Ktm XC reviews

This is a great bike. The fastest in the woods hands down and with the right upgrades, a monster on the track as well. It almost has the power of a 250 in the slim manuverable 125 frame. Of all the bikes I've ridden, I'm fastest on this one. On the track, in the woods, it doesn't matter. I used to think just power and speed were everything. don't get me wrong, this thing had some power and even more so now with the upgrades I made, but it rips and the controlability more than makes up for the power differnce between this bike and a 250. With the modifications I have made, this bike will smoke most 250's on the track and any bike you can find in the woods. Show less

I was always turned off by the price of the KTM line. I knew the 300 XCW had great reviews, but thought I could make an MXer a good wood bike. I tried CRF450R, KZ250, and CRF250. All of which I poured hundreds into making them woods racers. My CRF250R was fairly successful, but those top ends where eating my wallet up (and I do most of my own mechanic work). I finally took the plunge into the KTM world. All I can say is WOW!! What the heck was I waiting for. My first ride on this thing had my going faster than my super nimble and torqy CRF250R. You can brake slide / power slide this bike just like 4 stokers. Great bike! Spend the money and get one. You won't regret it. Show less

For those of you reading this as of November 2009, respect that I am talking to people interested in buying a less expensive alternative to new bikes, and ya, I know I'm talking about a 10 year old motorcycle now. The 1998 - 2002 KTM 300 EXC is a race bike. For those considering it, be prepared to ride it, or have it ride you. That said, for the price out there it is a fantastic bike for low-budget - high performance machine. I am a retired expert rider - now 48 - and still getting my thrills on this bike. It is very fast, light, agile, and will keep up with any new bike on the market. It suffers from some stability issues at speed, and suspesion not quite as up to date, but realistically, this bike has incredible performace and gives up little to bikes half its age. I would recommend this bike to advanced+ riders looking for woods / trails riding. It is flickable in handling, has great bottom end, and awesome brakes. It's a two stroke, so that means it requires maintenance - but it's contrstruction makes it extremely easy to work on. Great bike. Show less

I call it a 3-stroke because it's the best of both worlds. Light, crisp and responsive like a 2-stroke should be, yet it can lug down low and just cruise around if you want, too... like a 4-stroke. This is the best all around bike made. It handles the gnarliest single track there is, and the biggest hills in the Mojave. Show less

The best bike ever! 8 yrs old and still beautiful and bullet proof. So go ahead and adjust the valves again on your overweight 4stroke while I ride! Show less

This bike is amazing. It's not the kind of bike that has a monstrous hit like a motocross 450, but has just the right power for the open and tight woods. I just got done riding with this bike. It has 120 miles on it and I hit 85 mph. The suspension on this is pretty good. Set the sag and dial in the clickers and it's even better. Depending on your weight you may need different springs or even a revalve. For stock it's the best woods 450 money can buy. Go KTM. Show less

This ride is second to none in the woods. Unstoppable torque, excellent handling and very well balanced. The exhaust valve can be adjusted from mild to wild with little effort. The optional ignition mapping switch allows you to tame it in the tight and wet stuff. The rear single link swingarm tracks wickedly well with no surprises. I am a 34 year vet with tons of war wounds and could not be happier with this ride. I can't wait for the 09 season to start. Show less

I just bought my 300XC-W (E) this past weekend. I can't really say I'm upgrading, so I'll just say I am switching directions from a SX525 so that I can play more in the woods, trails, and short hare-scrambles. So far I'm very impressed, it's typical KTM quality. The clutch is excellent and it doesn't wear out your forearm. Both the kick and the electric start work great. Throttle response is great with tons of power. I might experiment with one of the three different power valve springs. Red is definitely the 'hotter' spring making the bike behave like a SX. It has very light steering which makes the 300 feel 20+ lbs lighter than the 525. The bike is taller than the 525, but once you're moving you don't really notice it. More updates to come later. I'm very happy with the bike. Show less

I just bought a '07 300 XC(W) and haven't put too much time on it yet but I have ridden it enough to know it has got power out the wazoo! After rejetting it, putting in a new plug and running a higher grade oil, it starts up on the 1st kick. It has great low end torque (unlike my other bike) and will raise the front wheel in the first three gears. I've been a 4-stroke guy (and still am) but I will enjoy this 2-stroke for my woods riding for a long time. I say, get a two-stroke while you can! Show less

This bike is everything the magazines say and more. It will climb a tree if you let it. Feels a lot lighter than my SX 250 and the power comes on much smoother. Lots of single track were I ride and the bike handles it perfectly. Out in the open it just rips! I love this bike! And the electric start just seals the deal. Show less