By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
KTM 300 EXC (MY2008) vs 250 EXC (MY2009)
KTM 300 EXC vs 250 EXC: which one belongs in your truck bed?
On a steep switchback heading downhill, the KTM 300 EXC tips in and settles low, and it doesn't ask much of you on the way down. The KTM 250 EXC snaps into the turn on cue.
So which one do you buy?
The 300 EXC has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
A touch ahead: 300 EXC
Once the asphalt stops, the 300 EXC noses ahead. Tires and your own skill can easily cancel that out.
What makes each one tick
300 EXC
At trail pace the 300 EXC's exhaust stays so quiet you'd barely know it's running; the two-stroke wail waits for a hard rev. Its low end pulls steadily and doesn't kick like a motocross two-stroke. On the brake lever, the Brembo caliper slows the bike hard, and there's no hunting for more bite. One squeeze stops it.
Nils rode the 300 EXC in Italy in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
250 EXC
On a tight trail the 250 EXC holds the exact line you pick; its chromoly frame and WP suspension don't let it wander. Off the bottom, the single just chugs. Once it's on the pipe, every bit of throttle brings an explosive rush. The exhaust screams up top.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 300 EXC has the lower seat: 37.8 in (960 mm) vs 38.8 in (985 mm).
- The 300 EXC makes more peak power: 57 hp (42 kW) vs 46 hp (34 kW).
- The 300 EXC makes more peak torque: 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) vs 29 lb-ft (39 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
Count twisty roads and running costs as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
300 EXC
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Torque That Never Runs Out
- Downhill Is Its Home Turf
- Brembo Bite You Can Trust
- Tool-Free Air Filter Access
- Parts Built For Abuse
Trade-offs
- Power Valve Can Stick
- Clutch Plates Wear Early
- Starter Isn't Bulletproof
250 EXC
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional handling and agility
- Powerful and responsive two-stroke engine
Known problems to check before you buy
300 EXC
- Power valve sticking Carbon buildup can cause the power valve to stick, resulting in inconsistent power delivery, poor throttle response, and a sudden surge at higher RPM.
- Electric starter failure The electric starter motor or bendix mechanism can fail, leading to no-crank or intermittent starting. Some owners removed the system entirely.
250 EXC
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 2.5 US gal (9.5 L)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Front travel
- 11.8 in (300 mm)
- Rear travel
- 13.2 in (335 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 300 EXC | 250 EXC | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 37.8 in (960 mm) | 38.8 in (985 mm) |
| Dry weight | 233 lb (106 kg) | 249 lb (113 kg) |
| 300 EXC | 250 EXC | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 293 cc | 249 cc |
| Power | 57 hp (42 kW) | 46 hp (34 kW) |
| Torque | 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) | 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) |
| 300 EXC | 250 EXC | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 120/90-18 | 140/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.1 in (1475 mm) | 58.3 in (1481 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 15.2 in (385 mm) | 15.0 in (381 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
