Rumors say that KTM is bringing back the 360SX

They aint bullshitting around.

just now noticed in 1st post, 2nd picture the shock linkage is hanging down.

What do we do with a 360 you ask 

Like I mention in another Post , a 360 is not that Monster than many would expect. That extra cc and Torque let it Ride similar to a 450 

KTM has Tons of experience from the past with 350-360-380-500 and 550 Big Bores 

I think a modern 360 will perform much better  than the old 1997 , and i love it to ride that old Smoker more than my 300 Husky from 2021 , when we Talk about Engine Performance 

Had a 380 back in the day and the motor was awesome. Unfortunately it came wrapped in the early PDS chassis and the handling was terrible. If that motor had gone into something decent back then, it would've been a big hit.

Can't see why people are criticising this. Something with plenty of torque, easy to lug round the track, and hasn't got the repair costs, weight, and complicated motor of a 4-stroke? If it's done properly it'll be like a 450 without all the hassle.

I wonder if this will outright replace the 300 after a couple of years if its a successful bike. 

I guess this was a testing day and the photo was taken while some changes were being made.

What I don't understand though is why put graphics on the bike that are quite 'loud' when trying to keep the bike a secret. Or maybe they aren't...

I have a 24' 300XC and it has tons of power, the 360 would be cool to try. I think if they had it tuned just like the 300XC/SX it would be way too much when it really starts making horsepower but if they mellowed it out just a little I think it would be sweet. 

There's a spot in the power on the 300 that it comes alive not that far off bottom and its deceiving because its not screaming but you realize when you are coming up on the next corner how much it is pulling. 

I'll add something that many mentioned about cost of rebuild etc.  a 360 2 stroke would go 300 hours before needing a top end. They will last a long time, then, the cost to do that will be minimal. So, not only do you have an apples to apples 360 vs 450f power output.  You have an apples to apples comparison to cost of bike as well.  Thus, you will never ever see that allowed in pro ama racing. Remember, 4 strokes are so much better... 

I’m thinking it’s torquey…more “big bore” type power for really good low end?

If this thing is real, I’m stoked! 

That though reminds me of the KTM380 I had briefly. I was concerned it was going to be an arm ripper. It was so easy to ride. Could lug it like an XR400, but then it transitioned into a strong power spread that reminded me of a yz250 with some port work. I had V force, Pro Circuit pipe and silencer on the bike. I am not sure what they are like with stock exhaust. But if i could have had it my way, I would have out that 380 in a modern chassis and been happy for life. 

I'd not be surprised if that were the case.

Especially with the rumours that Bajaj will be simplifying things - EG: PDS is thought to be on the chop, to lessen the different parts required - everything link, same essential frames , swingarms etc.

Though, as a 300 is so cheap a 'different' model to put out, with, in most markets a good extra mark up, it may remain, if a 350 + 2T comes out. 

I put off a new bike to wait for a KTM300SX, didn't buy it. Waited for a 350RX, rode one last weekend, didn't like it enough to switch bikes. Potential though with KYB components and enough displacement to work with. 

Gonna ride my CR250 a while longer. Maybe a 360SX will pry the money out of my hands.  

This!
 

Why KTM dropped the 200EXC is one of the great mysteries of the universe. Perfect for people moving up, Vets, and fans of lightweights.
I haven’t ridden one, but the 150s don’t seem to be in the same league.

What didn’t you like about the 350RX? I’ve been obsessed with it since I heard of it. Going to test ride one next week. 

You are right Manny. But dang it when you up displacement it always affects handling. Not in a good way. The 300 is so on rails 

I have a buddy who purchased a 150 with with 200 upgrade components on it. He loves it.

I'll preface this with the fact that my last 5 bikes have been a KTM, so don't label me as a hater. That being said, out of the 15-20 different KTM bikes I've ridden, the 1998 380 my buddy had was probably the worst bike I've ever ridden. It hit like a 5th shot of tequila on a work night, handled like a wheelbarrow with a misaligned front wheel and vibrated like a Sybian after being ridden by Rosie O'Donnell after a long night on coke. KTM has come light years since then, so I'm hopeful things are better, god knows a mid to large bore 2 stroke is much needed these days. Crossing fingers

I agree 100%, those 360/380 were horrible, that is why the 300 made them extinct. The 300 was a way better motor. 

Had a buddy that got the 380 when they first came out. Only thing it did better than the KX or CR500s that the rest of us were all racing was, nothing...

Granted, that KTM chassis and WP suspension was absolute garbage back in the late 90s. But the engine still wasn't anything to write home about. I guess it didn't vibrate as much as an actual 500, so maybe it had one thing going for it. And it felt a bit lighter to ride, at least until the concrete hard seat made you bleed from where you shouldn't.

The old 380 shouldn't be comparable to whatever they make now, though. Will still take one for a spin if Bajaj actually makes one.

Harsh suspension (fixable), not as much torque or peak power as I was expecting, seat too soft.  Rattles a bit. Notchy shifting. 
I was expecting more torque and maybe same peak power than my stock 2003 CR250 with FC suspension and FMF gnarly / shorty silencer. 
E start, hydro clutch, KYB, serviceability, narrowness all good features. Lots of potential just not realized in stock trim. 
I was pretty jazzed to get one but glad I road one first. . 

Thank you for taking the time to give us such a lovely explanation. 🥳😂

The O2 sensor in the pipe is curious, I would have assumed it would be affected by the oil… Wonder if it’s just for testing purposes.

Rosie coked up on a Sybian!

Probably for tuning the ECU properly.   AFR needs to be set for rpm, load, altitude, temperature, throttle position, ect.     No clue how its not affected by the pre-mix though.  

Could be making similar power to the 300 but even more rideable and reliable. The engine would be that much more under-stressed with a bit more displacement. I don't feel like the existing 300's are bad from a engine stress standpoint though. Their maintenance intervals are pretty decent, and there isn't a lot of reports of engine damage without something else failing (oil pump, etc.)

TBI sucks

TPI sucks, TBI are pretty damn decent, though I would still prefer a carb with e-start. Ive had 14 250s with Carbs, a TPI and a 300sx TBI that ran perfect with a RK tek head insert and PC pipe/silencer. What exactly do you think sucks about TBI? 

Rode a 380sx back in the day. Power was very manageable.. tractable and not pipey. I was expecting it to rip my arms out, i just had good pull nothing wild. 

What are “200 upgrades”?

A bottom end with greater “stroke” to make it 200cc? Sounds cool.

My understanding was that KTM stopped making the 200, as it required a different bottom end, while the 150 was just a big bore barrel on a 125 - easy/cheap.

Why?