2016 KTM 350 SXF Big Bore (380)

Moto810
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Edited Date/Time 1/12/2019 10:54am
Currently I am the test rider/bike for the new Thumper Racing 380 big bore kit. I have just finished 3 days of riding and can give some feedback for those looking for a big bore kit. I will give a list of what is on the bike as well and give you an idea of what did or did not make a difference. I am happy to answer any questions you have.

I was seeking to move some of the HP down to the lower RPM's as I did not want to ride up in the 12,000 RPM's. Thus I did all of these mods in the following order.


2016 KTM 350 SXF

FMF TI full system (saves 3lbs but did not change power much)
Vortex V10 ECU from Tokyo Mods (helped when using the torque maps)
DCR race cams (helped give more of a mid range pull and is noticeable)
High flow air filter
380 Big Bore
52mm Cone Valve forks (Great upgrade)
WP Trax Shock (Great upgrade)
Over sized front rotor
Ride eng steering dampner (Great upgrade)
Ti raptor pegs
Mx 52 tires (120 rear)
Rekluse EXP Core 3.0 Clutch


The 380 big bore has made the most difference so far. The bike can now pull out of the turn even in a higher gear and at lower RPM's than before. If you ride a 350 you know that if your hanging around the 8,000 to 9,000rpm's the bike has little HP in that range for quick hits over a jump faces and turns. Some of use refer to this as lugging it. Now this 380 gives you a very good hit in that lower rpm range. It balances out the bike for me because I tend to stay in the 8 to 10,000 range. The bike still revs and I could not tell a difference but to be honest I do not like to ride up in the 11,000 plus range.

My last bike was a CRF450R (2014) and no the 380 is not a 450. But it is much closer. If gives you enough power but not so much that it works you. The 450 would tire me out and the 380 allows me to ride longer. I did not notice any changes in the handling of the bike. I can say I have enjoyed the change to the bike and this is a change I am very happy with.

Thumper Racing is who provided the kit. But it is not on their site for sale yet so you would need to call if your looking for the 2016/17 380 kit. http://www.thumperracing.net/

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Crush
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10/9/2016 11:31pm
Good looking bike too!
HenryA
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10/10/2016 3:35am
Sweet bike, but why you would want to spend all that money on a 350? Isn't it easier to sell it and buy a 450SX-F if you're looking for more power down low?
Markee
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10/10/2016 4:47am
HenryA wrote:
Sweet bike, but why you would want to spend all that money on a 350? Isn't it easier to sell it and buy a 450SX-F if...
Sweet bike, but why you would want to spend all that money on a 350? Isn't it easier to sell it and buy a 450SX-F if you're looking for more power down low?
Yeah you could but you couldn't race in the vet b/c 35+ limited modified 380 class at lorettas.
Moto810
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10/10/2016 6:29am
HenryA wrote:
Sweet bike, but why you would want to spend all that money on a 350? Isn't it easier to sell it and buy a 450SX-F if...
Sweet bike, but why you would want to spend all that money on a 350? Isn't it easier to sell it and buy a 450SX-F if you're looking for more power down low?
Most of what I did was trying to improve the 350. I had both the 350 and 450 to test at the same time this way I was able to see the difference in the two bikes. The 350 is much more forgiving! A 450 engine is great sometimes but the heavy feel and handling of the 450 is what made me choose the 350.

When building the bike keep in mind I did not have the big bore available as this is the first one made. Now if I did this build all over again I would do the big bore, suspension, steering dampner!

