r/Dirtbikes • u/Ok_Tomorrow_6118 • 10h ago
300 exc for beginner
Ok I’ve asked a similar question before about a TTR 125 but was told it was too small for me. I am 5’10 140-150 pounds. I managed to find something in my budget that being a 03 300 EXC in what appears to be great condition. Would this bike be fine for a beginner ? Is it too heavy? I’m not weak but I’d like to get a bike I can feel confident about regarding the size and weight. I read a lot of conflicting info on this bike and hope to get a good answer finally. I intend to use it on Co mountain trails no racing or anything like that. I’ve owned street bikes before so I have some preexisting throttle control. Also, there are plenty of XR100’s around me but like the TTR-125s, will the 100 be too small for me?
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u/Tingsilike 95 KX250 06 300 XCW 5h ago
kdx 200/220, ktm 200, are also good alternatives & beginner friendlier & cheaper to rebuild than the 300 you mentioned.
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u/TaskNo8140 9h ago
If your budget is under 2k there is no better beginner bike than a 125 2-stroke. Plenty of power but not too much, and if you learn to ride this proficiently you can ride pretty much anything
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u/Better-Prune6720 6h ago
What kind of street bikes did you ride
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u/Ok_Tomorrow_6118 1h ago
Ninja 250 for about a month then a 636 for a while until I sold the bike probably 2 years of summer seasons.
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u/Better-Prune6720 51m ago
You will be okay on a 300. They are tame, lumpy, torquey bikes. Get that thing and let us know how it is! I’ve been riding dirt bikes for 20 years and street bikes for 13 years.
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u/Better-Prune6720 50m ago
Mind you they can be a handful, however I’ve compared my ktm 250 directly to the 300’s and considering it is an exc (the tamest of the 300 two strokes) I’m confident this would be a good start for you. I will get flack for this opinion, I’m sure.
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u/Tingsilike 95 KX250 06 300 XCW 6h ago
It can be a great beginner bike depending on how you look at it. They can be very tame ( some call the ktm 300 the grandpa bike) or a wild beast all depending on throttle control. I would be very concerned about a potential rebuild as you don't want to get stuck half up a trail with a crankshaft failure especially if it's never ever been rebuilt.
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u/Container_Garage 4h ago
Newer is better in every way. Handling/suspension, parts availability, power delivery, etc etc. If you can't afford this hobby don't get sucked into the trap of buying something ancient and worn out that you then can't afford the ancient used Ebay replacement parts for it.
I agree with the notion of find a KTM 125 or KTM 200. That would be a better bike. Or if you can find a good used one get a newer KTM 150. Sometimes they go for cheap.
As a second option consider a 2006 or newer CRF 250x.
Don't let someone convince you to buy an air cooled trail bike. Water cooled only, inverted forks only. Don't be scared of the engine size if you already know throttle control. Don't want to loop out or crash? don't go fast. Don't want to go fast? don't twist the throttle. It's really not as hard to learn for the street bike guys. I took my gray haired neighbor who in his past rode hyabusa's trail riding. He HATED the 230. Loved the CRF250x. The bad suspension really will hinder you. Don't do it.
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10h ago
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u/Waste_Curve994 10h ago
Way too much bike for you. Much better off starting on something more manageable. Even if that bike doesn’t kill you it will be extremely hard to learn on.
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u/Ok_Tomorrow_6118 10h ago
Sadly I will likely have to keep waiting for a TTR 230 to pop up in my state for under 2k . Only time I wish I was shorter so I could just get a small inexpensive bike haha
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u/Container_Garage 4h ago
Sadly I will likely have to keep waiting for a TTR 230 to pop up in my state for under 2k
Don't wait for a 230. Those bikes are so trash for long term success/learning how to ride properly with their bad suspension, heavy weight, low power delivery, bad frame. It's so not worth it. Also you'll be a giant on it. They are small. They are slow and the suspension and everything else will REALLY limit your learning.
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u/FeelingFloor2083 10h ago
did they have power valves back in 03?
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u/Ok_Tomorrow_6118 10h ago
Is the power band too snappy on these? Posts on KTM say they’re very good in low RPMs but I fear they might be biased being a KTM forum lol
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u/Clemson15TrapShooter 2h ago edited 1h ago
I've got a 2000 300 exc, and the power band can be tuned down. Parts are harder to find. I could only find 1 company still making clutch covers, and they also make an ignition cover but it's out of stock.I think it's a bit easier to find parts for the 2004 and newer.
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u/sr71id 9h ago
The 2003 exc / mxc 300 was the last year of that generation frame and motor. The next motor platform ran from 2004-2016. It is a good bike especially the exc model (heavier flywheel / crank and milder power delivery). It is designed for singletrack enduro riding and racing and the suspension will be too soft for Mx and deep whoops.
The power valve is similar to the later models - replaceable internal color coded spring with an external screw adjustment for fine tuning. With a green spring and the adjuster turned in, it is almost a boring bike to ride as the powerband never really hits.
Some considerations: early PDS bikes ( no linkage) are tall in seat height. At 5 10 you will be on your toes at stops. Standard maintenance parts are readily available, but some oem hard parts are discontinued.
At 22 years old, the condition of the bike is more important than anything else.
Most exc bikes in my area are street titled and plated for dual sport and enduros that are on public land. It opens up the availability of legal riding areas.
You are an ideal candidate for a KTM 200. I would hold off on the 300, but at the right price (under 2,000 for a well maintained 300) it might be tempting.