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KTM 300 EXC reviews

5.0 (8 reviews)
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Reliability
4.3
Overall quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.5

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Voted most helpful review

Brian

Auburn, Washington

Reviewed on June 17, 2009

Motorcycle reviewed 2004 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
Thought I'd write something for those considering KTM 300. I am an expert level rider with 30 years riding experience. Been on a 300 for some time now. Let me first state that I love the bike. It is extremely fast - beats my buddies 4-stroke 525 in drag race. It is light and very agile. That said, this is n... read more
Thought I'd write something for those considering KTM 300. I am an expert level rider with 30 years riding experience. Been on a 300 for some time now. Let me first state that I love the bike. It is extremely fast - beats my buddies 4-stroke 525 in drag race. It is light and very agile. That said, this is not a bike for a beginner - nor someone who wants an easy ride. The bike begs to be run hard, and is more racer than cruiser. The bike deflects off rocks/roots more than absorbs. Rider must stay on top of it. When racing, this bike has the capability to give you that extra 5% of speed to be faster, but you definitely work for it. For those of you who are advanced riders - suspension is adequate. Forks tend to be a little stiff to initiate movement even at lowest setting. Rear spring sags and increased spring adjustment to reduce sag results in limiting full travel well even at reduced comp. Stock seat should be renamed Rock Seat- brutal. Fuel range about 60 to 85 miles depending. Maintenance has been fair. Seems to chew through piston and rings quicker than other 2stokes I've had - but greatly related to performance. It will overheat / boil radiators. If you buy or own this bike, be very careful to get the air filter fully seated. It's tricky and when not placed leaves a gap in back difficult to see, but tragic to engine. (trust me on this). On the fun side, did I mention it is fast? Wheelies are instant with a twist. I'm running FMF pipe with TC2 silencer and it's reasonably quiet. Its a great stand-up bike - I ride it mostly standing. It turns quite sharp, so navigating tight switchbacks is good. It will bog extremely low and pull out - making power to ground and climbing great. Balance, steering are excellent. Build quality is KTM top notch. Brakes are best in class. I've ridden about all other top end bikes and still get a smile when getting back on this one.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Sanchez

Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Reviewed on May 17, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
I just bought a 2003 KTM 300e/xc and I have to say, quite a nice mount. I admit my addiction to 2 stroke engines, and have owned mostly 250 MXers my whole life. I ride predominantly eastern style trails, tight and windy, not a 250 MXer's forte. I wanted something more woodsy. I figured the 300e/xc, having... read more
I just bought a 2003 KTM 300e/xc and I have to say, quite a nice mount. I admit my addiction to 2 stroke engines, and have owned mostly 250 MXers my whole life. I ride predominantly eastern style trails, tight and windy, not a 250 MXer's forte. I wanted something more woodsy. I figured the 300e/xc, having a heavier flywheel and wide ratio gearbox and 50 extra CCs would be a wise choice. It's actually perfect, and makes you ponder why every 250 CC enduro bike produced throughout the years wasn't just bumped up to a 300. From the minute you begin to inspect it visually, you notice the great workmanship when compared with the Japanese bikes. Almost like a BMW to a Chevy. The bike, when in great condition, is a visually appealing sight. Your buddies will have no problem noticing you are on a KTM. Before you get on the bike, your expectations of the performance can't possibly match the bike's asthetic look, how wrong you are. This bike is a racer. Plain and simple. If your highly skilled rider, I don't believe you could go faster in the woods on any other mount. The power is delivered almost perfectly throughout the entire powerband, with enough low end to pull a car. This type of power is great in the east, where rocks dot every curving hill, and roots soon follow. Open the throttle up and the bike sings. You suddenly remember you're on a 300. Although the bike has a very smooth power delivery, similar to a 4 stroke in some aspects, it will quickly remind you that it is a 300 2 stroke, and given the chance, could get you into some trouble ripping from one corner to another on short trails. This is where the 300's amazing braking system comes into play. Not to be outdone by the 300's silky engine performance are it's mean and sometimes tempermental brakes. These things will bring you to a stop in a jiffy. Also, having sloppy fingers around the front brake, or a happy foot with the rear brake will sometimes have you stopping when you don't want to. Bottom line, these are some of the best brakes I've ever used, and would make a highly skilled rider even faster. Gearing is pretty good. I did find the upper gears a bit too tall for my type of riding, and appreciated the brakes even more when I stretched her legs. For my type of riding, gearing down would go a long way. First and second gear were spot on, after 3rd, things would start moving pretty quickly. You can always fall back on the brakes. They actually give you the confidence to try to pull a taller gear into a corner. I can't quite comment much on the suspension. don't get me wrong, my bike is suspended exceedingly well, but the suspension system was rebuilt by Factory Connection (third bike I've owned with Factory Connection, in my opnion, they are the best). The WP forks and shock are top of the line in workmanship, much like the rest of the bike. My experience with KTM suspension in the past is that they are hit or miss. In the past, their enduro bikes are very well suspended, and their MX bikes are sometimes suspect. don't ask why cause I don't know. I'm sure the stock components on the 300 are up to any task, after all, the bike is race ready right out of the box. Ergonomics are perfect, especially for a shorter rider such as myself. The bike seems, and actually is very slim. It's also a very light bike, and feels every bit as light as the dry weight claims (235-240 lbs). By far the lightest when compared to any 250 2 stroke enduro, and this thing is a 300. All in all, this is hands down the best bike I've ever had the pleasure to ride. The 300 CCs of power is perfect. Perfectly smooth, and perfectly capable of pulling like an MX 250, without the constant wear and tear your body feels when riding a 250. This is a fast bike, but capable of going whatever pace you like. You don't have to ride like a nut to go fast. With all the pros and lack of cons, this bike makes most of the speed you need, you just have to point it in the right direction, and when you get used to the super-strong brakes, you'll find yourself smoking your buddies without even knowing you're doing it. This thing is so much fun to ride...anywhere. Throw in a huge KTM Hard Equipment catalog, and you'll find yourself in rider's bliss, with an endless universe of components to trick your cycle out. My suggestion is...If you ride 250 MXers on trails, give in and buy a 300e/xc (I heard the '04 is worlds better, if that's possible). You will, in no way, be disappointed. Unless, of course, Halloween orange and black aren't your thing!!
Reliability
4.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

RAD

Melbourne, Florida

Reviewed on May 13, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
Picked up mine last week and have ridden about 8 hours so far over 3 sessions. It's a beast and I love the bike. Suspension is widely adjustable balance at low speed is like a trails bike (especially concerning the high lift). Controllable power and tons of it. My last 2 stroke was a YZ490 -- this bike ha... read more
Picked up mine last week and have ridden about 8 hours so far over 3 sessions. It's a beast and I love the bike. Suspension is widely adjustable balance at low speed is like a trails bike (especially concerning the high lift). Controllable power and tons of it. My last 2 stroke was a YZ490 -- this bike has about 3/4 the brute torque of that one - but it was never used anyhow and the better gas efficiency is a huge plus. The EXC seems to get about 20-25 mpg off-road. <Br> I'm SOOOOO glad I didn't go 4stroke. Explosive 2 stroke power with light weight and KTM heavy duty build make it the ideal bike for an old (30's) guy who loves to ride hard. <Br> This bike has no problem bringing the front up in the first 3 gears -- on sand. Probably does in 4 too but haven't had that much straight yet. <Br> Engine does seem to load up a tiny bit putting around with the boys -- but it does just fine. I was concerned about this since they have a TTR125L. Every few minutes I blow it out. It hasn't had even a hint of overheating and the boys and I have a hoot. <Br> Put one next to a Honda and see the differences. From the rim/spokes to the gas tank it is twice the quality of a machine and a much better value.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Tom Gucciardi

Coral Springs, Florida

Reviewed on April 29, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
This bike is a "point &#038; shoot" woods vehicle. I've never been so comfortable in tight knarly stuff. A great hare scramble &#038; enduro bike. The jetting needed a lot of attention to clean it up. I'm tall (6'3") so a taller seat was a must, but friends of mine 5'9" also e... read more
This bike is a "point &#038; shoot" woods vehicle. I've never been so comfortable in tight knarly stuff. A great hare scramble &#038; enduro bike. The jetting needed a lot of attention to clean it up. I'm tall (6'3") so a taller seat was a must, but friends of mine 5'9" also enjoyed the taller seat when they tested it. The air filter is actully easy to change!!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Shane

