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A 250 is lighter and more nimble, the advantage being in corners which is the advantage.
A 450 has more power which is better for large hills and long straights which is the advantage.
The 350 is heavy like a 450 so it has no weight advantage like a 250, and does not have the advantage of more power like a 450. Draw your own conclusion where it leaves that bike.
again- don`t get your panties in a bunch..
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Look KTM makes a great trai bike, the Japanese don't do well at that and said that for years.
All I said is the KTM 350 does not have the advantage of the lightness of a 250, (250's which we have seen be able to win races in certain conditions and certain tracks with certain riders against 450.. didn't Blake bagget have the fastest laptime over 250 and 450 on Freestone or was it Hangtown) but the 350 does not have the power of a 450 (which has an advantage on some tracks in some situations with some riders). It lacks either advantage.
Does that mean it cannot win a race, Nope, never said that. On some tracks with some riders under certain conditions.
So the question becomes how much of a disadvantage, Well at the AMA GP it would appear to have less, But those are factory bikes with factory mechanics. It will require more maint. If you look at all the mxers in history, the smaller cc bikes had to turn higher RPMs to develop more power so they would either me more unreliable or wear out faster, it is still a disadvantage.
Roczen can ride whatever he wants. I watched Moto inside the outdoors and it appears Alessi thinks the 350 has a disadvantage. I watched Andrew Short and AC struggle at Lakewood high altitude which is a disadvantage. So, you can believe what you want, but I think there is enough evidence to say the bike has a disadvantage, where and how much is debatable but it is a disadvantage.
This is the part where you say that because it was not an American rider it means noting. What happens when an American rider wins on one?
So many continue to use some sort of lopsided rhetoric about the 350 NOT being underpowered. As we all saw what Roczen did this year, what RV did in 2007 on his 250f, or what Johnny O' did on his 125 in 1986 (against 500s) power is not the ONLY factor, especially in the right circumstances.
I've gotten my ass kicked by 80s while on a 250 smoker, obviously the 80 has less power. Wait, you people do accept that right? Does that mean by stating that it means 80s suck? No, just down on power.
It is 350cc. 350cc is less than 450cc. It IS underpowered.
Can't wait to see Dungey on the NOT underpowered 350......don't hold yer breath.
A 350 will not ever win a title in 450 AMA class, unless they allow 350cc 2-strokes in the future.
If Dungey wins an AMA chamionship on one does that magically change 350ccs to 450cc? No, and the answer is the same for the disadvantage. If Dungey wins an AMA championship, the bike is still at a disadvantage.
If RV has a KX 430, and RD has a RMz460 and RV wins, does that change the fact the KX is at a 30cc disadvantage. Nope.
The question you should be asking is. Is the KTM 350 a viable bike in the GPs. The answer is yes in Europe, the answer is no or not enough data in America AMA.
If you are talking at the local level, Beginners, Novice, B riders, +30/40/50 novice and B riders will probably never know there is a difference, but that is a guess based on expericence that it is more rider skill than displacement at those levels.
Pit Row
Dungey (if signed to KTM) should no doubt stay on the 450. AC, Roczen, Herlings, etc. do awesome on the 350 & to shut up the USA / Euro displacement naysayers, KTM needs to pick-up a top 250 rider in the states & see what they can do on the 350. My feeling is we'll see that not too far off with with Roczen.
Coulda,woulda,shoulda,if's and but's,like if Cairoli never crashed etc
AC wasn't riding over his head in that qualifier,he looked very calm compared to when it really matters
The 350 HAS a slight power disadvantage.
And the 250f has even more of a power disadvantage. But it all depends on how well the rider can use the power given to him.
What should be added is that in the world of amateur motocross (which about 99,5% of all riders are) there are very few who can ride a 450 to it's full potentional and are (arguably) better of with a 350. I am not saying it is for everyone, I am saying there is a big market for a 350 bike on the amateur scene. And this is most important for KTM, because that is where the most money comes from: the bike sales.
Also another aspect of the 350 is that is makes the benchracing more interesting. Everytime a 350 gets a holeshot everyone will rage wars on forums discussing about which is best. I mean anti/pro 350 threads always do good :D like two stroke threads.
And that is propably exactly what KTM wants. The more talk about the KTM, the better. I doesn't really matter if it is negative or positive, they know they have a good bike. For them it is free advertisement.
Post a reply to: 450's down on power?