I have an exc 300 ktm bought in 2001, I would not change it for anything in the world, an incomparable compromise and reliability, even now that I am 56 years old, I enjoy myself as a child;)
"Old" dude from Italy here...AWESOME channel and content. I subscribed as fast as I could! Here (Italy) we have the opposite problem: you CANNOT ride an unplated bike ANYWHERE near a public road/land unless is a closed track. Track that has to be homologated and registered and authorized by the city administration. No "let me have some fun in my back yard" private property motocross track here.😢 As far as 2 vs 4 I'll go for a 300 2T. Mostly single trail "hard enduro" style here...the stuff Graham Jarvis likes to ride.😂 I'm almost 60 and have been riding all sorts of motorcycles in my life, but dirt bikes are my foundations and what I grew up with. And those I enjoyed the most...even entered a few amateur races with them with satisfactory results. Unfortunately, I stop dirt riding many years ago, due to the continuous shutting down of tracks and mostly EVERY trail/dirt road around here. Despite the big motocross and enduro heritage and tradition here in Italy, noise complaints, terror-ambientalists, and the rising popularity of "weekend fitness warriors" mountain bikes so much liked by the "greens" left the scene of the off-road motorcycle pretty sad. Many, like myself, gave up tired of gambling with the L.E. officers and local park/forest rangers. Not worthed anymore. Lately, I've got the "spark" back, especially after following you guys and this awesome channel. So I set my hope high: could I go back to a mellow trail riding despite the "age"? NOPE, perhaps here where I live. I dig in and prompted local authorities & forest administrations and guess what: NOTHING can be legally ridden on ANY dirt roads. Not even E-bicycles. But oh boy, I'll surely miss that 2 stroke bark and the smell of burning bardahl oil.😜 Sadly not here. Sorry for the rant...but after seeing the places you guys ride...I'm EXTREMELY jelous😜
I’m 14 here probably shouldn’t be commenting but couldn’t help myself. Recently got a dirtbike and it has been an absolutely amazing experience, I love in texas so there is lots to ride on and everybody is all about freedom so no one stops you lol. I have about 35 hours on a KTM 150 xcw which is the perfect bike. Almost all done on trail riding which is awesome. That first time I was able to confidently hit the power band and use it, or the first time I was able to pull a wheelie for a solid distance, man it’s been some of the best experience in my life. Just wanted to share this with you hopefully you get to ride again in your life!!
Been riding 2 strokes for years and now a 4 stroke WR450F. Can’t go wrong with either one. 4 stroke has more torque at part throttle and easy fuel fill ups direct from the gas station. For 2 stroke to keep up with 4 stroke, you have to rev it high all time.
Good video. I’ve owned both and love both. the one piece of advice I would give to a new rider is to think about what type of terrain you will ride most days and try to match the bike to that, don’t overthink it too much after that. Get good on one and there will always be time to switch it up later if you need to.
Love the final comments dont be mad, I have owned many 2 strokes and a couple of 4s, Like you I prefer the 2s for all the reasons you covered well done.
It's amazing how many people get so upset over one bike vs another. So many amazing bikes on the market right now. It's an amazing time to be an enthusiast. No reason to get upset. Pick your favorite and ride more! Thanks for watching.
Another option if you are in state that allows 2T's plated is they probably allow any dirt bike to be plated, which opens up options for XC-F/FX 350s/450s if you need that plate. No weight penalty on those bikes, I think they may be coming in under the 300i's now in weight.
Rekluse is just so good. I have two WR 450’s, one with a Rekluse and one without. It’s night and day compared to the cable clutch, no gorilla arms required. You described it perfectly as a traction control device. I’m not a big “Orange” fan but now that GASGAS is under the KTM umbrella I think I can make a concession and pick up a new EC300 and install a Rekluse, then I’ll have the best of both worlds! Cheers from North Eastern Ontario! Excellent impartial review.
Excellent thoughtful review. I have a KTM 300 X CW two stroke with a recluse clutch and a steering stabilizer and trail bar risers Enduro Engineering pipes blah blah blah. I really appreciate your description of why these add-ons make the bike so much better. Especially since I bought the bike with all these add-ons already. I came from a DRZ 400 to this bike and it was literally night and day being 100 pounds lighter and much more powerful.
Solid video mate. I’ve been tossing up between these exact bikes for a while, and in Australia enduro 2 strokes can be plated. So I think you’ve just help me make my mind up
Recluse clutch suits the 4 stroke more. For the 150xc-w or the TE150i do not get the auto clutch putt flywheel weight on them. The auto clutch doesn’t add any weight thus doesn’t add any grunt for hill climbs
You aren't wrong. This video was very spur of the moment and we used the bikes we had. The two stroke was kind of a mess as we were testing a bunch of new products.
Nice honest review, I love them both as well but give a little nudge to the 2t for single track and for MX I give the nudge to the 4t.. to bad I can have only one and for that I choose the 300 2-STk
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE I am torn between the 2, really love the FE 350 I've been riding and love the idea of the 300 2T based on some reviews the rekluse is another £800 approx ! but sounds useful.
As you said, it’s a matter of preference, and also of terrain. The singletrack in this vid is pretty fast stuff, where a 350 would probably shine better. If I were not into the fun of 2 strokes, the 350 would be my first choice.
You mention riding 100 miles of single track in a day. That brings up another difference on these two bikes, how far they can go on a tank of gas. The two stroke will go about 60 miles on a tank of gas vs 100+ miles for the four stroke. I've got the KTM version of both these bikes. On trails, I think the two stroke is generally more fun to ride.
Yes, you make a very good point. We did have a larger tank on the 300 in this video which did give us 100 miles no problem. But the 2 stroke does take more fuel. Thank you for watching.
give us a video on how well the Rekluse works in the te300i. Show us how low you can go in say 3rd gear before it starts to slip and some very slow technical stuff also. I have a te300i so that would really be interesting.
We will add that to our list of content. Torture test the Rekluse and show folks what it can handles and what it is not designed to do. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Great presentation and so interesting, thank you very much. Your experience and the well conveyed specifics of each bike make an impressive coherent whole.
Getting my first bike, only ridden a couple times before and these are my 2 options (but both husky’s). I really want the 300 but worry it’s gonna be a lot harder to ride. Mostly doing single track with fire trails in between. Will I wish I went with a 350 as a first bike you think or should I take the leap and go 300? Great review by the way!
The 300 is a singletrack weapon. It's actually a lot more forgiving than you might think. If you are just getting started... go with the 300. The only reason the 350 might be better is if you are riding it longer distances on roads or in wide open desert.
Modern 4 strokes are pretty incredible machines. Fortunately, KTM and a couple of other brands have continued to evolve the 2 stroke and they are also quite incredible. Just depends on where you are riding and the kind of riding you want to do.
100% correct. Shinko gummies and alpinestars tech 7 enduros literally changed everything. My confidence skyrocketed, I love riding more than ever after 4 years in. Along with my Flo foot pegs, I’m planted on my FE350 which translates right to the ground. Who-Hoo!!!
