KTM XCF-W 350 and 500

[DMF]

Looking for real world experience on either of these bikes. As I get older I am over fighting my 450 on single track and trail rides. I haven't rode the track in several years. I am considering the move to a true offroad bike. Please give me the good, bad, and ugly.

 

[f12517]

I have a KTM 500exc and a Husky 300
2 stroke. I love my 300. It’s lights out easier to ride on single track and technical stuff than any 4 stroke

 

[evantwheeler]

I have a KTM 500exc and a Husky 300
2 stroke. I love my 300. It’s lights out easier to ride on single track and technical stuff than any 4 stroke

Can you explain why? Weight? Frame/suspension geometry/setup? Are the 4 strokes too torquey for trail riding? Its been years since i was on 2 wheels, sold my 426 in 2015 and barely rode it from 2007 to time of sale. I loved the torque/power, but it was a heavy bitch.

 

[evantwheeler]

I’ve heard the best trail 2-stroke on the market is the Sherco 300, by leaps and bounds right from showroom floor over all other offerings. Heard from multiple people that ride a lot.

 

[mjc]

Last time I saw Malcolm Smith he said the 300 husky/ ktm was the perfect bike foe old guys. Lighter and mapore than enough power.

 

[stokerwhore]

Get the xcf or husky husky 350 if you don’t need the extra weight of the head light and go hit the single track. They’re like cheating. Seriously. At 170 lbs before gear I made some clicker adjustments, set the ride height and it’s stupid good

 

[pixrthis]

Anybody that I ride with that bought a 350 spent money on power add ons which tells me they missed the power and most of them have sold them. @white tortilla rides a Beta 390 and hauls ass on it. We mostly ride single track and 300 two strokes are perfect but I ride a 450 XC-F.

 

[fastenuff3]

Get the xcf or husky husky 350 if you don’t need the extra weight of the head light and go hit the single track. They’re like cheating. Seriously. At 170 lbs before gear I made some clicker adjustments, set the ride height and it’s stupid good

the 350 weigh about 235 before gear i had one. i ride a 300 ktm know and love it

 

[Xring01]

I sold a KTM 505 xcf, to buy a KTM 300 xc….
The four strokes have a tendecency to flame out right when you need a fist full of throttle.
PLEASE ASK ME HOW I KNOW. And down you go.

There is no comparison in the bikes.
2 strokes rule single track and technical riding.

If your a track rider, then 4 strokes have some advantage.

How are planning to ride, find the tool for that application.

owe, btw, prior to the 505, I had a 450exc. My son rides a 300 six days edition, and my daughter rides a 250xcf.

 

[f12517]

Can you explain why? Weight? Frame/suspension geometry/setup? Are the 4 strokes too torquey for trail riding? Its been years since i was on 2 wheels, sold my 426 in 2015 and barely rode it from 2007 to time of sale. I loved the torque/power, but it was a heavy bitch.

For starters, the weight difference. And not just physical weight, but where that weight is and how the bikes feel. The 300 is so easy to turn, it's like riding a mountain bike. The 300 motor will idle down and just grunt through tight stuff, no flame out bullshit, no stalling, it just lugs its way through everything.

 

[HBCraig]

If I were to do it again I would get the KTM 300. Nimble, fast and easy to ride.

To be honest I rode my CR 500 for years. I am a bigger guy and it was a rocket. But it's not the best single track bike.
The best bike I ever rode was a Service Honda. They are a CR 500 engine in a aluminum CR 250 frame. Nimble and fast as hell. But, 15K for that is a bit steep.

 

[DaveC]

I have a KTM EXCF 350 which is street legal. I have not put my dirt tires on yet but will soon.

Great bike. Plenty of power, nice and light handles well.

But the smog on these things make them flame out. As of right now it cannot be reflashed due to some changes made in 2021. The 2019 and earlier can be reflashed and that really helps with low end power and avoiding flame out.

I am just waiting till they figure this out so I can reflash it. Someone does offer a full ignition swap out for closed course. You might look into that. Look at Blais racing

Right now I just adjust the idle and that does the trick for me.

 

[Fast Willy]

Ktm 350xcf. Owned 10 ktm 300's & won't be going back. Bike is so easy to ride its like cheating.

 

[sintax]

If I were to do it again I would get the KTM 300. Nimble, fast and easy to ride.

To be honest I rode my CR 500 for years. I am a bigger guy and it was a rocket. But it's not the best single track bike.
The best bike I ever rode was a Service Honda. They are a CR 500 engine in a aluminum CR 250 frame. Nimble and fast as hell. But, 15K for that is a bit steep.

