450 to 350

644
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644
Edited Date/Time 4/10/2019 12:10pm
I did a search first. For all you guys that switched from a 450 to a 350...what's been your experience racing, especially as it relates to starts? I know deep starts etc will be affected but I am looking for your real life stories / advice from the people that ride and have switched.

I'm a 160 lb vet intermediate rider and starts are my (probably only) strength. I get the holey pretty often, so I'm obviously worried about that.

Thanks in advance...
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chewy4063
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chewy4063 4/8/2019 11:44am
4/8/2019 11:44am
Why are you thinking about ditching the 450?
inthebadboycorner 4/8/2019 11:49am
4/8/2019 11:49am
I would think being 160 lbs starts won't be an issue,
What you may lose on the run up to the first corner you should be able to make up through the corner itself.
644
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644 4/8/2019 11:50am
4/8/2019 11:50am
chewy4063 wrote:
Why are you thinking about ditching the 450?
Heavy late in the moto's for me.
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ob
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ob 4/8/2019 12:15pm
4/8/2019 12:15pm
Starts really don’t seem to be an issue with the 350. I can start in 3rd on my 350 if I want. My 450 would not ever work in third on the start. I’m the same weight as you and race A classes.
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Jaybird67k
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Jaybird67k 4/8/2019 12:24pm
4/8/2019 12:24pm
I picked up about 20% more speed over a period of a year racing the 350 vs my 450 just because it changed my riding style to more aggressive. I never worried about the starts because I was in good enough shape to chase people down.

Jason
KDM711
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KDM711 4/8/2019 12:26pm
4/8/2019 12:26pm
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket.
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Sleapy
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Sleapy 4/8/2019 1:13pm
4/8/2019 1:13pm
ob wrote:
Starts really don’t seem to be an issue with the 350. I can start in 3rd on my 350 if I want. My 450 would not...
Starts really don’t seem to be an issue with the 350. I can start in 3rd on my 350 if I want. My 450 would not ever work in third on the start. I’m the same weight as you and race A classes.
I'm pretty sure Shorty used to start in 3rd when the 350SXF first came out.
Derek Harris 4/8/2019 1:31pm
4/8/2019 1:31pm
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front.

It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that way - but it's obviously about 3 tooth "larger" "more aggressive"

You will shift more often - but have way more torque at the tire - aka acceleration and be about on par with the torque at the tire a 450 puts down after it's gearing (even taller than 350)
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Agent717
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Agent717 4/8/2019 1:36pm
4/8/2019 1:36pm
I find that I'll often get beat on the jump but catch up about half way to the first turn. The real power is all at a higher RPM so while everyone on 450s is shifting, you just hold the throttle on and wait for the afterburner.
aees
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aees 4/8/2019 1:36pm
4/8/2019 1:36pm
Depends on your riding style. If you like to rev and shift gears, then go 350. If not, you will hate it. I could not stand the 350, takes so much more energy (cardio) to ride it than a 450.
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bents
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bents 4/8/2019 1:59pm
4/8/2019 1:59pm
Derek Harris wrote:
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front. It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that...
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front.

It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that way - but it's obviously about 3 tooth "larger" "more aggressive"

