Should have got a 350 years ago...

CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 6/15/2020 9:00am
6/15/2020 9:00am
AH387 wrote:
I'm not a big offroad guy but my FC350 heats up in slower singletrack. Last year I boiled it over, riding tighter trails. It is really...
I'm not a big offroad guy but my FC350 heats up in slower singletrack. Last year I boiled it over, riding tighter trails. It is really nice in the woods compared to a 450 though. 2nd gear isn't too low but it pulls long and is usable. A 450, on the other hand sometimes feels like 2nd is too low (beats you up) but 3rd is prone to stalling. I don't get that feeling with the 350. It doesn't tire you out at all in woods or moto.

My only real complaint with the 350 is on certain tracks, the gearing is sometimes a bit odd. As a general rule a 250F you run 2nd in most corners and get into 3rd to hit the 1st obstacle out of the turn. 450 you can usually do most everything in 3rd. The 350 3rd doesn't like to be lugged but sometimes you are revved up in 2nd hitting a jump out of a turn and I feel like I could've shifted to 3rd but don't. It's just hard to explain. Maybe it's just riding 250Fs and 450s for so long, you instinctively just know what gear to be in. The 350 sort of unsettles all of that. Still an amazing bike, just throwing that out there, as I feel that way, as do a few other people that I have talked to. The upper part of the power-curve is so unbelievably fun. it feels so much faster than a 250F and really even a 450, just because it screams forever. It for sure doesn't have that blast down low, but there are certainly some advantages to that (basically not wearing you out and doesn't bite you if you make a mistake.) 1 more thing, I wish it revved a tad faster.
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
I switched to 14/52 gearing to help run 3rd and 4th gear instead on 2-3rd. As far as faster reving, make sure you use the exact...
I switched to 14/52 gearing to help run 3rd and 4th gear instead on 2-3rd.

As far as faster reving, make sure you use the exact amount of oil recommended. An engine tuner told me they did testing on Honda’s and every +100cc stole about .5 HP and rev character.
Xracer wrote:
I find the throttle to be a bit too snatchy in the tight stuff...the on/off throttle transition is abrupt and it gets old quick. Mine is...
I find the throttle to be a bit too snatchy in the tight stuff...the on/off throttle transition is abrupt and it gets old quick. Mine is a 16' with the 2 switchable maps and I don't see much difference with the mellow map. The newer ones with more mapping options might be better, I dunno. It might be an FI thing also...this is my first injected bike and I don't think any FI system can feel as "organic" at very tiny throttle openings as a carby bike. I don't hear this from anyone else so maybe it's just me! Otherwise it's a great off road motor. Comes on softer off the bottom, like a 250, but the mid-to-top rush will keep you on the heels of the 450's and ahead of some of them. It's the most 2-stroky 4-stroke out there IMO. Stock gearing is good and versatile and I haven't experienced any overheating issues, but admittedly I don't go long periods in the super- tight stuff
That on off feel can all be fixed with mapping. That’s a big thing I love about my Vortex EcU. The bike rolls really well and free off throttle and it’s very progressive getting on throttle. It’s amazing what they can do with the ECU and tuning.
2
sandman768
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sandman768 6/15/2020 9:02am
6/15/2020 9:02am
I rode a husky 350 last year at my local practice track. I had ridden a 350 years ago & did not care for it. Within 3 laps it became apparent your have to ride it like a 250f or a 2 stroke... I.e. rev it ! Once I started to ride it properly, I really liked it. I think they are good bikes for someone coming from a 250f or a 2T. Guys that are used to lugging a 450 around on the torque curve will take longer to adjust. I plan on getting a new 350 when they come out this summer/fall.
bents
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bents 6/15/2020 11:57am
6/15/2020 11:57am
bents wrote:
Superdave19,
Just curious-what level rider are you? Are you racing regularly?
Superdave19 wrote:
Vet A.. Yes race quite a bit.. Won our district in +40 & +50 last yr. Of course compared to Don Biscellia I think I have...
Vet A.. Yes race quite a bit.. Won our district in +40 & +50 last yr. Of course compared to Don Biscellia I think I have an anchor on my bike! LoL
Okay, so you are A-a real racer on this forum, and B-faster than most on this forum! I will look forward to your feedback once you get it broken in and learn the bike better. I am not in your, ahem, snack bracket on the riding side of things, but at 57 I feel much less threatened by my 350 and after having recently ridden a 2020 KX450 I sure am glad I am not riding a 450, and I did for years. I have an 04 Yamaha YZ450F (last year of the 4 speed), as a play bike that I am slowly working on and it has a really fun engine, but it certainly isn't the bike that I would go to if I were to race again-and I do hope to line up again at some point. Keep us posted.
1
Rabbit Run 41 6/15/2020 12:46pm
6/15/2020 12:46pm
I just put my 2nd hour on my ‘19 350SXF at my local track yesterday. I know this track well and have many laps there on my 250F. I am getting comfortable handling the bike now and was able to run the whole track in 3rd gear with stock gearing. The run-out compared to my 250F was very nice. So after the first 2 hot laps, I could get into a pace for a 15 minute Moto. I am just sorting things out, but love the platform. This bike can turn well! I am 58.