Haha yea. I’m a sucker for a big bore 2 stroke too. I still have my kx250 w/ kx500 engine in it. It does a lot of stuff well, but I did trade off open desert stability at speed for low speed nimbleness.

I haven’t had the bike out in few years, but with its current gearing of 15/45 it’s down right scary how quickly you get to “too fast”. I did end up putting a flywheel weight on it after i took the light kit off, to tone it down a bit in the tight stuff

 

[white tortilla]

Anybody that I ride with that bought a 350 spent money on power add ons which tells me they missed the power and most of them have sold them. @white tortilla rides a Beta 390 and hauls ass on it. We mostly ride single track and 300 two strokes are perfect but I ride a 450 XC-F.

@pixrthis I don’t usually respond anymore to MX threads on here because all the ol RDP armchairs still seem to agree a 500 two stroke is best.

I have had four KTM/Husky 300s, raced them, trail rode them.
I had a 2018 Husky 500 dual sport, and 2020 KtM 450 XCF.

I just got the BETA 390 and love it. If your between a 500 and a 350 they are totally different bikes. For me, single track, the 350 is night and day a better bike then the 500. The 500 is going to be better if you are a big boy or maybe more running long weekend rides on flatter desert stuff. I’m 190lbs and the 390 is plenty of power. Feels super light. 300 two stroke is also a great option. But they are a little more effort to ride then the 4 stroke, and I wanted something with a lic plate.

 

[Shady]

I currently ride a Husky 350FEs, last bikes before that were a KTM 450EXC and 300XC. As someone who is a decent rider but out of shape, I think the 350 is a greta bike. It has plenty of power to lug me around the desert and works well in the techincal areas. I have weighed 230+ with all three of those bikes. Unless you ride a lot and are in great physical shape, the 350 is probably a better option. I have never been in a situation riding or racing where the 350 has let me down on a hill climb. For the type of riding you are looking to do, I think the 350 is a better choice than the 500.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

You really need both, a 300 and a 500..

 

[sintax]

You really need both, a 300 and a 500..

You don’t have just one size hammer right?

That’s one thing that’s missing from this convo, the type of riding.

 

[DLC]

My buddy has a 500xcf-w amazing bike loves it, best bike he has ever had!! He does a ton of single track in Tecate and Mexico beach rides with it

He has had 2016 exc 500, kx500, YZ 450, YZ 250 2 stroke, WR 450 and WR 250
his son as a 22 500xcf and it’s nice but not as comfortable when you hit long dry lake beds or washes, great in tighter stuff
his son in law has the 22 500 exc great bike nice cruiser but the xcf-w is lighter more nibble

im in the process of dumping my 4 bikes to get the 500 xcf-w

another buddy has the 525 and a Husky fe 350 and loves the 350 over the 525

another buddy just put a deposit on the New Beta 500 soon to be released

 

[BingerFang]

The KTM 350 is probably the best cc motorcycle ever produced.

I ride a 450 on very technical single track but it isn’t ideal. A 350 is a perfect bike that is light and nimble but also has the HP to hang with the fast guys on the open terrain. It would be my next bike if I was in the market. My good buddy brings his down to Mexico and has zero trouble keeping up on the long, high speed Baja trails.

You will be very happy with the 350.

 

[77charger]

@pixrthis I don’t usually respond anymore to MX threads on here because all the ol RDP armchairs still seem to agree a 500 two stroke is best.

I have had four KTM/Husky 300s, raced them, trail rode them.
I had a 2018 Husky 500 dual sport, and 2020 KtM 450 XCF.

I just got the BETA 390 and love it. If your between a 500 and a 350 they are totally different bikes. For me, single track, the 350 is night and day a better bike then the 500. The 500 is going to be better if you are a big boy or maybe more running long weekend rides on flatter desert stuff. I’m 190lbs and the 390 is plenty of power. Feels super light. 300 two stroke is also a great option. But they are a little more effort to ride then the 4 stroke, and I wanted something with a lic plate.

I still have a cr500 and rode some single track in laughlin.Its way too much bike for that type of riding even around lake pleasant it feels like too much for me atleast.But in the dunes well its in its enviroment.

My uncle rides alot f single track had the 450 ktm but recently bought the 300 2 stroke with the cone forks he says its the best single track bike hes ridden.If i ride more i may sell my 500 and get something better suited for trail use.

