KTM 350 XC-F review

[Reckless]

Email from Cycle world in the USA

They just did a test on the 350 Enduro model and seem to give a fairly good review! HERE!


Probably the only four stroke I'd consider buying being a 2 stroke man LOL!!
I'd consider it not because its a Ktm but because its a 350 with a smaller chassis and less power!
Ican't outride my 200exc so happy not to spend $900 setting up a new bikes suspension until I find out if the next major revision 200 model might bring direct injection to 2smokers! Then we will have linear tractable power like a 4stroke.
Mind you I'll miss the fun and challenge of controlling wang of the smoker!

Anyway reasonably good review, 2 comments struck me this one
“If we see a KTM on the starting line that someone had to modify for performance, we’re not doing our job.”

And interesting that the brand seems to be getting so much traction even in the USA with this comment
The starting line at most off-road events already is a sea of orange. The 350 XC-F will probably make them look even more like KTM club races.
where I thought the yanks would be the hardest market for them to crack!

Anyway Enjoy! The vids quite good on the web site!

[barty5]

“If we see a KTM on the starting line that someone had to modify for performance, we’re not doing our job.”

ok ill bite so why did they build a 350sxf that seam to be on the start line but lacks in power ??? as it seams to be the most common comment about it if you read through the posts re: SX

[L Rider]

I can see this thread turning into a KTM bashing thread

Not related to this particular article but the KTM mini's.
I will admit when we brought Brookys 1st 50cc MX bike we had to go KTM - only choice. We weren't happy about it & swore we'd be off KTM's and go green once he was onto a 65. Well that time is nearing and we've just ordered a 2012 KTM 65 for him. For him its the better 65.

[Reckless]

ok ill bite so why did they build a 350sxf that seam to be on the start line but lacks in power ??? as it seams to be the most common comment about it if you read through the posts re: SX

haha Barty jeepers the resident Ktm hater first in!

Yep smaller lighter less power so off the start line in Sx your probably correct we will see how the next one or two seasons go in the AMA. We might see some changes! Big Commitment in development for Ktm to enter that series! We shall see how they go with the 350 against all the big jap guns in the US competition!

OH BTW remind me who won mx1?? Was it Tony Cairoli what was it he was riding?

And they are in the top 6 in the AMA only 8 rounds into a their first season with not one of the big guns riding it either! Not to bad!
I've read the odd rumour that JS might go to Ktm or Kawasaki next year???

But as an enduro bike smaller lighter less power appeals to me!

[scott411]

haha Barty jeepers the resident Ktm hater first in!

Yep smaller lighter less power so off the start line in Sx your probably correct we will see how the next one or two seasons go in the AMA. We might see some changes! Big Commitment in development for Ktm to enter that series! We shall see how they go with the 350 against all the big jap guns in the US competition!

OH BTW remind me who won mx1?? Was it Tony Cairoli what was it he was riding?

And they are in the top 6 in the AMA only 8 rounds into a their first season with not one of the big guns riding it either! Not to bad!
I've read the odd rumour that JS might go to Ktm or Kawasaki next year???

But as an enduro bike smaller lighter less power appeals to me!

i think the 350 is better for a lot of poeple, as very few can ride it to its potental, alot of those people line up everyweek at the AMA supercross,

Andrew Short was a podium contender in years gone by, i know this year is very tough with the top 5 stepping up, but Short i think is a"big Gun" he has been top 3 indoors and out for the last 3 years when he has finished the complete series,

the big rumour out of europe was that AC bike was around 420cc (and i heard it from a very pro KTM man), as in europe that is legal, they can run what ever size they want under 450cc, where as in the USA they have to run the production bore and stroke

[Jay GTI]

ok ill bite so why did they build a 350sxf that seam to be on the start line but lacks in power ??? as it seams to be the most common comment about it if you read through the posts re: SX

Define 'lacks power'...

