KTM 350 EXC-F long term review. One year of hard enduro dirt bike riding tough single trails on the best 4 stroke enduro bike on the market. Problems with KTM 350. Bad points with KTM 350.
This is the way a review should be done. A guy who actually owns the bike, who rides the bike often doing what it is designed to do. Beats all these sales-journalists polluting Ad-Tube these days. I would probably buy this bike, knowing its shortcomings and advantages from a guy who knows what he's talking about.
Great review. I've owned a 2013 for 4 years and just went out and bought a 2021. Couldn't agree more with your comments on reliability and performance. Definitely need to come with a thermofan and more protection though!
You've grown your channel, good on you mate! Solid and honest review 👍. I just rode my buddies same bike just a 2022 and loved it. I can't afford it but still happy with my old Honda. Great to see you're doing good. Cheers!
Great review mate. I pick up my new 2023 350 next week. I haven’t ridden for some time now and I’m ready to get going on this bike. Cheers for the heads up.
Just bought a '15 350 XCF-W & I love it so far. Had to dump a bit of cash into protection parts, which like you said they should come standard , but no complaints so far. I'm glad to be back on a KTM, loved my 2 smoker 300 & wish I hadn't sold it. Sub'd to your channel, good stuff - cheers m8!
the plastic wrap around KTM hand-guards are in my opinion much better option for the trails when you hit trees with the edge of the guard it has some flex so you manage to get around the tree it doesn't rip the bars out of your hands like the steel ones. saved me from many close calls
You nailed it! I agree with every plus and minus you mention. But long term review...I've got over 5000 miles (8000 km) and 320 hours on mine and still going strong 👍
@Tommy Ealey Yes. I haven't touched the engine but regularly change the oil every 20-30 hours. I haven't had any problems and it's still running strong at 365 hours.
@Tommy Ealey The changing X every Y amount of hours is a bit of a meme tbh and just preventative. If you look after a bike and don't beat the ever living shit out of it 24/7 you'll get far longer before larger maintenance services than recommended. Obviously if you gun it everywhere bouncing off the limiter then bigger issues will arise far quicker. A friend of mine has a 250f as a dual sport daily driver... All he does is oil changes and every so often he'll change spark plugs/air filters and do a bit of greasing here and there. Runs smooth as he's not redlining it everywhere on his way to and from work. TL:DR Take care of your vehicle, don't run it into the ground and it'll take care of you.
@Tommy Ealey Humble brag much lol. My comment isn't directed at you, you're just the last person on the thread hence the reply. Anecdotal evidence is still evidence. And you've not said i'm wrong either lol. My whole point was run things hard, expect them to fail faster. This is meant to people who don't know what they're talking about with 30+ years as a mechanic.
Same experience with 2012 ktm based machine. Never ever had a problem in the 140 hours I used it (bought at 170 hours). Started always, ran good fuel econ, easy to work on.. Great stuff.
Great review steve you came out strong with what you didnt like, then pulled it all back with what you did and summed up with it as your best bike ever 👍
Hey Steve , also ride a 2018 350 , one of the best upgrades I did was to put on a Midwest clutch lever , clutch pull is lighter , made a big difference , also a rear gummy tyre is a must for technical rides
Unfortunately the Ktm fuel injection runs off of the battery, not the stator like a Japanese efi would. So having a kick starter doesn’t really do much for you if you have a dead battery.
Enjoy watching your videos I have a 350 XCF 2021 and totally agree, I love my KTM YES they are a little more expensive but you also get a little more like Brembo brakes.
U are exactly right about your review. I have had 9 Ktm motorcycles. They are pretty good machines. I got tired of the many dislikes u mentioned and bout a TM racing 300 efi and have never looked back. It’s worlds above the kato.
Great review - totally agree it's an amazing bike, but frustrating that you have to dump another pile of $ into it right off the showroom floor to get it ready for real trail riding. I wish KTM would up their game on this!
What a great review I agree 100% with everything you said both the good and the bad it's too bad that ktm has been getting so cheap with their bike builds mines a 2016 and It has a fan and a kick starter. Definitely my favourite bike I've ever ridden in the woods. Fun fact I fule injected bike with a dead battery still won't kick over. I made a little capacitor I found on the RU-vid page I can hook up to my battery tender and get to kick over
Great review I just bought my first ktm 350 xcf and after watching your review I’ll definitely look into the fan and front sprocket change I can’t wait to take mine for it’s first ride 🤙
I sold my adv bike and bought a DRZ because I enjoy the offroad so much. Been riding in the woods with the DRZ and I'm absolutely loving it. Already looking at what could be my next bike for even more enduro style riding. This review absolutely helps my decision. Going to ride the DRZ at least for a season or two more, get my skills up, then I'm in the market for something lighter and better. Good video!
@@maxflight777 Hehe I’m glad you are enjoying your bike. Unfortunately I am faffing around - I’m still enjoying my DRZ. I know its an old bike and has 10% of the EXC’s performance, but it puts a huge smile on my face every ride!
@@JohannesDalenI'm about to do the same thing, loving my T7 but really want to go lighter and I'm about to buy a used 350exc...the idea is to sell the T7 if I see that I only use the KTM. How was the change in terms of confort, maintenance, power, luggage capacity etc ?
