After riding only 2-strokes for decades, I finally rode a 4-stroke. For reference, KTM 250 2-stroke to a 350 4-stroke. The following points were immediately noticeable on the 4-stroke : 1) It seemed to be glued to the ground, very confidence inspiring (both bikes had off-the-showroom suspension settings). 2) Massive engine braking almost threw me over the handlebars a few times early on. 3) It does stall a lot easier than a 2-stroke. Clutch usage solves that completely though, took 2-3 rides and figured it out, never stalled after that. 4) A surprising amount of heat comes out of the engine and radiator area into the inside of your thighs. Quite unpleasant in the summer 🥵 … rather nice in the winter.
@@BindairDundat all great and valid points. The Vortex ECU helped eliminate a lot of the engine braking, and also decreased it wanting to flame out. Thanks for the feedback
Man, you can ride those trails even on a Goldwing. The main problem with a 4-storke is its compression. You have to drop it into the 1-st gear in a technical section. Otherwise, it keeps stalling pressing against that compression. A 2-stroke has a lower compression and can easily lug in the lowest RPMs even in 2nd gear without any stalling. Another problem is the engine braking. Good on WOT and SX tracks where you know when to brake. Bad on tight single tracks where you can't see more than 20-30 feet ahead. Every time you close/open the throttle in 1st/2nd gear the engine kicks you forward/back and throws you off balance. Takes much more energy to maintain a neutral standing position. That 450, you are hesitating to open the throttle and keep it at 2-5k RPM all the time. A correct way to ride a 4-stroke is to pin it all the way to the top. A good trail 250 4-stroke allows you to put it into 1st/2nd gear and rev it from 2k to 14k RPM without any problems. A 450 SX at 10k RPM in 2nd gear will most likely rip your hands off and get you straight into ER.
You are half correct. 2 strokes have just as much compression as 4 strokes. The reason they stall when you lug them is because 4 strokes only fire half as often as 2 strokes. As long as the 2 stroke piston can make its way back to the top of the cylinder, it’ll fire again. If you lug a 4 stroke too low and it happens to be on the exhaust stroke, it’ll stall.
2 strokes are better for real enduro riding because you can lug them in obstacles and they won’t flame out or stall in the most inconvenient moments like 4 strokes will. If all you’re doing is riding easy, flowy trails like these then it doesn’t matter if you have a top of the line 2 stroke or a TTR-125, it’ll be fine either way. The 2 strokes shine in the tough stuff and that’s why the pro’s use them.
😂 4. Strokes are big fat heavy pigs and their deceleration uses that momentum to an advantage; Two strokes can't touch... Two strokes are lights and nimble and carry their momentum with less wear on the operator always... While making more power to wait and available torque compared to their mass...
@@franex932 the original maps 1 and 2 are always still in the Power Tuner app, but you can always add a map and then customize it, or download a map like the Magic Map or TP3 that someone else has already created.
I go back and forth on this quite a bit, between a 450 and 300. I think I’m more comfortable on the 450 but there are sometimes I prefer the 300 if it’s really technical.
I bet if they made an enduro specific 450 there wouldnt be need for 300's. I mean, people are using motocross gearing 450's and still liking them. Meanwhile the 300 is already made enduro in mind at the factory. Shorter 1st gear than motocross and heavier flywheel, crank, retarded timing etc.
@@eamh2002WR450 is an enduro specific 450, so is the KTM 450exc. They’ve been making them for 20+ years. I’d take my KTM 200 over either one any day in the woods, I’ve owned all three.
I got everything set - wanted tire pressure on the right side. I turn the truck off, back on and it’s still tire pressure. 30 minutes later, it has switched to Trip B. Keeps happening to me! Help!
@@donnamoore1891 I’ve had a viewer say that he talked with Toyota, and it’s not supposed to do that. Supposedly there’s an over the air update coming, but no ETA on when that will happen. It’s supposed to allow you to keep the tire pressure in the instrument cluster where it’s visible all the time. I’m waiting patiently to see if it actually happens.
@@Rodneysnwridesandreviews You are so kind to respond! If you hear of that happening, I would love to know. I kept thinking I was the problem! The one thing my husband wanted in the instrument cluster and there’s a glitch! Thank you so much for all your wonderful help with this new truck.
Thank you for this!!!! I was going nuts trying to figure it out on my own. However, customizing the left and right sides of the cluster won’t stay in those positions. I thought I had them locked in with the OK button. Frustrating!
I’ve taken my issue up with the rock chips with Toyota still haven’t heard from them. They did look at it, had my vehicle for a week at the dealership and representative from Toyota said that he would they would get back to me. It’s been a month now no word. I have the arc full mudflaps in the front and micros in the back. It looks good. I still get rock chips, but they have definitely reduced the amount of chips. I know that rock slider step would almost stop the chips completely. I do agree about stepping out and getting the back of your pants dirty with the step or slider. At least if someone opens their door on yours, you’re not gonna get a bang by having the step.
@@richardbotana5731 with you having the same issue it’s apparent that Toyota need to come up with a fix instead of forcing customers to purchase a set of running boards to stop the chips
My 24 taco came with 38 tire pressure definitely higher than what’s on the door plate Recommended pressure. I also have rock chips with the factory tires. I have at least 60 chips now.