If that means 'has less power than the 450', then yes it's true and I've heard this being talked about as lacking power by quite a few people now. Those people do tend to be the ones that haven't ridden a 350 though. Everyone who has thrown a leg over my bike has said the power it makes is perfect, including an ex podium-finishing MX racer from Hungary. Sure, it lacks a little down low, but once some revs are dialled in, it definitely isn't slow...

...unlike the rider on mine.

[scott411]

Define 'lacks power'...

If that means 'has less power than the 450', then yes it's true and I've heard this being talked about as lacking power by quite a few people now. Those people do tend to be the ones that haven't ridden a 350 though. Everyone who has thrown a leg over my bike has said the power it makes is perfect, including an ex podium-finishing MX racer from Hungary. Sure, it lacks a little down low, but once some revs are dialled in, it definitely isn't slow...

...unlike the rider on mine.

Andrew Short has stated he has to ride the bike alot different, stating you have to land off the big jumps pinned, where if you did that on a factory 450 you would end up sitting on your add,

he also states that he can not square riders up the same as he could on a 450, he needs to keep the momentum up,

but again, this is from one of the worlds best, in the worlds hardest series, what it relates to the average rider here is far different

[barty5]

Define 'lacks power'...

If that means 'has less power than the 450', then yes it's true and I've heard this being talked about as lacking power by quite a few people now. Those people do tend to be the ones that haven't ridden a 350 though. Everyone who has thrown a leg over my bike has said the power it makes is perfect, including an ex podium-finishing MX racer from Hungary. Sure, it lacks a little down low, but once some revs are dialled in, it definitely isn't slow...

...unlike the rider on mine.

havnt had a go on one i was pointing out their own silly sounding comment as when ever you watch the SX they commentators including RC are always stating it lacks power to really keep up. So for KTM to make a comment as they did is a little bit of a contradiction if the pro's are saying that and having to make mods.

[Reckless]

Andrew Short has stated he has to ride the bike alot different, stating you have to land off the big jumps pinned, where if you did that on a factory 450 you would end up sitting on your add,

he also states that he can not square riders up the same as he could on a 450, he needs to keep the momentum up,

but again, this is from one of the worlds best, in the worlds hardest series, what it relates to the average rider here is far different

Very interesting Scott!
I woulda thought there wouldn't be enough traction to pin any bike from a block pass or a square up? You'd have to control throttle and wheel spin?? Might be the case on the prepared indoor coarses with really good traction but be a bit different on the out door wet clay I would imagine?? But I've never raced so I know shit!

Anyway it all goes to prove no matter what you design there will always be advantages and disadvantages. Given what you have said above the 350 may not be the best bike for the AMA as a lot of the passes are from good starts and block passes from a virtual stand still where the 450 grunt may have the advantage! We could find the 350 engine size is faster around a lap but just can't make the pass stick when required? Who knows??

Good points very interesting from a racing perspective we shall watch the AMA with interest!!

For my ability and prob a large portion of everyone else a 450 is wasted!
And this thread is about the cross country model so a lot of the comments simply don't apply to this new bike in the enduro arena. I don't think there are to many block passes on the Woodhill forest trails! LOL!!!

The dirt bike test posted on here certainly proves that no matter what brand you ride your not faster just because it bigger LOL!!. Best bike I've ridden other than mine for me would be Rupes Kawasaki KX250F.
But I do consider myself a Kawasaki man first an foremost given I've owned a Classic Z1R for the last 20 years. LOL!!

[scott411]

i think the best result for the KTM's when they had 3 riders in the top 10 was also on the hardest track of the series so far,

also with the starts, Short holeshot alot of races last year on his factory honda, and Alessi was known up until last year as probebly the best starter in AMA history,

neither of those guys have got a holeshot in a main all year (i have not watched all the heat races but can not remember on there either)

in saying that tho, i do not think Short would be higher in points if he was on the factory honda, he is the best of the next bunch at the moment showing his consistency yet again

[Jay GTI]

havnt had a go on one i was pointing out their own silly sounding comment as when ever you watch the SX they commentators including RC are always stating it lacks power to really keep up. So for KTM to make a comment as they did is a little bit of a contradiction if the pro's are saying that and having to make mods.

