1996 KTM300exc

Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
like?

Craig - idiot

On Nov 28, 12:48 pm, Craig <googlegroupm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
> through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
> idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
> like?
>
> Craig - idiot

I had a 360 and got rid of it within a couple of years. When it ran,
it was a great bike. The worst problems I had were leaky fork seals,
the brake pedal snapped in half at the pivot for no apparent reason,
and the planetary water pump drive gear broke into several pieces
inside of the case. ALL of the nuts and bolts would come loose if you
didn't check them after every ride.
I got sick of it and bought a Honda, but for $500ish, and if it runs
good, I don't think you can go wrong.
Dennis

I believe Tim H. would be an excellent source for information on this
bike as (I believe) this is the year and model (purple fork boots,
white plastic, purple graphics?) he rode MANY miles over MANY years
('96-'04 I believe).

The only substantive issue I recall was that it has an overheating
issue. Even without radiator guards it'll spew coolant when it
shouldn't.

-Joe

"Whelan - '02 200exc (x2) & '04 MTD 38" <yosef@sisna.com> wrote in message
news:8feaa7b4-7b18-4bc3-9830-cdb3ed4b5533@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>I believe Tim H. would be an excellent source for information on this
> bike as (I believe) this is the year and model (purple fork boots,
> white plastic, purple graphics?) he rode MANY miles over MANY years
> ('96-'04 I believe).
>
> The only substantive issue I recall was that it has an overheating
> issue. Even without radiator guards it'll spew coolant when it
> shouldn't.

Also watch for older KTMs eating their water pump housing thru electrolosis.
They may have fixed it by that year. Epoxy coating the inside of the
housing was a common fix if you caught it before it got too far.

-Jeff-

On Nov 28, 5:00 pm, "Jeff Deeney" <jeff.nospam.dee...@hp.com> wrote:

> Also watch for older KTMs eating their water pump housing thru electrolosis.
> They may have fixed it by that year. Epoxy coating the inside of the
> housing was a common fix if you caught it before it got too far.

My '89 KTM250 did this. I'd forgotten about it 'til now.

I blinked and missed the '96. Probably for the best...

Craig

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:47:08 -0800 (PST), "Whelan - '02 200exc (x2) &
'04 MTD 38" <yosef@sisna.com> wrote:

>I believe Tim H. would be an excellent source for information on this
>bike as (I believe) this is the year and model (purple fork boots,
>white plastic, purple graphics?) he rode MANY miles over MANY years
>('96-'04 I believe).
>
>The only substantive issue I recall was that it has an overheating
>issue. Even without radiator guards it'll spew coolant when it
>shouldn't.

IMO, that was at least partly caused by a combination of large fork
boots (conventional forks) blocking flow, narrow and "turned in" rad
shrouds and the fact the right side rad hose exits the rad in a 90*
downturn, effectively blocking air flow through the too small hole in
the shroud.

The partial fix was to add spacers to the rads and remove the fork
boots.

>-Joe

DJ

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:48:41 -0800 (PST), Craig
<googlegroupmail@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
>through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
>idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
>like?

Give Murray a call at MotoSports, he'll be able to advise you on parts
availability:

(800) 203-2353 on his dime or

(208) 375-5660 on yours

>Craig - idiot

DJ

On Nov 28, 3:48 pm, Craig <googlegroupm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
> through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
> idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
> like?
>
> Craig - idiot

I have heard a lot of stories about pre-1999 KTM's - none were good
stories.

On Nov 29, 4:23 am, edi...@mxnewsfeed.com wrote:
> On Nov 28, 3:48 pm, Craig <googlegroupm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
> > through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
> > idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
> > like?
>
> > Craig - idiot
>
> I have heard a lot of stories about pre-1999 KTM's - none were good
> stories.

To clarify:

Leaky master cylinders
Broken shocks
Crap rear brakes
Slow steering

On Nov 29, 3:00 am, edi...@mxnewsfeed.com wrote:
> On Nov 29, 4:23 am, edi...@mxnewsfeed.com wrote:
>
> > On Nov 28, 3:48 pm, Craig <googlegroupm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > Suppose a decent looking/running one with limited history (passed
> > > through a bunch of owners) popped up for $500ish... would one be an
> > > idiot to buy it? What's the parts situation for the mid-90's KTMs
> > > like?
>
> > > Craig - idiot

Mine was actually a '95, but my old 300EX/C was a great bike that I
rode the hell out of for 9 full years. I loved it.

> > I have heard a lot of stories about pre-1999 KTM's - none were good
> > stories.

I've heard bad stories about almost every make and model of dirt bike
ever made.

> To clarify:
>
> Leaky master cylinders

In just shy of 10 years, I've never had to even put a rebuild kit in
one of my KTM master cylinders. Took them apart, cleaned them up, put
them back together every few years. Haven't worn out so much as a
seal.

> Broken shocks

I've never even heard of this happening.

> Crap rear brakes

?????
My KTM has great brakes. Both ends.

> Slow steering

If you are willing to move your ass on the seat, you can corner the
KTMs just fine. It's no RM125, but it's very stable, predictable, and
holds a line pretty well. It could use more steering stop angle, but
that's pretty common on water cooled bikes from what I've seen.

The overheating problems are irritating, but may well not be an issue
for you back there. The only time I had problems with it was on long
climbs in our little western mountains. It also seemed to be pretty
jetting-dependent. If you ride he same area most of the time and get
it set up for that, you proably won't have much trouble with it. If
memory serves, the '96 has larger water jackets that the '95. too. I
know for sure that they use a different cylinder and piston (the '95
piston is unique to that year only, and there is NO aftermarket piston
made for it. That is not the case with the '96 and on.

In 10 years I replaced fork seals once. Those big, ugly accordion fork
boots probably do affect cooling a little bit, but are wonderful for
fork seals.

If the '96 is in decent condition I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for
$500 if you're looking for a ride.

Tim H
Satisfied old KTM customer