The Shop

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NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 6/15/2020 1:03pm
6/15/2020 1:03pm
NeedMoto wrote:
I recently bought a 2020 FC350. Previous bike was a 19 Kawi 450. The fun factor of the 350 is off the hook! I'm now doing...
I recently bought a 2020 FC350. Previous bike was a 19 Kawi 450. The fun factor of the 350 is off the hook! I'm now doing 30 minute motos consistently, and don't have arm pump at the end. This is the first time in many years of riding, that I can't wait till the next time to ride again. For me, when riding the 450 I could only ride 11-13 minutes comfortably before I felt like (OH SHIT) situations would come up. I was definitely riding the 450 more on the defensive side, to where the 350 is all on the offense, twice as long, and twice as fun!
Superdave19 wrote:
Can you elaborate on your skill/age?- I also had a Kawi 450, and swapped out for a Husky 350. Did my first Motos today but really...
Can you elaborate on your skill/age?- I also had a
Kawi 450, and swapped out for a Husky 350. Did
my first Motos today but really struggled to gel with the
Bike.. Hopefully it’s just growing pains and needs to just be
broken in..
60 years old, ride 60A class. Moto every weekend. You gotta give it a chance, both breaking it in, and adjusting your ride style a tad. I tried an 18 350 a couple years ago, and sold it after 4 hours. I was convinced I needed all the grunt of a 450. I'm into my 2020 FC350 at 11 hours, enjoying it more than any other scoots I've had over the last 5 years.

One thing that made my transition to the 350 easier, was that for the last month prior to buying the 350, I was riding a YZ250 two stroke while I was waiting for my Kawi 450 to sell.

You need more transition time from the 450 to 350, give it a chance Wink
3
Superdave19
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Superdave19 7/26/2020 11:17pm
7/26/2020 11:17pm
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still find a bit of a gap in 4th gear.. going to try the 52t, and see how that goes. Suspension is just ok...typical skating feel on small chop..Going to get the K-Tech spring conversion, and revalve. Is there a significant improvement doing the Vortex by Twisted in comparison to the stk reflash?
tek14
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tek14 7/27/2020 12:43am
7/27/2020 12:43am
Superdave19 wrote:
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still...
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still find a bit of a gap in 4th gear.. going to try the 52t, and see how that goes. Suspension is just ok...typical skating feel on small chop..Going to get the K-Tech spring conversion, and revalve. Is there a significant improvement doing the Vortex by Twisted in comparison to the stk reflash?
Whats 18' air boot?
erik_94COBRA
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erik_94COBRA 7/27/2020 1:49am
7/27/2020 1:49am
Superdave19 wrote:
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still...
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still find a bit of a gap in 4th gear.. going to try the 52t, and see how that goes. Suspension is just ok...typical skating feel on small chop..Going to get the K-Tech spring conversion, and revalve. Is there a significant improvement doing the Vortex by Twisted in comparison to the stk reflash?
Did you do all mods at the same time? And did Twisted recommend the FMF over other offerings?
GeorgiePorgie 7/27/2020 5:58am
7/27/2020 5:58am
bents wrote:
Any advice out there on the AER front fork? On my 2018 FC350 I still haven't come to terms with my forks.
Forks: Bleed them constantly.