 

[white tortilla]

I still have a cr500 and rode some single track in laughlin.Its way too much bike for that type of riding even around lake pleasant it feels like too much for me atleast.But in the dunes well its in its enviroment.

My uncle rides alot f single track had the 450 ktm but recently bought the 300 2 stroke with the cone forks he says its the best single track bike hes ridden.If i ride more i may sell my 500 and get something better suited for trail use.

@BingerFang and I raced many races up in the Pleasent area on KTM 300s. GreAt area to ride. We couldn’t afford cone valves back then but that is the perfect set up for that area.

 

[77charger]

@BingerFang and I raced many races up in the Pleasent area on KTM 300s. GreAt area to ride. We couldn’t afford cone valves back then but that is the perfect set up for that area.

Im still exploring trying to get back into riding dirtbike more but definitely a different type of riding than what i was used too.mainly rode dunes the past 20 years.

 

[BingerFang]

Im still exploring trying to get back into riding dirtbike more but definitely a different type of riding than what i was used too.mainly rode dunes the past 20 years.

AMRA puts on great races in the Phoenix area and is a great way to see the best trails around. @white tortilla and I tore it up on 300’s in the A class…. The good ol days!

 

[Dan Lorenze]

My 21 500 exc feels smaller and more flicksble that the previous years. But still, in single track situations no doubt a 300 or 350 is more manageable and more fun.

 

[SKIA36]

Plenty o power fo me.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I haven't ridden in years, but take my kid to the track twice a week. I literally just bought a good used 2020.5 Husky 450 Rockstar version for $7300 and must say this thing is a Cadillac compared to bikes years ago. I used to just ride KTM 525 EXC's back in the day and they were cush, but they technology has come so much further. I went with the Rockstar because it had a ton of aftermarket stuff that I would have ended up buying anyways. Suspension setup is a huge part of bikes though.

 

[dribble]

Can you explain why? Weight? Frame/suspension geometry/setup? Are the 4 strokes too torquey for trail riding? Its been years since i was on 2 wheels, sold my 426 in 2015 and barely rode it from 2007 to time of sale. I loved the torque/power, but it was a heavy bitch.

Two words. Rotating mass.

 

[PlumLoco]

I haven't ridden in years, but take my kid to the track twice a week. I literally just bought a good used 2020.5 Husky 450 Rockstar version for $7300 and must say this thing is a Cadillac compared to bikes years ago. I used to just ride KTM 525 EXC's back in the day and they were cush, but they technology has come so much further. I went with the Rockstar because it had a ton of aftermarket stuff that I would have ended up buying anyways. Suspension setup is a huge part of bikes though.

That's pretty funny when you see a guy refer to KTM EXC anything, as "back in the day."

 

[DarkJuJu]

I used to ride a CR250 many moons ago, about 5 years ago when my son was 11-12 I picked up a WR250R for teaching him desert riding/single track. I was super impressed with the bike on the trail and in the desert, I didn't think a 250 4 stroke could get me excited but it had plenty of suspension, power, and zip for my 6'3" 220lb ass. If you only need a desert bike and not too much on-road I think it's a great platform, although it rides like a 2 stroke, you do have to be on the top end to make you smile. I am still bummed I had to sell it to upgrade another bike when he got older.

 

[rivergames]

This past August, I picked up a 2021 KTM 500 EXC-F

My other bikes is a 2006 Honda CRF450X.

The CRF is a great bike, but heavy as a tank. She's up for sale.

The KTM is so much lighter. The suspension feels incredible on the KTM.

My warranty is up in February. There is so much CARB garbage on new bikes these days. I wanted to feel the bike out stock that past 6 months while still under warranty.

I purchased a new exhaust tip, REED Delete Kit, emissions/smog block off kit Vortex ECU.

Stock, these bikes get 38HP. With the upgrades I'm throwing on the bike, I should get 54+HP

I also ordered hand guards and a new skid plate.

I need to get everything completed by the end of this month for a 4 days riding trip down in Baja.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

That's pretty funny when you see a guy refer to KTM EXC anything, as "back in the day."

Yeah, but it was literally like 15 years ago! The really back in the day was my KX500 which I loved, but it would rattle your teeth to death and honestly, I wasn't good enough to need it.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

As most here may know, I habe a KX500 and I LOVE that beast, but.... I may have had one of THOSE rides this past weekend. I rode my dad's 2021 Husky TE300...... Holly crap! What a bike!! The balance on that bike alone was absolutely incredible!! Rocky downhills where I would be bouncing side to side a bit, I was shooting straight down like I knew what I was doing. Lol!

