Should have got a 350 years ago...

AH387
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Bridgeville, PA, USA
10/23/2020 10:24am
RCMXracing wrote:
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in...
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in shape to handle the 450 and friends say “why bring a knife to a gunfight?”... “stick with the 450.” But I still want a 350! Would this be a fools errand?

This would be for riding and racing MX. I’ve raced against 350’s and one has yet to pull me on a start. During the race they seem competitive, but if there is a straight, especially sandy, I can grab a handful and it’s like afterburners, just pull away on 450.

I typically ride 2 x a week, sometimes 3, looking for opinions on getting another 450 and keep old one as I rack up hrs, or keep 450 and get a 350. Would there be advantages to riding/racing both bikes as a sort of cross training? Anyone do this?
Kind of interesting. I get good starts on mine, usually. Also I ride/race with a friend who is as close to the same speed as me, as it gets. He never pulls me on the fast sections (straights, hills etc.) the main areas that I feel like his 450 is an advantage is coming out of slow/tight corners and obstacles with a short run-up. And I assume that is mainly due to the big torque advantage. If you are revving the 350 properly, there is no reason a 450 should pull you in the fast sections, in my opinion and through my own experiences.

As far as your situation, I would look at it like anyone who rides/races both a 450/250. All 3 bikes require a different riding style, so owning 2 of the 3 (regardless of which) is going to require some change in technique or riding style, switching back and forth. When I bought my 350 2 years ago, I had my YZ250F along side it. Switching between them was different but not bad. Last year I sold the 250F and have a 125. Switching between those 2 is more of a challenge but it's nice to have both. I don't really look at the 350 as a replacement to a 450 or 250f, it really is it's own bike and needs to be ridden as such.
3
10/23/2020 10:27am
RCMXracing wrote:
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in...
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in shape to handle the 450 and friends say “why bring a knife to a gunfight?”... “stick with the 450.” But I still want a 350! Would this be a fools errand?

This would be for riding and racing MX. I’ve raced against 350’s and one has yet to pull me on a start. During the race they seem competitive, but if there is a straight, especially sandy, I can grab a handful and it’s like afterburners, just pull away on 450.

I typically ride 2 x a week, sometimes 3, looking for opinions on getting another 450 and keep old one as I rack up hrs, or keep 450 and get a 350. Would there be advantages to riding/racing both bikes as a sort of cross training? Anyone do this?
I have both. A 2019 FC350 & a 2019 450SXF FE. Im 95kg with my gear on & this is the first 450 i have owned as i was on the 350 train from 2011. I love 350s but being as heavy as i am i always struggled to get a good start on the 350.
I would then usually ride over my head coming through the pack & end up crashing. 🤦🏻‍♂️
I use my 350 for practicing & my 450 for races. Having ridin both & sometimes back to back testing, i prefer the 350. Its lighter & way more fun to ride plus im a revver. However from my lap times i am definitely faster on the 450. By 1-2 seconds a lap mostly. & the 450 is easier to get the big jumps once the tracks get super rough. I think my ideal would be to tune a 350 for racing to close that gap a little. But tuning & stuff is expensive. I find it hard going between the two bikes esp on a race day as you have to ride them both differently.
If i wasnt as fit as i am or i wasnt racing competitively i would probably drop the 450 & stick with the 350.
Hope that helps a bit.
3
erik_94COBRA
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Houston-ish, TX, USA
10/23/2020 11:16am Edited Date/Time 10/23/2020 11:18am
RCMXracing wrote:
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in...
Been following this thread as a KTM-450 SXF owner that wants to add a 350 to the stable. I get enough seat time to be in shape to handle the 450 and friends say “why bring a knife to a gunfight?”... “stick with the 450.” But I still want a 350! Would this be a fools errand?

This would be for riding and racing MX. I’ve raced against 350’s and one has yet to pull me on a start. During the race they seem competitive, but if there is a straight, especially sandy, I can grab a handful and it’s like afterburners, just pull away on 450.

I typically ride 2 x a week, sometimes 3, looking for opinions on getting another 450 and keep old one as I rack up hrs, or keep 450 and get a 350. Would there be advantages to riding/racing both bikes as a sort of cross training? Anyone do this?
Like others have said, the engine performance and required riding style is quite a bit different. If ok switching back and forth from a 125/250F to a 250/450F then it shouldn’t be a problem.

The 350 engine-wise reminds me of a 175-200cc 2-stroke: more bottom than a 125/150, not as much as a 250; and revs far like a 125/150.

That said, the 350 is a lot of fun to ride when setup properly. And easier to ride for a longer time since the lack of torque (like a 450), and lack of hit (like a 2-stroke), and more power than a 250F. It’s a great machine for genpop/non-pro.

