I should also mention the SmartCarb has external adjustment (no tools) while with the Lectron you need to take the cap off to adjust (5 min max).

That is one of the best carb review videos I have seen. Great job!

I have a Lectron for my 2017 yz250 I ride 50% Moto 50% enduro so trying to jet the bike was a nightmare for the two different riding styles so I got a lectron put it on the bike adjusted the idle and haven’t touched a thing I gave the bike way better performance with such a smooth power curve I hate to say it but it’s almost like the smoothness of a four stroke

Excellent video & information. Thank you!

I have a Smartcarb and really liked it after a few teething pains at first! I had purchased mine when the cast carbs we're just coming out. Once I removed the floaty balls that stuck in the bore of the vents to the venturi and got it dialed in it was incredible. I need to send it in and have some updates done and am now running the stock carb and can tell the Smartcarb is far superior!

The JD jetting sounded really good but you were just off/on/off again. I would like to hear some full range, zero to wide open as well as some ease on the throttle to wide open.

Currently running a smartcarb on my 300 and 380 in Colorado. From 4,000' to 13,000' and run s great without touching it. Tried a lectron before the smartcarb, the soft bottom end was a no go for me. Got to have my grunt. Just my opinion, thanks for the review.

Really good video , the smart carb seems like the best and also you guys have some of the best tracks ive seen on youtube , very jealous haha

I will be getting the Smart Carb for my Beta RR. No problems with the Kehin but do want more fuel range and no jetting.

Great breakdown, thanks!

I have a lectron on my 150 xcw and absolutely love it never has a boggy spot

Great way to do a review, having all 3 options to compare one after the other. Sometimes reviewers are comparing something they have right now to something they had in the past, and it's always possible they don't have the clearest memory of every little detail. But when you're comparing in real time, I feel like the results and impressions are going to be much more true to life. Thanks for another great video my man.

Great video Thanks for the info

My knuckles hurt just looking at how narrow those tree aisles are. Thank goodness for the knuckle guards.

Just ran across your three bike test. I have a Smart Carb on my 2017 KTM 250XCW. I ride from sea level to 6000’ so I’m looking for it to run clean at both altitudes. I’ve ridden it at sea level and before the sky’s opened up here in Northern CA I was able to ride on fire roads only at 5000’ it started and ran clean with no adjustments. I’ve been experiencing some very odd issues lately. But, I am working with the Smart Carb people and they have been very willing to work with me. When I installed the FMF Gnarly and Turbine Core exhaust I ended up disconnecting the plug to take the hit out it. That surprised me, I did expect an increase in the low end but it also has that on the pipe hit as well, I’m not looking for that when trail ridding. Thanks for the videos I enjoyed them and learned a lot Doug

Man those mid west levers are da bomb dude. Rode a mates bike with em and loved em so much i went straight out and fitted em to my bike. The clutch being the only one with a real difference as far as the reduced pull goes is great for hard enduro n tight singles. They are so comfortable on the fingers for a one finger per lever rider. Each to their own though.

How much of this difference could be adjusted with tuning? Changing air/fuel screw, for example?

I've had a '17 TX 300 and now a '18 300 XC with the same lectron carb. Barely have to touch the start button for the bike to start. I really like how it runs way down low. Nice and smooth for the tight technical trails we ride.

I have a Lectron on my 03 yz250 and love everything about it low end torque amazing mid range awesome top unreal best of all fuel economy is crazy good

Great Video: I have two KTM 300 XCW. JD Kit on one and Lectron on the other. I like the linier smooth powerband of the Lectron. I did adjust my lectron metering rod 1/2 turn richer and improved the low-end grunt. The gas mileage is significantly better on the Lecton. We have had several day rides where the JD is coming back on fumes and the Lectron still hasn't hit reserve.

I have the Lectron for a 2017 KTM 150 SX. Now I never really had great bottom end on this machine so I cannot say how it affects me there power wise, but I will say it sure cleaned up the power band as a whole and I never bog now (unless I'm clearly in the wrong gear). Pros: 1) power delivery/response 2) gas economy (a little better) 3) looks great, I get comments on it all the time 4) I've only gone up in elevation twice and it works great! Cons: 1) install 2) choke on the wrong side 3) price 4) install...had to install again after a top end rebuild haha

What metering rod did you use on the lectron? I’ve been reading the 5-1 really brings out the bottom end.