Very good explanation of the feel difference between the 2t vs 4t. New tpi are 2t are like a new type of machine I call them 3t. I ride 450 4t and for the type of riding I do they are very good. I want to do more slow single track now and a 250-300 2t is better for that. My 450 is great until I stall it...so I avoid going to slow. I could put a rekluse in it but it is like putting a band aid on an open wound, it is a patch not a solution. Stay safe ride within your limit and ride another day.
In my state I can put a plate on a 2 stroke. And I also put a Recluse and a stabilizer. I run a trials tire with the Tubless system on back and a ultra heavy duty tube in front. So I’m a 2 stroke guy myself. I had a 450 KTM and I never did get use to the weight in the woods.
The Rekluse happened to be installed on one of these bikes. It is a factor so it was discussed. What you take away from the video is up to you. Thanks for watching.
I have a KTM 450 XC-W with a plate and a KTM 300 XC with a plate. I live in Washington where we have tons of great dual sport fire roads that go for miles in the Cascades and that is where the 450 is king. We also have hundreds of miles of tough steep technical single track and that is where the 300 cannot be beat. Just get one of each and you will be happy no matter what ride you are on :-)
I have been running the advantages and disadvantages of both 450 vs 300....for many reasons myself. I am riding/racing both offroad and also doing Snow biking. I want to Snow bike in winter and race/ride summer and its difficult picking the "ONE DO IT ALL" bike......i prefer the simplicity of the two stroke for maintenance...i do not like the maintenance on 450's from what i have seen....but actually love the torque of a 450. I am actually looking at a GASGAS EC300 right now, but just found out about Sherco's being really good too....so, i dont know what to do 😭 lol The Wa Snow is "power robbing" and needs that torque, but the 300 for single track in summer would be fantastic......ugggh. and no, i cant afford to do both, buying the snow track alone is spendy on top of the bike.....decisions decisions 🤔
Different strokes for different folks. I like both! Where I’m from, there’s mostly flat terrain with plenty of jumps and leaps to go, long trips to cool places to ride, so really it comes down to preference. I like a 2 stroke better just because I started riding on 2 strokes and the braap too :) But a 4 stroke would def be better for wide open, fast terrain with absolute need for speed! I learned tricks and control on a 2 stroke, I could probably do It on a 4 stroke too. Again, different strokes for different folks! Great vid!
Absolutely! No one bike is perfect for everything. But there are some pretty incredible bikes than can cover most of your needs very well and keep a smile on your face.
I've been wanting to see a video like this for quite some time now. I'm planning on entering some giveaways like this in the future from other channels, so there's definitely some things I need to be aware of if I win either a two-stroke or a four-stroke
I own both. Love both. Depending on the situation and feeling I pick one over the other. I like to think of it as my two favorite foods. Can't go wrong
I was interested till you mentioned one was modified, for me a comparison should be stock bikes. These bikes a fantastic stock and the expense of buying them is enough for me.
Thankfully they are quite good right out of the box. We understood the comparison wasn't dead even from the get go, but those were the bikes we had at the time and had a chance to make a video. Some found value in it and some didn't. All good!
I got a 2019 350 exc bone stock other than bars and a skidplate (and ofcourse a tailight because the stock one is shit and I spent a day looking for my lisence plate after the taillight got ripped off doing 70 down a dirt road after I put knobby tires on), and I love the thing, im still running stock suspension even, I've played with the clickers in the rear and have the front all the way stiff and its still a bit to soft but riding technical rocky stuff its good and I've learned to still smash through the big inconsistent desert whoops on it during a race. I just take the headlight off for racing and put a standard number plate and I still get the speedometer and it even works with a handlebar pad (I've decided to run that since last year my dad broke his jaw in three places from hitting the handlebars with a large aftermarket speedometer and no pad of any kind), the near thing and kinda strange is when I take the front lights and blinkers off but flip the switch for the blinkers they flash, so its kinda cool I can turn them on in a race because its super dusty and sometimes you can't see the bike infront of you, or the buch you are about to hit, I was once at a road crossing during a race (dirt road crossing) and I was just entering the road way and couldn't even see the road, we haven't gotten rain since last winter though and it was going into the sun about an hour before sunset so it was close to worst possible condition.
Tires make such a huge difference! Change them and you'll think its a different bike! Also "we spent all day, switching back and forth, comparing these bikes, with much different tires..."
Tires, tire pressure, production lots... they all make a significant difference. This was a spur of the moment, off the cuff comparison. We did not set out to do a scientific comparison.
Back in the day everyone was a 2 stroke guy. Everything worth having was 2 stroke except my Honda Trail 70(ct70). Some 3 wheelers were 4 stroke but not much more until you went to a larger displacement. Most were fours were Honda Xr or XLs
Great review between four stroke and two stroke you nailed it! Me personally I ride a KTM 300 XC TPI and love it! I used to ride 450s what a joke for trail riding! I've never tried a purpose built four stroke for trail riding.
450's can be a little high strung for trail riding. The modern two strokes are ideal and certain 4 stroke models that are set up properly for trail riding can be excellent.
You won’t find many 4T bikes on the podium at any of the top Hard Enduro events. That said, the 4T bikes are more versatile and have a broader performance envelope. The differences between 2T and 4T bikes have really narrowed in the last 10 years. Of course it is best to own one of each.
On the flip side of that... 4T is the choice for EnduroCross. Which is its own thing for sure. But they are all incredible and yes... the best solution is one of each for the quiver.
@@gillerizedworksaws9561 I think I had the best one...new 1998 YZ400F. Was very good indeed. Nowhere near a 250 two stroke as a race bike. And I was AA class off road in the most competitive district in the US at one time
2-stroke guy my whole life “50yrs.old “ had a 2018 350 exc-f did it all up Vortex pipe blah blah just bought my second one 2021 350 exc-f about to do it all up! Live in New York and like Cali it’s hard to register something but these bikes are super fast and fun they keep up or beat any bike depending on the magician 🎩 90% of the guys I ride with are 2-strokes but they know the excf is a real machine!!!! Just My .02
Switching between bikes it the worst, I have a 350 exc, and my dad has the 350 xc, same engine, slightly different frame(linkage vs pds), the air fork on the xc, and it is set up super stiff and the engine while it is the same has no emissions crap choking it down and also a lighter flywheel, so more top end power but doesn't seem to tractor up hills quite as well. One year apart but because the exc is about a year behind they are basically the same model year but we got one sooner and I was racing the xc for a year, then I got my exc and spent alot of time riding it, then I rode my dads xc and also his older exc 500 to see if I wanted to stiffen up the suspension a bit but on the test trail I hit on all of them wich covered a variety of what I normally ride I decided I felt most comfortable on my bike and didn't want to change something and risk messing up my riding.
