TE/TC Question:; REAL performance differences between KTM 300 and TE300?

Hopefully those up to date with the whole situation here will know and can 'enlighten' me!
(I know thats a tough task but please give it a shot.)

Ive read a lot and most of it appears to be typical internet rumors and wrong.

300 smokers - differences between the Pumpkin XC and the TE
Suspension settings ? (gonna revalve it anyhow)
Rear Subframe ?

what else 'performance' wise (rules out the white plastic differences)
spring rates different (im gonna have to put PB springs on either one anyhow)
Motors are identical correct?
Tune maps?

Gonna take the plunge it appears, but its gotta have linkage, tested the Beta and its too cramped for me, motor was amazing though.

thanx!

HR

The TE and XC 300's are both really bad ass machines, mostly because they're almost the same. They are both equipped with the 4CS fork and a linkage rear end. Both shocks come with a 54 N/mm spring while the husky has 4.2 N/mm fork springs and the KTM is at 4.4 N/mm. I'm not sure if there are any valving differences between the two.

The motors are almost identical with the exception of the ignition system and transmission. The TE is equipped with a lighting coil borrowed from the XC-W line and the XC has no lighting circuit. The transmissions are both six speeds with the same primary drive ratios. The only difference between the two is that the XC has slightly taller 1st and 2nd gears.

I have heard, but not personally verified that there is a difference in the power between the two bikes because of the more restrictive airbox on the husky.

Aaron - thank you -

so it sounds like it s a XC-w with linkage and the Husaberg subframe, skid plate is stock on the TE, both need some sort of spark arrestor to be legal off road.

Gonna sell my 2008 Husaberg FE550 and pick one up.

HR

Exactly. It is basically the XC-W with linkage rear end.

I'm still in the process of getting my 300 dialed in. I think I'm going to either go with the enduro engineering add on spark arrestor end cap or the FMF Q. The stock skid plate is pretty good. I like how fast it is to remove for oil changes and washing. I replaced the stock foam strips with some heavier duty stuff from NAPA. It works better with no rattling. If I end up doing any racing this year, I will safety wire the clip on the front and zip tie the rear over the frame cross tube as a precaution. I had the plate on my 501 come off on a failed slippery log crossing once and I think the ties will keep it on just in case.

The only other mods I've done to the 300 are tires, radiator braces, fan kit, waterless coolant, hand guards, shark fin, pipe guard and springs. I'm still tinkering with the suspension, but I think it's gonna go down to zipty for a rework.

the Husky looks better= better performance.

(what Aaron said pretty much sums it up)

Been riding and racing since the early 70s and I know for a FACT that certain colors of plastic are worth at LEAST 5 MPH more in top speed off road.
White and blue are two of those colors.

HR

I got used to those (yellow fork guards)...but if required for the extra boost, its an easy fix to find some white ones or even blue ones Im sure.

I mounted some OMG Red ones on my CR500 restoration, buts mostly for easy location by EMT and Medevac helicopters.
Speed is NOT an issue on this bike.



HR

At least on the moto bikes(tc 250 . The husky has better did dirtstar wheels to the KTM excels a stock mounted ignition map switch also on the husky. And with the plastic subframe comes more flex. Which is good to me. Also the plastic and tank is completely different which gives the bike a slightly better feel(husky). Airbox is more restrictive but can be modified. I have no way of confirming this but I am told the plastic subframe is three pounds heavier then the KTM. There are better large tank options available for the KTM as well....PS simple fact the husky does look better!

I'm in the same boat Scott. I have a 96 Cr500.

KTM XC/XC-W wheels are made by Korean bicycle manufacturer Giant, not by Excel.
Trail Rider Magazine editor Kevin Novello, has ridden both and raced a TE300 at Romaniacs last year. He feels the TE300 is better at putting power to the ground.

All the magazines state they are made by excel however they are a low grade excel wheels not like the takasako excels that came on the Italian huskys. I have read this in at least three reputable publications but I certainly could be making a mistake or us spec bikes may receive different wheels....

Factory Edition SX models, get high grade Excels, SX get low grade Excels and XC/XC-W/EXC get Giant wheels.

whats up with having 3 different rims? pretty crazy. 3 different price levels? my ol 95 is still rocking the takasagos!

OK answered my own question was finding most places saying excels and one saying giant. Does seem strange to spec different wheels. I'm very used to the Italian Husqvarna standard takasako excels....

DID Dirt Stars are nice wheels. Rob has had problems with the aluminum spoke nipples on his '14 TE300, but I have 2 OEM sets for my '12 Husaberg TE250 and no problem. After 10 hours my DID's seem fine on the '15 TE125.

If it helps... I have a 14 300xcw. It came with Giant rims and so far (just hit 1000mi) they have been some tough wheels and have had very little spoke loosening. I do go through a "wheel tune-up" ritual every time a tire comes off, on all my bikes. The empty wheels goes back on the bike and checked for damage and spoke torque in the "every third spoke" pattern. So far so good...

Worst wheel I've had in a long time was the rear on my 12 Italian Husky WR144. Constantly loosening, and if the rumors are right it's the "good" Excel. Take that for what it's worth, but it's still loosening.