KTM 250 / 300 EXC, XC-W & Six Days Service Manual (2014)

KTM built its 250 and 300 two-stroke enduro family around a simple division of character: the 250 favored a quicker-revving, more active riding style, while the 300 emphasized torque and the ability to pull taller gears through technical terrain. By 2014 both capacities were mature parts of KTM's enduro range, with the homologated EXC models serving European and Australian markets and the XC-W versions aimed more directly at North American off-road competition. Contemporary testing of the 2014 XC-W pair described both as highly refined two-stroke racing trail bikes, with the 250 feeling lighter and more responsive while the 300 delivered stronger roll-on torque. Cycle World's 2014 250/300 XC-W first ride captures that distinction.

The 250 EXC and 250 XC-W share the same 249 cm³ liquid-cooled reed-valve two-stroke engine with a 66.4 × 72 mm bore and stroke, six-speed gearbox, hydraulic wet clutch, electric start and kick-start backup. The road-homologated EXC specification uses 14:50 final gearing and, in EU form, a 9.5-litre tank, while the XC-W uses 13:50 gearing and a 10-litre tank. That difference reflects their intended roles: the EXC balances competition enduro performance with road-legal equipment where required, while the XC-W prioritizes closed-course and trail-racing use.

The larger 300 EXC and 300 XC-W use the same basic chassis and transmission layout but increase displacement to 293 cm³ with a square 72 × 72 mm bore and stroke. In practice, the 300's broader torque allows riders to carry gears through difficult terrain with less clutch use, whereas the 250 rewards more frequent shifting and a more aggressive approach. Both capacities use KTM's PDS rear suspension, 260 mm front and 220 mm rear disc brakes, 21/18-inch enduro wheels and carbureted Keihin PWK 36S AG induction in this generation.

The special-edition 250 EXC Six Days, 300 EXC Six Days and North American 300 XC-W Six Days add International Six Days Enduro-inspired equipment to the same core platform. The most important service distinction in the 2014 factory documentation is the WP 4860 4CS fork with 292 mm travel used on Six Days versions, replacing the standard WP 4860 MXMA PA fork with 300 mm travel. This makes the Six Days motorcycles genuine chassis/equipment derivatives rather than graphics-only editions within the broader large-bore two-stroke enduro platform.

A major generational break arrived for model year 2017. In its official 2017 enduro launch, KTM described the new range as redesigned from the ground up, with all-new engines and chassis and major weight reductions. That separates the 2014 motorcycles clearly from the later generation. This listing is therefore limited to the 2014 factory Repair Manual, which explicitly covers 250 EXC EU, 250 EXC Six Days EU, 250 EXC AUS, 250 XC-W USA, 300 EXC EU, 300 EXC Six Days EU, 300 EXC AUS, 300 XC-W USA and 300 XC-W Six Days USA. Related factory publications are grouped in the KTM 250 EXC manual catalog.