2013 or 2014 xc300?

E

earlystock

New member
I have been comparing the two years and have rode a 2013 and fell in love with it. It does everything I want and far more capable then me lol. I am going to buy one of them in the next month but can't decide if I order a 2014 or buy the 2013 the have on the floor for $1000 less. I love the looks of the 14 plus the aluminum sub frame sense I am a little harder on my bikes then a lot. I do mostly single track but I really enjoy breaking my own trail through the mountain connecting trails and such. Either one I'm sure I will love, but I'm curious the updates are worth the extra grand or is it the same bike with subtle changes.

Thanks, hoping for any insight on anyone who have rode both.
 
2014 has some significant changes. If theres only a thousand bucks in it I'd take the 2014. Personally, I purchased a left over 2013 model as I could get it at a one time special limited offer price. Saved enough to cover the setup costs included engine work/head mods and still came out infront.
 
You would not regret spending the extra $1000 on the '14. It would be a no-brainer if I was faced with it.

Sent from my SGH-T999L using Tapatalk
 
I'm am leaning more towards the 14 because of the looks and aluminum sub frame. I will probably go with it, but I am really curious if the vibrations are actually less. I have arthritis bad and after riding a half day on my old ktm 620 my feet are killing me. I know the vibes are a lot less on the gasser, but I am really curious if they actually did make it less noticeable.
 
earlystock said:
I'm am leaning more towards the 14 because of the looks and aluminum sub frame. I will probably go with it, but I am really curious if the vibrations are actually less. I have arthritis bad and after riding a half day on my old ktm 620 my feet are killing me. I know the vibes are a lot less on the gasser, but I am really curious if they actually did make it less noticeable.
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I picked up a leftover 2013 about a month ago. $6500 out the door seemed a good price. Dealer changed out the composite subframe for aluminum subframe for no charge. Have you asked if they would do that?

Good luck.
 
Get the 2014 - don't even think about it! I own a 2013 300 and rode a 2014 300 last weekend and the weight difference alone is worth $1000 to me. It is significantly lighter and there are a few other changes as well.
 
So I wonder where the weight savings came from? I find it hard to believe that different hubs, aluminum subframe and the cylinder could make for a huge weight difference. I thought that I read somewhere that there was about a 5 lb. weight difference between 13 and 14.
Myself I would go with the 13. $1000 dollars will buy a lot of goodies.;)
 
Chaz955i said:
I picked up a leftover 2013 about a month ago. $6500 out the door seemed a good price. Dealer changed out the composite subframe for aluminum subframe for no charge. Have you asked if they would do that?

Good luck.
Click to expand...

If I found a 13 for that price and willing to change the subframe I would be all over it. But there is only two dealerships in Washington state and both of them want 7500 for the 13 and the closest dealer used theirs as a demo and won't budge on price, so I am going to the coast on about a 5 hours each way to get a bike lol, the dealer here keeps jerking me around and I don't feel like dealing with ordering a bike through them. So just trying to make the best decision before I go that far to pick up a bike. I think I am sold on the 2014 but really curious if the vibes are less.
 
Lol, I still have a yz490 so I know how vibes can be, its a toss up between that and my lc4 for which I should use to shake my paint cans for me lol. But all joking aside I love both of those bikes for different reasons, but I can't hardly ride them any more due to my feet. After 2 hours I can't stand on the pegs anymore and then my son is faster then me haha. I keep thinking about picking up a little 125 for the smoother motor, but I would miss that power too much when I get in a tough situation and the only way out is up. So I am definetly getting a 300, but keep wondering if I'm just too far past being able to ride anymore.
 
Yah I have a 14 here on the floor and should have a 13 soon. I think you should just come out here and get a bike and I'll make sure its all ready to ride in the woods here. Plus I'll take you out for a couple days here in the hills and help you break it in.:D
 
The 250s libe considerably less than the 300s and don't give up too much overall. Some even find the softer bottom end easier to handle.

The list of upgrades to the 14 is pretty extensive and also includes crank, crank cases, wiring loom and ignition, on top of the others already listed.
 
I've read about lightening this or that (like the cylinder) but just looking at them they look the same to me from the outside except for obvious things like the subframe and shock. I don't have real world numbers, but the holding and riding impression made me quite jealous of the weight difference. The weight may not be a factor to all, but as someone with less upper body strength than you guys, 10 pounds is a big difference if you drop it a time or two (yeah, yeah I know...don't drop it - but it happens). As for the vibes, I think the 2013 was a lot less "vibey" than the 2011 I rode (like the 2011 made my feet hurt at first). I don't remember noticing a difference in vibration between the 2013 and 2014, though.

$1000 is a lot of money to me and if you knew me you'd know that I'm a complete tight wad (ask my husband). I don't replace my bike every year, though, so if this was the year and I was considering 2013/2014 I would go 2014. :)
 
Sounds like you really like the looks and the alum subframe on the 14. If you were to get the 13 you'll always be thinking why didn't I get the 14?(been there) Although I haven't ridden a 300 I am impressed how smooth my 250 is on the blacktop.
 
earlystock said:
But there is only two dealerships in Washington state
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Not trying to start any issues with dealers, but here's some info in OR.

Don't know where in WA you're located, but I know Gran Prix in Albany has a '12 300 with new top end, rads, and other stuff for $6k. They also have a new '13 250 for $6300 - that's a crazy good deal.

In addition, I talked to Bill (Bill's Husky in Salem) the other day and he's getting several bikes in - including one of the factory replica bikes. My guess is that will be top dollar, but Bill's a great guy and makes a fair deal.
 
And if you're willing to deal with shipping logistics (and the buyer is), there are some amazing deals to be found. I know because I've been looking for a 200 for months...lots more 250s/300s out there than 200s :(

Check this out - '13 300 with only a tank of gas through it...smokin' deal compared to new (even when you factor shipping).

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/4400949354.html

There are a bunch of '12 300s too.
 
liv2day said:
And if you're willing to deal with shipping logistics (and the buyer is), there are some amazing deals to be found. I know because I've been looking for a 200 for months...lots more 250s/300s out there than 200s :(

Check this out - '13 300 with only a tank of gas through it...smokin' deal compared to new (even when you factor shipping).

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/4400949354.html

There are a bunch of '12 300s too.
Click to expand...

And there are several of us close enough to put eyes on that one if you need
:cool:
 
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