The Shop

ob
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10/10/2016 7:56am
The handling of the 350 is just so much better than a 450. If it doesn't change any of the handling then it sounds like it would be about perfect.
MX558
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10/10/2016 6:35pm
Sounds like I have a project for my 17 this winter . I'm running 2 up in the rear and like that a lot now , otherwise stock bike. When I ride 450s now I think their over weight pigs
yz133rider
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Avondale, PA US
10/10/2016 6:41pm
I can't believe trying to move the power lower is what that bike is for. Like has been said, if you want that, you want the 450. Nice bike either way!
BobPA
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10/10/2016 7:09pm
yz133rider wrote:
I can't believe trying to move the power lower is what that bike is for. Like has been said, if you want that, you want the...
I can't believe trying to move the power lower is what that bike is for. Like has been said, if you want that, you want the 450. Nice bike either way!
You have obviously never ridden one
OR Racer46
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10/10/2016 7:35pm
The 350 likes to be riden like a 125 to get the most out of it . Most vets can not ride a 125 like they are ment to be riden . The 350 is a holeshot machine becuse you don't have to shift it just hold it open
Moto810
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10/10/2016 8:46pm
OR Racer46 wrote:
The 350 likes to be riden like a 125 to get the most out of it . Most vets can not ride a 125 like they...
The 350 likes to be riden like a 125 to get the most out of it . Most vets can not ride a 125 like they are ment to be riden . The 350 is a holeshot machine becuse you don't have to shift it just hold it open
Yeah I think that many people saying a 350 is a vet bike is a bit of a false statement because of what you say. Not many vet riders want to ride up at 11,000 to 12,000 rpm's. That is why I was looking for the big bore kit. Now I have the handling of a 250 with the right amount of power. This might be the right vet bike now for most vet riders.
Crush
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10/11/2016 5:06am
OR Racer46 wrote:
The 350 likes to be riden like a 125 to get the most out of it . Most vets can not ride a 125 like they...
The 350 likes to be riden like a 125 to get the most out of it . Most vets can not ride a 125 like they are ment to be riden . The 350 is a holeshot machine becuse you don't have to shift it just hold it open
Moto810 wrote:
Yeah I think that many people saying a 350 is a vet bike is a bit of a false statement because of what you say. Not...
Yeah I think that many people saying a 350 is a vet bike is a bit of a false statement because of what you say. Not many vet riders want to ride up at 11,000 to 12,000 rpm's. That is why I was looking for the big bore kit. Now I have the handling of a 250 with the right amount of power. This might be the right vet bike now for most vet riders.
There is also the fact that most vets don't want the most they can get out of the bike...

The reason the 350 is popular with them is because it doesn't make all it's power down low.

It makes just enough.

And you get more if you twist it. It's forgiving where a 450 is a mistake away from fuck me what about my wife and kids.
tobz
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10/11/2016 5:30am
Sweet looking bike, who done the graphics?
Huckster
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10/11/2016 5:49am
I had a 350 and I presently have a 450. IMHO the 350 is the perfect practice bike. Its a ton of fun. I prefer to race a 450 though. I am the classic Vet who doesnt have time to ride as much as I would like. Its easier for me on the 450. I prefer not to be at 11-12k+ I shift into 3rd and pretty much just ride the whole race there. Its much harder to do that on a 350.
Tim507
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Oregon City, OR US
10/11/2016 6:32am
At my point in life the 350 is perfect......my 16 SXF is set up with DCR cams/Vortex ECU/MR12 to move the hit down a bit.....I like that I can rev each gear to whatever I want, yet it does not get away from me - yet I can work it in the mid and it performs very nice.

I so much like my 350 SXF that I went out a bought a 16 350 XCF and set it up for offroad.......very nice bikes.

I have no interest in winning (little white lie, though winning is not everything) - rather I love to ride my dirtcycle and the 350 is the perfect for me.

The big bore kit is something to think about. Moto810 lives near me and I may have to put the arm on him!

64 years young
156 #'s
54 years plus of experience
Moto810
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10/11/2016 6:59am
tobz wrote:
Sweet looking bike, who done the graphics?
JJW graphics in Battleground WA.
Moto810
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10/11/2016 7:12am
Here are better pics of the bike so you can see the full graphics kit. JJW does good work, They also made me a retro kit.




