Real world KTM 350 EXC impressions?

[BanhXeo]

The computer housing rises above the mask because I added a 2.5" lower clamp.
The dimmer switch can be seen from the picture over the top of the unit. It is very very stable with the mask extensions from BD. With the stock headlight it sat flush against the computer housing and didnt cause any problems. Hope it helps
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[X1Glider]

Getting bored of reading about the 350 EXC-F. I've had a deposit on a '13 for 4 months now. Would be nice to ride one someday...if any dealers will actually get one anytime soon. What's up with KTM USA and the lack of available product...other than SX and XC models?

[The Draft]

Has anyone put 17inch rims (second set) and set up like a supermoto for the street when your not getting dirty?

[David_Moen]

Oh great! Now I need to tell my wife that my shiny new dirt bike needs a new headlight too!

Thanks for the pictures guys, nice bikes! Can't wait to ride mine.

Oh, any tips for moving the indicator lights safely? The wiring gives enough room to top mount the computer I take it? I wish there was more depth to the metal where the indicators live. If mine were hanging out in the breeze, I KNOW exactly where the first tree-branch I ran through would end up! Right in the most expensive spot that's where.

[Gryphon12]

Originally Posted by X1Glider

Getting bored of reading about the 350 EXC-F. I've had a deposit on a '13 for 4 months now. Would be nice to ride one someday...if any dealers will actually get one anytime soon. What's up with KTM USA and the lack of available product...other than SX and XC models?

It's simple economics, really. The 500 is outselling the 350 by almost 3 to 1. And they are selling everything that they can make. So we wait for the next "batch".

[gplassm]

I just put a deposit down on a 350 EXC-F, and all of the reviews I have read said that it was just an amazing machine. What surprises me is that, unless there is another 350 EXC-F thread around here somewhere that I do not see, this thread is not very active, and the 350 EXC-F does *not* seem to be a very popular machine.
The 500EXC-F thread is 10x as long as this one! (18 pages vs 229 pages!)
What is going one here?? Maybe I should switch my deposit to a 500 before it is too late...

[jesusgatos]

Would bet they're selling a lot more 500's, but that doesn't mean anything. They're so similar, don't even know that there really needs to be two separate threads anyway.

[Crawdaddy]

Originally Posted by gplassm

...this thread is not very active...

This is ADV Rider.....lot's of folks ride big burly bikes and don't want to be seen on a mere 350cc machine.......whatever, some us have discovered what the others are missing........sometimes less IS more.....

[gplassm]

Good observations, I guess. Has anybody here had any serious ride-ablity or reliability problems with their 350's? I have seen a few comments that seem to indicate that the biggest issue is re-mapping the ECU. Whether the issue is forfeiting the warranty, or figuring out which map is the right one, or getting your dealer to cooperate at all, remapping seems to be the one hurdle that people have had trouble with. Yet others say that the bike is just fine as-is (as long as the muffler screen does not fall out in the first 50 miles).
I am asking these questions because my purchase is not final yet, but it will be tomorrow. I want to ask my dealer if he indeed will be cooperative when I want to re-map, before I pay him. This is a big dealership, so I would have to imagine that their service dept. has the XC-1 re-mapping tool.

[gplassm]

Originally Posted by Crawdaddy

This is ADV Rider.....lot's of folks ride big burly bikes and don't want to be seen on a mere 350cc machine.......whatever, some us have discovered what the others are missing........sometimes less IS more.....

Even on KTMtalk the 350 EXC does not appear to get a whole lot of attention. maybe that is a good thing? Is there another, more active discussion board for the 350 EXC's?

[Capp]

What dealer did you purchase your bike from? I traveled to MA from Long Island to get my bike.

Originally Posted by gplassm

Good observations, I guess. Has anybody here had any serious ride-ablity or reliability problems with their 350's? I have seen a few comments that seem to indicate that the biggest issue is re-mapping the ECU. Whether the issue is forfeiting the warranty, or figuring out which map is the right one, or getting your dealer to cooperate at all, remapping seems to be the one hurdle that people have had trouble with. Yet others say that the bike is just fine as-is (as long as the muffler screen does not fall out in the first 50 miles).
I am asking these questions because my purchase is not final yet, but it will be tomorrow. I want to ask my dealer if he indeed will be cooperative when I want to re-map, before I pay him. This is a big dealership, so I would have to imagine that their service dept. has the XC-1 re-mapping tool.

[Gryphon12]

In desert racing, the 500 has a higher top speed on the straighter, flatter sections. The 500 has more torque, so lugs down better and requires less shifting. It also carries momentum better through sand. Used as a dual-sport, the 500 runs more easily (less rpm, wear & tear) at highway speeds, yet is only 9 lbs. heavier. Given that the cost is almost identical, most Americans (bigger is better) choose the 500 (by about 3 to 1 as noted above).

For me, however, even the 350 is more bike (engine) than I will ever use effectively. Only more street-friendly manners would tempt me to a 500.

[gplassm]

Originally Posted by Capp

What dealer did you purchase your bike from? I traveled to MA from Long Island to get my bike.

Valley Motorsports in Northampton. I know that a lot of people go to Cliff's...

[David_Moen]

In my case, I am looking for a street legal bike that is at home in tight technical, rock, root, and rut infested single track. I value nimble handling and easy to modulate power over outright thrust. I think I made the right decision . Snowing here again this weekend so I guess I'll have to wait some more to find out!

[Scubatoe]

I spent the last year saving my tax free income while on vacation in tropical Afghanistan anticipating picking up a 500EXC upon return.

I waited an entire week after making it home before visiting Reno KTM, only to be told they were expecting their next shipment in a few months.

In the meantime, I came across this thread and you lot convinced me that the 350 is more what I'm looking for to replace my 625SXC.

Thursday, I dropped in to Reno KTM again to pick up a new HD 18" tube to replace the one that was lost to what can only have been a samurai sword lying on the trail, based on the damage it did, during my celebratory return ride in the desert between 29 Palms and Yuma.

Lo and behold the KTM gods indicated their favor by laying a mysterious shipment of orange bikes at Reno KTM mere hours (or days...) before my arrival.

Long story not so short, I will be picking up my new 350 XCF-W next week. Thanks for the insight, gentleman, and the laundry list of shit I now have to buy and bolt on.

Cheers,
Scoob

P.S. - in case you missed it, Reno KTM now has a few 500 & 350 EXCs and XCF-Ws in stock.

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