You will be jut fine. The FE350 is also great. When you are new, it doesn't matter much. Just get out and ride and learn. Seat time is more important than what you are on.
great comparison , some really good points , i have a ktm 250exc 2 banger which is lic as well as a ktm 500 exc , lic too . so im hearing you on a lot of your points . so its what you like to do and ride .. main thing is get out there and ride !!! cheers steve/Australia
It really depends where and how you ride. On technical single track... it has plenty of power. In the desert and in the sand, some more grunt can be desired.
Why not try one then the other. Lol. Like he said, bikes these days are so good you really can’t go wrong. I have a brand new Husky FE501S that just rails on street tires and on the trails my son says it feels smaller than his yamaha WR 250 f. Your bigger problem is gonna be finding one....can’t keep a lot of these in stock! And no matter what you ride you’ll be smiling
Interesting. Both bikes modified. Recluse on the 2 stroke. The 4 stroke would benefit more from The recluse than the two stroke. You can take the 300 down to almost when it’s gonna die and get back on the gas band it won’t die. The 350 will unles you ride the clutch. Two different bikes. Two different set ups. The two stroke 300 has more power than the 350. The 4 stroke just hooks harder. My stock 300 will bark hard! Stock! The 350 needs to be receding more. Like both bikes though.
Definitely a situation where we had to work with what we had. For us, there is no wrong way to do it. Plus there are SO many videos along these lines that there is plenty of info out there. We just offer a slightly different perspective. We just love how many great options we have.
So you need a transporter , steering stabiliser & auto clutch on the 300 🤷. I used to be a 2stroke guy too , got a stock 350excf now , ride it out my yard on the tar to the trails, wicked bike love it. Ps best bikes I've owned are 500 2strokes 💪 but you need a transporter for them too unless you don't mind being chased by the cops 🤣
I didn't see in the comments or missed it. Can you give me a general area that you where riding? That looks amazing. Thanks for video as well. I have a 2021 ktm 300 xc and a 2017 ktm 350 xcf. You nailed it on the head
Because we don't really promote the local spots we ride. It gets all sorts of folks pissed off when we get specific and we don't really blame them. We can say it was in Idaho.
To me and I'm an old school person. If I'm going ride to the trails 4 stroke is the only way to go. It handle the road better. But if your out there to tare up the trails the 2 stroke. But you need a car that can carry them or a trailer. I believe the 2 stroke climbs better on steeper hills. I watched an enduro in Arizona and the 2 stroke were climbing the steep hills better. We had thumpers in my day but most people chose 2 strokes. Just my opinion.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Heres a question for you. Now I only watch enduros these day on natural terrain. Because I believe man made track can and are being made to favor one bike over another. Say a 4 stroke over a 2 stroke. But natural terrain can't be made to favor either bike. What do you think.
We also prefer watching racing on natural terrain tracks. Hard Enduro racing is certainly on of the only disciplines that does not have a big advantage for either 2 stroke or 4 stroke. It is really rider preference.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE I totally understand, but I would prefer a 2 stroke on enduro racing. That is what I prefer, you can have your 4 strokes and good luck to you, hope you win?
As for tires I’m sold on the tusk recons I’ve ran about 3 rears and 1 front now and absolutely love them they have great wear and a very durable sidewall with a nice soft knob that really bites on the roots and wet rocks
We are pretty anti Tusk here. They are developing quite a rep for stealing designs from other companies and undercutting them putting a lot of pressure on some great small companies in the motorcycle industry. And there are actually a lot of tire options not made in China so we try to work with those brands.
I haven’t hurd of the bad reputation for stealing product designs and I’m all for supporting smaller companies even more so American made companies and products if that means paying a lil more I’m fine with that myself .. I’ve just recently stumbled upon your channel but look forward to seeing more great and knowledgeable content
Watching vids on the Kalib Russel 350xcf it def has bottom and appears to run hard as hell in the wider upper range of the RPM and gear ratio's. Def a bike for a fast kid looking to go faster. Though, I really doubt there is MORE bottom grunt than the 300. In-fact, bolt-on TSP high compression head and ECU map the 300 would produce upwards of 7 ft lbs more and earlier in the revs. Overall I would choose the 300 due to my riding style; missouri woods single track not open to high speed. Torquey blimps over creeks and logs, going off trail chugging up slick leafy ridges, tight wooded areas educing stalls ect
And Kalib's bike gets a little different setup than the average joe. And... he simply crushes whatever he is on. Agree with you though, the 300 is an excellent option for more technical woods riding.
I went with a 2021 kx250x with a Rekluse because i like to down shift for braking, then stabbing the throttle. Spent the $700.00 on Moose and gummy tires.
We really don't share specific trail information anymore. It get people pretty upset. And there is more than a LOT of expert trail riding in Idaho. Check out the piece on Gold Creek Lodge we did in Issue 59: bit.ly/2issu59q
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Thank you and understand. I am from Coeur d' Alene and actually know the people that started gold creek. We used to have a big motorsports dealership in Postfalls. Looking for some good rides in southern Idaho, I know it wont compare to the north but just want to get back on the bike.
These two bike types were on my radar and I went with a KTM 250XCtpi. I'm in Az and can plate this bike easy. Rode the KTM and Husky 350s, They are nice but the 250 and 300 t strokes are better for sure in the trails. The 350s seem kinda Corked up stock. Can't go wrong with either but I prefer the 2 strokes by a considerable margin.
The 300 has Nitromousse standard compound which is roughly 10 - 12 psi. The 350 has Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty tubes installed and we were running 13 in the front and 10 in the rear.
I have the 350 and it seems to stall easily on slow rocky uphill shelfs and slow speed type stuff. I am a beginner so I Know it is mostly my lack of clutch skills, but I was wondering if there is something about the bike that makes it more prone to stalling than other bikes? it has become a frustration for me so I am considering an auto clutch.
Momentum and clutch work is the name of the game. And four strokes are certainly more finicky in technical situations than the 2 strokes. A Rekluse clutch will make riding far more enjoyable. We use them on a lot of our bikes.
Yep... you're correct. Rule 2.3 of section 4 of the Video Naming Council 2021 Guide Book clearly states we must title videos to be exactly, precisely, literal with zero ambiguity or room for generalities. Our apologies.
Is it safe to run the two-stroke down the back roads at 60 miles an hour? When you let off the gas and are coasting are you still getting oil injected into the crank case for lubrication?
I have a 2009 ktm 200xcw and my brother has a 2019 fe350 and my bike hits harder in the bottom end and hits harder in all rpms, is easier to ride through technical stuff but it doesn’t have as much pull on wide open sandy climbs as the 350, plus the 350 feels a bit heavy.
That generation 200 was a fantastic motor. The FE is a CARB legal motorcycle which puts it at a disadvantage right away and it is definitely heavier. On paper they should be pretty close but your 200 will win in the real world in terms of visceral power delivery.. Fortunately, both bikes are great machines
I think if you can only have one bike and you ride alot of different terrain and trails I would go the 4 banger but if you are a single trail enduro rider 2 banger
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE definitely gone through most of ktm now lol, I'm liking this 1 for now although I just put a hole in the tank doh! They take a decent beating.
