2003 KTM reviews

The 2004 KTM 200 EXC bike is very quick, very forgiving. I have no complaints. I had the seat shaved. I also bought a few aftermarket parts as I purchased it used. I love my KTM, it has handled with ease every hill, jump and trail I drove on. It has plenty of power and control. It lugs in 3rd just fine if need be. I'm very happy and already considering a 2nd KTM 150SX so I can have another toy. Show less

It's an all-around good bike. The powerband dosent last as long as a CR but she rips. Show less

8 yrs and still runs like it's brand new..fast bike and great on trails. Love it! Show less

THIS BIKE IS AMAZING! I BOUGHT THIS USED AND HAVE RIDDEN IT HARD EVER SINCE. ONLY DRAW BACK WAS THE LOWER BEARING ON THE CONNECTOR ROD SEIZED AFTER 4 YEARS OF RIDING. WITH THAT FIXED THE BIKE WAS AWESOME. I RIDE THE WOODS AND HAVE WON MANY ENDUROS. I BEAT ALL THE KIDS WITH THE BIG HEAVY 4 STROKES. THIS IS A GREAT BIKE! Show less

I just bought a 2003 KTM 300e/xc and I have to say, quite a nice mount. I admit my addiction to 2 stroke engines, and have owned mostly 250 MXers my whole life. I ride predominantly eastern style trails, tight and windy, not a 250 MXer's forte. I wanted something more woodsy. I figured the 300e/xc, having a heavier flywheel and wide ratio gearbox and 50 extra CCs would be a wise choice. It's actually perfect, and makes you ponder why every 250 CC enduro bike produced throughout the years wasn't just bumped up to a 300. From the minute you begin to inspect it visually, you notice the great workmanship when compared with the Japanese bikes. Almost like a BMW to a Chevy. The bike, when in great condition, is a visually appealing sight. Your buddies will have no problem noticing you are on a KTM. Before you get on the bike, your expectations of the performance can't possibly match the bike's asthetic look, how wrong you are. This bike is a racer. Plain and simple. If your highly skilled rider, I don't believe you could go faster in the woods on any other mount. The power is delivered almost perfectly throughout the entire powerband, with enough low end to pull a car. This type of power is great in the east, where rocks dot every curving hill, and roots soon follow. Open the throttle up and the bike sings. You suddenly remember you're on a 300. Although the bike has a very smooth power delivery, similar to a 4 stroke in some aspects, it will quickly remind you that it is a 300 2 stroke, and given the chance, could get you into some trouble ripping from one corner to another on short trails. This is where the 300's amazing braking system comes into play. Not to be outdone by the 300's silky engine performance are it's mean and sometimes tempermental brakes. These things will bring you to a stop in a jiffy. Also, having sloppy fingers around the front brake, or a happy foot with the rear brake will sometimes have you stopping when you don't want to. Bottom line, these are some of the best brakes I've ever used, and would make a highly skilled rider even faster. Gearing is pretty good. I did find the upper gears a bit too tall for my type of riding, and appreciated the brakes even more when I stretched her legs. For my type of riding, gearing down would go a long way. First and second gear were spot on, after 3rd, things would start moving pretty quickly. You can always fall back on the brakes. They actually give you the confidence to try to pull a taller gear into a corner. I can't quite comment much on the suspension. don't get me wrong, my bike is suspended exceedingly well, but the suspension system was rebuilt by Factory Connection (third bike I've owned with Factory Connection, in my opnion, they are the best). The WP forks and shock are top of the line in workmanship, much like the rest of the bike. My experience with KTM suspension in the past is that they are hit or miss. In the past, their enduro bikes are very well suspended, and their MX bikes are sometimes suspect. don't ask why cause I don't know. I'm sure the stock components on the 300 are up to any task, after all, the bike is race ready right out of the box. Ergonomics are perfect, especially for a shorter rider such as myself. The bike seems, and actually is very slim. It's also a very light bike, and feels every bit as light as the dry weight claims (235-240 lbs). By far the lightest when compared to any 250 2 stroke enduro, and this thing is a 300. All in all, this is hands down the best bike I've ever had the pleasure to ride. The 300 CCs of power is perfect. Perfectly smooth, and perfectly capable of pulling like an MX 250, without the constant wear and tear your body feels when riding a 250. This is a fast bike, but capable of going whatever pace you like. You don't have to ride like a nut to go fast. With all the pros and lack of cons, this bike makes most of the speed you need, you just have to point it in the right direction, and when you get used to the super-strong brakes, you'll find yourself smoking your buddies without even knowing you're doing it. This thing is so much fun to ride...anywhere. Throw in a huge KTM Hard Equipment catalog, and you'll find yourself in rider's bliss, with an endless universe of components to trick your cycle out. My suggestion is...If you ride 250 MXers on trails, give in and buy a 300e/xc (I heard the '04 is worlds better, if that's possible). You will, in no way, be disappointed. Unless, of course, Halloween orange and black aren't your thing!! Show less

This bike is a beast! If you're not good at riding and not comfotable on a big bike, don't get it because it will handle you and you'll get hurt. I've been racing for at least 5 years and it's a lot! Show less

I own a KTM SX 65 and I must say this bike hauls. I have beat many 125B riders and a 250B rider. The only thing I don't like about this bike is when I do the 120ft tripples, if I don't land right, I crack a rim. In two race seasons, I have had a new clutch, two rims, a pair of handle bars, three sets of tires, and a kick start assembly. The only factory defects are the bolts that holds the clutch basket in place and the tires are way too soft to ride on any dirt that isn't tilled up. But all together, I have won the Illinois Super Series 65cc Senior, LTM Track Championship 65cc Senior and was fifth in points in the state of Illinois. Even though I am too old to race 65's, I still love going to the track and wooping up on 85's, 125's, 250's and even a KTM 300. Show less

This bike is my first motocrosser. Although I don't have that much time in on this bike, it still is a wicked fast bike. Jumping is easier than I ever thought with this bike. I'm a fairly novice rider but this thing has enough torque to pull itself to its powerband and it hauls once your on the pipe. I got this bike used but in brand new shape. I have had no trouble with this bike with the little time I have spent on this bike. Way to go KTM. Show less

This bike is a rocket! It has more acceration than any other 65 out there! This bike just shoots out of the starting gate! The suspension travel on it is awsome! It'll beat any KX or RM. The seat is a little hard for hare scrambles, but who cares? Everything is made of aluminum, so it's light, but the stuff breaks a lot. I've already broke the clutch twice and the gear oil screw snaped in half. But overall, this bike kicks butt! Show less

Just moved up from a KDX 200 that I really liked. But My son got a KTM 125 EXC and one day I rode it up a rocky hill helping him. Wow, it just crawled up the almost rock hill. Impressed, I found a used 2003 KTM EXC 200 on ebay and went for it. What a difference. Where I would of been down in the woods on some bad situations with my KDX, the KTM just brought me through them like nothing. Power is there, low end is there. Wonderful woods bike. Still making friends with it. I am an old guy, age 52, and the bike is easy to handle and the weight issue is great. Love it. Show less