Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/861665
2017 KTM 300 XC/XC-W PROJECT P130 Taylor Robert would be proud. Want mega traction? You got it with a rear trials tire. rpm range. With a properly jetted engine and a sticky trials tire, there isn't a lot that can stop a 300 two-stroke when the terrain is technical and nasty. Clarks's carb set up was noticeably better than stock, making the 300 even easier to ride. The Trail Tech fan kit and IMS overflow catch-can provided overheating protec- tion, even in the 90-degree heat we rode in at slow speeds. The slight engine and carb mods didn't hurt the midrange or the top, letting us ride aggressively in the more open trails and even roost around the motocross track a bit. Crawling up and over rocky trails abuses the clutch on any bike, Clark chose to install a Hinson inner hub and pressure plate kit, which includes fibers, steel springs and outer cover kit. Pull at the lever was smooth and we didn't experience any fade or have any issues on this day. Suspension is a very per- sonal preference and Clark's setup does a good job of providing decent comfort at slow speeds while holding up nicely at higher speeds. The trials tire does a great job of soaking up little trail hack, but it also gives the bike more of a springy feel due to the tall and soft sidewall. If ultra rough trail at slow speeds was the only riding this bike was going to see then we'd go softer on the suspension, but Clark's setup allows a good balance for all types of riding and doesn't pigeonhole it into strictly a trail bike. Typical of a Jay Clark bike build, there is a lot of cool stuff adorning this machine, some parts critical and some just downright bitchin for the sake of being bitchin, like the razor sharp Scar footpegs. Because true trail rides often turn into very long hours away from civilization, the IMS 3.5-gallon tank is a neces- sity and provides over 80 miles worth of fun. Bashing through the bush is the norm on a trail ride and the Cycra wrap-around Ultra Pro-Bend hand guards did a good job protecting our fingers and the levers when we dropped Clark's pretty bike. A Motion Pro Titan throttle tube with the end cut allowed the handguards to mount to the handlebars. We had a good time putting a few scratches and shaving off the front edge of the tacky trials tire on this looker of a 2017 KTM 300 XC/XC-W. For riders who don't want a wide ratio transmission and prefer linkage in the suspen- sion, here is what you can turn your XC into! CN