18 vs 19 KTM 350SXF

Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 5/31/2019 8:18am
5/31/2019 8:18am
^^^^ Ditto. Mine......




Hammer 663s
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Baton Rouge 5/31/2019 1:19pm
5/31/2019 1:19pm
lappedrider wrote:
Also chose the leftover 18. Used the extra money to make it mine. Love it. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/05/31/351278/s1200_7ADA561F_84F9_4E3B_AAF2_36B52304E0EB.jpg[/img]
Also chose the leftover 18. Used the extra money to make it mine. Love it.
What do you think about this Ohlins fork ? Any other A-kit to compare ? Many thx
kpiper
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kpiper 5/31/2019 1:25pm
5/31/2019 1:25pm
JakeBoots wrote:
That’s where I’m thinking ignorance is bliss and as long as I never ride a newer one I will be fine haha! The savings is a...
That’s where I’m thinking ignorance is bliss and as long as I never ride a newer one I will be fine haha! The savings is a lot bigger right now on 18’s, 19’s after the 2020’s dropped there was $500 off them, $1500 off 18’s, but found another dealer in Alberta that has them for $2200 off so they’ll price match. I really wanted a 19 YZ250F last fall with how much everyone loved it but after watching and reading more reviews on the 350 it sounds like it’ll fit me way better now that I’ll be 30 next year and slowly getting into that vet range, took a 4 year moto break until I bought an 89 CR250 for $500 to restore that has about $5000-$6000 invested now that I need to ride as well soon 😬 They have both there so I’ll sit on them both and unless they give me a better deal on a 19 I know I’ll be just as happy with the 18 (as long as I never ride a 19 or newer haha) especially with how often I’ll be able to go out and ride it. Plus that orange frame.. I could powder coat a 19 but I just stripped down a bike to rebuild haha
I have an 89 CR250. Great bike but watch the head shake. Get a steering stabilizer and save yourself some future grief.
mark_sxf
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mark_sxf 5/31/2019 1:33pm
5/31/2019 1:33pm
stone881 wrote:
With the reported transmission and frame problems, I have to think that the 19 is worth the extra loonies. Paint to me isn't a reason to...
With the reported transmission and frame problems, I have to think that the 19 is worth the extra loonies. Paint to me isn't a reason to make a decision, but major structural updates should be.
PRM31 wrote:
What are the frame and tranny problems?
stone881 wrote:
Plenty of posts about false neutrals and a rash of frame failures in the past couple of years. Bikes are jumping out of gear and there...
Plenty of posts about false neutrals and a rash of frame failures in the past couple of years. Bikes are jumping out of gear and there is cracking under the steering tube. So KTM fixed both of those issues in 2019. Pankl transmissions and more gusset on the frames.

Not enough incidents to issue recalls, but that doesn't mean they aren't aware.

Get the 2019 imo.
This...

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JakeBoots
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JakeBoots 5/31/2019 1:36pm
5/31/2019 1:36pm
PRM31 wrote:
What are the frame and tranny problems?
stone881 wrote:
Plenty of posts about false neutrals and a rash of frame failures in the past couple of years. Bikes are jumping out of gear and there...
Plenty of posts about false neutrals and a rash of frame failures in the past couple of years. Bikes are jumping out of gear and there is cracking under the steering tube. So KTM fixed both of those issues in 2019. Pankl transmissions and more gusset on the frames.

Not enough incidents to issue recalls, but that doesn't mean they aren't aware.

Get the 2019 imo.
mark_sxf wrote:
This... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/05/31/351332/s1200_92C1AF08_2475_4EE0_ACD1_218CB6653DD9.jpg[/img]
This...

Looks like I’m getting a 19..
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1
Beaz824
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Beaz824 5/31/2019 1:55pm
5/31/2019 1:55pm
walleyeguy wrote:
Friend of mine just picked up an 18 FC350 for $68?? OTD. Can't beat that.
ben5020 wrote:
Where’d he get that deal?
Yes I’d like to know as well
Beaz824
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Beaz824 5/31/2019 1:57pm
5/31/2019 1:57pm
PRM31
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PRM31 5/31/2019 2:08pm
5/31/2019 2:08pm
I'm old and slow and the frame probably would not be a problem, but I can see it's a valid consideration.
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Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 5/31/2019 2:09pm
5/31/2019 2:09pm
walleyeguy wrote:
Friend of mine just picked up an 18 FC350 for $68?? OTD. Can't beat that.
ben5020 wrote:
Where’d he get that deal?
Beaz824 wrote:
Yes I’d like to know as well
Gresham Powersports here had one 18 left @ $6988. It was the only one I saw in the Portland area, and I bought it. I'd assume there aren't many 18s left, and the 19s will go on deeper discount soon. 19s are $8.337.
lappedrider
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lappedrider 5/31/2019 2:57pm
5/31/2019 2:57pm
Baton Rouge wrote:
What do you think about this Ohlins fork ? Any other A-kit to compare ? Many thx
I love the Ohlins fork on this bike. I have not ridden another A-Kit on this bike but so far the fork is everything I was hoping it would be. I will be getting the shock as soon as they are off back order.
1
JakeBoots
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JakeBoots 5/31/2019 6:04pm
5/31/2019 6:04pm
kpiper wrote:
I have an 89 CR250. Great bike but watch the head shake. Get a steering stabilizer and save yourself some future grief.