It's very good. Certainly an argument can be made that you don't need it. But as we get older and lose reflexes etc... it's a nice thing to have. If nothing else, it just gives us some confidence we aren't going to be stalling as we get tired.
On paper, yes the 300 is. But they both deliver power very well... very usable. They are both more than enough for us. But we aren't racing. We just want bikes that are fun and work well. Both fit the bill. It gets down to a really nuanced discussion to figure out which works best for you.
Its preference really. You'll feel different power bands. I must say, the 2 stroke enduro bikes have an awesome power band with walking speed. Better on tight single track with the 2 stroke.
No ECU or remapping. Stock. It would depend where you are riding it ultimately. For tight technical single track... we haven't felt like it needed more. The previous generation 350 certainly pulled a little harder, but if more power is what is needed... the 500 is a great option.
I was amazed how my 2018 350 excf felt with Vortex and pipe compared to stock which was awful with stock pipe but understandable because of street compliance
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE a rekluse will affect the snap on the bottom, it will make it softer which was something you mentioned a couple times how the 350 had more snap.
In this case we only had the 350 for a month or so. The 2 stroke is a longer term bike. When all is said and done, both bikes are incredible and both were setup in slightly different ways. But we hear your point. Thanks for watching
My Neighbor has a 16 ktm 350 with a recluse,me a 21 250 2 stroke with regular clutch. You are correct the 350s are more in need of a Recluse than the 300 and 250 two strokes. I feel absolutely no need for a Recluse on my 2 stroke, if I had a 4 stroke then yeah It would be ideal. The 4 strokes also do well in the desert. It's flowier out here. The difference in the way my 250 ride compared to a 350 is its more flickable and more planted at the same time. Mine linkage the 350 ive ridden is PDS. The only thing I like better about 350's is the better fuel economy
We do it all the time. It's smart to vary your RPMs and not just set in at a constant speed. But modern two strokes that are properly maintained can take it just fine.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE thank you for yhe re assurance. All and all do you think the 2023 te 300 is a good choice for someone who rides tight technical stuff and doesnt ride high speed stuff almost at all besides fire roads or dirt roads to explore?
So I have a 2021 350xcf. I was on the fence between the 300 and and 350. I rode the 300 and thought it was amazing but I've been a 4 stroke guy for almost 20 years. so I decided to go with the 350. I was kind of disappointed. The flame outs is my main issue. The 300 even without a Rekluse didn't seem to want to stall. we ride allot of tight single track with steep up hills (north East Ohio). The 350 is a battle, allot of it might be rider error but it just gets frustrating. Do you think a Rekluse would solve allot of this or do I need to Map the ECU differently?
I have an exc 300 ktm bought in 2001, I would not change it for anything in the world, an incomparable compromise and reliability, even now that I am 56 years old, I enjoy myself as a child;)
Keep enjoying it!
Best review of these two bikes anywhere on the internet - thanks and well done!
Thank you for watching.
"Old" dude from Italy here...AWESOME channel and content. I subscribed as fast as I could!
Here (Italy) we have the opposite problem: you CANNOT ride an unplated bike ANYWHERE near a public road/land unless is a closed track. Track that has to be homologated and registered and authorized by the city administration. No "let me have some fun in my back yard" private property motocross track here.😢
As far as 2 vs 4 I'll go for a 300 2T. Mostly single trail "hard enduro" style here...the stuff Graham Jarvis likes to ride.😂
I'm almost 60 and have been riding all sorts of motorcycles in my life, but dirt bikes are my foundations and what I grew up with. And those I enjoyed the most...even entered a few amateur races with them with satisfactory results. Unfortunately, I stop dirt riding many years ago, due to the continuous shutting down of tracks and mostly EVERY trail/dirt road around here. Despite the big motocross and enduro heritage and tradition here in Italy, noise complaints, terror-ambientalists, and the rising popularity of "weekend fitness warriors" mountain bikes so much liked by the "greens" left the scene of the off-road motorcycle pretty sad.
Many, like myself, gave up tired of gambling with the L.E. officers and local park/forest rangers. Not worthed anymore.
Lately, I've got the "spark" back, especially after following you guys and this awesome channel. So I set my hope high: could I go back to a mellow trail riding despite the "age"?
NOPE, perhaps here where I live. I dig in and prompted local authorities & forest administrations and guess what: NOTHING can be legally ridden on ANY dirt roads. Not even E-bicycles.
But oh boy, I'll surely miss that 2 stroke bark and the smell of burning bardahl oil.😜
Sadly not here.
Sorry for the rant...but after seeing the places you guys ride...I'm EXTREMELY jelous😜
I’m 14 here probably shouldn’t be commenting but couldn’t help myself. Recently got a dirtbike and it has been an absolutely amazing experience, I love in texas so there is lots to ride on and everybody is all about freedom so no one stops you lol. I have about 35 hours on a KTM 150 xcw which is the perfect bike. Almost all done on trail riding which is awesome. That first time I was able to confidently hit the power band and use it, or the first time I was able to pull a wheelie for a solid distance, man it’s been some of the best experience in my life. Just wanted to share this with you hopefully you get to ride again in your life!!
Been riding 2 strokes for years and now a 4 stroke WR450F. Can’t go wrong with either one. 4 stroke has more torque at part throttle and easy fuel fill ups direct from the gas station. For 2 stroke to keep up with 4 stroke, you have to rev it high all time.
Agreed... they both have their place. And the best solution is one of each. ;)
Good video. I’ve owned both and love both.
the one piece of advice I would give to a new rider is to think about what type of terrain you will ride most days and try to match the bike to that, don’t overthink it too much after that. Get good on one and there will always be time to switch it up later if you need to.
Well said!
Love the final comments dont be mad, I have owned many 2 strokes and a couple of 4s, Like you I prefer the 2s for all the reasons you covered well done.
It's amazing how many people get so upset over one bike vs another. So many amazing bikes on the market right now. It's an amazing time to be an enthusiast. No reason to get upset. Pick your favorite and ride more! Thanks for watching.
Another option if you are in state that allows 2T's plated is they probably allow any dirt bike to be plated, which opens up options for XC-F/FX 350s/450s if you need that plate. No weight penalty on those bikes, I think they may be coming in under the 300i's now in weight.
Very true. The weight difference in all of them is pretty minimal.
Love my 2016 KTM 300 with auto-clutch red spring on the power valve, plenty of power can pull front wheel up in any gear! Great video!
The 300 is a solid bike and has been for a long time.
Rekluse is just so good. I have two WR 450’s, one with a Rekluse and one without. It’s night and day compared to the cable clutch, no gorilla arms required. You described it perfectly as a traction control device. I’m not a big “Orange” fan but now that GASGAS is under the KTM umbrella I think I can make a concession and pick up a new EC300 and install a Rekluse, then I’ll have the best of both worlds! Cheers from North Eastern Ontario! Excellent impartial review.
Try the EC300 without a Rekluse. It might surprise you. We are big fans of Rekluse though.
