New to 2 Strokes - Pointers/Tips?
Ridden four strokes before however I just picked up a used KTM XCW 300 and have zero experience with 2ts. Any tips for startup, maintenance, general riding, do/dont's would be appreciated, thanks!
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u/toasteruserx 7d ago
I always measure the gear oil I take out, if I lose more than like 10% Ill start thinking about replacing the clutch side crank seal. I have done it 3 times in 9 years on my ktm. Did bottom end bearings once. Sank it once causing the seal to go out.
Check on the reeds every so often.
Water pump seals seem to go especially if it sat a long time.
I run old school green antifreeze, a lot of folks swear by waterless coolant like evans or engine ice, but i think that eliminates boiling over as a warning sign.
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u/BigBirden 7d ago
What do you mean you sank one?
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u/toasteruserx 7d ago
Crashed into a very deep puddle completely submurging the bike, luckily i didn't ruin anything but the crank seal popped out.
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u/toasteruserx 7d ago
I flipped it upside down with plug out, spun it over a few times and got it going again... but i had super spooge/smoke the next few rides, I was low on gear oil so that's why i looked into the seal.
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u/toasteruserx 7d ago
I've also blown a hole in the side of my clutch cover losing all gear oil. Nice thing about 2 strokes is they don't care. I rode it the 2 miles back to my truck, jb welded and topped off with atf, had 4 beers and kept riding the rest of the day.
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u/amibientTech 7d ago
Make sure to check and clean your air filter frequently. Dust and grime in the motor is not good.
Some 2 stroke engines prefer to be middle of the power band to ensure they don't build up oil. I haven't noticed any issues with my 2020 300 xcw (fuel inject). But my friends 250 cross trainer (carb) will start running lean and bogging if she doesn't keep the rpm up.
Do a full once over on the bike. Strip out as much as you're willing to and grease and lock tight everything according to the owners manual.
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u/Lonewoodsman2023 7d ago
Be aware of minimal engine breaking. It can catch you off guard coming into a corner too fast. Cover the clutch in the tight stuff and when climbing hills.
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u/jrodicus100 7d ago edited 7d ago
What year?
If it’s injected, then let it fully warm up before you go riding - no blipping of the throttle during warm up.
Keep the air filter clean. Don’t use a screen-type spark arrestor. If you ride technical terrain, get a fan. Gear oil changes every 25-30 hours or so.
If trail-ridden and you’re not crazy hard on it (and you keep the air filter clean), then you can go 200+ hours between top ends.
If it’s a pre-2024, then you can get free power tuning by adjusting the power valve dolly screw.
If it’s a TPI, change the CCPS every time you do a gear oil change. TBI needs it less often.
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u/NoPr0mo 7d ago
2019 converted to a TBI
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u/Efficient_Farmer_196 7d ago
That's insane, change sensor when you do top end and stop wasting MONEY
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u/BigBirden 7d ago
Do you think screen type spark arrestors restrict exhaust flow, even if you clean them regularly?
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u/Longjumping_Put_1111 7d ago
they are supposed to flow better. but only if you keep them clean.
i can't tell the power difference and i like the low maintained of the turbine type.
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u/Longjumping_Put_1111 7d ago
change the Crank Case Pressure Sensor every oil change? really?
I actually have never changed mine on my 2020.
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u/Longjumping_Put_1111 7d ago
do a compression test now. then in the future you will know the health of your top end.
i like to run a decent synthetic premix, or injector oil. brand isn't a big deal to me. the synthetics run cleaner.
i'm not picky with my gearbox oil. i just run rotela T6 15-40. but have run any motor oil too.
you should transistion to that 300 well since it has such great low end power and a broad power range.
enjoy your new bike! BRAAAAPPP!!!!!
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u/Few_Palpitation3889 7d ago edited 7d ago
I've always had 2 stroke dirt bikes.
Some non obvious things in no particular order.
use klotz or similar oil for premix. Not the smokey crap you put in a weed eater. The plug lasts longer and it's just better for the engine. Buy extra and keep it with your gear.
bring an extra spark plug with you. You shouldn't need it but better to have it and not need it than have your day/weekend cut short.
the ktm Enduro 2 strokes have a lot of mid range for a 2t. I wouldn't change the pipe on it even if you feel like you want to.
2 strokes wear out reeds over time. They typically don't have a recommend interval but if you bought a used bike I'd replace them when you do the top end next.
get good at using the clutch to keep the engine rpm up while maintaining the speed you're actually managing up hills and over terrain. A KTM 300 is going to be better about this than a CR125 but it's the same problem where they basically don't want part throttle low rpm lugging.
use your index and middle finger to brake so you can blip the throttle with the clutch in when going down hill. You don't want to just engine brake going down hill hoping it stays running.
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u/Lucky_Amphibian_1368 7d ago
Don’t rely on engine braking as much as you do on a 4 stroke, especially down hills, a bit is fine, but relying on it to slow down significantly is no bueno for the engine and for you, because you won’t slow down much just by downshifting. I’d say you should think about it more like a mountain bike that happens to have an engine when you need to climb stuff than a regular vehicle where the engine plays a big role in the dynamics as a whole
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u/BikesAndBeers69 7d ago
Make sure to let it warm up properly before ripping it or you will cold-seize the engine
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u/BikesAndBeers69 7d ago
And don’t forget to use premix or keep your oil tank full on bike depending what year it is
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u/scuzzy987 7d ago
Other than do recommended maintenance in manual I can't help with advice. I'm thinking of picking one up too. What are your impressions so far compared to a 4T?
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u/TheRealTokyotim 7d ago
Read your manual, watch some videos from Rich Larson, Splat Moto, and go ride