I've enjoyed many of your videos over the years (including the one in which you tested SC vs Lectron vs OE carb). Thanks for posting. I think this video certainly brings about much conversation and debate. In my opinion any comparative conversation in this arena is a good one. As it relates to your comparison there is a lot of differences between the GasGas and the Sherco that can contribute to the way the bike feels to the rider in a seat of the pants comparison. In essence you are comparing a lot more than just TPI vs SC because of the way that the (2) MFRs. build the power characteristics (i.e. port timing, compression, ignition timing, flywheel weight and mass, etc., etc., etc...). IIRC, in the video I've referenced above, you were on the same bike and model year which, in my opinion, gives a better comparison of the tested component. Regardless, Id love to add my opinion to the conversation. Of coarse the subjective human experience factors in greatly here as well. I've had 300 2 stks since '12 and find them to be great bikes in many ways. I've used the SC, have been able to dial in both the Keihen and Mikuni carbs, and now have a TPI. Anyone who's ever ridden my bikes have all commented on how well they run-including someone who owned a bike with a TPs equipped SC that was running Fabio's PowerCDI ignition system. I just bought a '21 TE last November. I kept the '17 TX around for several months because I had concerns about the TPI. I had never even ridden a TPI bike (until I bought the '21) but the "horror" stories were enough to give me pause. I sold the TX (the SC too) about 3 weeks ago now. The '21 TE is (by far) the best running 2 stk I've ever owned. In much of the powerband I don't find a lot of difference between the '17 and the '21. It is at the lowest throttle openings that I find a HUGE distinction. The TPI runs so cleanly in the basement. I've always liked to lug my bikes around (until the point at which I need/want some serious HP to attack some obstacle or trail condition), and I didn't think there was much need for improvement in that area. The TPI brings it to a whole other level! In your video I can clearly hear the Sherco running much rougher (some call it burbble?) at the lower throttle openings as others have pointed out in the comment section. Your narrative is that the bike feels like it pulls better down low but I struggle to see how that can be so when the bike is running rougher. I will surely admit that I'm not the one riding the bike (and you are) but I can relate what I'm hearing to my own riding experiences. I will also admit (or suggest) that the GasGas does not sound like it runs as cleanly as my '21 TE does....Which brings up a whole other variant. That is the differences between any (2) bikes even if they are the same brand, model, and year (due to manufacturing tolerances maybe?). In fairness, I have modified my bike from stock. I installed the Slaven's idle screw, and a set of VForce 4 reeds (while I was in there), so that would potentially throw off a direct comparison as well. Even though I have made modifications I am nowhere near the 700 dollar mark of the SC (plus manifolds and air boots for some machines?). I also don't feel the need to install a high compression head to the '21 TE. This is something I ended up doing to both my '12 XC and my '17 TX (S3 and RKTech respectively). Both of which boosted performance in the lower to mid RPMs. As it relates to fuel consumption, I never was able to capture the claimed increases from the SC. I do, however, notice better range on the TPI. I have always installed oversized tanks on my bikes (including the '21 TPI) as I always seem to think I'm going to ride farther than the stock tank will allow. I have found myself running out of gas on rides in the past. It is much easier to borrow/buy gas (say from someone who is camping with an ATV or SXS, for example) when one doesn't have to worry about having, or having the right ratio of, premix. Plus one for the TPI! I also did not notice any difference between any of the bikes (or carbs) in the area of "throttle pull" and "drag". I was confused on what you meant by those terms. Were you referring to the effort it takes to turn the throttle tube or some performance characteristic? If by "drag" you meant engine braking I detected no differences. I will certainly agree with you when you talk about the amazing amount of traction one gets (particularly at small throttle openings) with the TPI bikes. I have been a big fan of the SC since I found out about them. For whatever reason I much preferred them over the Lectron...Even though I've heard many more success stories compared to SC success stories. I certainly agree with the Keep It Simple Stupid theory and, unfortunately the TPI does add more complexity. Thus far I am tolerating it due to my perceived performance gains and not hearing of any negatives issues from friends (many friends w/TPI ranging from '19s-'21s). I will have to check out WA Semi-hard Enduro's link and/or order a crank sensor-just in case. Why not?...I'm already carrying a spare fuel injector and filters for my 4 stks. I've never had a failure myself yet but I carry because of all the issues I've heard about from others. In summary, I find it interesting that your experience is that you find the SC equipped Sherco runs better down low and mine is that the TPI equipped bike runs better than anything I've experienced down low. Even though I (admittedly) like to be right, I much prefer the type of conversation that your video has provoked. I'm excited to go riding now! I can't wait until our high country trails open up!! Thanks for posting!...Thanks for letting me share!...Keep up the good work!!

I ride a 2021 300xc with the TSP Kit. It's hard to imagine a bike running any better than my setup. The Sherco interest me greatly and will be my next bike.

Great evaluation of the pluses and minuses between the 2 designs.

I've run SmartCarbs since mid 2015, and love them. That said, it is aftermarket, therefore tuned and the TPI bikes are factory mapped which is probably weighted toward emission regulations. I would expect the TPI to have less of that lag and maybe less of that traction if remapped(tuned). I'll stick with SmartCarb though because of the mechanical simplicity. Also I bet one good water dunking would destroy or at least damage beyond usability the fueling system of the bike. That means walking, and I'm to old to walk THAT far anymore but I'm not too old to screw up a creek crossing 😁

When he’s really lugging the engine around at 4:51 the bike sounds like a 4 stroke. Runs so clean at such low revs.