I’m at 15 out compression. 9 out rebound. 140psi. I’m 165lbs.

I’ve got 16 hours now. And I found out I was running my forks too low and I have my bars too far forward. By taking the third line on the fork and really bringing the bars back, almost felt like bringing the bars back as far as Carmichael, really made me uneasy. But immediately With the stock settings 12 out / 12 out 143 psi that bike started tracking in all the corners wasn’t jumping out of ruts, I’m not sure if it’s my writing style I’m always way way up on the bike or if that’s just the geometry the KTM how they like to be most settled forks high and those bars way back
sandman768
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sandman768 7/27/2020 6:19am
7/27/2020 6:19am
I just picked up a 2021 ... comes with the 51 rear sprocket...I will try that gearing for a few hrs.. I”ll do the normal Ktm mods ... two stroke filter cage, black throttle cam.... can anyone elaborate on exhaust... slip on only or full system? And remap questions... when remap was done.. do they ask if you have a pipe or run race gas? Thanks... have not even ridden the bike yet...
2
mxb2
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mxb2 7/27/2020 6:33am
7/27/2020 6:33am
sandman768 wrote:
I just picked up a 2021 ... comes with the 51 rear sprocket...I will try that gearing for a few hrs.. I”ll do the normal Ktm...
I just picked up a 2021 ... comes with the 51 rear sprocket...I will try that gearing for a few hrs.. I”ll do the normal Ktm mods ... two stroke filter cage, black throttle cam.... can anyone elaborate on exhaust... slip on only or full system? And remap questions... when remap was done.. do they ask if you have a pipe or run race gas? Thanks... have not even ridden the bike yet...
Yes, standard questions,. Type of riding, fuel, exhaust, mods. Etc.
2
sandman768
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sandman768 7/27/2020 6:55am
7/27/2020 6:55am
mxb2 wrote:
Yes, standard questions,. Type of riding, fuel, exhaust, mods. Etc.
Thanks...
1
mxb2
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mxb2 7/27/2020 7:33am
7/27/2020 7:33am
mxb2 wrote:
Yes, standard questions,. Type of riding, fuel, exhaust, mods. Etc.
sandman768 wrote:
Thanks...
Np man, tokyo mods will email you the questions or and print it and send back with the ecu. Not sure how others do it. Turn around time 3-5 days. $90. W insurance on ecu
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 7/27/2020 7:40am
7/27/2020 7:40am
Such a fun bike! If you guys can afford it look into the REP shock knuckle. It’s very impressive how it makes the small square edge bumps disappear. I tried it back to back at Washougal and noticed a big change.

Once you install, reset your sag. I ended up being able to stiffen my high speed and it was still more plush than stock knuckle. The stiffer setting also gave me more hold up, so it was a win win.

You can read more info here:
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/offroad-testing/2020/6/1/rep-knuckle-f…
2
yzf162
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yzf162 7/27/2020 7:53am
7/27/2020 7:53am
UGOTBIT wrote:
Another guy that got talked into a Husky 350by the Vital mob. Then Hammer talked me into the Luckys to replace the 4CS. Hopefully I will...
Another guy that got talked into a Husky 350by the Vital mob.

Then Hammer talked me into the Luckys to replace the 4CS.