I put an 05 450R front end on mine so hopefully it smooths it out if not I’ll be looking into a damper!
byke
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byke 5/31/2019 6:47pm
5/31/2019 6:47pm
^^^Fuuuuuuuuuuk that's hot.
T-Fish
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T-Fish 5/31/2019 9:51pm
5/31/2019 9:51pm
Just dropping back in to post a pic of my ‘18. Every time I look at it, I’m happy with my choice.
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Jrewing
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Jrewing 6/1/2019 4:23am
6/1/2019 4:23am
My 18 350 drops out of gear of second into neutral. Had a chat with a big Ktm shop head mechanic and he said stretching the shifter return spring to preload the roller arm on the Star more helps.
JakeBoots
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JakeBoots 6/1/2019 5:36am
6/1/2019 5:36am
T-Fish wrote:
Just dropping back in to post a pic of my ‘18. Every time I look at it, I’m happy with my choice. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/05/31/351405/s1200_BD91BCA7_2134_4B7F_A4D1_E8DA8680EC44.jpg[/img]
Just dropping back in to post a pic of my ‘18. Every time I look at it, I’m happy with my choice.
How’re the cone valve forks and trax shock? Those are going to be on my list if I can get out riding enough to justify them along with the Akrapovic exhaust
JakeBoots
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JakeBoots 6/1/2019 8:06am
6/1/2019 8:06am
Jrewing wrote:
My 18 350 drops out of gear of second into neutral. Had a chat with a big Ktm shop head mechanic and he said stretching the...
My 18 350 drops out of gear of second into neutral. Had a chat with a big Ktm shop head mechanic and he said stretching the shifter return spring to preload the roller arm on the Star more helps.
Looked into it a lot more and looks like the bolt holding in the shift Star can be an issue too for shifting?
T-Fish
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T-Fish 6/1/2019 10:21am
6/1/2019 10:21am
T-Fish wrote:
Just dropping back in to post a pic of my ‘18. Every time I look at it, I’m happy with my choice. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/05/31/351405/s1200_BD91BCA7_2134_4B7F_A4D1_E8DA8680EC44.jpg[/img]
Just dropping back in to post a pic of my ‘18. Every time I look at it, I’m happy with my choice.
JakeBoots wrote:
How’re the cone valve forks and trax shock? Those are going to be on my list if I can get out riding enough to justify them...
How’re the cone valve forks and trax shock? Those are going to be on my list if I can get out riding enough to justify them along with the Akrapovic exhaust
Send me a PM regarding the Akrapovic exhaust.

I’ve only been able to ride the bike twice since I’ve built it. The second ride was with a friend that has an ‘18 with stock suspension and we swapped back and forth. The forks are unbelievable! Come up as short as you want. Bomb a jump and flat land it. It doesn’t matter because the suspension soaks it all up. It’s super plush all the way through the stroke. The suspension has a dead yet planted feel to it. Just feels connected to the ground more than the stock stuff.
1
MXer391
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MXer391 6/2/2019 11:18am
6/2/2019 11:18am Edited Date/Time 6/2/2019 11:20am
I have a ‘17 and a ‘19. Honestly they are very similar, so I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I will say the mapping was lousy on my ‘17 but I think they got that straightened out on the ‘18. I had my AERs revalved on my ‘17 and I think the stock valving on my ‘19 is just as good. As far as transmission and frame failure, I think that’s all exaggerated. I have a lot of hours on KTMs with no issues.
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sergio.mx7 6/2/2019 2:16pm
6/2/2019 2:16pm
Hey guys, What is your opinion about the AERs forks? I want to buy KTM or HUSQ 350, but i´ll wait the 2020 model.
Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 6/2/2019 7:48pm
6/2/2019 7:48pm
sergio.mx7 wrote:
Hey guys, What is your opinion about the AERs forks? I want to buy KTM or HUSQ 350, but i´ll wait the 2020 model.
I think it depends on your ability/weight, and prior experience.I'm 56, Vet intermediate, 185 lbs, and I like them a lot more than the 2013 CRF450 PSF1 air forks I came off. They are almost as good as the well sorted 2010 RMZ450 forks I had prior to that. Some guys say they are fine stock, some want a revalve (I might fall in this camp), and some say they suck and only cone valves/ohlins are good enough. So who really knows.....

