I have the Rally Raid Level 1 suspension upgrade, front and back. My fellow Rally rider, Justin has the Moto X full exhaust with the 550 Performance 91 octane tuning. Today we did a bit of bike swapping and performance comparisons.
The #1 and first modification I always do on all my race bikes or quad is suspension and tires, it will make you a lot faster than any exhaust or any other motor mod. On my Rally I did everything including suspension to it but just because of my riding style and experience. Awesome comparison and vid.
BEST comparison (both suspension & exhaust), I've seen; SO unusual to see two bikes with/without at the SAME time! So often, people claim "it's a whole new ..." - without actually measuring anything - before vs. after.
A persons "butt dyno" can be valuable, as long as one keeps the experience on a personal basis. Making buying decisions however based on these sorts of comparisons are subject to fatigue, bias, excitement, sound, emotion......etc. A well tuned ECU will be the biggest single factor in performance irrespective of a full exhaust or other mods. Will other mods also add? Of course they will, but only as additions to the advanced control of ignition and fueling from a well mapped ECU, especially on EPA compliant bikes. You and I have the same model, and I saw vast improvements in performance from just a 550 ECU, 93 octane and a quiet stock exhaust. I did the YSS open cartridge front and a YSS adjustable rear on the suspension and found performance gains from just having the bike more planted. Having walked this road a couple of times with different bikes, I'd say the last thing I'd spend money on is an exhaust, because it usually turns out to be a very minimal gain (1-2 HP and almost no torque) for the price paid on its own. Also, they're loud and that's annoying. Since most exhaust systems require an ECU or at least a remap anyways, just go with the ECU first and see what you've got. Definitely more bang for buck..... Just my 2 cents
I've probably passed you out in City Center. I had a CRF300L but just got a Rally recently. I will be doing the Rally Raid most likely this winter. See you on the trails out in EM.
Excellent comparison. Stock suspension was ok for me but improving riding style and additional luggage meant a suspension upgrade. Bike is great unloaded and handles well loaded. Doubt I'll ever bother with exhaust mods even though the difference is clear 👍
Great comparison, thanks for sharing! my pre owned 300l came with the upgraded suspension front and back and the 550 ECU 91 octane and a black widow exhaust, it was very loud for my taste, so I was able to fit what is called a silent kit from the wings exhaust that they make for the 2019 -23 KTM 690 and that made it quieter and perfect
I have done the ECU 91 stock and front and rear K-tech suspension. Much better. Anyways, Thank you for sharing your comparisons. Your videos are so very helpful.
Nice video. Greetings from Finland. Rally Raid level 2 and original exhaust here. Just bought the bike. Some snow and ice on the roads here and more to come.
@@HighDesertHills snowing more.... now there is about 10cm snow on the roads. Just changed winter tyres with studs to my CRF300 Rally. Lake Kallavesi is not frozen yet but I think it will get ice before Christmas. What is your home town? I live in Kuopio Finland.
I'm curious how they both compare if he removes the ECU mod only going back to factory programming, power wise. I removed the performance ECU on my four-wheeler and couldn't tell a difference. Was a good branded one too. The only difference I noticed was that it ran better at idle without it. I'm also curious what it does to the exhaust power wise with the baffles in. Great video though
Excellent video. You just saved me from getting the exhaust (I think) To have to run 91 octane to me is a big downer especially when doing multiple BDR routes. There were a few stops on the CO BDR where 87-89 were the only grades available. Also to me part of the attraction to the stock CRF is the ability to run anything over 86 which is awesome. Yes I know they make kit for 87 but like you said after doing the full RR suspension you wind up being able to go faster anyway. So you twist the throttle a little more lol. The biggest advantage to me is the weight savings the exhaust gives the bike. Thanks again. Best CRF Rally video on the subject to date!
They offer both 87 and 91 Oct tunes. Obviously youll get more gains with the 91 tune but the biggest improvement is all of his tunes smooth out the on/off throttle.
I can't imagine doing the performance upgrades w/o doing something w/ the suspension..... of course I don't own this bike so I'm just thinking out loud. Time to watch the video ~ as I look at this I think if you did one you would need to do the other as well. This is a rather unique way to show upgrades but it's better than one person saying it's better... lol, here ya both can do the tests & discuss it which makes it a more valuable set of upgrades but I'd want both. Very interesting content, thanks.
