Yes they do exist.  Picked mine up tonite and took it for a test spin..

Impressions? The suspension is excellent for me so far.  The Rear tire hooks up too much, and pulls the front end up.. The front tire seems to hunt a bit, but maybe because the rear is getting so much traction.. Tried both maps, really can't tell much difference yet.. How did I ever live w/o e-start?  I didn't ring it out  yet, just some easy riding and a few heat cycles.  Still have to mount a bunch of accessories.. The dealer mounted what he had so far and would install the rest as part of the deal, but I am not sure I want to load the bike up and take it back down there next week..

It feels so much different than my 06, it is gonna take a few rides to get comfortable on it.. And I can actually see the spark plug..  

I have the KTM map switch but am not sure which position is which..

Congrats!!!!!!! looks so good and please post pics when you have added all the accessories you have. again congrats!

zilla said:

I grabbed my skidplate on eBay.

I bought a Bauer switch and it is labeled high/low. I can really tell a difference! Glad I had it since my first ride was in the rain. I'd like to find a different place to locate it since it got switched twice on accident already.

Here are some other mods I did.

Congrats!

Did they change anything on the motor between 11' and 12'?  I went to the U.S. site and it didn't mention any changes, but I saw motor changes mentioned for models in other countries.  

IMO the map switch feels like the bike is running really rich on the soft map.

zilla said:

Maybe you didn't used to be an old weak pansy?  

Seriously, sweet bike. Have fun on it and figure out all the issues with the linkage before I get one.

So far I haver mounted my MAP switch, rad braces, handguards and SCOTTS steering stabilizer.  May get to ride abit more tonite.  The fork legs were at the highest point in the clamps, I lowered them to flush.  Still have the yellow spring in the PV.  Will change to red but after I finish break in..

Please let me know soon how it rides after break in. Mine isn't coming in until end of month and the dealer is trying to get me to buy an XC-W which will be in at the end of this week. This is my first Ktm and I want to make sure I get the right bike for the money. Thanks

Took a spin tonite.. Much better. Still using the soft map setting..   Truthfully I tried the agressive setting a few times and can really tell no difference yet.  The front feels more planted now and if you ride agressively it works like it should.  get a bit lazy and the front end starts to hunt.. I came home down a 2-trak and found that this bike rails turns.. Just use ample throttle and lean er over.. I am starting to get very comfortable on this bike. The only other change I made was to rotate the bars back just a bit..  

One downer though, I wanted to drain the fuel from the dealer out and fill up with my premix.  I ruined the fuel line getting it off of the carb.. I had a piece of clear line here that I installed, but the stock line and clip just would not come off.  The carb spigot is too close to the bowl and jams the fuel line clip there..  Bummer..  I'll get another OEM hose and leave teh clips off.

I still need to redo the tranny vent before it plugs up, and hopefully the rest of my accessories will arrive tomorrow. Otherwise I am riding again Saturday with a few buds.

Personally I would wait for the XC.. The suspension is great.  And this bike has a ton of lowend.

Congrats on the new toy zilla!  I am about 3-4 years behind you guys on the new ones.    envious, I am .

Either bike is GREAT!

Yeah, the XC does look like THE bike! congrats Z on the excellent bike.

Joe

Third ride today..  I took the 3hunee out on one of my fav trals with my bud Carl.. All I can say is that the more I ride this bike the better I like it.. Finally noticed a difference in the MAP switch..   I rode most of the day in aggressive mode, then we got into some  very tight cedars..  I switched the mode to passive and tried it out..  IMO this made the bike very electric..  Once out in the open I could really tell after riding in the agressive mode most of the day.. And this bike corners like a snake in a rat hole.. The six speed is perfect.. It is seamless from gear to gear.. And this motor  pulls from idle on up.. Excellent low end..

Got my new 2012 300 XC after a series of XC-W's.  So far I agree with everything Zilla says about the bike, especially the power and handling, except I still can't tell the difference b/w the soft and aggressive ignition modes.  But then I couldn't with my '10 either.

If you get the E Line carbon skid plate, be prepared for a hassle.  The front bolt goes pretty easily into the capture nut, but good luck getting the two rear frame hooks in place and then the bolts threaded.  It's a two beer, multiple curse word job.  Nothing like the pre-2011 frames where you just attached the plate to frame holes, after removing the plastic inserts.  On my '12 there are no frame holes, thus the mounting options may be the same for other skid plate vendors.

Stock pipe is a little smaller than the '10 and '08.  Looks more like a snake than a fatty pipe.  Maybe I'll actually miss some rocks next season.

I'm crazy about the sound of the stock silencer.  Wish it had a spark arrestor, so will probably be going to the FMF Q Stealth.

Jim,

Have you changed your transmission fluid yet?  It's always been 700cc for me for as long as I can remember,but the new manual says 0.8 liters for 25/300 XC's???

Not yet..  But my 06 and 98 took like 700cc as I recall.  One more rode and then I'll change it..

I changed my oil after the first ride on my 12' 250SX.  The magnetic bolt had a few shavings that I would want out immediately.

I'm crazy about the sound of the stock silencer.  Wish it had a spark arrestor, so will probably be going to the FMF Q Stealth.[/QUOTE]

Check out the Enduro Engineering spark arrester cap. I have one on my 11 300 its a nice piece!

llamaface said:

When your bike stalls with the kickstart on the upside of the hill, you will realize that e-start is the best thing ever.

Just got a 2012 300 xc yesterday and was wondering if it is in aggressive mode right out of the box??? i all ready put the red spring in it.

Edited by RichardY, 11 September 2011 - 07:53 PM.

They usually come in agressive mode but i would pull the tank and verify it.

Joe