Thanks for ending the debate going on in my head smart carb it is 🤘

Thanks for this review! Been waiting for it, even though I had pretty much made up my mind to get a Smart Carb for both my 2018 KTM 300 XC W and my 2001 Kawasaki KDX 200. It just seems like a better, more modern design to me, and the bottom end power was a major selling point. I bought a 300 specifically for the bottom end since I'm a big dud at 6'3" and 270-280 lbs. That really becomes an issue on the little Kawi, even though I don't ride it as often, my son and friends do ride it. That being said, I will have to look into it further for my 2005 Polaris Sportsman 500...I've talked to Lectron about it already and they will build me a carb for that machine as well. Smart Carb? That remains to be seen, but I will definitely give them the chance to earn my business there too.

I was full Lectron before watching this and reading some comments, unfortunately I don't have a bike atm but in the future I will. I found this very helpful though I'm all about the bottom end "grunt" thanks for the review!

Nice job with this review. I put a Lectron on a 2006 YZ125 and was really impressed with it. It does have a very minor reluctance when cold starting though. I'm thinking about trying a SmartCarb on a yz250.

Ich hab mir auch einen Smartcarb für meine Exc 200 bj.2010 gekauft da mir das düsen wechseln ziemlich auf die nerven ging. Seit dem keine Probleme im Sommer sowie im Winter dazu kommt das der Smartcarb Hammer ausschaut. Super Video ich Dreh selber Video mit dem YT Kanal Lasskrachen und find es sehr cool das es hiermit ein Vergleichs Video gibt. Danke.

Those trails look beautiful

Thank you NathanDyess.

I've only run stock PWK, RB modified PWK, and Lectron. While I think the Ron Black modified carb is hands down the power and throttle response winner, the advantage of the more mellow response from the Lectron makes it much better in greasy, low traction situations. Remember, power isn't every thing. How useful the power you have is more important IMO.

Good review guys! Enjoyed the footage too. Now, I wonder how the Mikuni stacks up against the Keihin?

planning on buying the sc2 for my 2017 250sx

Okay I haven't tried the smart card or the electronic card. I did figure the TMX 38mm carb out Had to change the number 9 nozzle to a number 7. That fixed everything but I like 40 mm Mikuni 2004 to 2007 cr250. Carb hands down you could lug it down it's got tons of power on bottom in all the way through mid to top in.

Great review. I have an 18 TE 150 with a Mikuni and experience the same power delivery as you guys describe. I’m wondering is the Smart Carb would have a significant effect on a 150?

Love my SmartCarb on 17' 300XC, awesome power and fuel econ

I've ridden 2 modern bikes with Lectron's and they both run great, YZ 250 and Beta 300. I have a vintage CZ 125 that I love to race in vintage races and jetting with a Mikuni was a nightmare, super difficult to start (needs a bump start) and loads up easy. I put a Lectron on it and it was easier to start, had more power but couldn't get rid of the tendency to load up at low prm. I put a Smart carb on the CZ and it starts on the second kick always, never loads up, and has more power like the lectron. I haven't tried the Smartcarb on a modern bike but it clearly won the shootout on a vintage bike. It starts so easy and runs so clean that I can't believe it. I went out in the garage every night for 5 days just to start it because I couldn't believe it. This would easily sway me to get a smart carb for all my future modern bikes. I hope this helps someone.

Excellent comparison. Looks like the Lectron was slightly lean and the Smart Carb was spot on. In my experience the Lectron will give you more torque if you slightly richen it. 1/4 turn in with the needle should do it. If a 1/4 turn is too much, install a "Sniper racing Idle metering Kit" it allows you to adjust fuel super finely.

Okay so maybe somebody can help me out with this, looking to pick up a lectron or smart carb for my 99 kx250, has fmf gnarly, boyesen rad valve, just ordered a new phathead for it, looking for more bottom to mid range power. I’ve heard that the lectron somewhat takes the hit out and makes the power more broad like a 4 stroke. If anyone’s familiar with the 99 kx250 you already know it pulls like a 4 stroke already. I want more torque and a bit more snap to the bike. Any information would be appreciated

I should receive soon my smartcarb sc2 for my 2017 TC bigbored sx300. Bike is already grate with my mikuni. I think lot of people are going wrong with the mikuni because they are not reading the manual even if i am not good with jetting. 60:1 works well for me with 94 octane. I am curious to see what will be the difference with the smartcarb sc2. I am only riding mx track and have seen your review where you had issue with the sc2. I just hope it won't happen to me.

