2020 Husky TE300i and 2020 KTM 300XCW Comparison Ride

My ride review detailed comments are included below. I ended up buying a 2020 KTM 300XCW Erzberg. Here is my summary video after 25 hours with the Erzberg....    • 2020 KTM 300XCW Erzberg Review after ...  

8-17-19: Thanks to my riding buddies Dave and Scott who just bought new bikes I got a chance to ride a 2020 Husky TE300i and a 2020 KTM 300XCW back to back and get a feel for the latest fuel and oil injected 300cc off road models from Husky and KTM. These models have the updated chassis, suspension, and ergonomics for the 2020 model year. These comments are from a couple of hours of riding in warm (around 85F) central Ohio.

Compared to my 2019 Husky TX300 (with Keihin carburetor) these TPI engine bikes have a softer initial throttle response which helps find traction then come on strong in the mid. The TPI engine is very smooth especially at low RPM's and can run a gear high lugging the engine and this helps control that quick revving feel of the TPI engine at higher RPM's on the trail. These TPI engines pull so smoothly from low rpm's. Peak power wise these bike feel the same. The Husky TE300i might pull a tick longer on top. I did not adjust any power valves or the idle on either bike (some 2020 model year TPI bike owners have noted improved throttle response with just PV adjustments). Both bikes started quickly and ran clean today.

From a chassis point of view there are bigger differences in feel between the bikes. The latest XPLOR suspension settings on both the 2020 300XCW and 2020 TE300i work great off road: plush, absorbing, and compliant right off the showroom floor. Both offer a little more hold up and control in the suspension overall in this 2020 XPLOR setting and both still use lots of stroke to absorb the bumps. Jumping between the bikes the first thing I noticed is the PDS 300XCW feels a little taller while riding it (mostly in the rear) compared to the TE300i. The 300XCW PDS chassis has a more active feel overall compared to the linkage TE300i chassis. I noticed more chassis pitching as weight transfers front or rear during acceleration and braking on the 300XCW compared to the TE300i. The TE300i comes with external preload adjusters on the XPLOR forks but the 300XCW does not. Both bikes were agile and quick handling and felt surprisingly planted and connected to the ground for 2-strokes. The 300XCW had a slightly lighter steering feel at the handlebars compared to the TE300i.

Other things I noticed: While sitting on the bikes and blipping the throttle the 300XCW has a little more intake noise compared to the TE300i (probably due to the plastic subframe and more closed off airbox on the Husky). The seat on the 2020 300XCW felt a little flatter and was slightly more comfortable than the seat on the TE300i. The TE300i comes stock with a plastic skid plate (the 300XCW has weld nuts ready to accept a skid plate). The Brembo brakes on the 300XCW have a little more aggressive initial bite feel compared to the Magura brakes on the TE300i.

Both bikes are really good. Plush and compliant woods focused suspension right off the showroom floor. Both have quick handling, agile, and responsive chassis and offer the choice of linkage or PDS. The thought of not messing with jetting, gas and go simplicity, and crisp clean running 2-strokes sure makes the new TPI bikes appealing!