tm300 (2003)

robrm250 · Mar 10, 2003

thinking of buying one. tell me what you think about overall performance/reliability. thanks a ton.

TM-Frank · Mar 10, 2003

Thank god, an interesting dirtbike question that I can answer to! I'm reading the war forum for a while now and nearly forgot what this site really is about! ;)

Ok, I have a '02 300 Enduro that varies from the '03 only in minor details. The engine seems well thought out to me, and is really reliable. There are some issues though:

Power hits hard and can make the bike difficult to ride in slippery conditions
It vibrates
On my bike the joint of the kickstarter was worn out within a year because the engine has really a lot of compression
Clutch pull is rather hard
When you are someone who misuses his clutch very often, you might get problems with warped steel plates. Can be solved by swapping to a set of (thicker) pre '99 steel plates and one less friction plate
In stock form the overall layout of the bike is a bit cramped for taller riders (over 1,75 meters). Higher seat foam helps a lot.

robrm250 · Mar 11, 2003

THANKS FOR THE INFO. I AM AN OCCASSIONAL RIDER. I'M AS INTERESTED IN TRICKNESS (OHLINS SUSPENSION, BILLET PARTS, ETC), AS PERFORMANCE. I SPEND MUCH MORE TIME CLEANIN', TINKERIN' AND DIALIN' THAN RIDING. IF I DO DECIDE TO BUY A TM, I CAN LIVE WITH A FEW IDIOSYNCRACIES THAT NEED TLC BUT I DON'T WANT OR NEED A MASSIVE MONEY PIT!!!! I HOPE FOR SOME OTHER FOLKS TO REPLY BECAUSE THE FIRST OF APRIL I'M HOOKIN' AND ROOSTIN'. MY NEXT TWO CHOICES ARE A YZ250 AND CRF 450. I KNOW THE CRF IS SWEET, ESPECIALLY FOR A 42 YEAR OLD THAT WILL BE MOSTLY PLAY RIDING, BUT I'M STILL OLD SCHOOL TWO STROKE LOYAL....TO AN EXTENT. I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE GAME FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. LAST TWO DIRT BIKES WERE A TRICKED OUT RM 500 AND PRIOR TO THAT A TRICKED OUT RM 400. OPEN BIKES RULE THE WORLD!!!THANKS A LOT AMA FOR KILLING THEM!

MikeS · Mar 11, 2003

The 03 has V force reeds that may be tweeked to help the hit along with a base gasket change. I rode a 01 that was nice. Vibration...a tad but I changed the bars and the hands felt much better. Reliable, Yes Money pit no way. Juniors 97 TM125e has needed alot less $$$ in 2 seasons than my 99 KTM300 that I do not race.

tm-enduro · Mar 11, 2003

TM-Frank is correct, the only real oddities of the TM are the vibration and the clutch. If you don't run ATF in the tranny the clutch will drag. Also the pull is stiff. Durability, there is none better!

Camstyn · Mar 12, 2003

I don't know if it makes a difference, but my 400 came with the Magura hydraulic clutch, and it's a lighter pull than my buddy's KTM 400SX with the same setup. It may be the Grimeca hydraulic setup that's giving it a stiffer pull.. The Magura juice clutch is an option now for the 2-strokes as an alternative to the Grimeca.

TM-Frank · Mar 13, 2003

@ Cam

The Magura unit comes with a 9.5 mm piston, while the Grimeca has a 10 mm piston. The TM slave piston has a 26 mm diameter. That gives the Magura combo the slightly different ratio of 2.74 compared to the 2.6 of the stock Grimeca combo. This reduces pull but also reduces the travel of the slave.

fury1 · Mar 13, 2003

if your looking for a great used 02 300 TM 4400.0 ridden very little,guy could probably ship it out to you,got to www.petescycleandsled.com ,it listed under used bikes,perfect shape

CMcCarthy · Mar 13, 2003

Rob,
I was just lusting after the TM300E in a magazine ad yesterday. They are definately super trick.. I hope I catch you at West Point or CMRA if you get one, I'd sure like to see it in person.
-Charles

tigerowner · Mar 17, 2003

I am looking at getting a leftover 01. Are there any issues with this year (other than vibration) and how easy is it to get parts? Are there any parts that are interchangable with the Japanese bikes? Any info is appreciated!

