The 2011 KTM XC comes in so many trims that it is almost dizzying trying to pick one out of the lot. These can be broken down into five basic sizes, which includes the XC 150, the XC 200, the XC 250, XC 300, and the XC 450W. The model numbers all correspond to the engine sizes, and all models feature a single-cylinder motor with single overhead camshaft and liquid cooling. All motors also come paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Each model is fitted with either a 3.04-gallon or 2.43- gallon fuel tank. Brakes are the same across the board, and they feature the Brembo brand, hydraulic 10.2-inch discs in the front and hydraulic, 8.7-inch discs in the rear.
The KTM XC series are all lightweight, especially the XC 150 which weighs just 208 pounds. The largest model, the KTM XC 450W, weighs in at 247 pounds. As such, it is easy to handle and back out of any parking job. The XC models are surprisingly tall, and as such they do well on bumpy trails that require a lot of ground clearance. They may be a bit too tall for some riders, however.
The overall impression of this series is high performance and great racing ability across the board. The handling is more than competent enough, and the power is well situated and used throughout all the models. The lightweight design can make it easy to find the wheels off the ground, and very open terrain and high speeds are not ideal as handling becomes a bit too loose. As such, the best place for the KTM XC is in the dirt.