The KX500 has a very linear power curve and is damn near straight scary up top. The 300 has a VERY similar smooth power band but doesn't have quite as much all the way around, but to be honest, there isn't very often all that raw power is used, plus the suspension of the 300 just seems to deliver the power to the ground so much better.

I have not ridden a 350 but with the weight and weight placement of the 300, I can't imagine it being much, if any better in the technical stuff.

 

[evantwheeler]

Two words. Rotating mass.

Are you saying too much rotating mass in the 4 strokes? In the engine? Im not following your 2 word response.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Are you saying too much rotating mass in the 4 strokes? In the engine? Im not following your 2 word response.

Yes… Rotating mass in the engine. You can really feel that mass especially when changing direction. Even a 500 vs 450 you can feel the difference.

 

[evantwheeler]

Yes… Rotating mass in the engine. You can really feel that mass especially when changing direction. Even a 500 vs 450 you can feel the difference.

I had to go to youtube to wrap my head around this, even with a degree in Mechanical Engineering under my belt (which was obviously useless!).

 

[Xring01]

Yes… Rotating mass in the engine. You can really feel that mass especially when changing direction. Even a 500 vs 450 you can feel the difference.

WHOA…
Take a look Erzberg Rodeo in Austria…

You will quickly see a very dominate bike in those races… they happen to be 300cc two strokes…
This is the definition of technical riding….
Changing direction on the side of mountain, or a rock pile, or a log pile or mud pit, or a stair case…

300cc 2 strokes dominate for many reasons.

Look up Graham Jarvis, Johnny Walker, Colton Hakar… these fuckers know technical riding, you dont see them on any 4 strokes…

Track bikes, sure… take your four stroke all day.,

 

[DLC]

This past August, I picked up a 2021 KTM 500 EXC-F

My other bikes is a 2006 Honda CRF450X.

The CRF is a great bike, but heavy as a tank. She's up for sale.

The KTM is so much lighter. The suspension feels incredible on the KTM.

My warranty is up in February. There is so much CARB garbage on new bikes these days. I wanted to feel the bike out stock that past 6 months while still under warranty.

I purchased a new exhaust tip, REED Delete Kit, emissions/smog block off kit Vortex ECU.

Stock, these bikes get 38HP. With the upgrades I'm throwing on the bike, I should get 54+HP

I also ordered hand guards and a new skid plate.

I need to get everything completed by the end of this month for a 4 days riding trip down in Baja.

Post a pic when you get it all set up for your baja trip

 

[white tortilla]

WHOA…
Take a look Erzberg Rodeo in Austria…

You will quickly see a very dominate bike in those races… they happen to be 300cc two strokes…
This is the definition of technical riding….
Changing direction on the side of mountain, or a rock pile, or a log pile or mud pit, or a stair case…

300cc 2 strokes dominate for many reasons.

Look up Graham Jarvis, Johnny Walker, Colton Hakar… these fuckers know technical riding, you dont see them on any 4 strokes…

Track bikes, sure… take your four stroke all day.,

Most of those hard enduro guys switch back and fourth depending on the race. Go on Instagram and you will see Webb and Jarvis riding 4strokes in the last couple of weeks. Like @Dan Lorenze said above there’s no one size fits all.

The two strokes are a lot more forgiving in hard enduro, they don’t over heat as fast when your stuck in a rock garden, and have less to go wrong when the bikes running upside down or goes underwater and you need to get it started. I lost all of my radiator fluid when a gasket went out in my KTM300 in a technical enduro race in Prescott and still finished the race 30 miles later with the motor sizzling and popping. Fixed it at the truck and rode the next day. The two strokes are going to be better at taking extreme beating and keep on ticking. Doesn’t mean that is the racers first choice for what bike is thier favorite. Getting back to the original question, 350 or 500, I’d think he would enjoy the 350 more.

 

[HBCraig]

The Jarvis videos are insane

WHOA…
Take a look Erzberg Rodeo in Austria…

You will quickly see a very dominate bike in those races… they happen to be 300cc two strokes…
This is the definition of technical riding….
Changing direction on the side of mountain, or a rock pile, or a log pile or mud pit, or a stair case…

300cc 2 strokes dominate for many reasons.