Camstyn · Mar 17, 2003

There's very little difference.. The front forks are Paioli, triple clamps are cast not billet, footpegs are narrower, and the front fender, number plate, and side panels are different. The '03 plastic bolts up fine, just reshaped.

CanAm1 · Mar 23, 2003

I have a 98 300E as well as a 125 MX I found on the Grimica they have a issue with making sure that they work right.The the 2 small ports in the clutch res are drilled this will cuase it to act like it has air.The Magura kit is $300 and works ok.Trans Oil should be changed every ride it is best to use 70 weight designed for 2 stokes,I was getting Clutch fade it makes a big difference

racer3 · Mar 24, 2003

if you're not commited to a TM, take a good look at Gas Gas's 300-available with ohlins forks(ohlins shock is std.). it's got a great hydraulic clutch-lighter pull than any magura,...great parts list goes on and on, and parts availability seems much easier,and cheaper, than TM. i've ridden one modified GG 300(developed by the GG nat'l race team) that pulls harder than my stock KX500!
they're definitely worth your consideration, jack.

Camstyn · Mar 25, 2003

racer3, just curious what your experience is with parts pricing/availability of TM's.. With my experience, I have to totally disagree with you.

MXP1MP · Mar 25, 2003

I haven't had any problems getting parts and I'm a new TM owner myself, prices seem to be right there with anything else. Who else here can say they can get a billet machined clutch basket for $70!! I found out from my local dealer that TM is doing some resructuring of its part dept. I heard one of the main people behind chapparel is taking over so parts should be even easier to get in the end I guess its like some joint partnership with them. I forget the exact details but thats what the letter stated they got a few weeks ago.
BTW I have a TM 85 MX which is one of the more rare models, 125's and 250's/300's are even easier.

hakim · Apr 10, 2003

I'm looking at either a 300 TM(can't decide between the mx or ex version) or a Service Honda 500AF. I'm curious what the 300 handles like, mainly will it turn or does it plow like an older KTM. Also, anyone have experience with the Ohlins equipped bikes? thanks

mark_england · Apr 11, 2003

if the tm300 is anything like the tm250 then it will turn on a penny.
ohlins is probably the best stock suspensionn there is.

for my money the gas gas is easier and nicer to ride but the build quality lets it down a little

the tm strikes meas being an out and out race bike which makes little consessions for such minor issues as gentle power bands and vibe free running.

its the kinda bike id love to think would be ideal for me,,,, but the reality is it TOO much of a race bike in its mannors

lauriektm · Mar 19, 2004

Have 03 TM300 has been set up from dealer for low to mid range mainly retard ignition and power valve slighty these changes are only slight but drastically changes manner of bike from sudden punch to tracable power delivery actually I basically ride in mid range most of time on tight tracks instead of over revving simply change up gear and most times will tractor along ok... clutch is light.... has husky plates from a 01 360wr I believe ...using tm springs in these plates I have totally stuffed my ring finger on left hand so it is critical clutch pull is easy. Overall bike feels very safe while riding ... always be balanced and pointed where you want to take your brain out and ride like a 125 as it will jusy launced away so is best of both worlds. But mostly these days I ride mid range and click up instead of revving out.
Cheers
Laurie

tm300 (2003)

robrm250

Sponsoring Member

TM-Frank

robrm250

Sponsoring Member

MikeS

tm-enduro

Camstyn

TM-Frank

fury1

CMcCarthy

tigerowner

Camstyn

CanAm1

racer3

Camstyn

MXP1MP

hakim

mark_england

lauriektm

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