Excellent thoughtful review. I have a KTM 300 X CW two stroke with a recluse clutch and a steering stabilizer and trail bar risers Enduro Engineering pipes blah blah blah. I really appreciate your description of why these add-ons make the bike so much better. Especially since I bought the bike with all these add-ons already. I came from a DRZ 400 to this bike and it was literally night and day being 100 pounds lighter and much more powerful.
That is a big change from a DRZ. Have fun with it and thank you for watching.
I preferred the 300 3smoke, but ended up getting the 500 as I do more cross country than slow technical. One day I will have both.
Hate to say it... but both is the best solution.
Awesome review / comparison. You covered it and included the standout differences!
Just a quick video that we really did not plan on doing. We were out with the bikes and had a camera and shot from the hip.
Have the perfect stable TE501 & TE 150....Depends on the mode I’m in !
That 150 is such a fun bike. We really want to get one into our long term stable.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE I strongly considered a 150
990 adventure and 500 exc here
Solid video mate. I’ve been tossing up between these exact bikes for a while, and in Australia enduro 2 strokes can be plated. So I think you’ve just help me make my mind up
Thank you for watching.
Recluse clutch suits the 4 stroke more. For the 150xc-w or the TE150i do not get the auto clutch putt flywheel weight on them. The auto clutch doesn’t add any weight thus doesn’t add any grunt for hill climbs
You aren't wrong. This video was very spur of the moment and we used the bikes we had. The two stroke was kind of a mess as we were testing a bunch of new products.
Nice honest review, I love them both as well but give a little nudge to the 2t for single track and for MX I give the nudge to the 4t.. to bad I can have only one and for that I choose the 300 2-STk
Thank you for watching!
Great video, but the rekluse clutch really changes the comparison
This was kind of an impromptu video. Working with what we had at the time.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE I am torn between the 2, really love the FE 350 I've been riding and love the idea of the 300 2T based on some reviews the rekluse is another £800 approx ! but sounds useful.
Comparing apples to potatoes with the low speed/technical riding if one has a rekluse and the other doesn't.
@@davidwilson4901 it’s not the best
As you said, it’s a matter of preference, and also of terrain. The singletrack in this vid is pretty fast stuff, where a 350 would probably shine better. If I were not into the fun of 2 strokes, the 350 would be my first choice.
There are so many good choices on the market today. Having 5 bikes is what it boils down to... but that's not realistic for most people.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Ihave 5 motorcycles Adam,sadly none of them are the beauties in your video!
Thank you for the thoughtful content. So helpful as I debate a move from 4 stroke to 2.
So much of it depends on what kind of terrain you are riding.
You mention riding 100 miles of single track in a day. That brings up another difference on these two bikes, how far they can go on a tank of gas. The two stroke will go about 60 miles on a tank of gas vs 100+ miles for the four stroke. I've got the KTM version of both these bikes. On trails, I think the two stroke is generally more fun to ride.
Yes, you make a very good point. We did have a larger tank on the 300 in this video which did give us 100 miles no problem. But the 2 stroke does take more fuel. Thank you for watching.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE What size tank you have on the 300?
give us a video on how well the Rekluse works in the te300i. Show us how low you can go in say 3rd gear before it starts to slip and some very slow technical stuff also. I have a te300i so that would really be interesting.
We will add that to our list of content. Torture test the Rekluse and show folks what it can handles and what it is not designed to do. Thank you for watching and commenting.
So we need one of each. Thanks
That really is the best solution.
Great presentation and so interesting, thank you very much. Your experience and the well conveyed specifics of each bike make an impressive coherent whole.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching.
I live in CA and there are plenty of NF to ride 2 strokes year around. The verdict is in...Gotta own both and ride anywhere, anytime.
Hard to argue with that logic!
I bet you be on america's most wanted if you don't have a spark arrester though LOL
Getting my first bike, only ridden a couple times before and these are my 2 options (but both husky’s). I really want the 300 but worry it’s gonna be a lot harder to ride. Mostly doing single track with fire trails in between. Will I wish I went with a 350 as a first bike you think or should I take the leap and go 300? Great review by the way!
The 300 is a singletrack weapon. It's actually a lot more forgiving than you might think. If you are just getting started... go with the 300. The only reason the 350 might be better is if you are riding it longer distances on roads or in wide open desert.
One of the better comparisons I have seen, good job Adam.
Thank you for watching and the kind words.
I used to ride 2 strokes all the time as a kid, as I’ve grown older I’ve just been stuck to four strokes in trail.
Modern 4 strokes are pretty incredible machines. Fortunately, KTM and a couple of other brands have continued to evolve the 2 stroke and they are also quite incredible. Just depends on where you are riding and the kind of riding you want to do.
100% correct. Shinko gummies and alpinestars tech 7 enduros literally changed everything. My confidence skyrocketed, I love riding more than ever after 4 years in. Along with my Flo foot pegs, I’m planted on my FE350 which translates right to the ground. Who-Hoo!!!
4 years in and many more to go. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Very good explanation of the feel difference between the 2t vs 4t. New tpi are 2t are like a new type of machine I call them 3t. I ride 450 4t and for the type of riding I do they are very good. I want to do more slow single track now and a 250-300 2t is better for that. My 450 is great until I stall it...so I avoid going to slow. I could put a rekluse in it but it is like putting a band aid on an open wound, it is a patch not a solution. Stay safe ride within your limit and ride another day.
Well said! Thank you for watching
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE quick question guys what to choose between a tld se4 poly vs a alpinestar sm8 for 100$ more. Need a outside opinion!
In my state I can put a plate on a 2 stroke. And I also put a Recluse and a stabilizer. I run a trials tire with the Tubless system on back and a ultra heavy duty tube in front. So I’m a 2 stroke guy myself. I had a 450 KTM and I never did get use to the weight in the woods.
Sounds like you have a solid recipe for a good time. Thanks for watching.
have a 300cc 2 stroke.. wowzers!! best decision ever.. love it
They are pretty amazing!
So... Rekluse clutch vs. standard clutch?
The Rekluse happened to be installed on one of these bikes. It is a factor so it was discussed. What you take away from the video is up to you. Thanks for watching.
Cool to see how this turned out, sure was a fun day.
Thanks
I have a KTM 450 XC-W with a plate and a KTM 300 XC with a plate. I live in Washington where we have tons of great dual sport fire roads that go for miles in the Cascades and that is where the 450 is king. We also have hundreds of miles of tough steep technical single track and that is where the 300 cannot be beat. Just get one of each and you will be happy no matter what ride you are on :-)
Yes, having a quiver of bikes is the best solution. Thank you for watching.
