Inside Look At A Factory KTM 300SX

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Factory FMF KTM Off-Road 300SX

Photos by Trevor Hunter

It’s not often you get to see a factory off-road two-stroke in the pits these days, outside of an extreme enduro. As we rolled into beautiful Lake Havasu City, AZ, we were greeted with this more beautiful KTM 300SX prepared for Dante Oliveira by mechanic Bobby Dawson. This same bike was piloted by Ivan Ramirez at Red Bull Straight Rhythm, albeit a few changes were made to make it off-road race ready. It started life as a 2022 KTM 250SX, but a 300cc top-end was put on the bike to make it legal in the 251cc+ Open Pro class, plus the added displacement never hurts – especially on a track like Havasu.

Like his normal 450 XC-F factory bike, it features all the bits and pieces we’ve come to know on factory KTM’s like WP XACT Pro suspension components, KTM PowerParts triple clamps, works Brembo brakes, and more. In the end, Dante put it on top of the box, beating all of his usual competitors and had every fan cheering for the lone two-stroke. He claimed the only time he felt the bike was at a disadvantage was on corner entry where the lightweight two-stroke was skaty and danced a little compared to a heavier, planted four-stroke.

The Powercore 2 silencer graced the KTM rather than FMF’s signature Shorty. In case you were wondering, it sounded really good.
Dante opted for a MX33 rather than a MX12 or MX14 despite the deep, sandy conditions.
Interestingly, the KTM crew stuck with a Mikuni carb rather than swapping it for a Keihin, Lectron, or Smart Carb.
No factory KTM is complete without a signature orange Renthal chainwheel.
The Factory KTM squad has switched to Precision Racing Prodcts Steering Stabilizers in the last few years. Also to note, they are running 24mm offset clamps on this bike, as they do with his 450 XC-F.
Cone Valves on deck. They took his normal 450 GP settings and lightened them up a bit for the two-stroke.
XACT Pro shock out back.
Works Brembo calipers mated to a solid read disc is a signature KTM look.
Acerbis products are always on point. This little cutout to reach the power valve adjuster goes to show their attention to detail.
A FMF Factory Fatty with perfect jetting is a sight to see.
Yes please.

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