Yeah fair point, it does sound strange that they made that statement when the bike definitely will be (and has been) modded for more power.

It is a 'real world' bike though, KTM wanted to tap into the market of the amateur and semi-pro rider that just can't handle a 450. I read somewhere that in reality less than 1% of regular MX racers can ride a 450 to it's limit (as has been pretty much said already here) and I'd agree.

But as an enduro engine, I'd say it's still not perfect. It will chug along at low revs, but it does need some rpm to wake up. I don't find it stalls that easily and climbs very well without bogging or having to downshift, but sometimes when I'm crawling around in in 2nd and the trail opens up, it needs a good handful of clutch and throttle to really get the bike moving again. As the XC-F has the same engine (as does the EXC-F), I'd see the bikes more suited to open, fast enduros, rather than tight, technical terrain.

Oh and Barty, any time you want to have a go of mine, let me know!

[barty5]

Yeah fair point, it does sound strange that they made that statement when the bike definitely will be (and has been) modded for more power.

It is a 'real world' bike though, KTM wanted to tap into the market of the amateur and semi-pro rider that just can't handle a 450. I read somewhere that in reality less than 1% of regular MX racers can ride a 450 to it's limit (as has been pretty much said already here) and I'd agree.

But as an enduro engine, I'd say it's still not perfect. It will chug along at low revs, but it does need some rpm to wake up. I don't find it stalls that easily and climbs very well without bogging or having to downshift, but sometimes when I'm crawling around in in 2nd and the trail opens up, it needs a good handful of clutch and throttle to really get the bike moving again. As the XC-F has the same engine (as does the EXC-F), I'd see the bikes more suited to open, fast enduros, rather than tight, technical terrain.

Oh and Barty, any time you want to have a go of mine, let me know!

cheers for the offer all going well ill be looking at new wheels latter in the year at this point if the WR450 get the new motor it high on the list but that all depends what else is around or due out i guess time will tell( my luck ill still have the 08 in 2018)

[Reckless]

But as an enduro engine, I'd say it's still not perfect. It will chug along at low revs, but it does need some rpm to wake up. I don't find it stalls that easily and climbs very well without bogging or having to downshift, but sometimes when I'm crawling around in in 2nd and the trail opens up, it needs a good handful of clutch and throttle to really get the bike moving again. As the XC-F has the same engine (as does the EXC-F), I'd see the bikes more suited to open, fast enduros, rather than tight, technical terrain.

Hi Jay don't think you could expect any less running an Sx bike on the trails. Way out of my area of expertise here as I know stuff all about them but you might find the 6 speed box, sprockets, different fueling maps, fly wheel weight and timing will make a big difference! They could even put different cams in to if they wanted??

I notice they stuck with the linkage on the 350exc-f probably had to with this frame design, wonder if we will see it enter the rest of the exc range??

[Jay GTI]

Hi Jay don't think you could expect any less running an Sx bike on the trails. Way out of my area of expertise here as I know stuff all about them but you might find the 6 speed box, sprockets, different fueling maps, fly wheel weight and timing will make a big difference! They could even put different cams in to if they wanted??

I notice they stuck with the linkage on the 350exc-f probably had to with this frame design, wonder if we will see it enter the rest of the exc range??

From my understanding, the XC-F (which is an enduro'd SX, unlike the EXC-F) has the same engine as the SX-F, only difference being the 6 speed gearbox. Gearing will change things of course, but the way it makes power will be the same. The mods you mention would sort a lot of it out, but they aren't on the production bikes, so you'd have to do that yourself, either to an XC-F or SX-F.

Reckon the SX-F makes a pretty fine enduro/trail bike as is, it has some shortcomings, but they are a lot less than most MX bikes used as trail bikes.

[White trash]

Reckon the SX-F makes a pretty fine enduro/trail bike as is, it has some shortcomings, but they are a lot less than most MX bikes used as trail bikes.

One of our sponsored riders has converted his SX-F to Enduro and absolutely loves it. Simply softened the suspension a little and it's sound as a pound he reckons.