You will shift more often - but have way more torque at the tire - aka acceleration and be about on par with the torque at the tire a 450 puts down after it's gearing (even taller than 350)
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems and have been a bit fearful about going to such a radical gearing change. Has anyone done this?
dedi684
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dedi684 4/8/2019 2:09pm
4/8/2019 2:09pm
KDM711 wrote:
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/04/08/337135/s1200_2019_KTM_350FE.jpg[/img]
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket.
Did you work for jd walter back in 94?
KDM711
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KDM711 4/8/2019 4:53pm
4/8/2019 4:53pm
KDM711 wrote:
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/04/08/337135/s1200_2019_KTM_350FE.jpg[/img]
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket.
dedi684 wrote:
Did you work for jd walter back in 94?
No I did a thing called "Rhino Skins" in 1994. The full body panels for dirt bikes. Cover MXA Aug 1993
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T-Fish
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T-Fish 4/8/2019 4:57pm
4/8/2019 4:57pm
I’d never ditch a 450 for a 350! You’re gonna get eaten alive, bro!
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Huckster
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Huckster 4/8/2019 5:03pm
4/8/2019 5:03pm
aees wrote:
Depends on your riding style. If you like to rev and shift gears, then go 350. If not, you will hate it. I could not stand...
Depends on your riding style. If you like to rev and shift gears, then go 350. If not, you will hate it. I could not stand the 350, takes so much more energy (cardio) to ride it than a 450.
Listen to this advice and figure out which guy you are. I have a 17 husky 350 and want to go back to a 450. I am a lugger not a revver. I went from a Ktm FE 450 to this and wish I could go back.
8686
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8686 4/8/2019 5:07pm
4/8/2019 5:07pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2019 5:08pm
T-Fish wrote:
I’d never ditch a 450 for a 350! You’re gonna get eaten alive, bro!
Yup. Chewed up and spit out. Whistling

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peltier626
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peltier626 4/8/2019 5:07pm
4/8/2019 5:07pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2019 5:24pm
Went from a 250f to a 350f back down to a 250f. 167lbs, 37 years old. Back in my prime = b class, now i just cruise. Torque numbers are the main difference. You will be no slower on a 350 than a 450 if you know how to properly ride a bike. I am more comfortable on the 250 than the 350, i can go just as fast on the 250 and my endurance is better on the 250 compared to more cc's. 450's are for folks who can't ride!
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8686
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8686 4/8/2019 5:12pm
4/8/2019 5:12pm
Huckster wrote:
Listen to this advice and figure out which guy you are. I have a 17 husky 350 and want to go back to a 450. I...
Listen to this advice and figure out which guy you are. I have a 17 husky 350 and want to go back to a 450. I am a lugger not a revver. I went from a Ktm FE 450 to this and wish I could go back.
I wonder how you’d like that 350 with an 8 oz flywheel weight.
dedi684
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dedi684 4/8/2019 5:18pm
4/8/2019 5:18pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2019 5:20pm
KDM711 wrote:
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/04/08/337135/s1200_2019_KTM_350FE.jpg[/img]
350 all the way. I got that 2019 dialed in and soooo much fun. 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket.
dedi684 wrote:
Did you work for jd walter back in 94?
KDM711 wrote:
No I did a thing called "Rhino Skins" in 1994. The full body panels for dirt bikes. Cover MXA Aug 1993
Sweet yeah i rode nesc when badger ran them. Still do actually i raced yesterday.
Huckster
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Huckster 4/8/2019 5:32pm
4/8/2019 5:32pm
8686 wrote:
I wonder how you’d like that 350 with an 8 oz flywheel weight.
What would that do? I may give it a try.
BobPA
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BobPA 4/8/2019 5:41pm
4/8/2019 5:41pm
Derek Harris wrote:
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front. It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that...
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front.

It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that way - but it's obviously about 3 tooth "larger" "more aggressive"

You will shift more often - but have way more torque at the tire - aka acceleration and be about on par with the torque at the tire a 450 puts down after it's gearing (even taller than 350)
bents wrote:
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems...
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems and have been a bit fearful about going to such a radical gearing change. Has anyone done this?
My buddy tried it, and hated it. Too much shifting and wheel spin. He still puts it on for woods riding though. He settled on two up in the rear for most tracks.
soggy
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soggy 4/8/2019 5:47pm
4/8/2019 5:47pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2019 5:48pm
8686 wrote:
I wonder how you’d like that 350 with an 8 oz flywheel weight.
Huckster wrote:
What would that do? I may give it a try.
it'll help the motor feel stronger/torquier in lower rpm's because of the increased inertia. it'll also slow down how quick it revs a bit
Tim507
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Tim507 4/8/2019 5:49pm
4/8/2019 5:49pm
I went from a 350 with a big bore to 450. Moved the big bore to my 350XCF for offroad. I enjoy the 450 more on the track. I put a longer header on and I have awesome pull off the bottom. I'm able to ride higher gears every where. Easy to ride.....
Derek Harris 4/8/2019 6:36pm
4/8/2019 6:36pm
Derek Harris wrote:
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front. It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that...
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front.

