Seat of the panties 2014 KTM 350SX-F Review

So RupertX inspired me to put down my thoughts on my new 2014 KTM 350 SX.

First (and probably most important) I'm a 43 year old vet rider, 185 lbs - not terribly fast or bright, but what the hell. I can ride and I like beer.

I bought the 350SX after kicking my 11 RMZ-250 to the curb when it started to randomly find neutral under acceleration and pitched me over the bars for the last time.

My son (a very wise and opinionated 50 rider) convinced me that I absolutely had to get a KTM, so I started looking and was able to buy one for right at 8100 bucks (+taxes, etc). Got her home and looking this bike over - the "fit and finish" is first class. The footpegs rock; they're much bigger than my RMZ's pegs and sharper. The airbox no-tool design is pretty sweet, but getting the filter back in place is a little bit of a struggle. Torque specs are embossed on the triple clamps. Very cool! Removing and replacing the seat is a minor PITA to get it lined up as the bolt is goes through the bottom of the rear fender and my t-handle barely fits between the seat and the rear tire. Compression clickers on the forks are finger-knobs, no screwdriver needed. Comes with MX-51s and pyramid (painful) grips. Set the sag easily enough, but I can imagine destroying the plastic?!? retaining ring with my punch pretty quickly.

I thought e-start was for wussies, but I gotta say its awesome. Nothing like kicking an RMZ a random number of times to start....click the little button and she fires right up. Takes about 5 seconds cold, no time hot. For moto-dads this is the hot ticket when your mini-pilot hits the deck on his 50. Pop the e-start and you're there in no time flat.

Rode the bike initially on the cycle ranch night (SX style) track. Broke her in like I stole her, then started hitting things. Suspension seemed pretty good. A little harsh at 10 clicks comp front and rear from factory - backed it out to 14 eventually, comp and rebound, front and rear, and it fit my old/slow style pretty well. Bottomed on the biggest stuff, but overall was fairly smooth and predictable.

Handling was pretty neutral. Goes where I put the bike reliably and doesn't have any odd traits. The bike won't quite turn in like the RMZ, but what will? Tracks ruts well.

Brakes are good - I daresay the RMZ front brake was a little better than the Brembo on the KTM. Hydraulic clutch is buttery smooth but not as slight a pull as I expected. About on the level of my prior 250F.

Power...interesting. MXA said it rides like a big 250 and not a mellow 450. I agree. Low end and midrange are softer than I expected. Swapped to a 51 tooth rear and that seemed to help liven things up out of corners. No problem carrying some of the obstacles that gave me a pretty tight pucker on a 250, but doesnt have the grunt of a 450 in the midrange. Top end...rare that I operate in the 10K+ range, but a buddy and I did some simulated starts. He rides a massaged YZF 450 and the 350sx stayed right with him. Of course that could be the 50 lb weight difference between us more than the bike. Your mileage may vary.

What's it need? A faster rider first, then maybe a pipe. I understand the Yosh pipe adds some grunt to the low and mid. I have also been told the factory services intake cam is a good addition.