@@richardbotana5731 that’s definitely a Toyota issue then. I wondered if most of my rock chips were being caused from the wider KO3’s. Thanks for the feedback
I’ve been trying eco and normal on my 24 limited 4x4 seems like normal is better for city driving and eco better for straight hwy City I’m getting 19 Hwy getting 21-22 @ 70 mph
@@peterhoma6385 that’s great fuel economy. I tried eco several times, but couldn’t see enough gain to warrant running in eco, so I always ran in the normal mode.
Auto detailers use steel wool. You should use the finest steel wool to clean the windows. It doesn't scratch the window but for good measure, be sure to avoid plastic areas obviously
It just rained in Boise and my KO2s were in a traction tier below worthless. Now that it's rained some more, I'm going to see if cleaner pavement doesn't improve things. If they still suck, I'm going to Falken Wildpeaks.
Scotch brite can be bought from heavy to extra fine pads. You may have used something too heavy. I know some details will use lots of windex with 0000 steel wool for stubborn spots. You can try that in a small area that is scratched.
9:15min, I'm getting 15.2 mpg daily driving overall in 1500 miles. My 2022 was 16.8mpg in my daily driving . I thought 4gen would be more efficient, but I'm happy with my taco
I got my trdsport last month and I have a question about the hood scoop. ¿ Do you know if we can remove it, is only taped or it has screws? just curious to know
Great review. Plan to purchase a Gen 4 in a year or two. How are the KO3 handle on wet roads? Living in the pacific nw, we mostly encounter rain and muddy trails. Thanks!
@@joseaqui the rain is where I see the biggest improvement over the KO2’s. Just the other day I was headed to work in the pouring rain, and during rush hour traffic everyone went from 60 to a dead stop. When I slammed on the brakes, I could feel the truck hop once, and then come to a complete stop. The KO2’s would have slid. I was definitely impressed at that point.
@@666dynomax our dealership ordered these, so I wouldn’t think they’re OEM since they normally come from the factory. It originally had the BF Goodrich Terrain Tera’s. I understand the difference between the tires that come as OEM, vs what you’d buy aftermarket. The aftermarket have a lot more tread on them, and is a better quality tire.
@@Rodneysnwridesandreviews yeah I was not really staying either way. Yours as the different pattern than I set I was looking at today. I'm not sure why they have two patterns. The set I was looking at from Canadian tire has larger side lugs and an extra sipe on every other lug around the perimeter.
@@DougAmes-h9x thanks for the feedback. I had another mention that they were running 40psi, and they said they were seeing abnormal wear in the center. Have you done a chalk test with yours?
@@BlueSTI I’m not going to lie, the Tundra was a great truck, but I do enjoy the Tacoma for a daily driver. It’s so easy getting in and out of parking lots, plus it gets better fuel economy. If a person needed more cargo space, was going to use it for a family vehicle, and towed with it more often than I do, I’d recommend the Tundra. For what I need, the Tacoma is great.
Great video Rodney. I enjoy hearing experiences good and not so good about the truck from fellow owners. One thing I would like to ask you have is have you had any issues regarding the transmission? As you know there’s a TSB on the Tacoma transmissions. Mine falls within the VIN number parameters -wondering if yours does? Have you had an issues? Thanks
@@klauskahle thanks for the comment. I have not had any issues with mine, nor is mine been involved with any recalls. I’ve not towed a lot of weight with mine, so I can’t say that I’ve really put it through any torture test.
@@jmpattillo not yet. I keep waiting for someone to come out with some wider mudguards that look quality, and I don’t have to do modification to them in order to make them fit on my truck.
@@jmpattillo I don’t like the side steps because they get mud and dirt on the back of my pants when I’m getting out of the truck. I also don’t need them to get in, so it seems like an expensive fix for the rock chips
@@CalvAnon Toyota doesn’t use break in oil, so no there’s no need to change it at 1,000 miles. The first oil change is provided at 10,000 miles with the free Toyota Care maintenance program. Many people won’t want to wait that long, but at least you know that you won’t have to change it right away.
@@RodneysnwridesandreviewsThere is a channel a guy runs and he’s a fluid specialist. He says always change the oil pretty soon due to some metals from new wear that will be in the oil
It cant do anything you can feel. Just makes more noise. The stock air filter can supply Waaay more air then the engine could ever need. Oddly Toyota designs things pretty well. There is no better throttle response or any other imaginary pretend crap. Want to play a game? Take the filter out, should be a huge gain right? No. Pretty funny though.
You guys need to do the chalk test when the tire is hot. My first set of ko2 wore down unevenly in the center because I followed the recommended tire pressures which was wayyyy too high. I back them down quite a bit on my second set and I have 30k on them now and I can put a ruler across the face of the tread and it's completely flat.
Rodney- thanks for the review. A question. I also have a Tacoma with Ko2s. My biggest complaint is the lack of traction when the roads are slick- not a hydroplaning issue with puddles, just slick to make them slippery. Tail out under acceleration and fishtailing on high speed turns when slightly wet. Moreso a tread compound issue versus a water-channeling hydroplaning tread pattern issue. Have you noticed if the KO3s are an improvement? I keep reading they added more silica to the compound, which should make them bite wet roads better , but curious with your experience on the ko3s.
@@bobkuhn861 in order to reset the MPG, you need to move to the screen where you can see the MPG, and then press the OK button on the left hand side of the steering wheel, and hold it until you see the MPG reset
