Messages

46

General Two Stroke Talk / 2019 KTM 300 XCW Ride Review

« on: March 25, 2019, 06:11:05 AM »

Well I finally got the 300 out on her maiden voyage. Since I’ve picked her up from my dealer, all I’ve done was to check tightness of bolts, add hand guards, a skid plate, and top off the oil and fuel.  Do you know have difficult it was to stop at a gas station and top off the fuel with straight gas...  It was like an out of body experience... that went against everything we know...  Didn’t even touch the suspension settings. Wanted to put a little time on it before making any adjustments.

Conditions were wet, muddy to tacky, soil is clay, otherwise know as brown ice when it's wet and covered in last years leaves. I rode solo today, so I backed off on the speed a bit and enjoyed the ride.

The 300 TPI... what a bike. Just so easy to enjoy. Felt so light compared to my old 380. 1st ride of the year, rode close to 20 miles. Only complaints I have are more of personal issues. Due to carpal tunnel, I’ve found the pillow top grips help me to maintain grip longer without numbness in my hands. The stock grips are too skinny, and too hard. Tires are ok, will work for now... just not my preferred brand. The seat felt like I was sitting on a board... KTM's are know for their hard seats...  but damn, a little more padding would be awesome. Finally like many of the TPI owners I prefer an idle that’s a little higher.  It idles low, but once fully warmed up, does not stall, or cause an issue.

Yea... that’s all I’ve found wrong... and all are of a personal preference Can’t fault this bike at all. Brakes are outstanding, power is on point. You can lug it low, or point and shoot. So clean running, it really makes you look like a better rider than you are... The ergonomics are excellent,  the bike simply performs as expected.

47

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: March 22, 2019, 06:29:33 AM »

TPI, remember you saw it here first!  The YZ250 TPI.

Good on you eprovenzano now you can see what I was trying to explain about the power delivery way back when we were developing TPI here on TSM.

Oh I remember it well as I followed every word and drooled over every pic and video you posted...   

48

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: March 18, 2019, 06:32:38 AM »

Planned to the get new Katoom out over the weekend, but... Grand Child #3 came 3 weeks early, so riding was put on hold....  He's little under weight, but he's a fighter.  There was the potential for other issues, but each potential isses has subsided.  He's still in the intensive care unit, but getting stronger everyday.  Hope to bring him home later this week.  Mom and Dad are doing well, but just want to bring the baby home. 

49

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: March 08, 2019, 06:26:32 AM »

The weather has been shitty... but I had to make a few laps around the house last night... 

With the TPI, there is a choke, but all it's really not needed. It does not enrichen the fuel mixture, but adds air. For a bike that's so close to lean, I'd rather not add air.  But, from a cold start, you can simply hit the magic button and go...  I'm still a little old school, and will slowly kick the bike twice before hitting the button.  When you slowly push the kick starter, the pumps (fuel and oil) kick in.  This way I know the oil pump is primed and ready.  Then hit the starter and she comes to life.  Even stone cold, she will sit there and idle... last night with the temps around 20, it did stall when I tried to blip the throttle, but hit the button and all is good.  This was the 2nd full heat cycle.  I let her idle and get a little heat in the rads and went around the house. 

The bike is very light compared to my ol 380, (it's 20+ lbs lighter and you can tell).  It very narrow as well, with a KTM rock hard seat.  One feature I like is this model has a counter balance in the engine to reduce vibs.  When idling is has a different tone, as the pumps are working their voodoo. The idle is set very low... too low from my tastes, but it's something I will look into after a get a few rides on the bike.  The Clutch pull is so light, so smooth.  Even in the short time I was on the bike, you could tell power is very linear.  Still has the two stroke feel, but very linear.  There's a reason these bikes have been called 3 strokes... this one is no exception.  I barely got it into 3rd gear, so this was far from a real test, but I did find it easy to loft the front wheel... I really didn't feel any vibrations from the motor, just a rock hard seat.  The ergonomics feel good, the suspenders I've not touched yet.  I still need to set sag, and get a base line of the clickers. One thing I did notice how it's funny that you get accustomed to something as simple as hand grips, and really notice them when its not "your" brand.  I've run pillow top grips for a long time... and the stock grips feel so small, I'll be swamping them out sometime in the near future

Hope to get a real ride in next week and will report back with an real ride report.   

