2011-2012 ktm 350sxf

[andy 101]

Any one owned one of these I was thinking of buying one but have started to hear they have engine troubles, or I may go back to a 2 smoker .

[Dent]

If TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is an issue, you probably don't want one.

Price engine parts etc, and investigate the recommended rebuild intervals.

[noobi]

I know of a few of the first model (2011) 350s that have gone boom.
Not so many of the newer ones.

There were a few recalls on them, main bearings, clutch parts, some other stuff too I think.

So Id stay away from an 11', a 12 or 13 is probably safer if you want to go with that capacity engine.

[thorns]

Were the 2011 250sxfs reliable bikes?

[flyingcr250]

I got about 200 hours out of my '11 350sxf before it let go for no reason. Up untill then i hadnt experienced any of the problems i had read about on the net.

All bikes are reliable.......untill they stop working
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d-bikes-go-bad

[andy 101]

Have read a few more articles on the 350 so flagging that now, either a 2012-13 250 sxf or a 200 xcw smoker, like the easy top end rebuild of the 2 stroke dont like the pds shock at all, like the traction of the fourstroke but not a rebuild.

[Dent]

If you are just trail riding, there is nothing wrong with a 2 stroke. You will learn to ride it well with some advice on clutch slipping etc. If you want to ride a lot of hills, try to get an enduro bike with 5 or 6 gears, rather than a mx bike.

My last 2 bikes have been 300cc 2 stokes, Gasgas, but the ktms are good too.

Have read a few more articles on the 350 so flagging that now, either a 2012-13 250 sxf or a 200 xcw smoker, like the easy top end rebuild of the 2 stroke dont like the pds shock at all, like the traction of the fourstroke but not a rebuild.

[takitimu]

Have read a few more articles on the 350 so flagging that now, either a 2012-13 250 sxf or a 200 xcw smoker, like the easy top end rebuild of the 2 stroke dont like the pds shock at all, like the traction of the fourstroke but not a rebuild.

I've got a 12 and they are good bikes.

[andy 101]

Yea pick up a 2013 xc 250f on saturday, has been a while since I have been on a bike looking forward to it. the only thing i dont like is no kick start backup.

[takitimu]

Yea pick up a 2013 xc 250f on saturday, has been a while since I have been on a bike looking forward to it. the only thing i dont like is no kick start backup.

Well done, let us know what you think of it.

Don't worry about the kick start, just start it in neutral and you'll be sweet, my sxf has never hiccuped, the stator is Grunty.

I ended up putting a 9w fan kit on, was worried the ktm kit would burn my smaller battery.

Oh I have a kick start kit for mine in the garage, never felt it worthwhile to put on in the end.

[Jay GTI]

Not much point since you've bought a bike, but in case anyone else searches, I bought a first production run 2011 350sxf and unlike CR's mine is still running sweet.

Recalls were:

1. First lot were built with 450 valve stem seals by mistake, which had a habit of ending up working their way out of the head, getting chewed up by the gearbox and then blocking the oil pump. Discovered when a few engines grenaded.

2. Under spec'd gearbox bearing. You'll read about a few early bikes that ate their gearboxes, this is why. This recall came in a while after I'd had my bike, so there were a number of them that died before being fixed.

3. Handlebar clamps cracking. Glad this didn't happen to me, most just noticed they cracked.

4. Fuel filter upgrade. I killed a fuel pump after it got dirt in it, the filter was a known issue by then, had to cough up $900 for a new pump, but it was an upgraded 2012 pump, complete with new 2-stage fuel filter. No issues since.

All of that was in the first year of ownership, most of it as a result of eagerly buying a first production run bike. Not a sniff of problems since.

[Rupe]

Well done, let us know what you think of it.

Don't worry about the kick start, just start it in neutral and you'll be sweet, my sxf has never hiccuped, the stator is Grunty.

I ended up putting a 9w fan kit on, was worried the ktm kit would burn my smaller battery.

Oh I have a kick start kit for mine in the garage, never felt it worthwhile to put on in the end.

You got the standard battery? Does it start in gear?

[takitimu]

You got the standard battery? Does it start in gear?

Std battery, feels like it takes 4-5 times as long & even then won't always start if I'm in gear.

I figure it's fast, consistent & easier on the starter motor to be in neutral, but it's not always an easy option .

[andy 101]

First test ride of the 2013 xc 250f, This is the first time I have owned or even been on a 250f previous bike a xcw 250, the moter was the best part of the bike, although I could not open it right up having not been run in, the power off the bottem was pretty good ,more than I expected ,even lugging it a bit in the tight stuff it handled it darn good , the forks felt really firm but may loosen up a bit with more riding, the rear linkage is a lot better than the pds which I have never liked ,the rear felt really planted though the whoops of woodhill and never kicked me like the pds although the linkage does hang down a long way, one thing I noticed it is a lot less tiring than riding the 2 stroke. really enjoyed having a ride again have been off the bikes for a while, over all happy with the bike although I wish it still had a kick start as well.