2019 KTM 300XC: Smokers alive and well!

mxengineer1
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mxengineer1
Edited Date/Time 9/28/2019 9:39am
Picked up a new 2019 KTM 300XC last night. KTM (and Husky) still updating their 2-strokes yearly. I like the slimness and overall feel of the new KTM plastic and seat. The engine has updates and the pipe is all new with the front part oval shaped and tucked in better. My initial impression after a quick spin around a field is lots of changes but still the fundamental character I like about the latest KTM/Husky 300's (light, agile, powerful, plush, quiet, no vibration). Hope to get a chance to really ride it this weekend. A few pics.....





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sandman768
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sandman768 6/21/2018 4:26am
6/21/2018 4:26am
Great bikes, I will have another soon....what changes/ updates did they make from the 18? Jetting changes...enjoy...
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MX915
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MX915 6/21/2018 4:48am
6/21/2018 4:48am
Perfect opportunity for a spoke with your wallet thread and you blew it. Laughing

J/k man, congrats. Sweet looking machine.
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mxengineer1
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mxengineer1 6/21/2018 5:19am
6/21/2018 5:19am
sandman768 wrote:
Great bikes, I will have another soon....what changes/ updates did they make from the 18? Jetting changes...enjoy...
All the chassis updates from the 450 Factory Edition (frame stiffer in torsion, updated swingarm, radiators lower, new plastic with thinner front and a little sleeker rear, new airbox and air boot, PV tweaks, all new pipe). Jetting was same as 18 300XC so stock is rich - I just use the option needle in 2nd position and might go on leaner on main since it is pretty warm and humid here in Ohio now.
grunkster
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grunkster 6/21/2018 5:28am
6/21/2018 5:28am
congrats on the scoot! BRAAAAAAAAAAP!
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Markee
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Markee 6/21/2018 5:32am
6/21/2018 5:32am
Man If I had some trails local, Id be all over one of these. Congrats looks great
mb
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mb 6/21/2018 5:42am
6/21/2018 5:42am
Awesome!
MeTed
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MeTed 6/21/2018 6:08am
6/21/2018 6:08am
What was the OTD price?
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BAMX
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BAMX 6/21/2018 6:33am
6/21/2018 6:33am
NIce ride...congrats
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RACERX69
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RACERX69 6/21/2018 6:57am
6/21/2018 6:57am
Congrats! You're going to absolutely love that bike. The new generation KTM/Husky 2 strokes are incredible motorcycles. I have an 18 Husky TE-300 and it's hands down, THE best bike I have ever owned.
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Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 6/21/2018 7:49am
6/21/2018 7:49am
MX915 wrote:
Perfect opportunity for a spoke with your wallet thread and you blew it. Laughing

J/k man, congrats. Sweet looking machine.

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erik_94COBRA
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erik_94COBRA 6/21/2018 8:01am
6/21/2018 8:01am
Nice.

Can you check what slide you have if you fiddle with the jetting again soon?
plowboy
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plowboy 6/21/2018 3:48pm
6/21/2018 3:48pm
I want one real bad but my wallet is still too thin. Enjoy brother.
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CSAR FE
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CSAR FE 6/22/2018 11:49am
6/22/2018 11:49am
What exactly were the changes to the cylinder? If its good, I wonder if it'll retrofit onto the 17-18s.
mxengineer1
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mxengineer1 6/22/2018 6:43pm
6/22/2018 6:43pm
CSAR FE wrote:
What exactly were the changes to the cylinder? If its good, I wonder if it'll retrofit onto the 17-18s.
Reading the press info the intake boot was modified for better flow, the 250/300 get machined exhaust port (power valve area), new expansion chamber, new silencer. Not sure about retro fitting to 17/18 as the 19 300XC engine is rotated 1 degree also. A lot of small changes add up to a refined version of the 17/18 engine.
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adamdf
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adamdf 6/25/2018 9:17am
6/25/2018 9:17am
CSAR FE wrote:
What exactly were the changes to the cylinder? If its good, I wonder if it'll retrofit onto the 17-18s.
mxengineer1 wrote:
Reading the press info the intake boot was modified for better flow, the 250/300 get machined exhaust port (power valve area), new expansion chamber, new silencer...
Reading the press info the intake boot was modified for better flow, the 250/300 get machined exhaust port (power valve area), new expansion chamber, new silencer. Not sure about retro fitting to 17/18 as the 19 300XC engine is rotated 1 degree also. A lot of small changes add up to a refined version of the 17/18 engine.
Nice!

We are about to pull the trigger on a new 2018 250 XC as well. Did you ride or own the 2018 version or were your comments based on previous years?
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grunkster
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grunkster 6/25/2018 10:41am
6/25/2018 10:41am
I own a 2017 250XC...fabulous all around machine...best 2 stroke i have ever ridden PERIOD.
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mxengineer1
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mxengineer1 6/25/2018 10:04pm
6/25/2018 10:04pm
CSAR FE wrote:
What exactly were the changes to the cylinder? If its good, I wonder if it'll retrofit onto the 17-18s.
mxengineer1 wrote:
Reading the press info the intake boot was modified for better flow, the 250/300 get machined exhaust port (power valve area), new expansion chamber, new silencer...
Reading the press info the intake boot was modified for better flow, the 250/300 get machined exhaust port (power valve area), new expansion chamber, new silencer. Not sure about retro fitting to 17/18 as the 19 300XC engine is rotated 1 degree also. A lot of small changes add up to a refined version of the 17/18 engine.
adamdf wrote:
Nice! We are about to pull the trigger on a new 2018 250 XC as well. Did you ride or own the 2018 version or were...
Nice!