In practice starts against a buddy on a 450 it is very close.
2
MDana87
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10/23/2020 12:45pm
14/52 guys... does this fit with the stock length chain?

The Shop

Dirtfighter
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Naples, FL, USA
10/23/2020 1:02pm
Has anyone bought a 350 within the last month? I can’t find one anywhere in Florida
grunkster
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Rochester, MN, USA
10/23/2020 1:13pm
2020 350xcf here in MN
Wildeye511
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Las Vegas, NV, USA
10/23/2020 1:50pm
I love my 350. Going to ride her tonight at SVMX.


5
Myke
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San Diego, CA, USA
10/23/2020 6:06pm
flyinb501
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Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA
10/23/2020 6:41pm
I'm surprised by how many people like the 52T rear. I have a 50T with a stock ecu re-map and this bike absolutely rips. I don't feel it's geared too tall. I'm 175 lbs and usually take holeshots with this bike in vet b class. The 50T rear allows me to start in 2nd gear and wind out 3rd gear into the first corner on the long starts at Millville. I think a lot of people shift into 4th.
1
10/23/2020 7:59pm
Has anyone bought a 350 within the last month? I can’t find one anywhere in Florida
I bought one 3 weeks ago from Beach Blvd Motosports in Jacksonville.
T-Fish
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Sparta, WI, USA
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10/23/2020 8:29pm
I had a 2017.5 250, 2017.5 450, and a 2018 350 all at the same time.

