The new-generation KTM TBI (Throttle-Body Injection) two-stroke motors have been a sizzling matter since they have been launched in 2023 on the XC and SX two-stroke competitors machines. Knowing that the XC-W fashions would comply with go well with, we have been anxious to get seat time on the brand new bike and study the place it ranked compared with the 300s that we all know so effectively. To date, we’ve got a bit over 40 hours on the 2024 KTM 300XC-W and located it’s very totally different from its predecessors.

First issues first, the brand new XC-W is way smoother and trail-oriented than we anticipated. It seems to have the identical motor because the 2023 300XC, however the cylinder, the top and most significantly, the map-ping are fully totally different. The new XC-W is way mellower. There are professionals and cons to this. In the woods, we completely love this package deal. It’s calm, easy, predictable and makes traction. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, once we experience our high-desert loop the place it’s sandy and the hills are vertical, the machine struggles to get to the tops of the climbs.

Even on the earlier technology 300XC-W with Transfer Port Injection, we might hill-climb and make the most of third gear endlessly with a fast stab of the clutch. The new TBI 300XC-W simply lacks the mus-cle to tug third and keep up on the pipe in steep terrain. Internally, the gearbox ratios are an identical, however the really feel all through the power-band just isn’t. Stock gearing on the XC-W is 13/45. We have tried a 48-tooth sprocket; this tightens up the gaps however makes first and second gear very low.

One different word within the engine division is the temperature. This scoot runs heat—sizzling, even. We rode final yr’s 300 TPI machine for an unbelievable period of time and by no means felt it essential to in-stall a fan. The 2024 300XC-W, nevertheless, can barely deal with a couple of minutes of technical work and gradual circumstances with out turning right into a tea kettle. Part of the temperature might come from the thermostat, however we aren’t completely positive. Because the bike overheats typically, we should take away the new-style radiator cap, which is painful. Some-times it comes off simply, whereas different instances it gained’t budge.

The 2024 300XC-W has a brand new body. It’s loosely primarily based on that of the 2023 SX motocross bikes, nevertheless it has PDS rear suspension in-stead of linkage, in addition to a brand new coil-spring model of the Xact fork. The ergonomics are spectacular, and we do just like the slim and smooth bodywork, which makes the bike simple to maneuver round on. Under your caboose the saddle is a bit on the agency facet, however makes use of a pleasant flat base, making the bike simple to nook and transfer round on. You may need heard some criticism of the brand new KTM moto-cross body. The chassis is stiff even for motocross, and that’s al-so true right here. At low pace, each ends of the suspension lack plushness. The previous-generation bike would gobble up rocks the place the 2024 mannequin is considerably unsettled and deflects extra typically. It’s significantly better at pace–it’s as if the motor improvement workforce and the chassis improvement workforce had totally different targets.

The new kickstand is way improved over the previous bike, eliminating the previous bracket and self-tapping screw that launched on cue. New handguards on the controls are improved and mount to the clutch and brake perch. If you’re into night time driving, you’ll love the brand new LED headlight. There is not any comparability with how a lot bright-er it’s over the previous bike. We have been having points with the brand new push-button mild swap, because it gained’t keep engaged and shuts the sunshine off. On the stomach of the bike, the brand new skid plate provides correct safety to the body and engine. Air-filter entry is improved with extra room and extra visibility to make sure you totally seat your filter accurately.
At 40 hours the motor hasn’t proven any signal of weak point. We skilled persistent issues with varied sensors on the TPI bikes. Those haven’t arisen right here. We do suppose the TPI bikes had higher fuel-range. We’re engaged on suspension updates and efficiency mods that gained’t offend the path worthiness, in addition to soothing a few of the gripes which have surfaced. Overall, it’s a se-rious wagon and completely totally different than the TPI mannequin.

NEW BIKES AND NOT SO NEW BIKES

Many of the producers are actually releasing their 2024 dual-sport bikes, road bikes and unchanged fashions. In the combo is one Kawasaki road bike that caught our consideration. The Ninja 7 Hybrid has some attention-grabbing know-how that we’ll most likely see on dual-sport bikes quickly. The electrical part of the hybrid energy unit features a liquid-cooled traction motor powered by a 48V lithium-ion battery pack beneath the seat, enabling all-electric driving for brief distances at low speeds.  The battery is charged whereas driving, eliminating the necessity for exterior charging. Heat administration is  addressed with two radiators, a liquid-cooled oil cooler, and a system directing sizzling air away from the rider. Ducts within the decrease cowl present cooling for the hybrid energy unit’s parts. The regenerative system recycles deceleration vitality again to the battery, contributing to an prolonged cruising vary.