I run a lectron on my 98 ktm exc 200. After numerous issues jetting the keihin carb it was a relief getting a lectron that was right out of the gate perfect. My only complaint was the choke location. I bought the 40 dollar remote choke and haven't touched it. It works at every elevation and temp. Perfectly. I don't know anyone that owns a smart carb for comparison.

I'm assuming this was with the HV38? Have you compared it to the new H Series? I felt the new H series gave back some of the bottom end missing on the HV but haven't compared to a smart carb.

My 17 TE 300 with JD jetting on the stock mikuni carb and v force reeds was definitely more torquey than with a Letron, but over all the Lectron is just better than the mikuni. The fuel milage improved considerably with the Lectron as well. I would like to try out the smart carb it looks like a high quality part. Maybe I’ll slap one in my kids 85.

Switched to a lectron on my old yz125 I use for woods riding. I’ve had it on for almost 4 months. Insanely huge improvement over the old Mikuni 38mm. Being a 125 obviously bottom end for obstacles and hills is non existent although I’d say it’s better than it was but again it’s a 125. The mid range to high end though it’s night and day, more power, faster response, and getting up steeper loose hills is much easier in second gear with clutch fanning for me being reduced by about half. The fuel mileage is way better but with aggressive riding the old yz can suck it down but still far better than the Mikuni.

in my opinion other differences in the bikes and proper carb tuning can cause differences also. all ktm 250xc's but what other things have riders changed .. gearing ,exhaust ,tires ...ect if all were identical other then the carbs then the rider we are along with would not be unfamiliar with the different bike and all carbs should be dyno tuned on the same day.. for the best comparison

Im in PA and bought a Lectron for my 2001 cr125 in May 2018. While i was laid up from shoulder surgeries i installed a brand new Wiseco top end and gaskets, brand new FMF exhaust, brand new Vforce reeds, Brand new Notoil filter, brand new NGK plug, fresh tank full of 93 with maxima 927. I also hand smoothed the exhaust port with 1500 grit wet sand paper to a mirror smooth finish to help with exhaust flow. I also smoothed the head (squish) area with 1500 grit wet sand paper to take away any imperfections that may cause a hot spot that could lead to preignition. Being careful not to remove any material only to smooth it. Straight out of the box bike fired straight away. Ive only had a little time with this carb. I havent be able to ride the bike how its supposed to be ridden. I had my left and right shoulders repaired only a few months apart. I'm still healing. However, I did get to putt around my place on it and noticed that in gear drifting just off idle moving slow. As if you were drifting, clutch out nearly coming to a stop. Then open throttle from just above idle (10% throttle position) to 100%(swiftly) the bike would die/stall/bog while keeping it at 100%. I kept experimenting with this and noticed if i would open the throttle swiftly from the off idle position as described previously to roughly to 75-85% throttle position the bike wouldnt stall. It only did when i was opening quickly from 10% to 100% wot it would do this. Doing this slowly it accelerated perfectly. Lectron suggested to enrichen the mixture by turn the rod 1/4 turns until it cleared up. Im to the point after about 4 complete turns out that the off idle bog/die/stall is almost gone. The little amount of riding it i have been able to do it appears to be a nice upgrade to my bike. Once i'm fully healed(summer 2019)i should be able to and take to the track for practice day. I'll be able to fine tune it with some heater laps and see how it does.

Would be interesting to dyno these carbs on the same bike, to really show where the power is. But nothing compares to the seat of the pants feel! Cheers.

Hey where could I get those red bull graphics

SO how does SmartCarb do on topend? wanting to install on 2002 rm125 and every one has said great bottom end and that's good but I am still wanting the thing to rev out for ever and ever

Do you know if the stock carb had the slide cut at all? That seemed to really clean up my 2018 TE300. I would be keen to try a smart carb some time for comparison. Nice vid btw

I have had both. Knowing both extremely well, riding and AFR meter. I'll refrain from posting my opinions. Thanks for the video. Always enjoy stuff like this

The smart carb only has one circuit, the Lectron has two circuits. The relatively soft low end could easily be remedied on Lectron while still keeping the top end, which you cannot do with a smart carb. The smart carb only has a single circuit so it comes tuned to give the best low end possible. So yes, both carbs are generally good out of the box but... The lectron has two circuits which can be adjusted and usually a metering rod change in the Lectron along with a slight power jet adjustment will get you where you want. The reason the Kehin air striker can deliver more power over all is that it has 3 circuits (technically 5 pieces affecting those circuits depending on throttle position). However, the air striker is still a tuning nightmare especially if you have adapted to fuel injected bikes, and still has 5 parts that can be adjusted/affect metering. To tune a Lectron for a woods rider, you need to get the right metering rod for low end THEN set the power jet and then it should be good to go unless you change something on the engine (big bore kit, air box change, or exhaust change).