10/11/2016 9:10pm
I added the Pro Circuit T-6 system and got significant gains in power on my 2017 350SX.
Moto810
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10/11/2016 10:55pm Edited Date/Time 10/12/2016 10:33am
I honestly did not get much of a increase of HP from the FMF pipe but it did save 3lbs and makes it easier to work on the bike.

I put in another ride today on the bike and I am impressed with the big bore kit. I can't say how much the DCR cam help the kit but the kit sure makes it easier to ride the bike. KTM tends to make their engines with more top end than bottom so I am betting many will like this kit even without the DCR cams.
Stuntman949
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10/12/2016 7:59am
Bike looks great. Would love to try one of the new 350s so see what all the hype is about. I think I was the only one who liked this 380 pumpkin

hellion
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10/12/2016 9:20am
Bike looks great. Would love to try one of the new 350s so see what all the hype is about. I think I was the only...
Bike looks great. Would love to try one of the new 350s so see what all the hype is about. I think I was the only one who liked this 380 pumpkin

You're not the only one. I loved mine.
chrisgg90
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10/12/2016 1:12pm
Bike looks great. Would love to try one of the new 350s so see what all the hype is about. I think I was the only...
Bike looks great. Would love to try one of the new 350s so see what all the hype is about. I think I was the only one who liked this 380 pumpkin

Not the only one. That 380 2 stroke was the best bike I ever had and if they made it today I would be riding one
10/12/2016 3:45pm
I recently rode some of the 17 EXC range. 450, 350 and 450 6 Day. The new 450 is so light and smooth it feels close to the 350 to ride but with a little less gear shifting and revs. The 350 was a little lighter still but the gap was less than previous models. The map switch on the 6 day with traction control worked a treat. 1 standard, 2 was noticeably more revving up top and TC could be used in either. Map 1 with TC was a real easy ride and just hooked like it was intended
Moto810
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4/10/2017 12:42pm
Here is an update after about 25hrs+ on the big bore kit. It also works for the 2017 KTM 350 also.


All is good with it. Runs smooth and strong. No issues at all with it. Several others have been running the kit now and no reports of issues from anyone yet. The kit does bridge the gap well for me. I have a 450 also and can say it is not a 450 but it is more fun than the 450. The 380 does not seem to take away any of the handling either. All and all I like it. I would do it again.

Here is the link now for those who were asking before.

http://thumperracing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=37_39_284…
davbrucas
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Katy, TX US
4/10/2017 6:10pm
I own the first ever 16+ KTM 250sxf big bore bike. It is a 270cc kit made by Harris Performance. I think this bike is the best vet class bike. It makes 53hp/25lb-ft torque! It hauls ass and handles well.
I was planning on the 17 350sxf but I may hold off on that for now. If I do get one I would get a 380 kit as well.

I have not had good results with DCR cams. They make decent peak hp but that's about it. He also runs his tolerances too tight for my taste. I went with some regrinds that Derek hooked me up with
4/6/2018 3:55pm
This kit sounds great. The only thing I've read is that the larger capacity needs a bit more cooling so the stock cylinder isn't the best (ideally you'd buy a custom big bore cylinder with larger water jacket). My 350 runs pretty hot, but I've only ever had 2-strokes before so I have no idea how hot they can get before reliability is an issue. Or heat only a problem when you're big bore-ing a 250F? Don't know. Does anyone know?
Cheers
Simon
MotoMatt_928
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Jacksonville, FL US
11/8/2018 11:59am
Anyone else running this? I am looking to do it on my 2016 FC 350.
PJSMAN
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Martinsville, IN US
1/10/2019 9:00am
Any cooling issues?
CarlinoJoeVideo
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1/10/2019 1:50pm
PJSMAN wrote:
Any cooling issues?
My buddy Terry started this thread. His 350 is still running strong. I've never seen him have any over heating issues.
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