Only the 350 remains.
T-Fish
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Fantasy
10/23/2020 8:37pm
I run a 14/53, as does a friend of mine.
Dirtfighter
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Naples, FL, USA
10/23/2020 11:25pm
Has anyone bought a 350 within the last month? I can’t find one anywhere in Florida
I bought one 3 weeks ago from Beach Blvd Motosports in Jacksonville.
How much?
tek14
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Vantaa, FI
10/24/2020 12:13am
I been 14/51 couple years. Did test 14/52 but it didnt work for me that time felt only got more wheel spin than 14/51 and felt I was on wrong gear. 13/48 is between those if you have some left from old 450.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
10/24/2020 7:46am
MDana87 wrote:
14/52 guys... does this fit with the stock length chain?
I went with a longer chain and run it middle to back of the swingarm
10/24/2020 10:04am
Has anyone bought a 350 within the last month? I can’t find one anywhere in Florida
I bought one 3 weeks ago from Beach Blvd Motosports in Jacksonville.
How much?
$9,100 + $700 or so in misc + sales tax.
MDana87
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USA
10/25/2020 1:37pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2020 1:38pm
MDana87 wrote:
14/52 guys... does this fit with the stock length chain?
I went with a longer chain and run it middle to back of the swingarm
Thanks for the info. I’ve got a loaner 52 to try out before replacing my chain & sprockets. Wondering if it will fit the stock chain length just to test the ratio.
JB 19
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Marion, OH, USA
10/26/2020 6:52pm
MDana87 wrote:
14/52 guys... does this fit with the stock length chain?
Yes
1
10/28/2020 1:48pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2020 2:35pm
Really good thread guys, might gave me the final push to trade in the 19 250sx after 10 years of 2 strokes. Found myself being a much better rider with technique and physically hen 10 years ago. Wonder if it will give me the pop i need to get over the bumps down low, riding mainly sand. Can’t wait to try one out this winter!
erik_94COBRA
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10/28/2020 2:08pm
DannyST107 wrote:
Really good thread guys, might gave me the final push to trade in the 19 250sx after 10 years of 2 strokes. Found myself being a...
Really good thread guys, might gave me the final push to trade in the 19 250sx after 10 years of 2 strokes. Found myself being a much better rider with technique and physically hen 10 years ago. Wonder if it will give me the pop i need to get over the bumps down low, riding mainly sand. Can’t wait to try one out this winter!
If it doesn’t with the stock setup, then it certainly will with a few mods and a remap or Vortex. A remapped Vortex made it much more like my TC250: snappy/responsive/torque-y. I made a thread about what else it changes.
10/28/2020 2:37pm
If it doesn’t with the stock setup, then it certainly will with a few mods and a remap or Vortex. A remapped Vortex made it much...
If it doesn’t with the stock setup, then it certainly will with a few mods and a remap or Vortex. A remapped Vortex made it much more like my TC250: snappy/responsive/torque-y. I made a thread about what else it changes.
Yeah i’ll be buying a 21 if it all works out with the financing, 14/51 is the sprocket/chain combo i run normally so probaly will use the same then, and might get the vented filtercap aswell.
1
jeffoff
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BE
10/28/2020 11:23pm
Before my 5year break in 2010 from motocross I had my first 4stroke, a 2010 rmz 250.
Loved the bike, felt i was riding faster then with the rm250 2008.
Started back in 2015 with enduro, only 2 strokes since then.
Have te300/17 , tc250/18 and since couple weeks fc350/20.
Have 4.4hrs on the bike now and still getting used to it.
Bike is fast, more than enough...
It is heavier than the 2 stroke, you will feel the difference. Also more stable/front heavy.
I like the bike but need more seat time to get used to it.
cloud41
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10/29/2020 5:21am
DannyST107 wrote:
Really good thread guys, might gave me the final push to trade in the 19 250sx after 10 years of 2 strokes. Found myself being a...
Really good thread guys, might gave me the final push to trade in the 19 250sx after 10 years of 2 strokes. Found myself being a much better rider with technique and physically hen 10 years ago. Wonder if it will give me the pop i need to get over the bumps down low, riding mainly sand. Can’t wait to try one out this winter!
Probably not - at the end of the day, the grass isn’t greener on the other side. You’re still going out and riding a dirt bike. The 19 250sx and new gen 350 are sick bikes. If your bike was roached out (90 + hours) or were coming from an older bike with time on it, then I’d say go for it. Other than that, prematurely changing bikes is basically scratching the itch you’ve created by convincing yourself you need it. I’ve done this too many times...And I think a lot of people have/do it. Just my $.02.
2
10/29/2020 6:30am
cloud41 wrote:
Probably not - at the end of the day, the grass isn’t greener on the other side. You’re still going out and riding a dirt bike...
Probably not - at the end of the day, the grass isn’t greener on the other side. You’re still going out and riding a dirt bike. The 19 250sx and new gen 350 are sick bikes. If your bike was roached out (90 + hours) or were coming from an older bike with time on it, then I’d say go for it. Other than that, prematurely changing bikes is basically scratching the itch you’ve created by convincing yourself you need it. I’ve done this too many times...And I think a lot of people have/do it. Just my $.02.
Appreciate the honesty! I’ll be buying one this winter or start of 21 anyways. Always wanted to try one and i now have the chance to buy it new. So let’s go new chapter 👌🏻
MotoMatt_928
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Jacksonville, FL, USA
10/29/2020 6:36am
I run 14/51 with a 116-link chain (same as CRF450). Mine has a big bore 366 with headwork, cams, and tuned ECU. 62hp on T4 fuel.
1
10/29/2020 6:39am
I run 14/51 with a 116-link chain (same as CRF450). Mine has a big bore 366 with headwork, cams, and tuned ECU. 62hp on T4 fuel.
That’s abit too much for the rough tracks we have here haha. I was thinking using the black throttle cam, vented airbox and a hgs system. Am only 68kg and 1.72m, think it’ll get me around decent enough
Motofinne
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FI
10/29/2020 6:43am
I run 14/51 with a 116-link chain (same as CRF450). Mine has a big bore 366 with headwork, cams, and tuned ECU. 62hp on T4 fuel.
DannyST107 wrote:
That’s abit too much for the rough tracks we have here haha. I was thinking using the black throttle cam, vented airbox and a hgs system...
That’s abit too much for the rough tracks we have here haha. I was thinking using the black throttle cam, vented airbox and a hgs system. Am only 68kg and 1.72m, think it’ll get me around decent enough
I'm going to go for the same setup. I got the vented airbox cover this week and i'll get the HGS exhaust in the beginning of next year!
dedi684
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Ravena, NY, USA
10/29/2020 7:29am
I just watched that go pro of southwick. After riding and racing 2 strokes there my entire life i felt the 4 strokes looked way easier to ride than my bike! Lol
1
foreman52
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5/29/2018
Location
CA
10/29/2020 8:20am
It has way more bottom end than the 2-stroke. I am easily doing leaps that my other riding buddies with 2-strokes have a much harder time getting over. I’m personally much more comfortable on my 350 in the sand over my 2-stroke. I think a lot of it has to do with the weight different. The 4-stroke feels much more planted, where I feel the 2-stroke can get away from me quicker.

I should also mention that I’ve never ever been able to ride as much as I have this year. This was my first season as well riding stock suspension. I literally set the SAG and never touched the forks again minus air pressure. Super super impressed with WP air fork and shock.

If you are riding sand 100% buy the twin air filter skin. I went through the costly mistake of sand particles literally passing through the filter and going through the motor and destroying the piston and rings.
1
1
10/29/2020 9:46am
Reading this thread has me convinced I need a 350
10

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