I’ve known Cole Kirkpatrick since I met him at a National Enduro in the early 2000s. The friendly Texan was pushing for a top spot in the National Enduro Championship, yet was very approachable and fun to chat with. Fast forward a decade or so, and Cole and I crossed paths again at a KTM Adventure Rider Rally and other events. Cole transitioned from a full-time racer to a photographer and videographer with great ease. He and his enduro-racing colleague, Russell Bobbitt, also launched Gnarly Routes. Gnarly Routes (gnarlyroutes.com) is a custom ride-event company offering guided tours of some of their favorite enduro, adventure and dual-sport tracks across the Western United States.
I’ve participated in a few Gnarly Routes rides, which are fantastic. Clients have access to top-notch equipment and the best routes available. So, when I learned that Cole was finishing his 2024 KTM 300 XC-W guide bike build, I figured our readers would want to know what modifications he makes to his ride to keep it running perfectly all year.
What I love about this bike build is that it’s all very well thought out. It’s not a magazine bike build with flashy graphics and unnecessary additions that compromise functionality. Everything serves a purpose, and he even highlights the changes he makes for different uses. I hope you enjoy it. And if you’re like me, you’ll be taking notes for your next trail bike or enduro race bike build.
Take it away, Cole!
“I would consider myself a ‘medium enduro’ rider. I grew up riding and racing enduro in the early 2000s and always enjoyed riding technical enduro trails. I like my bike to be comfortable and predictable on a variety of terrain, and my setup has made this bike a Swiss army knife for the types of riding I do. Recently, I started setting up a 2025 300 XC, and it is impressive how different the motor characteristics are between the two bikes. The XC straight up hauls ass, where the XC-W is much more forgiving and what I consider to be sneaky fast. It doesn’t feel fast, but when you put a stopwatch on it, you’ll be surprised at how quick it is.
“I have ridden this 2024 KTM 300 XC-W in a wide variety of terrain. The motocross track, sand tracks, enduro loops, trail marking, Gnarly Routes tour riding and the occasional race. I like making turn tracks and riding woods training loops that mimic enduro racing.
“My 2024 KTM 300 XC-W has around 90 hours and it hasn’t missed a beat. I like to tinker with my bikes, but they all have a very similar feeling. I like to gear my bikes so that third gear is my sweet spot for typical enduro terrain, and I like a lot of bottom-end power that’s smooth and will continue to rev throughout the rpm range. As pictured, the bike is equipped with a gummy rear tire, the Michelin Enduro Xtrem, and I very rarely run a gummy tire because I don’t ride hard enduro terrain very often. I just hosted the GRINduro 9 event in Texas, and the second day of riding features the ‘extreme loop,’ where participants trail ride the more rugged terrain that the property has to offer. This was the perfect tire setup for that ride since it features loose dirt, big rocky sections, and areas where high traction is a huge benefit. I paired the Michelin Enduro Xtrem rear tire with the Michelin Enduro Medium front, which has very good grip in a wide range of terrain. The grip that a gummy tire produces is mind-blowing for me since I usually run a standard Michelin Bib Mousse with a Michelin StarCross 6 Med/Soft or Med/Hard depending on terrain.
“One new tool on the bike that I have used a ton this year is the TSP ERM module via Slavens Racing. This module allows a ton of potential to fine-tune the engine characteristics to suit your riding needs. I opened up the powervalve response by seven percent all around, and it woke the bike up. The TSP tune also makes the bike much more responsive than in stock form, which I like.
“Another thing to note is that I make my own mount for my Trail Tech Voyager Pro so that I can run it behind my OEM headlight mask. I cut slits in the OEM mask so I can use Voile straps or OEM KTM rubber straps to secure the mask to the forks and motorcycle. This opens up some room for the GPS but also allows the headlight mask to be removed quickly instead of using the OEM bolts. The Voyager Pro has become a must-have for me when I’m exploring new zones or riding with people on Gnarly Routes tours.
“I run Enduro Engineering protection parts and have alternated this year from full-wrap guards to the open-ended guards, but I’m not sure that I’ll stick with the open-ended setup. I’m so used to having the outside of my hands protected that I feel exposed with the open-ended version. It seems like a lot of people are curious when it comes to aluminum versus polymer protection parts, but I’ve been using Enduro Engineering since 2000 and the parts haven’t let me down once. I’m a fan of the company and the people that make those great products.
“One thing I love about the XC-W bikes is the lack of linkage. It’s so easy to change the shock, and it’s also nice not having to worry about scraping up linkage when riding in more extreme terrain.
“I typically run the Michelin StarCross 6 Med/Soft or Med/Hard front and rear tires with the Michelin Bib Mousse insert. The gearing I usually run on the bike is 13/48, but it’s pictured with a 49 and that’s why the rear axle block is so far forward in the swingarm. On the Gnarly Routes tours, I’ll use the Seat Concepts Comfort seat, but like the Race 2.0 for enduro racing and the riding I do at home.” CN
Goodie Bag
Bike: 2024 KTM 300 XC-W with 90 hours
Tires: Michelin Enduro Xtrem rear and Michelin Enduro Medium front, both with bib mousse.
Protection: Enduro Engineering
Bars: Renthal 996, crossbar removed
Bar Mount: XC Gear Mako 360 SX dually, green polymers, blue SB
Exhaust: OEM pipe, Akrapovic slip-on silencer
Seat: Seat Concepts Race 2.0 (I use the Seat Concepts Comfort seat on Gnarly Routes tours)
Ignition: TSP ERM, latest map for the XC-W with Powervalve up 7%
Powervalve cover: TSP
Cylinder head: TSP with medium insert
Reed cage: V Force 4X
Graphics: Bike Graphix
Brakes: DP Brakes solid rear rotor
Gearing: 13/49 (I typically run 48 but wanted an extra tooth for the extreme ride)
Suspension: Solid Performance-tuned WP Pro Components: 4.6 fork springs, 6.9 shock spring
Lubricants: Motorex
Headlight: MotoMinded
Clutch: Rekluse TorqDrive with billet cover (Extra protection and easier lever pull)
Filter: Twin Air
Fan: KTM PowerParts
GPS unit: Trail Tech Voyager Pro
Click here to read the 2024 KTM 300 XC-W Bike Build in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
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