By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
KTM 300 EXC (MY2008) vs 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition (MY2020)
2008 KTM 300 EXC vs 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition: which one belongs in your truck bed?
Into a steep, tricky downhill turn, the 2008 KTM 300 EXC carries its weight low and doesn't ask much of you on the way in. On the KTM 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition, the front tips in precisely and doesn't budge at the apex. It'll flick across to the next line and hold there.
So which one do you buy?
The 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Small edge: 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition
Once the asphalt stops, the 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition noses ahead. Tires and your own skill can easily cancel that out.
What makes each one tick
2008 300 EXC
At trail pace the 2008 300 EXC stays so quiet you'd barely hear it from a couple of corners off, and the two-stroke wail only shows up when the revs climb hard. A rock ledge on a climb sinks into 13.2 in (335 mm) of shock travel. It doesn't stop clawing upward. The hydraulic clutch feeds the single just what it needs.
Nils rode the 2008 300 EXC in Italy in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition
Across the revs, the Erzberg Edition's TPI engine builds power smooth and even. There's a catch on some TPI bikes: the throttle can stumble slightly coming off closed. Careful clutch work smooths it out. Up top, the engine keeps pulling hard across open ground.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition makes more peak torque: 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) vs 32 lb-ft (44 Nm).
- The 2008 300 EXC has the larger fuel tank: 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) vs 2.4 US gal (9 L).
- Ride Modes: standard on the 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition, not offered on the 2008 300 EXC.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
They come out level on twisty roads and running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2008 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
300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile and precise handling
- Broad, linear powerband
Trade-offs
- Low-end hesitation and fueling quirks
Known problems to check before you buy
2008 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.
300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Seat height
- 37.8 in (960 mm)
- Displacement
- 293 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front travel
- 11.8 in (300 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 2008 300 EXC | 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Dry weight | 233 lb (106 kg) | 243 lb (110 kg) |
| 2008 300 EXC | 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 57 hp (42 kW) | 59 hp (43 kW) |
| Torque | 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) | 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) |
| 2008 300 EXC | 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) | 2.4 US gal (9 L) |
| 2008 300 EXC | 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 80/100-21 |
| Rear tire | 120/90-18 | 110/100-18 |
| Ground clearance | 15.2 in (385 mm) | 14.0 in (355 mm) |
| Rear travel | 13.2 in (335 mm) | 12.2 in (310 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2008 300 EXC | 300 EXC TPI Erzberg Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