50

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Winter Projects....how many do you have going??

« on: March 08, 2019, 06:01:53 AM »

cylinder comes back tomorrow, so rebuild continues this weekend

Nothing like some quality time if the garage wrenching on your toys...  looking forward to an update Boogsy

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Winter Projects....how many do you have going??

« on: March 05, 2019, 06:43:24 AM »

Finishing up the winch install.  I utilized the steel bumper and made a bracket for the winch.  It tested my limited fab skills... but she's in, and now just need to run and tuck the wires.  I also put a used set of tires on the front and because it was a odd size I had to go new for the rear. 

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: March 05, 2019, 06:37:52 AM »

Of course the weather is bitter cold and ll I can do is look at her...  Working on some honey do projects then I'll start setting the sag, and installing the hand guards. 

53

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Sad Day.

« on: March 04, 2019, 01:08:37 PM »

Damn...  so sad to hear this.  God speed Coop, may you now be able to ride without pain. 

54

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: March 04, 2019, 07:02:43 AM »

Friday night my 4 year old grand daughter stayed with us.  Wore her out by letting her swim in the hot tub...  Saturday morning I was up early, ready to go, but my wife and grand daughter were slow to wake up... and slow to get ready.... Finally make the 75 min drive to Action Extreme Sport in New Philadelphia Ohio.  There was my shinny new toy...  She was prepped and waiting for me.  I picked out a skid plate.  I don't need a huge metal plate as rocks are not the biggest issue, as most of our trails are littered with tree roots and downed logs.  Also on my list was hand guards.  Yes it comes with the flag guards, but sometimes those damn trees just out in front of you.  I'm an accountant and need to use my hands and fingers for work. 

Since my grand daughter asked to stay Saturday night too, I was only able to unload the bike and put her into the garage...  Instead of playing with my new toy, I spent time with my grand daughter, so my wife could paint one of our rooms.  We played dollhouse, puzzles, play doh, dressing and undressing her dolls, hide and go seek, and many, many craft projects...   yea Pap Pap was tired after she went home.... 

55

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: February 28, 2019, 05:57:02 AM »

Hey Eric, you forgot the "sold" prefix on your 380 entry in your sig!

Changed it...       I'm dying...  cant wait to go pick her up.

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: February 27, 2019, 07:46:43 AM »

good on you epro!

Thanks Boogsy... This has been the longest week and its only Wednesday morning...     I've already started shopping for some protective equipment...  Skid plate, (want to protect the frame a little) wrap around bark busters, (cause those damn trees keep jumping out in front of me and I'd like to keep my fingers) 

To keep my mind from going off the deep end ( yea I know I'm pretty close to it)  I've been reading everything I can find on the new TPI (Transfer Port Injection) and oil injection systems.  What I've found...  a lot of people are afraid of new technology.  Is the TPI perfect... no. With that being said it's still a large step up from a carbed bike. 

For those that are constantly tinkering with their jetting, no the TPI system is not for you.  The maps are lock and you cannot just add a laptop of a cell phone link and adjust the curves.  Yes there are aftermarket EPU maps that you can change the performance, but several stated they purchased the different maps, and ended up going back to the stock map.  Me, once I found the sweet spot on my 300 and then 380, I rarely changed it... If I did it was only a quick adjustment of the air screw to correct a lean idle.  So I'm fine with not having to touch the jetting.  Then you read from a lot of nay sayers about what if's... What if the fuel pump dies, or the oil pump, too much electrical potential for problems.  Well older bikes had points and drum breaks.  We've moved onto electronic ignition and disk brakes. Oil injection has been around and used for quite some time.  Maybe not an electronic pump, but non the less, but it's not "new" technology.   The movement to FI / TPI is just the next step in keeping our beloved smokers available.  Look at the snowmobile industry, all the smokers are electronically controlled for both fuel and oil.  So this is not a huge step... yes dirt bikes are different in regards to throttle response, and power delivery, but at the core it's still a 2 stroke engine. 

Of course on the interweb, all you'll find is mostly those with issues / complaints etc.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of quality write ups by many riders who gave an honest opinion...  Most loved it, some were just ok, and a few didn't like it.  95% of those that didn't like it were not happy that they couldn't adjust the power curve to better suite their riding style. Basically they wanted to adjust the needle and jets to change the performance.   I would put them into the constantly tinkering category, and no matter what they will never be satisfied.  (you know the kind... every time you stop they break out the tools to adjust something...) 

