KTM 350 SXF opinions/?

atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7
Looking at making the switch from my KTM 450 sxf over to the 19' 350. I have searched here and read the threads and watched a bunch of videos. Looking for opinions from current model 350 owners. Trying to figure out if the 350 is going to be a good choice.

Im a 44 y.o. vet rider. I ride 1-2 times a week. Stay in decent shape. I run mostly mid pack speed on practice days. The track I mailnly ride is loamy dirt /sand high speed track.

I like the 450 a lot. I just feel that it wears me out a bit. I can run 5 good laps at speed then I just taper down because I'm pretty wiped at that point. Still want to stay competetive with my riding buddies. Hoping the 350 can keep me in the slot.

The questions I have. Does the 350 really feel that much lighter on the track? Do you feel like your giving up a lot of speed compared to the 450? Do you need to work harder to stay at your current lap speed? I know a lot of these questions are pretty subjective. Just looking for some first hand opinions. Thanks
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Big Tex27
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Big Tex27 6/18/2018 2:44pm
6/18/2018 2:44pm
I had a 17' and you do have to work pretty hard to get the bike to go fast. All the motor is mid-top and not a lot bottom. So you really have to keep it up in the rpms. You won't have the instant grunt to help you as the 450 does if you get into a bind. Once you get to mid-top the bike really takes off like a rocket. You can always add a pipe and play with gearing to help with the bottom end.
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atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 6/18/2018 2:48pm
6/18/2018 2:48pm
Did you notice a change is fatigue level? Could you ride it longer with out getting tired? Thanks for the input
imoto34
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imoto34 6/18/2018 2:53pm
6/18/2018 2:53pm
I got tired faster on the 350 then 450 because I had to ride mine wfo more like a 250f and exerted much more energy then using the torque of the 450.

I recommend trying to find someones to ride. Some swear by them, its all about your speed and how you ride.
atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 6/18/2018 3:16pm
6/18/2018 3:16pm
imoto34 wrote:
I got tired faster on the 350 then 450 because I had to ride mine wfo more like a 250f and exerted much more energy then...
I got tired faster on the 350 then 450 because I had to ride mine wfo more like a 250f and exerted much more energy then using the torque of the 450.

I recommend trying to find someones to ride. Some swear by them, its all about your speed and how you ride.
Thanks. This is what I'm concerned about. The 19' is supposed to have more bottom and mid then previous years.

The Shop

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NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 6/18/2018 3:30pm
6/18/2018 3:30pm
Big Tex27 wrote:
I had a 17' and you do have to work pretty hard to get the bike to go fast. All the motor is mid-top and not...
I had a 17' and you do have to work pretty hard to get the bike to go fast. All the motor is mid-top and not a lot bottom. So you really have to keep it up in the rpms. You won't have the instant grunt to help you as the 450 does if you get into a bind. Once you get to mid-top the bike really takes off like a rocket. You can always add a pipe and play with gearing to help with the bottom end.
Same here, I agree^^^

I had an 18 350. I put a pipe on it, and added a tooth to the rear.

I sold it after 6 weeks, went back to a 450 and like the grunt better.

Huckster
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Huckster 6/18/2018 3:39pm
6/18/2018 3:39pm
The 350 is made for the professional Vet practice rider. Ask ping if you don't believe me.
dirtmike86
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dirtmike86 6/18/2018 4:15pm
6/18/2018 4:15pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2018 4:16pm
Ive had my 16 350 for 3 years now and i can remember hating it at first when i was racing. It felt slow and in the deep stuff it couldnt move its own ass. But after i finally understood how to ride it after 6 years of 450s it was awesome. It feels a lot lighter then a 450. Much less engine breaking and you can carry a gear farther then any 450. You learn to corner faster because you need to carry more momentum everywhere. I feel like i can come into a corner faster and slow down later then a 450.

I just bought a 18 tc250, i took that and my 350 and rode my friends 15 kx450 back to back to back. The 450 takes much less effort at first but after about 15 minutes iam done. The 350 i can ride until it the track closes. The tc250 is by far the funnest bike to ride. You have to be ready to hate it at first if you get one cause its way different but you have to give it time.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 6/18/2018 4:34pm
6/18/2018 4:34pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2018 4:40pm
I've never raced a 450, but I have 250s (2 & 4 stroke). Coming from them, the 350 is a dream, but I can understand the perspectives of the 450 guys. I now race 2 hr hare scrambles and a 450 is WAY too much, but I still practice moto and it is very fun on the track.

