KTM 300XC-W TPI PROJECT: BEHIND THE BUILD

Every once in a while we run into a full gonzo enthusiast who has the means and the vision to build a machine without the normal restrictions that hinder most of us. These guys get the machine that fits their needs, and before it ever scratches the dirt, it gets set up. And we’re not talking about grips, bars and stickers; we’re talking about a full suspension rebirth, engine and performance updates, weight savings via expensive hardware, wheelsets that can run at the factory level, and enough high-end parts to race head to head with the elite pilots in our world.

There aren’t many riders who equip their KTM 300XC-W TPI with a WP Cone Valve fork, WP Pro Component Trax shock (www.powerbandracing.com), X-Trig Rocs clamps (www.xtrig.com), Ti footpegs (www.raptortitanium.com), GET ignition, Faster USA wheelset and enough titanium (bolts and axles) and carbon fiber accoutrements to make a factory rider jealous—before they ever ride it! That’s only a portion of the list, which includes an S3 Mule head (www.slavensracing.com), FMF exhaust, Hoosier tires, Rekluse Radius CX clutch, Bulletproof protection, along with a gaggle of KTM Hard Parts.

But in this case, the rider does it for fun. Shaun Langham started racing in 1977 at Indian Dunes. After marriage and having kids, his son (Tanner) got totally hooked on moto. Tanner raced amateur MX from the age of 3 to 17, landing a ride with Suzuki’s support team. Shaun had been dabbling in riding, buying several of Jim Holley’s old race bikes in the ’90s. Once Tanner hung it up, Shaun got into it. He’s owned three of Holley’s YZs, Erik Kehoe’s CR250, a new ’98 YZ250, and a ’98 YZ400. In 2007 Shaun got serious and has owned over 30 dirt bikes in total, not counting the 40 he bought for his son when he was racing!

Langham’s 300 uses the very trick Xtrig ROCS triple clamps, stock bars and ODI grips, along with the GET adjustable ECU programmed by Slavens Racing.

Prior to his newest acquisition, Shaun rode his very fit and nicely adorned KTM 500EXC. In his words: “Right about this time, I was wanting to try a KTM 300, since all of my off-road buddies had started to get them. I had just bought some property in the desert with some good buddies and was still riding my EXC500. Then I saw you [Tom Webb] were riding one and Tipper had just bought his, and you were both really happy with them. So, without even riding one, I got a wild hair and picked one up from Andy Anaya at Chaparral. This was the best decision I could’ve made. I absolutely love this bike! I’ve ridden it up in the Paiutes and out at our property. I can see myself not riding the 500 much, unless I force myself to get on it. The 300 is just such a great bike. Doubt I’ll ever be without one.”

FMF’s Gnarly pipe gets a sano P3 carbon fiber guard. The Ti pegs come from Raptor, the radiator guards from Bulletproof (www.bulletproofdesigns.com), a fan kit (you can’t see) from KTM Hard Parts, the exotic carbon fiber frame guards and ignition cover come from Extreme Carbon (www.extremecarbon.eu).

Here’s a look at Shaun Langham’s very wicked KTM 300XC-W TPI.

The swingarm protector is a KTM Hard Parts piece, the chainguide from TM Designs, the guide strengthener from Bulletproof, the chain is an RK X-ring and the sprocket is a Renthal Twin Ring. The side stand is Pro Moto Billet, the saddle from Seat Concepts and behind all of it is the very trick Cone Valve suspension from WP.

The WP Cone Valve suspension, Faster USA wheels and X-Trig clamps are major buys, and will set you back right around $7800! Shaun gets his WP Pro Component suspension from Powerband Racing
(www.powerbandracing.com). Loving their service and setup, he’s purchased five sets of Cone Valve suspension from them!

An FMF Ti muffler from KTM Hard Parts highlights the exhaust system.

The Faster USA wheelsets are super strong and durable. The ti axles come from Portugal, and the titanium hardware is from Doc Wob in Euro. The Hoosier rubber was yet untested.