there were none($130) -did top end(used vortex oem piston)and pulled and cleaned power valve at 37 hr per ktm customer service advice($350) -Set power valve to 48mm(z dimension) -Adjusted tps to .400 volts, reset tps with wake up connector and 3 throttle twists -recalibrated power valve on both maps multiple time -changed crank case sensor twice, even used sealant on last one to be sure wasn’t leaking($120) -current compression is 208 psi, was 196 before top end at 37hr -current deck height is between 0.00 and .008, squish is like 2.12 -tried different fuels, one was an ethanol free 93 octane -unplugged battery(no ideal why)

[@mikedonnelly2604]

One thing to remember on these tests is who's riding and commenting on them ,not that they don't know what they are saying but quite the contrary..things they tell you that could- should be better at what it does or dosent do will not be noticed by the majority of riders- non pro racers..this bike tweaked im sure is better but honestly its really, really good stock..that said if you just want the fun of the 2 stroke maybe not even for competition every weekend you still cant go wrong with a yz 250 and save a few bucks.. but yes this is better .

[@bobhannah9944]

Fugly colors-KTM should be all orange!

[@se11459]

I bet the 250 is better for most…

[@jinoziniosti5633]

It's high time KTM went back to white.

[@jeffpezzetti]

agreed

[@googlesucks3520]

These new FI 2 strokes are a shadow of their former selves. An mx 300 shouldn't be weak and these are.