We are about to pull the trigger on a new 2018 250 XC as well. Did you ride or own the 2018 version or were your comments based on previous years?
I owned the 17/18 Husky TX300's and spent some time spinning a few laps on the 17/18 KTM 300XC's so I am familiar with the current KTM/Husky 2-stroke 300's. Did get to ride the bike this past Sunday at a local MX track. My Initial impressions of the bike and 2019 changes: Steering is more precise - front end feels a little lighter as it responds a bit more directly to any inputs. New ergos are noticeable improvement. With the lower radiators the front of the bike feels smaller and more narrow which makes it easier to get forward and the radiator shrouds have a more continuous contact with your knees. New seat feels excellent: flat surface with rounded edges and a decent amount of foam where you seat. For me the best stock KTM seat in a long time. The gripper cover is effective yet smooth - not so aggressive - some may prefer more aggressive grip. The suspension is a big change. The setting is more firm and controlled. This goes along with the stiffer chassis. There is more damping control in both the forks and shock. The fork had excellent bottoming resistance. This new XC setting feels like it has more moto influence. Pretty good on the MX track and the fast guys will like it better too. Not sure about how it will work in the woods. Will try that soon. The Brembo brakes are strong. I did install the option needle (4275) in the 2nd position and jetting good. Power is actually smoother than my 2018 TX300 with a touch less urgency from low to mid. Off road guys will like this moto guys not so much. Sound of Lots of changes yet still that same overall character of the 17/18 300XC/TX models. The chassis is a more noticeable change (in a good way) compared to the engine which was already very good. Looking forward to more seat time soon!

Put some lights on it for off road riding....
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woodsryder
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woodsryder 6/26/2018 6:03am
6/26/2018 6:03am
Mine arrived yesterday, hopefully it gets put together today.
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Gravy
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Gravy 6/30/2018 8:12pm
6/30/2018 8:12pm Edited Date/Time 6/30/2018 8:14pm
Just picked up a 2019 TX300 (supposedly the first one in Utah!) It ran great in St George, almost perfect (105*F and 2860 ft). Drove home to Salt Lake City (85*F and 4800ft) and it almost won't start without the choke on and won't idle without choke and has a massive bog off the bottom.
I'll look at what jetting is in it and report back. I'm guessing is super rich.

Never had ANY jetting problems with my 2015 TE300. 200+ hrs and NEVER had to change the jetting (from my initial jetting change, just by the owner's manual) from 2000ft to 8100ft and 10*F - 103*F just air and idle screw adjustments.
Bigoldbeef 6/30/2018 9:05pm
6/30/2018 9:05pm Edited Date/Time 6/30/2018 9:06pm
Gravy wrote:
Just picked up a 2019 TX300 (supposedly the first one in Utah!) It ran great in St George, almost perfect (105*F and 2860 ft). Drove home...
Just picked up a 2019 TX300 (supposedly the first one in Utah!) It ran great in St George, almost perfect (105*F and 2860 ft). Drove home to Salt Lake City (85*F and 4800ft) and it almost won't start without the choke on and won't idle without choke and has a massive bog off the bottom.
I'll look at what jetting is in it and report back. I'm guessing is super rich.

Never had ANY jetting problems with my 2015 TE300. 200+ hrs and NEVER had to change the jetting (from my initial jetting change, just by the owner's manual) from 2000ft to 8100ft and 10*F - 103*F just air and idle screw adjustments.
The new mikuni carbs are really finicky compared to the keihin carbs
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mxengineer1
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mxengineer1 7/1/2018 4:23am
7/1/2018 4:23am
Gravy wrote:
Just picked up a 2019 TX300 (supposedly the first one in Utah!) It ran great in St George, almost perfect (105*F and 2860 ft). Drove home...
Just picked up a 2019 TX300 (supposedly the first one in Utah!) It ran great in St George, almost perfect (105*F and 2860 ft). Drove home to Salt Lake City (85*F and 4800ft) and it almost won't start without the choke on and won't idle without choke and has a massive bog off the bottom.
I'll look at what jetting is in it and report back. I'm guessing is super rich.

Never had ANY jetting problems with my 2015 TE300. 200+ hrs and NEVER had to change the jetting (from my initial jetting change, just by the owner's manual) from 2000ft to 8100ft and 10*F - 103*F just air and idle screw adjustments.
The stock jetting is rich. I went with the option needle that came with the bike (4275) in the 2nd position. With your elevation I would lean the main 1~2 steps (stock is 450 so try 440 or 430). That should make it run a lot better!
1
Don_Memmo 8/16/2018 11:43am
8/16/2018 11:43am
Can anybody tell me if the xc new plastics are compatible with the xc-w models? I think the new xc 2019 looks better than the xc-w.
Pac West Rider 8/16/2018 12:08pm
8/16/2018 12:08pm
Don_Memmo wrote:
Can anybody tell me if the xc new plastics are compatible with the xc-w models? I think the new xc 2019 looks better than the xc-w.
New frame, tanks etc. I highly doubt the plastics would fit.
Don_Memmo 8/16/2018 12:25pm
8/16/2018 12:25pm
Don_Memmo wrote:
Can anybody tell me if the xc new plastics are compatible with the xc-w models? I think the new xc 2019 looks better than the xc-w.
Pac West Rider wrote:
New frame, tanks etc. I highly doubt the plastics would fit.
I don’t think the changes in the frame are in that part, by maybe you are right. I am pretty sure that’s the 2020 xc-w look

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