So as I sit here and wait... and wait. (yes it's killing me) I'm happy to see that the majority of owners are very happy with their new steeds.  I've even read about a few occasions where the bike was swamped.  They went through the standard procedure to get the water out of the bike and to get it restarted.  No issues with the electronics.  I will continue to read as much as I can, there's a lot to learn and right now I've got nothing but time.

57

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: February 24, 2019, 06:32:38 PM »

Well boys.. I feel naked. I sold the 380... I almost teared up when the mighty 380 was loaded up and hauled away to her new home.  The new owner tried his best to pick the bike apart... the best he could do was some the graphics were curling up on the edges and the counter shaft sprocket is showing some wear... Really that’s all you could find wrong... a $15.00 sprocket... yea, that’s why you paid my asking price. 

I’ve already called my KTM shop to prep a new 300 for me.  (The owner and the staff belong to my off-road riding club) If they didn’t close early Saturday to go to a race, a new bike would be in my garage right now.  I pick it up Saturday... boy this is going to be a long week...

58

General Two Stroke Talk / Looking at a 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI

« on: February 20, 2019, 08:10:27 AM »

My wonderful bride suggested that I sell all of my bikes, and buy a new bike...  I've been riding for over 45 years (damn that's a big number) and I've never, never owned a new dirt bike.  I think it's time to treat myself to a new 2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI.  I've been doing a lot of reading, yes I understand the issue with the electronics... I understand it's a lot of $$$ but you only live once, enjoy it while you can.  To make this deal, I need to sell some toys... 

1st will be a winter project from a few years ago, a 1991 KDX 200.  It was a basket case that I built as a buddy bike. Worked out great, but hasn't been used much in the last few years.  I posted it on CL on Monday night, has someone come on Tuesday to look at it.. explained I haven't started the bike in a year and a half...  The damn thing started on the 3rd kick.  HE bought it on the spot.  Hard to believe it was sold in less than 24 hours and within $50 of my goal proce....  SCORE  KDX's have a cult following so I knew selling this bike would be easy.

Next will be this winters project, a 2002 Polaris Xplorer 400 (smoker).  Bought as a non-runner it has been completely overhauled and is ready to go.   This one could be a little more difficult to sell, but the right person will come along... I just don't expect it to happen within 24 hours.

Finally my 01 KTM 380.. The bike I lusted after... the bike I always wanted... I've really enjoyed the bike. I overhauled the jetting to get it as close to perfection for my area as I could.  This bike has never let me down, only fouled one plug, and that was because I over oiled the air filter.  I'm sure it will sell pretty quickly.  There's still a strong demand for a big bore KTM.  Of course I'm saving this one till last...  I cannot be bikeless.... I would feel naked... AND NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT! 

Then I'll be bringing home a shinny new 300 TPI.  I'm going to work on getting it plated as well... we'll see how that goes. 

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Winter Projects....how many do you have going??

« on: February 19, 2019, 07:08:14 AM »

thanks epro, it is nice to be distracted with this.

This is the reason I'll buy a clapped out POS and rebuild it over the winter months. 

Momma not knowing the price of a new bike said why don't you sell you bike and treat yourself to a new one, one that you don't have to work on...  I politely replied I'm not sure you understand the price tag on a new bike... but I'll look into it...  I may be selling a previous winter project a 91 KDX 200, the current project, 2002 Polaris Xplorer 400 (two stroke) and my mighty KTM 380...  (Notice a pattern with my toys... all asmokers).  Even with all of that at the price I'm asking, a new KTM 300 is still quite a few more $$$$.  But since she mentioned it...  I'll be happy to look into it... 

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Winter Projects....how many do you have going??

« on: February 11, 2019, 06:00:09 AM »

Looking good RacerX... nothing like tinkering in the workshop to help relieve the stress of life's issues. 

With snow in the forecast, I build a snow plow attachment for the front of the quad.  I designed and cut all the metal, and had my son come down weld it together.  Problem is I was so tired from working on it most of the weekend, that when it snowed late Sunday night... I just said screw it... Mother Nature put it there and damn it she can take it away too...