Great review, I also have the same bike, the most ridiculous thing is the mudguard wearing the rear shock mount, there should have been a recall or modification, the uk spec bike seems to be different ie better.
Thanks Steve, I have the same bike and year. Question: Where did you get the bigger rear brake tip? Also don't even think about running the bike to the fuel light unless you are 1K from your car as that's about all you have. Cheers
My 2020 500 has a fan...and its a near perfect bike. All the things you point out are readily available for after market. If KTM added all those items the bike would be even more expensive. Plus I'd rather add the specific items I wat to tailor the bike for my needs.
Awesome review, it’s a shame they are getting so expensive here in Aus, I paid $12800 for my 530exc new in 2008, now I wouldn’t get much change from 20K!!
you ever have concerns that you'll get water in the airbox? seems a very low spot to put the intake - some bikes have it under the seat because it's the highest point / least likely to see water.
Do you know if your 350 EXC-F is the same as the one in the states, which is a street legal bike? I have a Suzuki RMX450 that I have tried to make street legal and I'm thinking of just getting one of these. Thanks for any advice.
KTM makes these bikes to sell for the lowest price possible. Some people will buy this bike and never plan on using it to its potential; others like us will need to spend an additional $1K to $5K or even more depending on skill levels and financial ability. If I were to buy a 2023 KTM 350 EXC-F an additional $3K will be spent making the bike perfect for my needs, but given the incredible abilities and potential this bike has, the extra money means nothing, given the performance it will have after the mods have been completed: Rekluse clutch, Vortex ECU, FMF pipe, tires, brake/clutch levers, and seat. Great video, thanks!
Dude, we have the same bike, and I know the problems you mention. But that side stand is never ever used in the woods, ofcourse it won't keep the bike up as the ground is soft. As for a kick start, I've never needed one, the el-start does the job well. Though at one time I had a battery drain and couldn't start the bike at all, even rolling it wouldnt start it, that was because I had used up the battery re-starting the bike too frequently that day due to several flameouts. So a kick would be good at that point but still if you keep a proper gearing avoiding flameouts you don't need a kick. Gearing then; mine came with 11/52 gearing, I did get a 13t front sprocket (or was it 14) tooth with it, but I changed the rear sprocket to a 48 and front to a 14, and the bike went way faster on the roads. But in the rocks I could hardly manage second gear without the bike flaming out on me, so I had to change gear back to 11/52.
I purchased my 2012 KTM EXC-F in 2017. It had 56 hrs on it. It has never let me down. I do agree with you on every single point that could improved, as welll as all those that are great, although, my stock seat was as comfortable as a piece of wood! My plan is to do a SuperMoto conversion so that I can swap back and forth between mostly pavement and mostly off-road. Have you done that? If so, what are your thoughts?
Was the bike an oil consumer after the initial overheat. Piston rings loose tension after high Temps usually making break-in and seating to the Cylinder very difficult. Curious to know your experience. Thanks! And thank you for sharing your knowledge.
My 17-250 excf came with a fan. I am surprised yours didn't come with one, I thought they all shipped with one now. With respect to the issues you are having ... you are a pretty hard core rider, no one is going to build a bike for your needs. I have 300+ hours on mine with 12 000+ km. The bike is bone stock with the exception of the tires. Not a single issue (knock on wood). Oh wait ... my stickers also fell off. Lol.
Awesome review ! My 19 KTM xcf 350 is in the shop because it fell on its face while riding , changed fuel filter, fuel pump, didn’t fix it. 40 hours on it and the cam is apparently scorched, they are saying the oil pumps fail sometimes, anyhow can’t get a new motor and KTM is saying 12,000 to rebuild the motor. Dealing with the KTM rep now because this is nuts! If they don’t help take care of it I won’t buy another. Oil changed after every ride! Heard of any of this?
12k to fix the motor that's crazy. Mate I have never heard of this before on a bike with so little use. Good luck but I would go to a different bike shop for a second opinion.
@@BrokenSprocket Thank you I have, KTM is saying they have no crate motors and to rebuild it, spoke to another dealer and a few mechanics. I am now dealing with KTM North America to see if they will do anything to help!
Pretty sure the kickstarter is only good if your starter motor dies due to EFI actually requiring voltage to work? Could be wrong but never tried on my 450. Maybe someone could confirm this?.
Quick question i have the opportunity to buy a 2014 ktm 350 in ok good condition are you better off going for a later model. Spending extra dollars. Undecided. Great channel. Dave
Polisport Armadillo 4 stroke header pipe protector will save those pants. My. Beta 300rr and Rmx450z have easy access filter changes. Those pulloff panels arent foolproof as they can come off while riding. My 300rr had me begging for duct tape during a recent enduro...
Thanks for this video. I'm a big ktm fan but this exposes ktm's "quality". These issues you found aren't premium quality like ktm likes to sell it's self as a brand
This is my second purchase of an '18 KLX250. Got tired of the high performance bikes I owned between. So much more enjoyable putting thousands of trouble free miles comfortably, and they are very offroad capable if you are.
@@BrokenSprocket right. I’m just wondering because the wheels I got for my ktm 350 excf have holes drilled opposite each other, so I kinda didn’t want to drill another hole
Is riding on such trails free or is it some recreational park that takes a fee? I would pay to ride in such places in Europe but in my country most roads are paved and others are on private land. No such technical terrain at all.