I had a 36mm Lectron on my 300 EXC, it seems to me that they get delivered with a different rods depending on where you get the carb from, my came with a 2-3xl rod and once it was leaned off quite a bit it was pretty good, if I go 1/4 turn leaner now the engine hunts so its dialled in as good as it can be). I have tried a 4-2m rod and it lost a lot of low end torque, it was rubbish! The float height is always set too high from the factory, the build quality is not all that great, I stripped out a float bowl bolt thread without over tightening it. (I drilled and tapped all the holes to an m6 thread). The idle screw adjustment is way to sensitive, 1/16 of a turn can make the idle too high or too low. The idle screw digs a hole into the slide which makes adjustment even worse. The slide is made of soft cast aluminium so it gets scored up. MPG is great with the Lectron. I now have a 38mm Keihin fitted with a s STIC block, it is not fully dialled in yet but the amount of low down power just off idle is quite a shock (in a good way). You can lift the from wheel just off tickover in 3rd gear and it just stays up in the air with a fraction of throttle, its great. Setting a STIC up is a bit odd, (as is the inventor!). The engine has a very extended rev range now which is nice. The STIC can be setup to run very rich, the engine will make a lot of low down power but the MPG will be poor, you can lean it off which will soften the low down power but it still makes way more than the Lectron, the MPG will then be at least as good as the Lectron.

Replace the mikuni with a short kehin air striker and test again! It's supposed to have a much improved bottom end and might be a good budget alternative for some people.

Stock Keihin on a 2018 Beta 300 rr with minor jetting for altitude, 6-12k, and averaging 33 - 38 mpg on combined technical single track and 50" trails. Very little if any spooge on the pipe too. Smart carb or Lectron may be a little better but for the price, I'll stick with the stock unit and wait for the EFI on the two strokes to come into their own. Now when they offer that with an e-start on a new trials bike.........!

Where you guys riding?

It would be good to know what metering Rod you ran in the lectron. Lectron and Slavens recently released a new metering rod, the the 4-1, which significantly improved the performance of my '17 300 xc-w - more bottom-end grunt, revs higher, starts easier and the power delivery is crisp throughout the range. A substantial Improvement over the previous meter rod. I now run a full gear higher in about 80% of my riding. Would really be interested in your experience and what metering Rod you were running when you did the testing between smart cab and lectron. .

i just got the lectron and put it on my 2009 300xc. it needs to be tuned i think. need to ride more and figure it out. definitely harder to start than the stock carb.

what is the difference between smartcarb and smartcarb sc2? if anybody knows, i ve found a smartcarb 1st model at a very good price, i am using the bike mostly for hard enduro, thanks.

Tnx for the video! Where did you get your SmartCarb from? Tech Elevated website shows it's out of stock for the 38m billet...

It sounds like it's so close that really for most buyers it'll be down to the dollar of which one is cheaper

What a nice surprise to turn on your video and hear Jimmy Eat World! Yeah boi!

I like the same day/same bikes/same ride format of your comparison. Obviously it is still an imperfect test but it's the closest that one will reasonably get to perfect and it has credibility in my eyes. There is one important bit of information missing though. Please tell the viewers which size carb (bore in MM), which metering rod (yes you provided this for the Lectron but not the SC), and what your elevation is. Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks!!

Where are you guys riding at state and town please! Its so beautiful.

@PNW Enduro Lectron has the new H series. What do you think about it? It claims to have 20% better low end torque below 5000 RPM... Would that make it equivalent to the smart carb????

You have to consider how you guys have set up the Mikuni or Keihin carbs. My experience with both has never shorted me or my customers on performance or fuel usage at any time. The stock carb gives good fuel economy if you know how toget inside of it and set it up. Another thing that really makes a big difference is mostly in the needle you use. Not necessary to keep changing out the jets until you get a headache.

I have the Lectron HV mule from slavens with an rktek head on a 300. I am able to get great bottom end by adjusting the metering rod richer, but then the idle is laboured. If I lean out the rod bottom end is slightly weaker but idle is stable. Either way the power is plenty for me on the 300. I would probably try a smart carb had I watched this video, but the lectron stays because the bank account is empty.