Hopefully I will get to ride it soon, and hoping the bike is as good as everyone says!
With the lucky kit in those forks it's a night and day difference.
captmoto
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captmoto 7/27/2020 10:55am
7/27/2020 10:55am
mxb2 wrote:
Np man, tokyo mods will email you the questions or and print it and send back with the ecu. Not sure how others do it. Turn...
Np man, tokyo mods will email you the questions or and print it and send back with the ecu. Not sure how others do it. Turn around time 3-5 days. $90. W insurance on ecu
Tokyo mods didn't do it for me. Twisted was a very noticeable and worthwhile improvement.
3
mxb2
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mxb2 7/27/2020 11:01am
7/27/2020 11:01am
mxb2 wrote:
Np man, tokyo mods will email you the questions or and print it and send back with the ecu. Not sure how others do it. Turn...
Np man, tokyo mods will email you the questions or and print it and send back with the ecu. Not sure how others do it. Turn around time 3-5 days. $90. W insurance on ecu
captmoto wrote:
Tokyo mods didn't do it for me. Twisted was a very noticeable and worthwhile improvement.
Worked good for me, maybe depends on bike. My next bike, getting vortex from TD. Custom maps,. Try it out. Heard all good things.

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Superdave19
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Superdave19 7/27/2020 11:04am
7/27/2020 11:04am
Superdave19 wrote:
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still...
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still find a bit of a gap in 4th gear.. going to try the 52t, and see how that goes. Suspension is just ok...typical skating feel on small chop..Going to get the K-Tech spring conversion, and revalve. Is there a significant improvement doing the Vortex by Twisted in comparison to the stk reflash?
erik_94COBRA wrote:
Did you do all mods at the same time? And did Twisted recommend the FMF over other offerings?
Erik- I got a deal thru the dealer on the slip on, so just ran with it. Yes I tried the mods one at a time.. Air boot, then map, then Silencer. Of course the ecu was flashed for the mods, so running it with the choked up stk silencer probably wasn't a good test on the reflash. Everything together makes the bike a screamer. As mentioned, the 52t sprocket is next, then suspension.

Joe- Thanks for the tip on the knuckle.. Will certainly look into it!
1
AH387
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AH387 7/27/2020 11:41am
7/27/2020 11:41am
I'm finally getting my suspension done on mine. That should really put it over the top for me. Some days I love the stock stuff and the set-up that I have, and others I feel like it's so far off. I wouldn't mind getting the ecu done, but I probably wont. Usually by now, I would have sold the bike and got something else, but I really like the bike and plan on keeping it for a while longer. It helps that I have always owned another bike alongside my 350, which keeps hours down. But they are good bikes and I see no need to get rid of it for another, when I have slowly enjoyed modding it little by little and working on getting it to my liking. As mentioned in some of my other posts, I sometimes struggle with the gearing but that seems to be less of an issue now. Push comes to shove, I can't get rid of the bike because it's just very very good.
bvm111
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bvm111 7/27/2020 12:00pm
7/27/2020 12:00pm
guys not to insult or anything but don’t forget you can add oil to the stock forks as another tuning option. I added 30ml and was able to come down on my pressure enough to gain some comfort on small braking chatter and still not bottom ... in the end they are still air forks and are sometimes inconsistent but overall some of the best OEM forks i’ve ridden with.
1
Spudnut
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Spudnut 7/27/2020 12:42pm
7/27/2020 12:42pm
kieran_macca wrote:
I'm going against the grain here, I owned an FC350 for 3 or 4 years and whilst I did enjoy it and found it relatively easy...
I'm going against the grain here, I owned an FC350 for 3 or 4 years and whilst I did enjoy it and found it relatively easy to ride (especially compared to a 450) I always felt something was lacking. Last year I bought a TC125 and after that the 350 was just parked. A few months ago I sold the 350 and just picked up a TC250 and I can honestly say I have never gelled with a bike so much. As fun as the 125 but just has the power in places where the 125 was lacking.

