dan williams Posted July 28, 2014 Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 Finally got to try out my buddy's 300 Factory today. Good god is that a pretty machine in person! I figured it would be a beast of a motor. Man, did I have it wrong. What a sweet,tractable motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted July 28, 2014 Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 Yeah Dan your right, it is real nice and smooth. Plus it is a beautiful bike. Perfect for me! However for others (like my kid) it has left them wanting more. We're going to start off with a thinner base gasket, a 2013 pipe and some reeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesolidman1 Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Would you guys say it is different, and easier to ride than the previous 300's? I rode a '12 300 and thought it was a bit much for me, currently on a '13 250. Curious if the '14 Factory is a different animal... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffergm Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 I take it the 300 Factory motor is actually different from the standard 300? I'd assumed it was basically the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthomastx Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Yeah Dan your right, it is real nice and smooth. Plus it is a beautiful bike. Perfect for me! However for others (like my kid) it has left them wanting more. We're going to start off with a thinner base gasket, a 2013 pipe and some reeds. That last sentence sure comes as welcome news Dan! I'm supposed to receive a 2014 300 Factory this Thursday or Friday. This will be my first trials bike and, yes, I realize it's extreme overkill for a trials novice! I would have been happy starting out with the 200 but could not find one new or used. The few used bikes that have popped up on Craigslist in the last couple months have been a late model GasGas 125 for $6K, a couple TY basket cases, an '12 Ossa for $5K, etc. I ride a KTM 150 XC & Husqvarna TXC310R presently and when I went to KTMTalk in frustration to ask for suggestions a KTM and new Beta dealer in Wisconsin offered to sell me his 300 Factory demo unit for $7,200 OTD with shipping to Texas included. It's supposed to have approximately 3 easy hours on it from being ridden behind his shop. From the pictures sent it looks mint except for a barely perceptible 3/8" scratch on the top on the silencer (which he disclosed verbally and followed up with multiple pictures to make sure I'm aware of it). I was pleasantly surprised to discover there's a trials association in my area, NTTA. I have reached out to them and they seem only too happy to help me learn the ropes. I'm also thankful to have Trails Central as a resource to learn more about my bike and trials skills in general. Lastly I must comment on how impressed I've been with the trials community in general. Everyone I have spoke to over the last couple of months has bent over backwards to be helpful and welcome me to the sport. Most refreshingly their passions seem squarely focused on the comradery and the sport itself rather than on what brand of bike one rides or other inconsequential matters. Sadly that mindset is rather uncommon today when it comes to other two-wheeled motor sports or endeavours. So as an outsider for at least a couple more days couple days, I big tip of my full-face Shoei MX helmet to the trials community for all the help I've received (proper trials helmet is on order). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mags Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) Thomas, Man! Do you have some fun times ahead!!! We started in Jan this year and there is no looking back! Throughly enjoyable and has everything, balance, a bit of fitness, teaching the brain to make new pathways, good old fashioned fun and new friends that feel the same! Mark my words... if the bug bites (and if you ride already it surely will) a weird thing will happen.... as you go to work or drive the car or just see a set of steps or hill in the distance... you will say to yourself "I wonder if I could get up that or there is a great trials obstacle!" I don't know why more people don't do it... best kept secret in the motorcycling world! Don't forget when the bike is at home and stationary you can always practice your static skills, doesn't even use fuel up!! We static inside the house!!! Hehehehe I have a few other rides as well! For the trails... WR250R, XT250, TU250, TT125R (kids), Victory Jackpot and now the trials bikes. Mags Edited July 29, 2014 by mags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted July 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Overkill? Hell yes! Awesome bike to start out with? OH YEAH! Congratulations. The new bikes have different ignition systems with the stator on the cover meaning a smaller internal rotor. I believe the crank wheels were modified to provide more rotating mass. I'm not sure how that affected the charge handling in the crankcase. The factory bikes also have a different exhaust system. Compared to my 2013 standard 300 the 2014 Factory 300 felt lighter and softer off the bottom of the throttle without the hit on the top that my bike had before I changed to the low compression head. Just like my bike there is torque available right off idle. I think the only change I'd make on the bike I rode would be to turn up the idle. It's that good. Oh yeah, the clutch was perfect. Unfortunately the weather didn't allow for anything more than a brief ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) The only thing I would add is that the bikes do rev out really well if you need it to. Also Cody Webb won both days of the TN. National on a totally stock bike (other than jetting and tires) so they are more than capable for anybody. Edited July 31, 2014 by sirhc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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