2000 KTM 300 Reliability?

[camaro80r]

Can anyone tell me as much as they know about how reliable those old KTM two-strokes are?

thanks. im coming off a 4-stroke but can't wait to get back on a 2-smoker

[kenyz]

hit up ktmtalk.com dude. tons of stuff. all youll ever need to know about any 300

[ossagp1]

Everything I see on KTMtalk seems to indicate that KTMS' no matter which ones are the most relialbe things on the planet. I think more KTM 300 riders than any other type are more prone to taking extra care of their rigs. That said, I spent 2 days on a well used and well cared for KTM300 exc some years ago. It was a 3 year old 97, that had more than a few riders borrowing it. In spite of that, the riders had been kind of hand chosen, it performed well and I fell in love with the engine. I would like to own one. In spite of owning several KTM's over time, I have yet to own the 300, but I would love one. Most people that buy them don't seem to be Moto minded, but trail and cross country oriented. Having a 36mm carb means that it won't have a real high top end, but that is the beauty of it. Weighs like a 250, pulls down low as good as it gets, and doesn't vibrate like a larger engine. For the two days and about 200 miles we put on that 300 in Moab it only needed a chain adjustment and fuel.

[four26stroker]

A Vet scrambler friend of mine swears by the 3hundy. In most write ups people love the motor. I've read its more hp, a broad powerband with less snap than a 250cc. Smooth with good trackable tourque and lots of top end pull. Race ready from what I've seen minus a skidplate and hand guards.

[yz250guy]

Never owned one, but I rode an enduro in Northern California a few years back, and during the course of the race, I came across 5 or 6 riders that had broken down. Yep, you guessed it, all five or six were KTM's. I don't remember the ratio of 2 to 4 stroke or even noticed the displacement. What I do know is that the ratio of other bikes to KTM's at that race was probably greater than 5 to 1. What type of riding are you going to be doing primarily?

[camaro80r]

First off, I gave up on ktmtalk.com because my email is a free domain and they wont even let me view forums. and, i'll mainly be doing desert riding...i wont ever race it, not once. I need a fast, reliable, two-stroke enduro bike and i think the KTM 300 will suit me best, because of the fact thats its 50cc bigger than a 250 but making a little more power, it will probably be more reliable because it wont be nearly as stressed.
I'm done with 4 strokes tho as far as reliability goes, my 250F almost threw a rod on me and it cost almost 800 bucks for new cylinder and valves
and all my two strokes that ive had, have performed flawlessly

[kenyz]

Well....what are you waiting for? Go get it

[yz250guy]

rock on! let us know what you get, and don't forget the

[camaro80r]

allright, I'll let you guys know how the bike goes. If I do get it, it's first ride will be in Ocotillo Wells, so I can really open her up. Hopefully it'll top out higher than my YZ250F, 65mph...haha...65mph at 13,500rpm is not much fun, more noise than fun.

[crdemon]

I love my 300.
FYI, if your buying used get a 2000 or newer. Ktm made massive improvements to their engine. I have a 05 300 and I ride trails it has awsome low end. I keep up with the 450's. Id say it would be a great bike for you. A perk to the 200 is it is light and you can really throw it around. I no you dont get all the power and speed of the 300 but for a tight coarse you would probaly be able to ride it faster. Ive had my 300 for a year. The only problems ive had are brakes (just bleeding and rebuild the master cylinder), I redid the top end, after a year of riding and the cylinder was perfect. I ride alot and hard. It is for the most part easy to work on. Ive never fouled a plug. But if you do make sure you have tools cause you have to take your gas tank off to get to the plug. If theres anything particular you want to know shoot me a pm. Also for ktm talk send an administrator a email they ll get you hooked on.

[Florida 393]

I know of several 300 owners both motocross and off road users. These bikes have been stone reliable for them and can do a wide variety og dirt riding disciplines. I have tried for a few years to get one new and they sell out fast. The one I see the most is a woods racer set up for MX and he flat smokes. Stock pipe, FMF Q / S.A. exhaust, some different gearing for the track and away he goes. I have never seen him broken down.

Bill

[ossagp1]

If you are looking for a high top speed and good trail manners I would suggest the EXC like I spent the longest amount of time on over the MXC which has a closer ratio'd transmission. With the exc you should have no problem with 80 mph plus and still have a good trail gears in the lower ranges.

[HiG4s]

i'm on my second KTM,, and I take pretty good care of my bikes, but not excessive. I also have had several other brands too,, My opinion on dependability order is Husqvarna, KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki. Never owned a Kaw dirt bike, not sure where it fits in, but from street bikes about the same as Suzuki.

[deano7]

i owned a 300 for a couple of years,with competitions every 2weeks it never broke down once,i did change the gearing to 14/48 for the top speed as i found it was also peaking out through tight stuff,mine was a 2003 with a sxs pipe and six-day rear can couldnt ask for more really apart from better mpg !! on-par with 530 4ploppers! i tell a lie, the clutch slave cylinder went !!! other than that AWESOME bike with trials like torque to it!