So you changed the back suspension & what did the front include? Did you redo the springs or some other swap out? I'm wild guessing & I'm wondering what is the cost for the labor to do the suspension upgrade you did? I'm thinking you did all the work yourself but someone like myself w/o tools could not. What would I be in for, money wise?
I did the full front and back with the Rally Raid kit. I did it myself, so no cost on the install. I took it slow and followed the video they had. Wasn’t too bad.
@@HighDesertHills >> hey man, glad you're still out there. I'm just sitting here doing my due diligence as I research bikes & more specifically, dual sports. I had considered the 300L Rally once & it dropped off my radar but I'm back to finish off the bike, properly. I like the Rally version but the suspension is serious lacking if not a danger? Anyhow, you've got a lot of videos on the bikes I've looked at so now that I'm here - I'll be binge watching your stuff - probably blurting out bull crap but in the nature of learning stuff I don't know. I had forgotten about subbing to you & now I see you've got a lot of videos. Off to it!! peace
I highly recommend the 550 performance ECU. You can do a pair valve and charcoal canister delete and it won't not throw any codes with 550. Apparently stock tune is very lean for EPA . You would think with a richer tune with 550 and full Yoshi would use more gas but I'm still getting 69mpg.
I have the MotoX full Ti (-6 pounds!) and a Dynojet Powervision 3. Stock tune, still provided a measurable power improvement (measured by acceleration) and an improvement in MPG of approximately 10%. Intake temperature rise dropped by 4 degrees, much less than I hoped, from 35 to 31 average. But mainly I just love the sound. Sewing machines are not cool to ride.
That 3rd gear side x side test was a decent show at how the exhaust performs. Having an issue in loose sand though. I think I need tires for my first upgrade.
@@HighDesertHills I was looking at the Motoz Tractionator Desert HTs but need to do more research before I commit. They are apparently amazing off-road.
Cool. On my XT I’ve done the D606 / MT21 combo that everyone likes, and it’s great for off road. On the Rally, I think I’m going to go with something a little more 50/50. Maybe the Kenda K270s.
Thanks for comparison and it looked like fun comparing which is probably more important. Bikes are about trying to out smart your mates not just an endless pursuit of perfection. Think Off-road MODs.
Great comparison. Too loud for almost anywhere. I'd be interested to hear how it effected his MPG. (If you happen to ask him.......) A bit using the clutch will help get that mid range jump you might be looking for too. I like the less weight and heat tho. Giant difference in the suspension,. Just by watching you guys. The trouble with making a bike faster is that also effects the suspension. Besides the wanting to go faster part. Tyres....I still run the stock rear but switched very soon to the MT21. The front was just all over the place for me. The Pirelli tyre works great and good mileage too. I don't subscribe to the "run the tyres until they are worn out and then get good ones". To me, tyres are a huge part of suspension and performance. My old enduro days, I would put on a new rear every race and a new front every two races. Now I am just an old guy, (72), but still appreciates good handling.
With the exhaust mods, he went down about 5 MPG. He used to get 70-75, and now gets 65-70. I really like the M21 front tire. I’ve used it before on my XT250. Thanks for the comment!
This is a perfect demo of what you get for the money with 300 power mods…not a whole lot. I have the lvl 2 rally raid on my 300l and that’s worth every penny!
The pulls were very good. But, I wonder what your personal weights are. How much gear you both had. With such little power I think it makes a difference as well. Great vid. Thank you.
Yes, very helpful, thank you. I need a new exhaust, mine has rotted with the UK weather, hoping to get a full Arrow system, road legal with the cat etc, I'm just not that knowledgeable on ECUs though, I haven't a clue what to do with them
I wish I could be more help with the ECU. From what I understand, the 550 Performance tune that everyone does in the states doesn’t work on the EU models. Hopefully somebody has something in the works 🤞
@High Desert Hills thanks dude, yeah, hopefully, the bike is pretty new but aftermarket is getting better slowly, the eu is pretty tight with emissions, Peak Motorcycles here has done the full arrow change, I should ask him how it is without the ecu change. Keep up the good work, I have missed some of your vids since you started, pretty sure I had subscribed too
Really interesting video! I wish you'd done a couple pulls after swapping bikes. I wonder which contributed more power, exhaust or ecu reflash. I saw significant gain on my XT1200 doing only a reflash. It's still quiet but definitely has more grunt.