Mt Pleasant, Michigan

Reviewed on April 23, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
What an awesome bike! Power, power, power. that's right, it makes all the power a guy needs and then some! Say good bye to that overweight thumper and say hello to the thumper jumper! This bike will climb any hill that a 4-stroke will and it'll jump ditches like they weren't even there! The suspension is some... read more
What an awesome bike! Power, power, power. that's right, it makes all the power a guy needs and then some! Say good bye to that overweight thumper and say hello to the thumper jumper! This bike will climb any hill that a 4-stroke will and it'll jump ditches like they weren't even there! The suspension is something the Jap guys only dream about and reliability has always been great with KTM's. I have owned KTM 250's in the past and the 300 would've walked all over them. I currently have a 2001 400 EXC and the new 300 EXC. The biggest difference is power delivery and vibration. The 400's power is smooth with little or no vibration through the bars. The 300's power delivery is explosive (can be smooth w/throttle control) but it does have (what I call annoying) handle bar vibration. Although the 300 is only 10-15 lbs lighter than the 400, it makes the 400 feel like a buffalo. They're both great bikes, the 300 just makes you feel like racing every time you're on it!!! Still the same hard seat. Common KTM?!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Adrian Csikos

Melbourne, Australia

Reviewed on January 22, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
I've been riding 4-strokes since 1985, I've ridden pretty much every enduro bike out there... but the KTM300 would have to be the BEST!!! I will never again ride a Briggs &#038; Stratton valve bouncing tractor ever again. Riding the 300EXC in the woods is like driving a formula 1 car on the street, th... read more
I've been riding 4-strokes since 1985, I've ridden pretty much every enduro bike out there... but the KTM300 would have to be the BEST!!! I will never again ride a Briggs &#038; Stratton valve bouncing tractor ever again. Riding the 300EXC in the woods is like driving a formula 1 car on the street, the quickest and most fun ride ever!!! Why tractor around on a 4-stroke elephant, when you can rail, roost and fly like a cheetah catching its 4-stroke prey? This bike pulls more than a 16 year old kid, weighing (with water &#038; oil) 226lb x 53hp = rip-your-arms-off. Another handy feature is 'bag-up-on-demand' simply activated by twisting the throttle, this feature proves efficient for digging aqua ducts, mining for gold and burying other bikes on your hit-list. How about traction? No worries! This bike has got so much torque and traction-hunting power you can short-shift right off idle, so you can climb up those slippery hills. New 4-strokes are built to last about as long as a Chinese pocket bike... People who say '4-strokes are better' leave out two vital words 'amateur' and/or 'lazy' because it's those types of people who enjoy them. 2-strokes are the RACING WEAPON, are you man enough to own one? Premix = the breakfast of champions and the smell of Victory!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

jeff gordy

ellaville, Georgia

Reviewed on December 19, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
The bike feels like it will be awseome. I haven't put it to the test yet because I haven't gotten it broken in yet. The limited amount of time I have in the saddle I know that I will have to go to the hot power valve spring. I also believe the gearing will have to be bumped from a 50 tooth rear to a 52 tooth... read more
The bike feels like it will be awseome. I haven't put it to the test yet because I haven't gotten it broken in yet. The limited amount of time I have in the saddle I know that I will have to go to the hot power valve spring. I also believe the gearing will have to be bumped from a 50 tooth rear to a 52 tooth rear. Second gear seems to lug coming off the bottom. I will have to work on the jetting to clean it up. The bike turns well and the brakes are great. The front tire needs to be upgraded, but the rear tire is okay. More to come next week after further testing.
Reliability
1.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Josh Adamas

Timberlake, North Carolina

Reviewed on July 30, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2004 KTM 300 EXC view listing

5.0
I am only 13 years old and this bike flies because of its wailing 2 stroke engine. This bike will fly. Great suspension on this bike. You can really get some air on this bike. If you want a FAST bike, this one is for you.... read more
I am only 13 years old and this bike flies because of its wailing 2 stroke engine. This bike will fly. Great suspension on this bike. You can really get some air on this bike. If you want a FAST bike, this one is for you.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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