I'm 54 and race B class, so there is my perspective. I'm actually selling my 2016 350 XC-F and buying a 2019 350 XC-F, so you can tell I like it...
BR8ES
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BR8ES 6/18/2018 4:34pm
6/18/2018 4:34pm
The 19 sounds really improved too, Pankl transmission, new frame, etc. Perfectly refined. A shortlist bike for me in '19.
bowser977
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bowser977 6/18/2018 4:36pm
6/18/2018 4:36pm
Had a 350 and same complains as above. No bottom
End compared to a 450 and had to ride it like a 250f.
Sold it and got another 450.
BobPA
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BobPA 6/18/2018 4:47pm
6/18/2018 4:47pm
Are you aggressive or smooth? 350’s really benefit aggressive riders I believe. A few of my friends have them and absolutely love them, as do I. I ran a 350 for six years, turned 30 and bought a 450 because I got lazier. I still hop on my bros 350’s and spin laps as fast, or faster, than on my 450....I would not hesitate to go back.
captmoto
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captmoto 6/18/2018 4:50pm
6/18/2018 4:50pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2018 4:50pm
I rode a friends 350 and liked it. He has a Rekluse and 2 teeth larger on the rear. I liked it. It felt like you could whack the throttle coming out of a corner and it wouldn't jump or spin like a 450. A fast vet intermediate got on it and won 2 motos on it. He did buy a 450 in the end though.
DTR830
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DTR830 6/18/2018 4:55pm
6/18/2018 4:55pm
I wouldn't even consider a 450 again. Im by no means an aggressive rider for that matter, I still lug this bike so I'm not sure what others are talking about. I hate two strokes (unless 90s) because I can't ride them well.

I love the feel of less inertia going into corners. It still pulls like hell, 51 tooth rear & gearing is perfect for me.



You need to ride one before you buy another 450 & let other opinions make your decision.
atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 6/18/2018 4:59pm
6/18/2018 4:59pm
BobPA wrote:
Are you aggressive or smooth? 350’s really benefit aggressive riders I believe. A few of my friends have them and absolutely love them, as do I...
Are you aggressive or smooth? 350’s really benefit aggressive riders I believe. A few of my friends have them and absolutely love them, as do I. I ran a 350 for six years, turned 30 and bought a 450 because I got lazier. I still hop on my bros 350’s and spin laps as fast, or faster, than on my 450....I would not hesitate to go back.
I would say more on the agressive side. I tend to rev my 450. I had a yz125 play bike for a while and loved riding it.
DA498
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DA498 6/18/2018 5:00pm
6/18/2018 5:00pm
Just came off a ‘13 YZ450F and picked up a ‘12 350sxf. I’m a practice rider but can give you what I’ve found. The 350 feels like a 125 in comparison, no engine breaking, felt more like a 250f. First couple rides got the heart rate up quicker because your shifting more and actually using brakes. Definitely doesn’t have the grunt you rely on from a 450 like in deep loam or popping over a jump right out of a corner. Not that I could do that anyway. But you know what I mean. I wanted to get away from the crazy power and rotational weight feeling that wears me out. This bike has given me that and I’m really liking it. Plus I hated how that YZ turned. This bike turns better for me and the more I ride it the bigger my smile has gotten. I need to ride my buddies ‘18 to see if the engine is much different but this ‘12 feels a lot like a 250f to me.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 6/18/2018 5:04pm
6/18/2018 5:04pm
Big change in power from 13. 2015+ is a much better powerplant. I'm hoping for incremental in 19 and I'll be happy.
Big Tex27
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Big Tex27 6/18/2018 5:35pm
6/18/2018 5:35pm
atrdrvr7 wrote:
Did you notice a change is fatigue level? Could you ride it longer with out getting tired? Thanks for the input
I came off a 2014 yz250 2t to the 350, it did wear me out more than the 2t did. I could never get the suspension to work and that was partially why. It just bet me to death. I am a “A”hare scramble rider, and wanted that 350 so bad I couldnt stand it. Then I got it and was so disappointed. I sold it and got 17 yz250 and went back to winning again.
Permeance_Flux 6/18/2018 5:42pm
6/18/2018 5:42pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2018 5:42pm
I have an 18 FC350 coming off a 14 RMZ450. The 350 feels considerably lighter and turns about just as well. I kind of wish I waited 4 more months to buy mine then the updated 19s would have been available. In my experience I use much more of the overall power of the 350 compared to the 450, and I enjoy that aspect. Might even look to hop on a 250F down the road as I’m in the target weight range as is.