That’s a good question. I’ve been tempted to do the same. Not a fan of the extra noise, but the extra boost was a blast. I may try just the flash at some point.
I have Rally Raid Level II on mine as well as a Moto X full stainless exhaust. I am torn between adding CBR300 cams and modding intake or selling it as is and getting an Africa Twin. Really needs more top end for the highway but its amazing offroad. I will add the Moto X V2 is a lot quieter than the V1 version and its only $10 more. The V1 is more like a FMF Powercore and the V2 is more like an FMF Q4.
@@HighDesertHills Bikerzbits is awesome if thats where you are looking at the Moto X. If you message their staff first you can get 10% on all purchases by saying you want the Backwoods Offroad and Overland discount. Just be sure to get some other stuff with it since shipping is high. I ordered a Thai version on the OEM ECU from them as a spare for tuning and could keep the stock one for warranty. Paid $350 total for exhaust and the ECU.
@@marcochavanne That is a crazy good deal. I'm with you on not flashing the stock ECU. I figured if I ever do the ECU, I'd order it outright, rather than having mine flashed, but it sounds like it'd be cheaper to pick the second one up from Bikerzbits. Thanks!!
Basically convinced me to buy this little bike. I reckon the ecu might have changed the engine's performance more than the exhaust. What do you think? Is a slip on enough?
I think the ECU is key, but both are probably necessary. The ECU can only do so much without having more air to work with. Most of the air restriction comes from catalytic converter, which comes right after the header, so I don’t think a slip on would give you the same results.
So after looking into this more, I found out that the cat on this bike is actually in the muffler section, so a slip on would probably open things up just fine.
I have the 300L and just did the Motox and 550 upgrade. Have springs for front but now I'm thinking rear needs to be done!! And nice not on the forward baffle! I thought mine was a little quiet
Are you in AZ or NV? I'm from AX but now in Medellin Colombia. We don't have the exact same bikes but close XRE Rally 300. But I want to stiffen the suspension a bit, not a lot, and make it more powerful too. I wonder if more suspension and more power If adding a box to the back would make sense!
I’m in Utah - for sure adding better suspension is going to improve it. The improvement from changing the exhaust is kind of subtle, but it does give it more punch in the mid range.
Buy the 550 performance stock improved 91 octane tune first. It gives huge bottom end boost. If you want the exhaust later 550 will reflash your ecu for free. just mail it back in.
Funny you should mention that. A couple weeks ago I bought the stage 1 91 octane 550 ecu off a guy who sold his 300L. I sent it into them and they reflashed it for free to the 91 stock improved. I got it back today, so I’ll be making a video about it this weekend 👍
Well, it’s tall enough for the type of riding I do. It’s always a trade off with short legs. I prefer being able to reach the ground more easily to the added travel that the level 2 suspension would have given me.
Your voice sounds just like mine. Creepy. Btw you should learn how to edit, or at least put some timestamps in, 20 minutes is a long video to sit through.
Let’s do some math… a new 2023 Rally is @$8k OTD … you begin throwing money to address the 3rd world suspension, the “550 upgrade” , exhaust and the highly illegal CAT delete and you now find yourself with a @$10k+ 3rd world play bike….commonly known as child’s toy…. Take your $10k and invest in a adult bike….reality sucks eh?
Don’t know where your from, but I paid way less than $8K OTD for mine ($6400), a significant amount less, and that’s my reality. Ktech suspension $650. ECU $150, exhaust $300. Your way off pal.
Yes, you can buy a lightly used KTM and get much more performance and less weight. Yup........and more expensive to maintain and repair. And just won't last as long. But faster and very fun to haul ass on. Not the same bikes and are not designed to do the same kind of riding. I doubt you'll see many 300Ls on a hard enduro race. But you'll see lots of them on cool back roads and exploring.