Would like to see a comparison of a PWK with a STIC metering block vs those 2 carbs

I've got to ask..what kind of "much better" fuel economy..aka mileage are you getting? 1 mpg? 5 mpg?

I've been researching lectron vs smart carb over the last couple years. Generally both are good and bad, I've seen more people complain about the lectron running bad out of the box but with a bit of frustration get it to be good enough or they switch to the smart carb(with happy results) . The smart carb tends to have more good reviews (relatively speaking) but when people have issues they usually can't get them worked out. So they switch to lectron and say its amazing. Cody webb tried both and now he runs a smart carb on his sherco if that means anything to you. Rant over lol

Adjust the lectron for just a little more fuel. I’d bet the bottom end power would be better.

Where would I get one of these smart carbs?

I personally dumped my Lectron. The bottom end was just too soft for my liking. The fuel economy was crazy good though. I went to a PWK with STIC metering block and the fueling is wonderful. Electric-like. Bike really revs out further and is crisp throughout. The downside is the fuel economy isn't near as good as with the Lectron. Will be buying a larger tank. Riding 2017 KTM 250XC.

How do you think the SmartCarb compares to the new Billetron carb by Lectron?

What size lectron and smart carb were you testing? 36 or 38?

Just to clarify: The stock carb and the Lectron are both 38mm and the Smart Carb is a 36mm...is that correct?

Looks like a super fun trail, where is this at?

Are you guys on Vancouver island? Great Carb review. 👍

I wish you can compare the keihin pwk 38. least expensive of the 2. I have no trouble starting, and its leaps over the mikuni. I am getting about 30mpg on single track.

Willing to buy a low hour Keihin PWK for cheap.

I must have missed it...36mm lectron or 38 HV?

I have a lectron and it runs awesome mid and top end, but I lost bottom end. I’m disappointed about the bottom end loss. I’m not sure if it was fuel delivery or the fact that it doesn’t use the TPS sensor, so the cdi box isn’t adjusting the timing at low rpms. Also the lectron is about a 1/4 longer, so I had a hard time getting it in and my air box now rubs my shock.

I wonder if Smartcarb carburetors are compatible with car engines...

Ok sir

Them trails at fun

I have run the Lectron on ‘18XC for 1 year and like the linear power delivery. I run the red power valve spring too. I had problems initially when I first installed. Had to adjust the metering rod to get it to run. Supersizing to me. Consistently bad cold starts but when warm runs like a beast. Added choke cable and it starts easier now. Support at Lectron has been very good

Your switching bikes? And not carbs? That's not accurate

That’s why I’m happy with my husky 300 tpi. Perfect jetting all the time and 40+ mpg and no need to mix or carry oil!

Damn that looks fun but I can’t imagine wrapping my body around a tree

The Lectron "high" velocity carb will give you bottom & mid range punch.

be wonderful if lectron sell more types of needles- 2 stroke.- example- 4-1 - how bout a 4.5-1 that would be great on my 143.9-- or even a 4-1.5 - or- a 4.4-1.5 just a thought lectron-- this would really help to hit the "sweet spot "

Has your opinion changed since you made this Video?

Having a jd jetting kit doesn't automatically mean it's jetted correctly, which it clearly is not. The bikes are different in way too many ways for any of this to be an actual comparison.

gets on the JD rides 30feet stalls it LOL

At this point I don’t know why people still consider the Lectron. SmartCarb and Lectron were designed by the same guy and the SC carries 40 years of improvements to the design. Keyhole bore, metering rod advancements, pressurized float, check valve and external clicker that all result in better metering through the range, better adjustment to elevation and temperature changes, and no screwing around with multiple metering rods.

Is that mcnutt?

Lectron and SC are great carbs for the known / popular bike/mod combinations. If yours is not than your out of the luck completely as you need to buy multimple needles with no practical guidance on what could/should work for you.. and there is very few available to be able to fit a bike from idle to WOT as not all are best suited with what's available from either manufacturers ....

Lectron carbs on a 125 suck. It makes the power curve way to smooth. And it’s hard to keep it in the power band going up long wide open hills if you shift to high it falls on its face. Mikuni had a way better hit. And was much easier to keep it In the power and. But I’ve also ridden one on a 250 and it was definitely better than the 125. I will always keep stock carb on a 125

Great test! Lectron should be great!

Keihin pwk is best

I wonder if the Lectron linear bottom was simply the bike in general. I was also Pro Lectron before watching this video. I think the SmartCarb is a better choice for me and my riding. Which is Moto.