01 KTM 300 MXC Questions

[WOODSGUY]

I just took delivery of my almost new KTM 300 MXC. I was wondering if any of you guys could share some insight on the ins and outs of this bike, as far as anything I need to know such as set up or things to keep an eye out for(mechanically speeking).

Also the bike came with a NGK B8ES spark plug. In my CR 250 I ran a BR8ES plug. My question is I seem to remember a fellow at a Hare Scramble this year complaining that a plug for his bike, 01 250MXC, costs $10. The reason he said they are so expensive is because they had an Oring on them? My question is, would there be any harm in running a BR8ES plug? I have put about 40 miles on this bike and like I said it has a B8ES in it. I had forgotten about his comments until my buddy reminded me of it today. And what better place to ask than here.

So far this bike rips. I have owned and ridden two other bikes this year a 2000 CR 250 and most recently a WR400. Both good bikes but the overall package was not as nice as the KTM. Lightweight with smooth power. of course anything feels light after the WR400.

Thanks,
CarrolD

 

[ktmwes]

Originally posted by WOODSGUY


Also the bike came with a NGK B8ES spark plug. In my CR 250 I ran a BR8ES plug. My question is I seem to remember a fellow at a Hare Scramble this year complaining that a plug for his bike, 01 250MXC, costs $10. The reason he said they are so expensive is because they had an Oring on them? My question is, would there be any harm in running a BR8ES plug? I have put about 40 miles on this bike and like I said it has a B8ES in it. I had forgotten about his comments until my buddy reminded me of it today. And what better place to ask than here.

Thanks,
CarrolD

The original plug is a BR8ECM that is a little pricey but, if the jetting is in the ball park should give you good service life. The main difference between a BR8ECM and a BR8ES is the location of the ground electrode, its shorter/stronger/different location than the ES, secondary differences are the shorter overall height of the plug and yes the groove for the oring is in the right location to keep dirt out of the plug cavity. Will the ES work, you bet it will, however I'm very sure that KTM had a sound reason for specifing that plug. My bike gets the stock plug twice a year and I carry a ES for emergency's.

I still can not decide between a 2T or a 4T so I'm not letting go of my 300:)

Have a good one

Wes

 

[biglou]

Woodsguy: I run the BR8EV in my 250 MXC. You have to get the rubber boot that comes as stock on the 200's to replace the O-ring. This keeps crud from falling into the cylinder hole. Also, you can get the BR8EV from Autozone for about $3 each, NGK stock # is 3130. That said, before I bought my kTm, I was reading all the horror stories about fouling plugs and jetting woes. Let me tell you, after setting up the jetting and needle per some great advice here, I have fouled ZERO plugs and have had no jetting issues to date. (Now I've gone and jinxed myself!) I think ktmwes offers good advice. Get her set up properly to begin with, and you should have very little troubles. Good luck.

 

[Bob Brooks]

Woodsguy, congratulations on your purchase of a wonderful motorcycle! I have the same bike, and I'm very pleased with mine. I run a NGK BR8EV plug and have had no fouling issues. Mechanically, the bike has been bulletproof with no issues. However, they do vibrate quite a bit and fasteners will shake loose on these things. I recommend buying some loctite and using it on sprocket bolts, subframe bolts, the gearshift lever bolt, kickstarter bolt and anything else that might come loose.

 

[Strick]

Originally posted by BigLou
Woodsguy: I run the BR8ES in my 250 MXC. You have to get the rubber boot that comes as stock on the 200's to replace the O-ring.

You can also put on a second O-ring and accomplish the same thing as the rubber boot. I use both methods. Good Advice Big Lou.

 

[KDX220rm]

Hey Lou, that 3130 is the fine wire BR8EV, not the BR8ES which you can get for $1.25.

You need to use the resistor plug if you don't want to burn you your CDI unit which is big bucks.

And like Lou said, get that rubber bootie, it covers the longer neck plugs and keeps dirt out. I think they are only like $1.50 each.

 

[biglou]

Oops. My bad.

I must be running out of RAM in my brain. Posts have been corrected.
Hey, I KNOW I got that stock number right, though!:D

 

[Tyr]

The dealer I bought my 300 from was told by KTM that the shorter plug was only used because the shorter plug is easier to change in the tight space under the larger tanks. I always used a BR8EGV when I had mine.

 

[WOODSGUY]

Thanks for the info. I guess I am a little nervous about fouling a plug. I always put a new plug in before a race. This may be a little much but I have yet to foul a plug in anybike I have ever owned.

Ten bucks a plug though, I was thinking I may have to rethink my strategy. I will definately get a boot for a 200 and go that route. By rubber boot I assume you mean spark plug cap?

Also on the issue of resistor plugs versus non resistor plugs. I have always used resistor plugs but one day I borrowed a plug from a buddy, a B8ES, the next week while riding with my enduro computer it went crazy and displayed an interferance code. I swapped the plug and it solved the problem.

Again thanks for the help!

 

[Tyr]

The rubber boot isn`t the plug cap. For lack of a better description it is a small rubber piece umbrella shaped with a hole throught the center for the plug. It fits on the plug just above the threads and covers the pocket the plug sits in. My `96 KTM 360SX came stock with one , just have the dealer show you a parts blow up for that model and you will see what we are talking about.