I have been running the advantages and disadvantages of both 450 vs 300....for many reasons myself. I am riding/racing both offroad and also doing Snow biking. I want to Snow bike in winter and race/ride summer and its difficult picking the "ONE DO IT ALL" bike......i prefer the simplicity of the two stroke for maintenance...i do not like the maintenance on 450's from what i have seen....but actually love the torque of a 450. I am actually looking at a GASGAS EC300 right now, but just found out about Sherco's being really good too....so, i dont know what to do 😭 lol
The Wa Snow is "power robbing" and needs that torque, but the 300 for single track in summer would be fantastic......ugggh. and no, i cant afford to do both, buying the snow track alone is spendy on top of the bike.....decisions decisions 🤔
Different strokes for different folks. I like both! Where I’m from, there’s mostly flat terrain with plenty of jumps and leaps to go, long trips to cool places to ride, so really it comes down to preference. I like a 2 stroke better just because I started riding on 2 strokes and the braap too :)
But a 4 stroke would def be better for wide open, fast terrain with absolute need for speed!
I learned tricks and control on a 2 stroke, I could probably do It on a 4 stroke too.
Again, different strokes for different folks! Great vid!
Absolutely! No one bike is perfect for everything. But there are some pretty incredible bikes than can cover most of your needs very well and keep a smile on your face.
I've been wanting to see a video like this for quite some time now. I'm planning on entering some giveaways like this in the future from other channels, so there's definitely some things I need to be aware of if I win either a two-stroke or a four-stroke
Good luck to ya. Thanks for watching.
I own both. Love both. Depending on the situation and feeling I pick one over the other. I like to think of it as my two favorite foods. Can't go wrong
You really can not go wrong.
I was interested till you mentioned one was modified, for me a comparison should be stock bikes.
These bikes a fantastic stock and the expense of buying them is enough for me.
Thankfully they are quite good right out of the box. We understood the comparison wasn't dead even from the get go, but those were the bikes we had at the time and had a chance to make a video. Some found value in it and some didn't. All good!
Excellent breakdown
Thank you!
I got a 2019 350 exc bone stock other than bars and a skidplate (and ofcourse a tailight because the stock one is shit and I spent a day looking for my lisence plate after the taillight got ripped off doing 70 down a dirt road after I put knobby tires on), and I love the thing, im still running stock suspension even, I've played with the clickers in the rear and have the front all the way stiff and its still a bit to soft but riding technical rocky stuff its good and I've learned to still smash through the big inconsistent desert whoops on it during a race. I just take the headlight off for racing and put a standard number plate and I still get the speedometer and it even works with a handlebar pad (I've decided to run that since last year my dad broke his jaw in three places from hitting the handlebars with a large aftermarket speedometer and no pad of any kind), the near thing and kinda strange is when I take the front lights and blinkers off but flip the switch for the blinkers they flash, so its kinda cool I can turn them on in a race because its super dusty and sometimes you can't see the bike infront of you, or the buch you are about to hit, I was once at a road crossing during a race (dirt road crossing) and I was just entering the road way and couldn't even see the road, we haven't gotten rain since last winter though and it was going into the sun about an hour before sunset so it was close to worst possible condition.
Thanks for the content. Cheers from OZ
Thank you for watching!
I have a 1995 yezdi roadking and it has autoclutch. Its a blast to have autoclutch in a 2stroke.
They have some advantages for sure.
you should have used the xcf instead of the exc would have liked to see the comparison with the same transmission as the 300
If we get our hands on an XCF, we will try and do that. Unfortunately, we have to work with what we have.
Tires make such a huge difference! Change them and you'll think its a different bike! Also "we spent all day, switching back and forth, comparing these bikes, with much different tires..."
Tires, tire pressure, production lots... they all make a significant difference. This was a spur of the moment, off the cuff comparison. We did not set out to do a scientific comparison.
TPI 2 stroke from KTM is AWESOME!!!
It's pretty incredible.
East Coast rider which means mainly tight Woods, I really want a 4 stroke (I have a 2 stroke) but that 300 really works well in the Woods.
Agreed. It's an amazing mountain goat too.
The 300 is an amazing bike I owned a 350 as well, both great bikes... but the 2 stroke just tractors compared to the 350
Im in California and i ride my plated 2 stroke everywhere.
Nicely done. That's not an easy thing to do in CA.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Nah, it's easy. Just get a Yamaha Zuma 50 like Adam did!
Back in the day everyone was a 2 stroke guy. Everything worth having was 2 stroke except my Honda Trail 70(ct70). Some 3 wheelers were 4 stroke but not much more until you went to a larger displacement. Most were fours were Honda Xr or XLs
Yes, and it's good to see a handful of brands investing in two strokes today. Some great choices out there.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE How many are there now? Beta, Sherco, KTM, Husq, Yamaha..I feel like I'm missing someone
almost forgot gasgas
had a recluse radius auto clutch on my 19 crf450 ill never ride another bike without one! well worth upgrade.
Agreed. Thank you for watching.
So that right answer is one of each!
That really is the answer. ;)
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE The right answer is Idaho....
That too! Sssshhhhhhh
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE yeah... 🤫🤫🤫
Great review between four stroke and two stroke you nailed it! Me personally I ride a KTM 300 XC TPI and love it! I used to ride 450s what a joke for trail riding! I've never tried a purpose built four stroke for trail riding.
450's can be a little high strung for trail riding. The modern two strokes are ideal and certain 4 stroke models that are set up properly for trail riding can be excellent.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE maybe I'll try a purpose built 4-stroke someday, but I love my 2-stroke for now! Cheers!
The best bike in the world... is the bike you have.
You forgot to mention the blinkers on the 350!😁
Haha... one advantage of that bike for sure. Until that tree branch rips one off which happened the next day on that bike.
You won’t find many 4T bikes on the podium at any of the top Hard Enduro events. That said, the 4T bikes are more versatile and have a broader performance envelope. The differences between 2T and 4T bikes have really narrowed in the last 10 years. Of course it is best to own one of each.
On the flip side of that... 4T is the choice for EnduroCross. Which is its own thing for sure. But they are all incredible and yes... the best solution is one of each for the quiver.
Good comprehensive report.
Thank you. Appreciate you watching and the kind words.
Two stroke for the cool kids, 4s for the video game dweebs
Not sure what that means, but thank you for watching.
Yah 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Obviously never rode a good 4 stroke 😂
@@gillerizedworksaws9561 I think I had the best one...new 1998 YZ400F. Was very good indeed. Nowhere near a 250 two stroke as a race bike. And I was AA class off road in the most competitive district in the US at one time
4 strokes and COD all day.........lol
@@johncamara1650 lol 1998 gtfo here
2-stroke guy my whole life “50yrs.old “ had a 2018 350 exc-f did it all up Vortex pipe blah blah just bought my second one 2021 350 exc-f about to do it all up! Live in New York and like Cali it’s hard to register something but these bikes are super fast and fun they keep up or beat any bike depending on the magician 🎩 90% of the guys I ride with are 2-strokes but they know the excf is a real machine!!!! Just My .02
As long as it puts a smile on your face. The best bike in the work is the bike you have. Thanks for watching.