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Taylor415
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Taylor415 6/18/2018 5:46pm
6/18/2018 5:46pm
I have a 17 350sxf. FMF 4.1 titanium slip on and a 52t. Very fun bike. The 52t really got the bike where I wanted it. You’ll be fine hanging in there with 450s. These bikes ride smooth. Me and a buddy swapped bike for a couple of laps, he’s on a 17 450sxf. His Felt heavier in the air and in corners, even though on paper they are only like a pound or two apart.
atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 6/18/2018 6:06pm
6/18/2018 6:06pm
Thanks a lot for all the input. Seems pretty split on opinions of the bike.
stone881
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stone881 6/18/2018 6:07pm
6/18/2018 6:07pm
I had a 17 KTM, loved it, but also had a 270 I had built so put em both up for sale and of course the 350 sold instantly. I put a tooth smaller drive sprocket on and that thing came to life big time. Imo, don't waste your money on any motor mods, and learn to scream that sucker.

As others have said, still doesn't have the grunt that a 450 has, but that is also what will keep it from rag dolling you into a dirt nap when you get tired.

My next bike could very likely be another 350.
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TbonesPop 6/18/2018 6:40pm
6/18/2018 6:40pm
Best thing to do is find a local ride day one of your local dealers puts on and ride a 350 and a 450. Everybody is different and prefers different set ups and riding styles. Both are great bikes.
Sipes #412
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Sipes #412 6/18/2018 6:50pm
6/18/2018 6:50pm
I ride a 17 fc450 right now and I had the chance to ride an 18 fc350. All i can say is my next bike will be a 350 or the 250 tpi mx version whenever it comes out. I could ride the 350 all day and after a half day on a 450 I'm worn out. The 350 in my opinion is not far off from a 450 maybe it's because I like to ride mid to top. If I were you I wouldn't hesitate on a 350. The 350 is the perfect bike especially if you ride track and trails. On paper it's only a couple pounds difference between the 450 but it feels a lot lighter. I'm really considering getting a 2019 350sxf.
racerx217
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racerx217 6/18/2018 8:09pm
6/18/2018 8:09pm
less is more right....
If you are currently riding a 250f you are going to love it
if you are currently riding a 450f you are going to hate it
BobPA
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BobPA 6/18/2018 8:14pm
6/18/2018 8:14pm
I think the best candidate is some who currently rides a 250 two stroke. They are both incredibly versatile, and have to be ridden in a similar manner to go fast. I give the nod to the 350 for being “easier” in just about every aspect.
Duncster316
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Duncster316 6/18/2018 8:28pm
6/18/2018 8:28pm
Raced a 350 for 2 years. I feel like its probably not for everbody. If you want to win races, get an hour meter with a tach and get used to knowing where you are RPM wise by ear. You will leave a lot of power on the table unless you keep the 350 above 13,000 rpm. Hope you like to really rev the snot out of a bike because you will have to, to stay in front of 450’s.
yzfmonster
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yzfmonster 6/18/2018 8:47pm
6/18/2018 8:47pm
Interesting that the 2019 350 sxf is only 1–ONE—pound heavier than the 250 sxf. Quite impressive. Really enjoyed Keefer’s first impression...worth a listen if you haven’t already:

Listen to Show #63 - 2019 KTM 350 SX-F First Impression from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested in Podcasts. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/rocky-mountain-atv-mc-keefer-tested…
Solidkm
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Solidkm 6/18/2018 9:02pm
6/18/2018 9:02pm
It’s funny on all the answers across the board. Let me start by saying I am the opposite of fast. I loved the first generation 350 and I thought it was right where it should be.....Half way between the 250 and 450 in feel/power. Yet many hate on that first version. This new version, which I also have now, makes what 6 horsepower more? I’m 180 pounds. It has more than enough power to get me in trouble. If you enjoyed your YZ 125 play Bike and you find yourself revving the 450, I’ll bet you’ll like this new 350 too. If you find yourself really relying on that low end grunt of the 450. And if you’ve gotten lazier thru the years then stick with the big bore. But don’t be fooled, the bike is fast. Possibly faster for an amateur due to being easier to control? Anyway, remember, if you get one and hate it, it will easily resell. Good luck.
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 6/18/2018 9:39pm
6/18/2018 9:39pm
A buddy of mine borrowed a 2017 350 for mammoth Mx and swept all four motos in the 50A CLASS this weekend. He normally rides a 450, but he is 4 weeks back from a broken neck he sustained early this year. I know he liked it.

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