Mountain biking, skiing, sledding, dirt biking, fishing and a smattering of hunting with my sidekick Tucker - the fastest trail dog in the world. I neurotically obsess about gear, write and produce videos for other publications as well, this is where all my B-Roll or Freelance stuff that has no home ends up. The more subscribers I get the more I can do! Based out of Jackson, WY.
Really dig your review. Just built up a Spur frame and its biggest plus is how this bike corners - wow. I’m liking the bike so much I’m considering a Smuggler to replace my well worn Trance. I’d hope it also has that magic cornering ability but just with more suspension. The Spur can get a bit chattery in the chop.
Happy owner of the smuggler here, considering overforking it. Did you end up trying to run it with a 150 or 160 fork? Do you have thoughts? (Thanks for the amazing review, definitely helped me when I was shopping for this bike)
I ran a 160mm fork. It rode totally fine and wouldn't hesitate to do it again, but its not for everyone. You do shorten the reach, slacken the HTA and raise the BB. Is it enough to matter? Probably not, but its worth noting.
Love the Reserve 30HDs on my Bronson. They were a £600 upgrade over stock when I bought it and they’re incredible. I started breaking spokes a few months in and not only did Reserve send me a new wheel within 24hrs but upgraded the hub to a Hydra free of charge. So impressed with both performance and warranty that I’ve specced the 30/31 E-MX wheelset on the Heckler that I’ve just ordered.
Literally amazing review, you killed it brother! just got into riding again, bought a gasgas 250 and im leaning more towards enduro! you're killer on bikes man i would love to ride like this
I'm a dirt bike SNOB and know a ton about mechanics...that was the best review I have ever seen on RU-vid...well thought out/ explained. WELL DONE MY MAN!!
Hey buddy great review! But I must say I’m surprised with your choice of the cross country version for the type of riding you do. I would think that you would just go with the TE or XC-W platform seems like that would alleviate a lot of the issues you were having with your TX. Is there any particular reason that you chose the cross country version over the other?
Yes! Simply, the XC-W and TE were not out in TBI configuration at the point I purchased this bike. That said, I'm still not sure I'd go TE or XC-W due to the way the motor has been detuned (but I'd likely try it). Unlike the past, the transmission is the same on the TX as it is TE, too. With the way my bike is setup, its really not too different than the TE...
@jeffreyJim09 is the Kuluar 12 the move for driving sporty powder skis ? I’m roughly your weight and ski a similar style so very interested to hear your thoughts!
Good review my friend. Great riding shots as well as all of the different terrain. Subbed. Good luck on the job search. I’m looking at the 24 xc or tx and I’m going to be 60 in March. I’ll never quit the moto ❤, even after the broken femur😂
sounds like an xcw is a better bike for you, tune susp, and can put a head plus ECU to get some ponies back.....I am getting back into riding after 10 years and contemplating xc or xcw......rode mx my whole life and shooting for offroad weekend trips now.....we have more high speed dez but there are some trails.....decisions decisions though about the Beta too but parts are easier for KTMs
You are likely right. That said, the XC-W wasn't out when I bought this. To add, the W supposedly has a steeper HTA from those who have ridden it, which I'm not so sure about (both if its true and if I'd like that). The TE is likely what I'd buy if I were to do it again. To add, I don't need all the power, just the right kind of power.
6 месяцев назад
What were you running for a spark arrestor? Thanks
Picking up a 23 khaos boost this weekend, pretty pumped coming off my axys 800 silber setup with just over 4100 miles. Hopefully we can come up with a maintenance schedule to keep these things running.
Had my 23 tx for a while now and wanted to know if u have that little low rpm miss. Its not a huge deal, but it runs perfectly for the first hour or so then loses that immediate throttle response. Bit of a pain when u wanna give it a little blip to raise the front wheel over something Is it a fuel ratio issue, as in, is it getting richer as the bike and air heats? Can that be adjusted? or is it electrical??
voltage regulator !!! i work for a husqy dealer and you wouldnt believe but from our inside source, he said to replace regualtor (gncc mechanic) and just like that fixed that bike... Customer couldnt start bike for 30-40 seconds after he would start.
I bought this bike off of this review as i found the only thing im good at in mtb is going fast. Love it. Bike smashes all my local dh tracks at mach 10.
Hey Jeff, post some more sledding videos this winter I love watching you ride your a ripper! Do you still have the turbo kitty? If so how’s durability?
This is an outstanding and very thorough review. I’m deciding between the 23 TX300 and a 23 GG EX300. You seemed to really enjoy the 21 GG in your long term review. I ride mostly tight single track in central OR and am coming off a 2008 CRF250, so either bike will be a massive upgrade. Both bikes are on sale with the husky costing $500 more. Do you have any input on one vs the other?
I'm 155lbs, ride a Nukeproof Mega (160mm rear travel) and run 22psi in the rear. I have the HD version of the Reserve 30s and broke the rear wheel within 30 days of buying it on a non-burly section of trail (nothing like the Danny Mac video) I regularly ride. Note, I broke an ENVE AM30 on a burly section of the same trail. Reserve warrantied the rim in 2 weeks, but I had to pay my local bike shop to re-lace it. I love the wheels, but they aren't as durable as I had expected/hoped. I've beat the hell out of a set of Revel RW30s with no issue. Take it FWIW as anecdotes of one person, but the Revels are the only carbon wheels I've ridden in the last year that haven't broken.
Charlie Murray from the specialized team did some testing back to back on this vs the enduro on his yt channel, turns out he was faster on the stumpy for most sections
Good catch! Though this isn't a rookie thing, this is a Jeff thing. I have raced mountain bikes at the pro level for over 20 years, and sometimes (rarely) ride without gloves. I like it. Other WC pros, like sam blenkinsop also go gloveless at times. I even carry chalk with me for when I want to do this. ...just don't crash.
@@JeffreyJim09 Lol, of course you like it. You have to fight the urge to be lazy and convenient, dress for the slide because it happens when you least expect it.
Yeah now I debating if I want a s2 or s3 @ 5'7. I ride a medium stumo comp carbon but feel it's big at times on xc. But I want to get an evo for park rides. 🤔🤔🤔