Mike
Markee
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Markee 6/2/2019 8:12pm
6/2/2019 8:12pm
Personally the AER is a great fork, perfect, No. I got mine set up for me and they are even better.

People fail to mention the simplicity of the fork vs how well it works.

If you do not like it or want to experiment, there are other options out there for sure.
2
sergio.mx7 6/3/2019 12:44am
6/3/2019 12:44am
I have a amateur level. I have a Kawasaki kxf 250 19 and the Showa SFF fork is a great shit. I see many people in the paddock and races that use Cone Valve and TRAX, that´s why I´m afraid to buy KTM or HUSQ. I´m thinking of opening a topic to talk about this.
1
Tonynz
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Tonynz 6/3/2019 1:22am
6/3/2019 1:22am Edited Date/Time 6/3/2019 1:36am
sergio.mx7 wrote:
I have a amateur level. I have a Kawasaki kxf 250 19 and the Showa SFF fork is a great shit. I see many people in...
I have a amateur level. I have a Kawasaki kxf 250 19 and the Showa SFF fork is a great shit. I see many people in the paddock and races that use Cone Valve and TRAX, that´s why I´m afraid to buy KTM or HUSQ. I´m thinking of opening a topic to talk about this.
Nothing wrong with AER and standard KTM suspension, my son runs it and loves it.
I am 53 years old and run Ohlins on my 19 350SXF cause I can afford it.
To answer your question a lot of KTM owners are older and have disposable income to buy suspension they may or may not need,
I would be no faster with standard suspension, but it makes me feel good.
5
Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 6/3/2019 8:53am
6/3/2019 8:53am
sergio.mx7 wrote:
I have a amateur level. I have a Kawasaki kxf 250 19 and the Showa SFF fork is a great shit. I see many people in...
I have a amateur level. I have a Kawasaki kxf 250 19 and the Showa SFF fork is a great shit. I see many people in the paddock and races that use Cone Valve and TRAX, that´s why I´m afraid to buy KTM or HUSQ. I´m thinking of opening a topic to talk about this.
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Tech-Help-Race-Shop,42/Kreft-revalve-con…

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Factory-connection-Aer-4…

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Where-to-get-a-revalve-k…


Lots of discussion already. Plenty on ThumperTalk too. I'm personally going to look very closely at the Kreft AER48 revalve this winter. I have a friend with 9 (Yes - 9!) KTMs from 125 2Ts to a 450 snowbike. He's got 4 sets of cone valves and some Kreft AER stuff too. He thinks both are excellent. Well, his CVs are Kreft setup too.

Dude has over $200k of bikes in his garage. All the KTMs plus 2x BMW S1000RRs set up for road racing, and a few more fun bikes. It's nuts. Yes, money is no object for him.

Mike
1
JakeBoots
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JakeBoots 6/6/2019 5:33am
6/6/2019 5:33am
As hard as it was to turn down the 18 I ended just getting 19, thanks everyone for you input! Can’t wait to try this thing out this weekend !
15
Motohead279
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Motohead279 6/6/2019 10:00am
6/6/2019 10:00am
I was in the same boat. I’m picking up a 19 this weekend. Already have a set of Cone valves and Trax shock. Can’t wait to ride it. I also went with the 19 because of the upgrades over the 18 and nothing is really changing on the 20.
ob
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ob 6/6/2019 11:09am
6/6/2019 11:09am
Jrewing wrote:
My 18 350 drops out of gear of second into neutral. Had a chat with a big Ktm shop head mechanic and he said stretching the...
My 18 350 drops out of gear of second into neutral. Had a chat with a big Ktm shop head mechanic and he said stretching the shifter return spring to preload the roller arm on the Star more helps.
Mine did that with the rottella I was running for years. Started using motorex 10-60, that fixed it.
PlainEnvelopes 6/6/2019 11:35am
6/6/2019 11:35am Edited Date/Time 6/6/2019 11:36am
I picked up a left over 18 also. I would rather save the money and also have the motor that is not all new.
sergio.mx7 6/6/2019 1:08pm
6/6/2019 1:08pm
I'm waiting for my husq 2020 350 😊. I think that the only different are the fork and shock. 2020 are WP Xact same Xplor
tackomoto
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tackomoto 6/6/2019 1:19pm
6/6/2019 1:19pm
sergio.mx7 wrote:
I'm waiting for my husq 2020 350 😊. I think that the only different are the fork and shock. 2020 are WP Xact same Xplor
Absolutely no difference in ‘19 WP AER and ‘20 WP XACT. Just rebranded to XACT. Actually emailed Keefer about it this morning, as I was unsure myself.
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