Look up Graham Jarvis, Johnny Walker, Colton Hakar… these fuckers know technical riding, you dont see them on any 4 strokes…

Track bikes, sure… take your four stroke all day.,

 

[f12517]

This past August, I picked up a 2021 KTM 500 EXC-F

My other bikes is a 2006 Honda CRF450X.

The CRF is a great bike, but heavy as a tank. She's up for sale.

The KTM is so much lighter. The suspension feels incredible on the KTM.

My warranty is up in February. There is so much CARB garbage on new bikes these days. I wanted to feel the bike out stock that past 6 months while still under warranty.

I purchased a new exhaust tip, REED Delete Kit, emissions/smog block off kit Vortex ECU.

Stock, these bikes get 38HP. With the upgrades I'm throwing on the bike, I should get 54+HP

I also ordered hand guards and a new skid plate.

I need to get everything completed by the end of this month for a 4 days riding trip down in Baja.

I’d look at the GET ecu instead of the Vortex. I have a Vortex on my 500exc. It works fine, but it’s not as tuneable as the GET. GET let’s you make various changes via Bluetooth and can load maps way easier. Vortex only allows their preloaded maps and has to be tuned by adjusting trim screws on the box. GET is way quicker to adjust with the app on your phone

 

[rivergames]

I’d look at the GET ecu instead of the Vortex. I have a Vortex on my 500exc. It works fine, but it’s not as tuneable as the GET. GET let’s you make various changes via Bluetooth and can load maps way easier. Vortex only allows their preloaded maps and has to be tuned by adjusting trim screws on the box. GET is way quicker to adjust with the app on your phone

I'll check it out down the road. Installed the Vortex tonight. The GET does sound a hell of a lot easier to change per location!

 

[rivergames]

Post a pic when you get it all set up for your baja trip

Will Do. Installed Vortex and 1/2 way done with Exhaust Tip tonight. Waiting on some high temp permatex to be delivered Wednesday.

I might wait on installing the new air box with deleted reeds. I've read that helps with top end, but I don't care much about that. The reeds actually provide a bit more bottom end boost.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I have the Vortex and PMB end cap. The Vortex is totally dialed, I have 10 (11?) maps to chose from, and a traction control mode. With the map switch on the bars you can access another map, I have the second map set on “Enduro” mode. But honestly, I never use it. I just leave it on map 1 best power and leave it alone. All the custom maps are cool and all but not practical for me. Just give me the best power and I’ll do the rest. Taco Moto Mike has a good thing going with the GET and his maps, but Vortex really has the new bikes dialed, and they’re cheaper too. I’m happy in that department.

 

[Blubyu]

I have a 21 EXC500 Six Days. Love it. Bike rips. It's a dual-sport so has all the street stuff on it to be able to ride on the roadway. Of course, it couldn't be left stock, we deleted all of the stupid emissions stuff off of it, put the exhaust on it, Athena ECU with adjustable maps, reed delete, steering stabilizer, and blah blah blah. The suspension is amazing! The bike does everything really well. Just duned it for four days over New Years.

 

[BingerFang]

2017 450fx with the stock top end. Change the oil and the air filter religiously and they will take care of you.

 

[Bobby_329]

I have a 450 sxf and a 300xc. I ride the 450 in sand, desert or somewhere with big hill climbs and have the suspension set up for fast riding. The 300 in the woods or anything technical and have the suspension set up soft. If i didn't weigh 250lbs the 300 would do everything but in the dunes i feel like im beating it where the 450 has no problem. The 300 is much easier to ride in the rocks and roots than a 4 stroke.

 

[Howardflat]

I have a 450 sxf and a 300xc. I ride the 450 in sand, desert or somewhere with big hill climbs and have the suspension set up for fast riding. The 300 in the woods or anything technical and have the suspension set up soft. If i didn't weigh 250lbs the 300 would do everything but in the dunes i feel like im beating it where the 450 has no problem. The 300 is much easier to ride in the rocks and roots than a 4 stroke.

This is my experience too. I have a ktm 300, its a 2013 but rides great and feels light. I love it on semi technical and single track. But in the dunes i felt like i was going to blow the thing up. I weigh 240 so that doesnt help. I rode a new ktm 350 at the dunes and loved that.

 

[dribble]

Are you saying too much rotating mass in the 4 strokes? In the engine? Im not following your 2 word response.

The rotating mass of a 500 cc engine combined with rotating cams and valves have an effect on the handling of the bike. I rode both a 525 and a 450 before I decided on the 450 because the bike felt lighter and smaller even though they were the exact same size and weight. A 300 cc two stroke takes that feel even further.