Enduro Bike Review: KTM 300 EXC TPI vs Husqvarna TE 300i
These fuel-injected two-stroke enduro bikes have a lot in common – but they aren’t the same.
Equally comfortable with tight trails and sport touring, the 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI and the 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i are some of the best 2-stroke enduros ever built. These fuel-injected two-strokes have a lot in common, but while they are priced equally and built in the same factory, they aren’t the same machines. In this short enduro bike review, we’ll look at the similarities and differences between these two enduro bikes before pondering the all-important question: which one should you buy?
Differences: 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI and 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i
Both the KTM and Husky favour the experienced rider on the street. When it comes to off-road riding, even though these enduros are better suited for trails than full-on dirt racing, their motocross heritage is unmistakable even at first glance.
Clad in the usual Husky colours of white, blue, and yellow, the 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i carries the distinguished look that Husqvarna is known for. By contrast, the 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI sports a bold colour palette that loyal members of Team Orange have come to love. Along with different plastics and a different fuel tank, the Husqvarna has a different seat that’s more prone to sliding the rider forward, something that can easily be remedied with aftermarket parts like a Gripper Seat Cover.
Beyond those inherent differences, everything else is basically the same – and that’s a good thing.
Similarities: World-Beating DNA
Both the 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI and 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i share a modern fuel-injected two-stroke engine with internal counterbalancing, making them smoother and more potent than the 300s of years past. Along with a revised starter location, the low-slung exhaust is now up and out of the way, addressing two major complaints from buyers of the previous year’s models. Other improvements for the 2019 model year include refreshed suspension and updated traction control systems to better cope with the demands of road riding.
In past model years, riders were forced to run a smaller pilot jet in the carb of the Husqvarna to attain the same performance levels found in the KTM. But because these two-strokes are now fuel injected – some of the first in the world – that’s no longer a requirement. As a result, both the KTM 300 EXC TPI and Husqvarna TE 300i will go farther on a tank of gas, while providing the sharp and consistent throttle response that’s long been a hallmark of four-stroke enduros.
Enduro Bike Review: Which One Should I Buy?
Compared to a four-stroke from Yamaha or Kawasaki, both the 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI and 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i can go faster with less effort. Power delivery is smoother than ever before, and the power itself seems endless. With their brilliant two-stroke engines now backed by modern fuel injection, these are two of the best enduro motorbikes on the market today – so which do you choose?
The real question is: what’s your favourite colour?
The 2019 KTM 300 EXC TPI and 2019 Husqvarna TE 300i have topped nearly every enduro bike review of 2019, and while they’re very similar, there are plenty of ways for you to set yours apart. AS3 Performance has produced top-quality aftermarket parts for KTM and Husqvarna motorbikes for decades. From basic bolt-ons like foot pegs and levers to advanced mods like radiator braces and oversized impeller kits, check out our selection of fine aftermarket parts for the Husqvarna TE 300 and KTM 300 EXC to add a custom touch to your bike.