Here are another bikes that have been simply launched and re-released.

KAWASAKI KLX230 SM

Kawasaki KLX®230 S
Color: Lime Green, Battle Gray
MSRP: $4,999
Availability: Now

Kawasaki KLX®230 S ABS
Color: Lime Green, Battle Gray
MSRP: $5,299
Availability: Now Kawasaki KLX®230SM ABS
Color: Battle Gray
MSRP: $5,599
Availability: Now

HONDA SCL500 “SCRAMBLER

Colors
Candy Orange
Matte Laurel Green Metallic
Matte Black Metallic
MSRP: $6,799
Available: April

HONDA CRF300L

Colors
CRF300L ABS: Red
CRF300L: Red
CRF300LS: Swift Gray
MSRP
CRF300L ABS: $5,749
CRF300L: $5,449
CRF300LS: $5,749
Available: April

HONDA CRF300L Rally

Color: Red
MSRP
CRF300L Rally ABS: $6,499
CRF300L Rally: $6,199
Available: April

HONDA XR650L

A bike of legendary standing, the XR650L continues to face the check of time, thanks partly to its easy, no-frills design and relentless dependability. Backed by an unbelievable document of success in Baja, this dual-sport icon has amassed a loyal following of lovers across the globe since its introduction in 1993. Not solely is it impressively succesful within the grime, it will probably additionally function an reasonably priced technique of transportation round city. The XR650L’s highly effective mixture of rugged versatility, rock-solid reliability and memorable worth have established it as a mainstay of Honda’s dual-sport lineup.

Color: White
MSRP: $6,999
Available: March

HONDA XR150L

Value-focused, but impressively versatile, the XR150L makes the dual-sport motorcycling expertise extra accessible than ever. With a budget-friendly price ticket, environment friendly gasoline economic system and approachable experience traits, this do-all machine is a succesful around-town commuter or campground companion. The XR150L is outfitted with handy options like a rear cargo rack and electrical starter, nevertheless it maintains the rugged simplicity for which the XR household of bikes is understood. Plus, with a variety of Honda Accessories out there, it may be simply tailored for varied driving experiences.

Colors
Black
White
MSRP: $3,099
Available: February

HONDA Trail 125

Colors: Turmeric Yellow
MSRP: $4,099
Available: March

MONTESA

Colors
Montesa Cota 4RT300RR: White; Red
Montesa Cota 4RT260R: Red
MSRP
Montesa Cota 4RT300RR: $11,899
Montesa Cota 4RT260R: $9,299
Available: February

LARS LARSON HONORED

Legends and Heroes, together with our spokesman Broc Glover, is proud to announce that we’ll honor Lars Larsson at spherical 2 of the Anaheim Supercross on January twenty seventh., 2024.
Lars Larsson is a pioneering motocross and off-road racer from Sweden who helped introduce motocross racing to America within the late Sixties. He was a number one International Six Day Trials/Enduro (ISDT/ISDE) rider in the course of the Sixties and Seventies. He earned a number of gold medals driving for the United States, Mexico and his native Sweden. Lars was additionally instrumental in organising the unique Husqvarna dealership community throughout America within the late 1960’s, And helped launch Torsten Hallman Original Racewear (THOR).

Lars was born in on July 5, 1941 in Stockholm, Sweden. His first race was in 1959 in a Swedish enduro, driving a Husqvarna 175. “The Husqvarna 175s were street bikes,” Lars recalled. “But we might convert them to off-road bikes by stripping them down and making them as mild as doable. Lars had develop into a number one rider when
the AMA instituted the Inter-AM motocross collection. In 1971, he gained 4 of the 5 Inter-AM 500cc non-national races on a particular Husqvarna racer constructed with a titanium body. His true forte grew to become off-road racing. He was a number one nationwide enduro rider by means of the Seventies and earned gold on the 1971 International Six Days Trials (later referred to as the International Six Day Enduro) in Czechoslovakia driving for the usA. Trophy squad.
By the late Seventies, Lars retired from racing professionally. During his profession he was a manufacturing unit rider for Husqvarna, Can-Am, Maico and Kawasaki. He continued to race on the novice degree and earned a World Vet Motocross Championship in 2001 on the age of 60. Now in 2024, Lars is 83 and nonetheless racing. Lars was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.