Contemplating my next bike. Have owned yz250s for many years with an occasional 450 thrown in. As much as I loved the 450 when the track is fresh it starts to become a bit of a handful as fatigue sets in (im a 32 year old career c class rider). I love my yz but really have to get out a couple times a week to be able to gel with it, which is becoming more difficult as I get older. Ive heard the 350 is an easier ride after having a couple weeks off the bike (something i struggle with on the yz). Im fortunate enough to have a private track nearby that has all ktm group bikes available for hire, so I can test ride them back to back. Although id love to hear from anyone who has gone down a similar path and can speak for the long term relationship with a 350 vs 250 2t.
I bought a YZ250 to get back into moto, great bike. Once I decided I was committed I bought a used FC350. I took the YZ apart to freshen it a few years ago, I’m on my second 350 now and the YZ is still in pieces.
For me, the 350’s are easier to hop on and ride, and riding is the fun part for me. If I can ride longer, and enjoy it more, that’s more “fun” in my book.
Good to hear, how do you find the power delivery of the 350? Ive heard they rev to the moon.
These days my main priority is being able to log as much seat as possible when I am able to get out for ride... the 350 sounds sweet in that regard.
Why not a 300 2 stroke. It gives both worlds. The new ktms are low vibration, smooth power and still have the 2 stroke feel.
If you do a quick search there are probably at least 10 recent threads regarding 350 vs 450… get the 350 you won’t be sorry. I would for sure get a 2019 plus model, if anyone says they tried one and hated it prior to that it was a completely different animal than the newer ones are, the 23 and up are even better down low. Yes you can rev the piss out of it, you can also lug it in third around a track as well when you get tired as it responds to a dab of the clutch very well! They are great bikes and a lot of fun to ride i don’t see myself ever riding a 450 again!
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Ive read a bunch of those threads, Ive mainly posted seeing if anyone had some specific experience of a 250 2t to 350 transition.
Good torque off the bottom, more than a 250 and way less than a 450. I’m on the older engine (23 gasgas) so yes, very long legs. I can typically use 3rd gear on the entire track, I have used 14/52 and 14/51 gearing. 190lbs for reference.
I agree, seat time and actually riding is why we do it! The YZ250 is an all time bike for me, I’ll never sell mine, but the 350 is my daily driver for sure.
It’s such a personal preference. For me, 250 2-stroke is the best. I think the difference in feel between riding a 2-stroke and 4-stroke is so big, it’s hard to really compare or cross-shop them. My buddy I ride with every weekend has a 2022 KTM 350F, and it just doesn’t do anything for me. Every time he gets me to try it out, I can’t wait to get back on my 2-stroke. To me, the 350 feels like a 250F with more power everywhere. So it might be what you’re looking for.
I currently own both. I've been on various YZ250s since 2007 and have had a couple YZ125s since about 2012.
I love the 250 two stroke, but it's a lot of work to remain competitive on it as the 450F has improved with each generation.
The 350F makes a lot more power than a mildly modified 250 two stroke. The 350F is also far easier to ride in any situation than the YZ250. It's the broad, smooth power delivery of the four stroke without the heavy feel of the 450F.
The 350F feels as light on the track as the YZ250 and it weighs within a pound of the same total weight when both are full of gas.
(that's with a KYB spring fork and a plastic Acerbis skid plate installed).
The 350F is perfect for guys coming from a 250 two stroke.
I still ride my 250 and 125 often. The 250 keeps my skills sharper than any other bike.
I love the spring forks and lack of inertia in the engine, free wheeling into corners is a sweet feeling. The one thing i did love more about more my 2020 yz450f is how much more compliant the frame felt. My 2t definitely feels harsher (suspension on both set up by the same tuner for the same weight/riding style). I suppose thats why you get with a frame from 2005.
Awesome feedback. I was late to the party with riding mx (started at 25, rode dirtbikes my whole life but parents didnt have the money for racing) and im glad i started on a yz250, its taught me alot of important basics (throttle control, line selection etc.). Dont get me wrong, those things are important on any bike, but riding a two stroke i felt really emphasised their importance.
Josh Mosiman talks about the switch from the 350 at Pala to the 450 at Hangtown
https://motocrossactionmag.com/this-week-in-mxa-with-josh-mosiman-switc…
350 is the bike to have if you wanna get maximum seat time. If you can afford it I'd say keep the yz250 and add a 350 aswell.
Keep in mind you probably gonna have to pay more for a 350.
Another thing ive thought of is that the KTM group bikes apparently have much greater life on clutch and engine components compared to Japanese bikes. Which result in lower cost of ownership.