Switching between bikes it the worst, I have a 350 exc, and my dad has the 350 xc, same engine, slightly different frame(linkage vs pds), the air fork on the xc, and it is set up super stiff and the engine while it is the same has no emissions crap choking it down and also a lighter flywheel, so more top end power but doesn't seem to tractor up hills quite as well. One year apart but because the exc is about a year behind they are basically the same model year but we got one sooner and I was racing the xc for a year, then I got my exc and spent alot of time riding it, then I rode my dads xc and also his older exc 500 to see if I wanted to stiffen up the suspension a bit but on the test trail I hit on all of them wich covered a variety of what I normally ride I decided I felt most comfortable on my bike and didn't want to change something and risk messing up my riding.
Man, great review first of all! Just bought a used Fe350 and i feel like i messed up when you talk about the 2 strokes. Its my first bike too! YIKES!
You will be jut fine. The FE350 is also great. When you are new, it doesn't matter much. Just get out and ride and learn. Seat time is more important than what you are on.
Excellent video. Thanks.
Thank you for watching.
great comparison , some really good points , i have a ktm 250exc 2 banger which is lic as well as a ktm 500 exc , lic too . so im hearing you on a lot of your points . so its what you like to do and ride .. main thing is get out there and ride !!! cheers steve/Australia
Thank you Steve!
Excellent analysis
Thank you! Appreciate you watching.
Just wondering if the 350 ever feels like you need more power? I'm on the fence about getting either a 500 or a 350.
It really depends where and how you ride. On technical single track... it has plenty of power. In the desert and in the sand, some more grunt can be desired.
Try a 350xcf.
Why not try one then the other. Lol. Like he said, bikes these days are so good you really can’t go wrong. I have a brand new Husky FE501S that just rails on street tires and on the trails my son says it feels smaller than his yamaha WR 250 f. Your bigger problem is gonna be finding one....can’t keep a lot of these in stock! And no matter what you ride you’ll be smiling
Bought a Beta 390 and I’m loving it.
Interesting. Both bikes modified. Recluse on the 2 stroke. The 4 stroke would benefit more from
The recluse than the two stroke. You can take the 300 down to almost when it’s gonna die and get back on the gas band it won’t die. The 350 will unles you ride the clutch. Two different bikes. Two different set ups. The two stroke 300 has more power than the 350. The 4 stroke just hooks harder. My stock 300 will bark hard! Stock! The 350 needs to be receding more. Like both bikes though.
Definitely a situation where we had to work with what we had. For us, there is no wrong way to do it. Plus there are SO many videos along these lines that there is plenty of info out there. We just offer a slightly different perspective. We just love how many great options we have.
So you need a transporter , steering stabiliser & auto clutch on the 300 🤷. I used to be a 2stroke guy too , got a stock 350excf now , ride it out my yard on the tar to the trails, wicked bike love it. Ps best bikes I've owned are 500 2strokes 💪 but you need a transporter for them too unless you don't mind being chased by the cops 🤣
what you taking if you're riding midwest hare scrambles?
Best advise yet
Thank you. Appreciate you watching.
I didn't see in the comments or missed it. Can you give me a general area that you where riding? That looks amazing. Thanks for video as well. I have a 2021 ktm 300 xc and a 2017 ktm 350 xcf. You nailed it on the head
Because we don't really promote the local spots we ride. It gets all sorts of folks pissed off when we get specific and we don't really blame them. We can say it was in Idaho.
Hey Adam Booth, greetings from your hometown of Santa Fe’!
Adam is the man!!
To me and I'm an old school person. If I'm going ride to the trails 4 stroke is the only way to go. It handle the road better. But if your out there to tare up the trails the 2 stroke. But you need a car that can carry them or a trailer. I believe the 2 stroke climbs better on steeper hills. I watched an enduro in Arizona and the 2 stroke were climbing the steep hills better. We had thumpers in my day but most people chose 2 strokes. Just my opinion.
We have to agree with you on all points.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Heres a question for you. Now I only watch enduros these day on natural terrain. Because I believe man made track can and are being made to favor one bike over another. Say a 4 stroke over a 2 stroke. But natural terrain can't be made to favor either bike. What do you think.
We also prefer watching racing on natural terrain tracks. Hard Enduro racing is certainly on of the only disciplines that does not have a big advantage for either 2 stroke or 4 stroke. It is really rider preference.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE I totally understand, but I would prefer a 2 stroke on enduro racing. That is what I prefer, you can have your 4 strokes and good luck to you, hope you win?
Great comparison!
Thank you for the kind words and for watching.
As for tires I’m sold on the tusk recons I’ve ran about 3 rears and 1 front now and absolutely love them they have great wear and a very durable sidewall with a nice soft knob that really bites on the roots and wet rocks
We are pretty anti Tusk here. They are developing quite a rep for stealing designs from other companies and undercutting them putting a lot of pressure on some great small companies in the motorcycle industry. And there are actually a lot of tire options not made in China so we try to work with those brands.
I haven’t hurd of the bad reputation for stealing product designs and I’m all for supporting smaller companies even more so American made companies and products if that means paying a lil more I’m fine with that myself .. I’ve just recently stumbled upon your channel but look forward to seeing more great and knowledgeable content
Thank you! Dunlop still makes a lot of their tires in the USA.
My 20 Husky 350 has all the mods and a Recluse. Its incredibly easy to ride. Doesn't spin the tire and chugs up everything. ..
A Rekluse makes a big difference for sure. Thanks for watching.
I want both!
That is a rock solid solution to this problem.
300 2 stroke especially fuel enjected will crawl without the rekluse kinda the point
Yes it does. Exceptionally well actually. But it is nice to go full stop and it won't stall when you are old, tired and making mistakes like we do.
Watching vids on the Kalib Russel 350xcf it def has bottom and appears to run hard as hell in the wider upper range of the RPM and gear ratio's. Def a bike for a fast kid looking to go faster. Though, I really doubt there is MORE bottom grunt than the 300. In-fact, bolt-on TSP high compression head and ECU map the 300 would produce upwards of 7 ft lbs more and earlier in the revs. Overall I would choose the 300 due to my riding style; missouri woods single track not open to high speed. Torquey blimps over creeks and logs, going off trail chugging up slick leafy ridges, tight wooded areas educing stalls ect
And Kalib's bike gets a little different setup than the average joe. And... he simply crushes whatever he is on. Agree with you though, the 300 is an excellent option for more technical woods riding.
I went with a 2021 kx250x with a Rekluse because i like to down shift for braking, then stabbing the throttle. Spent the $700.00 on Moose and gummy tires.
Fun setup. Enjoy
Just followed. So glad I ran into this account.
Thanks Jeff! If you like our videos, you will love our free magazine.
www.upshiftonline.com/upshift-magazine
thanks adam , thats very useful,
Thank you for watching!
Can you share what trails you road in Idaho? and your favorite Idaho trails for an expert to pro-level riders?
We really don't share specific trail information anymore. It get people pretty upset. And there is more than a LOT of expert trail riding in Idaho. Check out the piece on Gold Creek Lodge we did in Issue 59: bit.ly/2issu59q
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Thank you and understand. I am from Coeur d' Alene and actually know the people that started gold creek. We used to have a big motorsports dealership in Postfalls. Looking for some good rides in southern Idaho, I know it wont compare to the north but just want to get back on the bike.