Glad you're enjoying yours though, obviously if I owned one for about 4 years I liked something about it haha!
If yo I start thinking about going back to your 350 or a 450 just slap a 300 on your tc and ho-leeee crap it’s like a More rideable 500
tek14
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tek14 7/27/2020 11:27pm
7/27/2020 11:27pm
tek14 wrote:
Whats 18' air boot?
sebastianer wrote:
2018 modell airboot
What is difference 18 to 19/20?
Motofinne
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Motofinne 7/27/2020 11:48pm
7/27/2020 11:48pm
tek14 wrote:
Whats 18' air boot?
sebastianer wrote:
2018 modell airboot
tek14 wrote:
What is difference 18 to 19/20?
Tought i read it was bigger or longer. Long story short, it's an upgrade on the newer airboot.
tek14
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tek14 7/28/2020 12:26am
7/28/2020 12:26am
sebastianer wrote:
2018 modell airboot
tek14 wrote:
What is difference 18 to 19/20?
Motofinne wrote:
Tought i read it was bigger or longer. Long story short, it's an upgrade on the newer airboot.
I did found it:
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Different-air-boot-for-K…



Top is 2018 250/350 - long air passage

Bottom is 2019 250/350 - short

I’m running the 2018, it’s not a game changer mod like put this in and you have a new bike. But if you do all the little mods like screen less filter cage, holes in the air box, airboot, exhaust and add the remap or Vortex from Twisted. YES there is a major difference.
4
erik_94COBRA
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erik_94COBRA 7/28/2020 10:03am
7/28/2020 10:03am
Superdave19 wrote:
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still...
Ok- close to 10hrs now. Put on the FMF Slip on, Twisted reflash, 18' air boot, and omg what a difference. Getting use to it. Still find a bit of a gap in 4th gear.. going to try the 52t, and see how that goes. Suspension is just ok...typical skating feel on small chop..Going to get the K-Tech spring conversion, and revalve. Is there a significant improvement doing the Vortex by Twisted in comparison to the stk reflash?
erik_94COBRA wrote:
Did you do all mods at the same time? And did Twisted recommend the FMF over other offerings?
Superdave19 wrote:
Erik- I got a deal thru the dealer on the slip on, so just ran with it. Yes I tried the mods one at a time...
Erik- I got a deal thru the dealer on the slip on, so just ran with it. Yes I tried the mods one at a time.. Air boot, then map, then Silencer. Of course the ecu was flashed for the mods, so running it with the choked up stk silencer probably wasn't a good test on the reflash. Everything together makes the bike a screamer. As mentioned, the 52t sprocket is next, then suspension.

Joe- Thanks for the tip on the knuckle.. Will certainly look into it!
Great to hear. Did the mods help with power in the lower RPM range as well? I feel like a little more down low would go a long way at making it easier to ride at pace without having to wring its neck the whole time.
foreman52
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foreman52 7/28/2020 1:25pm
7/28/2020 1:25pm
I haven’t got out nearly half as much as I typically do this year but still really enjoying the bike! I haven’t touched a thing yet. Really impressed with the air fork at stock especially over my 15 SX250 play bike.



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kgam
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kgam 7/28/2020 5:15pm
7/28/2020 5:15pm
Just bought a leftover 19, only had it out a few times. So far love it. Coming off of a 14 450. I rode my buddy’s 19 450 some last time out, I like the 450 early in the day but as I got tired the 350 was just so much easier to handle. No regrets at this time!
a
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vitalriderCrf
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vitalriderCrf 7/28/2020 6:19pm
7/28/2020 6:19pm
It’s great to hear that the WP Air Fork works for you guys, I always wondered what it was like. Only KTM I’ve ridden was a 2016 250f with 4cs, yikes. Coming off of the KYB PSF 2 air fork on my 15 Honda, I found it really hard to believe that anybody would ever want to ride with an air fork again with all the other great spring forks out right now like the 49mm Showa or the KYB SSS on the current bikes.
Superdave19
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Superdave19 7/28/2020 8:11pm
7/28/2020 8:11pm
erik_94COBRA wrote:
Great to hear. Did the mods help with power in the lower RPM range as well? I feel like a little more down low would go...
Great to hear. Did the mods help with power in the lower RPM range as well? I feel like a little more down low would go a long way at making it easier to ride at pace without having to wring its neck the whole time.
Yes sir. Way more responsive. Swap also told me a Reckluse Torque Drive clutch pack adds some low end.

Post a reply to: Should have got a 350 years ago...