I did the KTM Demo in Phoenix back in January.
I rode all of the non-SX 2-strokes, including the TPI 250XCW, and the 250/350 XCF. It was on a short, test loop that when ran multiple times per KTM Staff instruction, was about six miles. I liked them, well enough. My review is on my AZRickD YouTube channel.
Fast-forward several months and I have sold my 2011 GG EC250 and at long last have gotten a few short miles on a GG XC300 with a goodly amount of hours so everything is broken in and all factory updates (battery cable, ECU reflash) have been done.
A short review on the 2018 Gasser ? it is a XC300 BUT? with an EC pipe (supposedly to broaden the mid and calm the top). It?s still a beast.
Motor: Every bit a match for the KTM 300, with the usual commentary about the famous GG powerband. Nice off the bottom and maybe a little shy on top (that muted EC pipe, again).
Mind you, this was on a carby and motor running at a Phoenix 113F and likely jetted a little rich (the way I like, truth be told). When I rode the KTMs it was a Phoenix wintertime 60F.
The GG started first kick (and first button) warm or cold (as long as there was fuel in the carb circuits). No choke used. It didn?t smoke much when cold, and not at all when warm. There was zero spooge ? anywhere. Not on the end cap, and certainly none dribbling along the bottom of the silencer.
And all this power, starting, and nonspooge prowess is on a stock squish band (likely 2mm) that would normally make me rush, rush to get the head cut. I don?t think I?ll be in such a hurry now.
Vibration: I literally can?t recall if there was much on the Gasser. I remember all about the vibration of the counter-balanced KTM because with all the hype I was specifically looking for it.
The Gasser motor seemed to be balanced very nicely. Throttle response was good, motor revved smoothly.
Gear box: Ratios were fine for me. I geared down all my 250s. I probably won’t gear down a 300. The clutch was light. The foot selector and action was as good as KTM. No false neutrals and neutral easy to find when needed.
Suspension: All bikes are set to stock positions and I had no opportunity to adjust them. I didn?t get much of a test during the KTM demo and not much on the GG, even tho I purposely pointed the 300XC at every rock and cross-rut I could find.
I thought the Air forks on the KTM XC/XCF bikes were ?race firm.? Compliant for the faster A/B guys, and very controlled for their design purpose. But I would revalve then softer for me. The KTM XPlor boingers on the XCW 2-Ts (there were no EXCFs at the demo), were pretty darn close from a plushness standpoint. I could see not needing to re-valve them for rocky single track, but I could be wrong.
The Kayabas on the 2018 XC300 were somewhere in between. Their action over the limited rough seemed not as firm as the WP AER forks but just as controlled. You could tell that both the WP and KYB engineers put in a lot of work on these forks. I didn?t get a chance to test any bikes on G-outs, unfortunately. The KYBs might be candidates for a slight softer revalve for technical trail riding, but for racing I would be tempted to leave them stock.
Shock? I didn?t notice them. A good thing.
Springs? I was geared out at 205, and my front/rear sag eyeball and seat of the pants feel suggest I could get away with leaving the springs. And since I plan on dropping back down to 170 after breaking my ribs 10 months ago, that?s what I would likely do.
Handling. Not very much turning done on the GG. The KTMs handled light, and rolled in light. But once in the turn I didn?t feel comfy with what the front tire wanted to do. As a result, I exited corners a little slower.
The GG rolled in a tad slower (maybe the gyro of a larger fly wheel weight?), but once in the turn, especially bumpy turns, the GG felt better in this segment.