It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that way - but it's obviously about 3 tooth "larger" "more aggressive"

You will shift more often - but have way more torque at the tire - aka acceleration and be about on par with the torque at the tire a 450 puts down after it's gearing (even taller than 350)
bents wrote:
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems...
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems and have been a bit fearful about going to such a radical gearing change. Has anyone done this?
BobPA wrote:
My buddy tried it, and hated it. Too much shifting and wheel spin. He still puts it on for woods riding though. He settled on two...
My buddy tried it, and hated it. Too much shifting and wheel spin. He still puts it on for woods riding though. He settled on two up in the rear for most tracks.
Not for everyone.

But if you like to lug - can't do it with OEM gearing
NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 4/8/2019 6:37pm
4/8/2019 6:37pm
aees wrote:
Depends on your riding style. If you like to rev and shift gears, then go 350. If not, you will hate it. I could not stand...
Depends on your riding style. If you like to rev and shift gears, then go 350. If not, you will hate it. I could not stand the 350, takes so much more energy (cardio) to ride it than a 450.
Huckster wrote:
Listen to this advice and figure out which guy you are. I have a 17 husky 350 and want to go back to a 450. I...
Listen to this advice and figure out which guy you are. I have a 17 husky 350 and want to go back to a 450. I am a lugger not a revver. I went from a Ktm FE 450 to this and wish I could go back.
Agree with these gentlemen^^^

I went from a 450 to a 350 and didn't like it, as I'm a lugger not a rever.

I'm back on a 450 and couldn't be happier.

As mentioned, figure out what type of rider you are and choose accordingly.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 4/8/2019 7:27pm
4/8/2019 7:27pm
Derek Harris wrote:
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front. It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that...
If you want to blow your hair back, drop a tooth up front.

It's still 5 teeth taller than the 250f in final drive ratio that way - but it's obviously about 3 tooth "larger" "more aggressive"

You will shift more often - but have way more torque at the tire - aka acceleration and be about on par with the torque at the tire a 450 puts down after it's gearing (even taller than 350)
I went to a 14/52 on my 19 350 and can ride 3rd almost everywhere. I tried 14/51 as well but still needed clutch out of tight corners or down shift to second.

I went from 250f to 350f so to me this thing is a beast!
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Gilby122
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Gilby122 4/8/2019 8:01pm
4/8/2019 8:01pm
Rarely did I not get the holeshot on my 350... went back to a 450 and still get most. I think you’ll get them on anything you ride if you know how to start well. I don’t believe the 350 itself will hold you back. I enjoyed that bike. Also like the 450. I’m equally as slow on both! Grinning
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stone881
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stone881 4/8/2019 8:13pm
4/8/2019 8:13pm
I agree with dropping a tooth on the front sprocket. This gives you max pull through each gear and makes it easier to get to the high revs where max power is made. You will be slaying the inside rut too, I promise you!

Maybe this isn't as good for wide open tracks, but I would rather use 5th than 1st. With this set up you will only see 1st to get thru the pits, that's for sure.

Btw, if Derek Harris says to do it, you probably should. Dude knows how to get the most out of an MX bike.
bents
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bents 4/8/2019 8:59pm
4/8/2019 8:59pm
bents wrote:
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems...
I have a 350 and I'm intrigued by this-I have read several have done this. I'm up one on the rear as per most it seems and have been a bit fearful about going to such a radical gearing change. Has anyone done this?
BobPA wrote:
My buddy tried it, and hated it. Too much shifting and wheel spin. He still puts it on for woods riding though. He settled on two...
My buddy tried it, and hated it. Too much shifting and wheel spin. He still puts it on for woods riding though. He settled on two up in the rear for most tracks.
Derek Harris wrote:
Not for everyone.

But if you like to lug - can't do it with OEM gearing
Well nothing ventured nothing gained-thanks for the feedback. I'll give it a try as I am curious. Could well depend on the track too but the worst thing I can do is not like it for the cost of a front sprocket.

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