Thanks for this comparison...I haven't had the opportunity to ride a TPI and still on my Lectron 300 XC-w with RK-Tek head. It's dialled in so nicely that I'm not sure I would give it up for the TPi for awhile. Keep up the vids ...we ride the same trails. :)

Great vid! I love my smart carb!

CARB FOREVER KEEP SIMPLE BABY!

Excelente video. Los comentarios escritos permiten entender mejor. Saludos desde Colombia. 🛵🇨🇴

The difference between the two is mainly how they are tuned! The TPI is tuned on purpose to drag and bog for traction. If you want to have more power all the time with TPI you can adjust the spring and WHAM there it is. Way better than carb, I'm so done with carbs!!

Love the Smartcarb on my 97 YZ285 ( big bore kit ) never have to replace the oil pump too 😏

nice video 🤘

man those trails are mint. Ordered my 23 300, was thinking of upgrading the carb but man they are all so pricey

Nice comparison. I have a KTM300XC 2020 w a TSP medium compression head and ECU flash. You have to try a bike w that set up. Traction and it rips

Any TPI bike I’ve ridden has kept me on my 17 250xc. Fun and simplicity being the main reason why. I do prefer the newer frame/chassis though. Front feels a little more planted and quicker turning while still being stable. Any new 2 stroke purchase is likely to be a Sherco or Beta (with dreams of a new 2 stroke from Japanese). However, if I could find a used 19 250/300xc I’d be all over it.

I have a 91CR500 with a SC2 on it, runs great better fuel economy

thanks for the vid i have a 2021 Sherco SE 300 Factory i haven't had much jetting trouble but i am thinking about the SC i love the Lug of the Sherco Does the Smart Carb change that

Geography could be the biggest factor ,left coast lots of altitude, temperature changes. Right coast not so much ! My 40 yrs+ experience , if temp stays between 5 deg. C and 30 deg., set it and forget it .Keep it simple. As far as buy in cost ,as a performance mod. aftermarket carbs can be expensive but as a replacement unit for a high hour stock carb for sure an option to be looked at .

those trails are wicked, where is this?

After owning a 2019 and now a 2021 300 XC TPI, I would have to say I prefer the carb. I do feel like there is some confirmation bias going on in this video though (which is only natural). My 2019 had a 36mm SC2 and it definitely did not adjust for air density like TPI, but slightly better than a conventional carb. I owned both bikes at the same time for a bit, and the throttle pull is significantly lighter/ smoother on the TPI... Another negative I had with the SC was flooding the engine when you lay the bike over. Without overflow hoses there is nowhere for the gas in the bowl to go other than the engine or air box... Not bashing the SC, I actually really liked the product overall, and loved the linear power curve. I too was unimpressed with the stock TPI throttle response and off idle power, but it was easily fixed with an idle screw and ECU reflash.

I want to take one of these carbs and try to put it on a car with an older 4 cylinder engine like a gm iron Duke.

5wk9700z for the TPI guys having Crank Case Pressure Sensor failures or troubles finding them. This can be picked up from any auto parts store and works just the same. I haven’t had any issues on my 2020 300xc tpi knock on wood, but my buddy did on his 2021 300xcw tpi. He found WA Semi Hard Enduros video on these things, picked that part up via the part number mentioned, and put that sensor on his bike. It’s been fine ever since. I have heard of a ton of 2021 model owners have issues with them. Kinda makes me glad I bought a leftover new 2020 instead of a 2021!!!!

Greg, aside from efficiency / temp / altitude benefits, can you comment on performance differences of Smart Carb vs stock Keihin on your Sherco? Wondering if there is any difference in throttle, grunt etc and would love your thoughts on this! Hoping I can clean that full hydro climb on my Sherco 250 by summer :)

If you have heavy throttle pull on a TPI bike, you don't have the free play adjusted correctly. Once you get it adjusted correctly, the throttle pull/return is as good as any carb bike. Also, the delayed/sloppy throttle response at small openings completely goes away. You spent a lot of time dialing in the SC, you should at least spend a little time with the TPI free play so the comparison will be apples to apples. After adjusting the free play on my 2020 TE300, it feels like a completely different bike.

Sherco sounds good up too, but kinda blubbery down low - is that on purpose? I’ve heard the Sherco is very strong off the bottom.

Where did you get the handle bar pads from

I wonder if a Yamaha Banshee 350 would benefit from a Smartcarb upgrade.

Did you walk back to pick up each bike, and ride both the entire way?

I would say the use of premix is a good thing seeing this is how you engine gets it lubrication. Fuel and oil is cheap if thats your only expense. Carb bikes for me I will never own a TPI bike

So couple questions for you then, when you say "throttle drag" or "drag" when letting off the throttle are you referencing the engine braking that you get on a 4 stroke or just that the throttle cable itself feels heavier/stiffer? Second, when you are talking about other TPI bikes that you have ridden are you just talking about Gas Gas or is it the same feel on the KTM's and Huskies as well? Third, is smart carb their own brand or are you talking about lectron carbs or are they two different companies that produce a similar product?

Shouldn’t you really be testing the Sherco against a Gas Gas ec 300 tpi enduro bike and not the cross country bike as the gearing is a little different. Plus the suspension is softer making the bike ride differently. Still a great video though and that place looks amazing 👍

Thats why i went 350 four stroke ! Tho i disagree with everyone stating fun factor of a 2 stroke, i can have fun on both 2 and 4 stroke!! I also can ride my new 4 stroke longer than i could ever my carb 2 stroke !

You better stop talking about your friends bike, or he's going to be your ex-friend!! Sherco's rule!!

All I know is they both put that yz250x you took up those same hills to shame haha

Not a very good comparison between Smartcarb and, tpi with two different bikes!