I guess. Get one then .
Their ‘23 GasGas 250 2t cylinders and heads “have not resulted in lower cost of ownership” though.
Just sayin.
Yes, and a 300 2 stroke will last much longer between engine rebuilds compared to both the yz and 350 4 stroke. So KTM is a great choice, but instead of comparing an outdated 2 stroke YZ, just consider a 300 KTM. You should try one some day.
I would 100% give the 350 a go. I had an 07 Yz250 that was fast as hell but man it was just a handful to ride. In comparison the 350 is night and day easier to ride. If you are only getting out every so often the 350 will be much more rewarding. If you really wanna have some fun get yourself a 350 and a 125/150.
He could just do a big bore 300 kit on a YZ, if that’s the case. And not have to worry about all the electronics, and extra weight.
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I had a 23 300sx and did not care for it at all. Many in my area also felt the same, we all bought into the media hype and had to have one but pretty much everyone sold them within 10hrs and went back to 350's or 450's. For pure moto 350 over the 300sx all day.
He's obviously trying to compare how smooth a 4 stroke is, so I'm giving apples to apples. A yz will remain similar to it's original feel even with the 300 kit. I'm just saying he should atleast try one. By the way, you called me one time a long time ago, burn, and I was in the middle of some major things, so I sounded rather weird I'm sure. I apologize for that. I was having some things going on and I couldn't think and talk on the phone. Lol.
Oh wow really. Cool man 👍 (It was probably AMA Petition related)
Good points.
If it's any constellation , alessi 800 raced a 350 for years against 450s. Not sure how many overall holeshots he had , but we all know it was alot.
I'm going to say 2 stroke , just because that's all I want to mess with anymore . The 450s leave no room for error . I rode a friend of mines 350 and it was like everything a 250f will never be , and not as violent as a 450.
Both those exact same bikes here. My 250 smoker, as fun as it is, it's now my off-road bike. The 350 is much easier to be consistant, and generally all around easier to get around the moto track for me.
Was on 450's up until a few tears ago. Just really didn't like the feel of them when the tracks got nasty and dried out., and especially when I was only riding a couple times a month, to much of a beast.
Your mileage may vary...
I feel the same on the 450 once the track gets beaten down. Feels like I'm just managing the bike rather than riding it. Sounds like i should be on the lookout for a good deal on a 350.
Or the Red Moto 400 kit. Sizing down a 450 to a 400. Surely you could get it down to a 350.
I’m in between 350s right now and ripping my 2006 KX250 until to 25s hit the dealers. I’m an old school two stroke guy from the mid 80s and there is nothing like a crisply jetted two stroke ripping out of a corner! The 350 won’t be anything like a two since it is a four stroke after all but there is A LOT of cross over as far as i’m concerned such as, carrying more speed into and through corners and really letting the motor eat out of corners. I constantly get comments such as “how do you get on it so much out the corner” or “I want to be able to be as aggressive with the throttle as you coming out of the corner” I just smile and say get a 350! The other thing that the 350 does better is line selection once in the corner. On a 450 typically what you choose is where you go due to the gyroscopic effect and mass of the motor (I thought that was BS until i rode my 450 after I did about 10 hours on the 350… it’s stunning actually) The 350 allows you to carve a line easily, pivot off the berm like a 250, or just adjust your line mid turn! I am 200 plus pounds as well and I have no problems with the motor hauling me, I do think a Vortex from XPR does wonders for it as well but it isn’t a must have. Hope that helps and made sense!
Can I suggest looking for 23+ 350 with the new engine. I had a 22 350sxf before my 23 and the 23 is substantially better off the bottom than the 22. The 23 even pulls better than my mates 22 with a 366 big bore kit.
250 2 strokes take a unique riding style to be fast on, different line choices. So comparison to a modern 4 stroke prob isn’t easy.
But in general most less skilled riders will find a 350’ easier to go fast on especially when traction is low.
Me personally have riding 250 2 strokes for 20 years aswell as most 4 strokes. Currently race a 250 sx 21, when I’ve hopped on a 350 it feels sluggish doesn’t like to square lines to miss the bumps like my smoker will.
The best thing about 250 2 strokes is the choice of lines it gives you.
I ride YZ250's. I've ridden a KTM 350 a few times, and was surprised how heavy it felt, especially the front end. And the engine braking was too much for my liking. I'll stick with my 2 strokes.
Different strokes for different folks, for sure.
Apologies for being a bit off topic but I'm considering a yz250 as a second bike to my 350. Do you feel the yz250 is a good second bike to a 350? I'm also considering a new 150sx when they come out but can't decide what would compliment the 350 the best.
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