There is a ton of good trail in the Idaho City area and out towards the Featherville, Yellow Pine etc.
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
These two bike types were on my radar and I went with a KTM 250XCtpi. I'm in Az and can plate this bike easy. Rode the KTM and Husky 350s, They are nice but the 250 and 300 t strokes are better for sure in the trails. The 350s seem kinda Corked up stock. Can't go wrong with either but I prefer the 2 strokes by a considerable margin.
That 250 is a very nice machine. It definitely has some advantages on more technical single track.
What tire pressure were you running in these conditions?
The 300 has Nitromousse standard compound which is roughly 10 - 12 psi. The 350 has Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty tubes installed and we were running 13 in the front and 10 in the rear.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE thanks. Cool vid too 😁
I have the 350 and it seems to stall easily on slow rocky uphill shelfs and slow speed type stuff. I am a beginner so I Know it is mostly my lack of clutch skills, but I was wondering if there is something about the bike that makes it more prone to stalling than other bikes? it has become a frustration for me so I am considering an auto clutch.
Momentum and clutch work is the name of the game. And four strokes are certainly more finicky in technical situations than the 2 strokes. A Rekluse clutch will make riding far more enjoyable. We use them on a lot of our bikes.
Absolutely 300 2 stroke!!!!
It's pretty great. Thank you for watching.
Title is misleading - either compare 2 stock bikes or call it something different
Yep... you're correct. Rule 2.3 of section 4 of the Video Naming Council 2021 Guide Book clearly states we must title videos to be exactly, precisely, literal with zero ambiguity or room for generalities. Our apologies.
Is it safe to run the two-stroke down the back roads at 60 miles an hour? When you let off the gas and are coasting are you still getting oil injected into the crank case for lubrication?
I have a 2009 ktm 200xcw and my brother has a 2019 fe350 and my bike hits harder in the bottom end and hits harder in all rpms, is easier to ride through technical stuff but it doesn’t have as much pull on wide open sandy climbs as the 350, plus the 350 feels a bit heavy.
That generation 200 was a fantastic motor. The FE is a CARB legal motorcycle which puts it at a disadvantage right away and it is definitely heavier. On paper they should be pretty close but your 200 will win in the real world in terms of visceral power delivery.. Fortunately, both bikes are great machines
I think if you can only have one bike and you ride alot of different terrain and trails I would go the 4 banger but if you are a single trail enduro rider 2 banger
That's our take as well.
Using a exc 350 f 2018 at the moment can't fault it , loves the bk wheel, I'm bored of 2stroke now , nice video tho
Thankfully there are so many good choices out there. Thanks for watching.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE definitely gone through most of ktm now lol, I'm liking this 1 for now although I just put a hole in the tank doh! They take a decent beating.
If your bored, get a smaller displacement= more work.
@@hemisuperzee1287 yeah done it in the past bro , just got a 450 exc changing the seat my backside died lol
How good is the 2T without the rekluse? also I personally recommend Tubliss over mousses
It's very good. Certainly an argument can be made that you don't need it. But as we get older and lose reflexes etc... it's a nice thing to have. If nothing else, it just gives us some confidence we aren't going to be stalling as we get tired.
You barely need it the 300 crawls easy when fuel injected
The biggest difference was the mods? Not much of a comparison then.
But which one is the big dog? A 300 2 stroke should be if you do 2stroke/4stroke math. But is it?
On paper, yes the 300 is. But they both deliver power very well... very usable. They are both more than enough for us. But we aren't racing. We just want bikes that are fun and work well. Both fit the bill. It gets down to a really nuanced discussion to figure out which works best for you.
Its preference really. You'll feel different power bands. I must say, the 2 stroke enduro bikes have an awesome power band with walking speed. Better on tight single track with the 2 stroke.
What head unit did you install on the 300 ?
Those are the Trail Tech Voyager Pro. Definitely our go to offroad units.
Any ECU remapping or changing on the 350 EXC? It seemed underpowered with stock ECU.
No ECU or remapping. Stock. It would depend where you are riding it ultimately. For tight technical single track... we haven't felt like it needed more. The previous generation 350 certainly pulled a little harder, but if more power is what is needed... the 500 is a great option.
I got a 2016 6 days comes with tc, and 2 maps
I was amazed how my 2018 350 excf felt with Vortex and pipe compared to stock which was awful with stock pipe but understandable because of street compliance
300 twostroke oll day
It's a lot of fun. Thank you for watching.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE no proplem 🙃
you do not compare 300 vs 350 but rekluse vs manual clutch
That's not really what we took away from the video. But thank you for watching.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE a rekluse will affect the snap on the bottom, it will make it softer which was something you mentioned a couple times how the 350 had more snap.
Good detailed review! vs "ya I like it"
Thank you very much. We appreciate you watching and commenting.
The 350 4T is more stall/flameout prone, why not give it a recluse for a fair comparison?
In this case we only had the 350 for a month or so. The 2 stroke is a longer term bike. When all is said and done, both bikes are incredible and both were setup in slightly different ways. But we hear your point. Thanks for watching
My Neighbor has a 16 ktm 350 with a recluse,me a 21 250 2 stroke with regular clutch. You are correct the 350s are more in need of a Recluse than the 300 and 250 two strokes. I feel absolutely no need for a Recluse on my 2 stroke, if I had a 4 stroke then
yeah It would be ideal. The 4 strokes also do well in the desert. It's flowier out here.
The difference in the way my 250 ride compared to a 350 is its more flickable and more planted at the same time. Mine linkage the 350 ive ridden is PDS.
The only thing I like better about 350's is the better fuel economy
Will a 300 or 250 two stroke enduro such as a ktm have any issue with driving at a steady speed down a fire road or back road between trails?
Say the distance is 20 miles
We do it all the time. It's smart to vary your RPMs and not just set in at a constant speed. But modern two strokes that are properly maintained can take it just fine.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE thank you for yhe re assurance. All and all do you think the 2023 te 300 is a good choice for someone who rides tight technical stuff and doesnt ride high speed stuff almost at all besides fire roads or dirt roads to explore?
We think it's going to be an amazing ride!
So I have a 2021 350xcf. I was on the fence between the 300 and and 350. I rode the 300 and thought it was amazing but I've been a 4 stroke guy for almost 20 years. so I decided to go with the 350. I was kind of disappointed. The flame outs is my main issue. The 300 even without a Rekluse didn't seem to want to stall. we ride allot of tight single track with steep up hills (north East Ohio). The 350 is a battle, allot of it might be rider error but it just gets frustrating. Do you think a Rekluse would solve allot of this or do I need to Map the ECU differently?
A Rekluse would help quite a bit as would a slip on. Next step would be an ECU.
@@tareksaba1ify how would I modify the stock muffler? I’m kind of clueless to this suggestion.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE When I see a bike with an autoclutch, I see a bike with training wheels.
@@highvoltge422 na, that's a quad you're talking about.
@@scottgaskill4896 Na. It's an autoclutch I'm talking about.