Dirt Rider Magazine

DesertRider

what is better for desert racing, grandprix racing, and sand dunes the 300 xc or 300 xc-w?

I have an old kx500 and what to buy a ktm 2 stroke for desert

sweetbrue

i would say that the xc-w is a great all around trail bike. its amaxing in the long straights and in the dunes, and never really seems to sign off before you want it to. it pulls strong off the bottom and through the top. now the only real difference bike wise is that the xc if im not mistaken is more of the race bike. the only thing they really changed though was the suspension. some like it others dont.

if you are serious about buying the dealer will know, and im sure they would let you take one for a ride. if it was me i would buy the xcw in your situation, and mind you that the motors are the same if i forgot to mention that. either way you go though, you will be happy with a 300

DesertRider

Thanks. I actually had the opprotunity to ride with someone today with an xc-w he said its a wide ratio but was good for woods and hills. I was thinking wide ratio meant good for fast desert but no i am not sure since another article i read tested xc-w in the tight woods. I saw a magazine article with an xc where they said good for mx, grand prix and worc stuff. I'll talk to a dealer.

sweetbrue

you have to remember that a gncc or worcs type race is totally different than riding in the desert. unless you plan on buying a bike for each application, your going to have to settle in the middle somewhere or use it for one more than the other.

what you could do is buy the wide ratio for the desert and then put a larger sproket on the rear for woods and trails, but with a 300 two stoke, i cant see it being a major problem. ive never been in any trails that were that tight.

DesertRider

i went and bought a 2007 new ktm 300 xc-w (they are sold out of 2008 in all southern cal dealers!). my neighbor found a new 2007 ktm 300 xc so i can see the difference. I have been doing alot more reseach and am glad i got the xc-w. i have riden it twice and love it. I weigh 220lb with all my gear so i know i have to go up on the springs and am trying to decide on a straight rate shock or progressive. every blog and suspension place is different.

sweetbrue

well im glad to hear that your happy with your new bike.

From what ive been told, the only major difference in the 08 is the different graphics. now i could be wrong, but hey man, who cares, you just bought one of the sickest bikes out there....

mogoe380

I rode 1985 KTM 500 WR in AZ desert for 10 years and a guy offered me a bunch for my bike . . like a fool I took it . . I ride 380 EXC now . . had to adjust the sprocket to hit the higher speeds . . in the mountains with stock gears it rules if you are a "Go Fast" moto head or peg standing nerves of steel single track blaster . . but . . in the desert to get those 380 stallion horses to it afterburner worp speeds you have to dail in on sprocket adjustment . . . 300 won't keep up with you . . and . . a used 380 is a lot less $$$ then new 300 . . .I love the 380 . . but . . I still miss my trix 500 with it's low granny first and 110+mph 6th . .

thicketbomb

do yourself a favor and don't race your 380 up on a 300. there is a reason they don't make 380's any longer. just saying you might be mistaken.
as for speed if your good for 110 you are both a bold and crazy man.
be well my brother!
B)

yzrider2

post dates

thicketbomb

k

KX00

I have heard nothing but awesomeness for the KTM 200 or 300 xc-w. I was looking at the 200 not long ago way past my budget but If I had the means this very well would probably be the bike I'd buy next.

thicketbomb

i guess yzwoods is gona come slap me for replying to an old post again, (don't tell him that i like it), But, i did get to see Malcolm Smith this last summer on a 08 KTM 250 xcw. in case you were wondering he is a very nice, very fast man.
it was nice to see him on a KTM.

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