P76
QUICKSPIN I 2021 KTM 300 XC TPI
In the woods or
open desert, the XC
300 TPI is a force
to be reckoned
with. It can do a lot
of things really well.
PHOTO BY GRUMPY
We've had great luck mixing in race fuel to elimi-
nate the detonation sensation and we've also used
a power-valve tuning tool to get some more aggres-
sion where we felt it lacked. Those two steps alone
make this bike more than competitive for us.
As mentioned, we've raced these bikes con-
siderably. Most recently we entered the opening
round of the National Hare & Hound Series held
in Lucerne, California. Open desert and surpris-
ingly technical trail were on tap for more than three
hours during an event that will test the limits of any
machine. I was sure glad I was on this 300 the
entire time. From the open bomb run (through
the snow!) to some of the best gnarly trail riding
I've done in a race, the bike was just an awe-
some mix of speed and agility. I only longed for
a steering stabilizer and a pile of energy/more
muscles during the race.
XC models will continue to be my go-to two-
stroke in KTM's lineup for any use out West. If
I'm in the trees and roots and rocks, I long for
an XC-W's compliance more, but in the open
terrain and for a more competitive setup, I think
the XC is where it's at!
