2017 KTM 350 EXC-F - WHAT I'VE BEEN RIDING

KTM completely revised its dual sport range, with big changes coming to all three EXF-F (road legal dual sport) models. While the KTM 500 EXC-F makes up the bulk of their sales and gets most of the glory (it won our Ten Best as recently as 2014), it's the 350 EXC-F that's always been the apple of my eye. With KTM acting as a sponsor of a Sharetrails.org event in Needles, California, I had the perfect opportunity to take it for a spin.

"What I've Been Riding" is a segment for editors who may not have yet written about a certain bike to discuss their personal opinions on it. We do this because it's fun for us, hopefully interesting for you, and a great way to create some more discussion around the stuff you're asking us about. The bottom of the page will give you links to things like first ride reviews, comparison tests, dyno runs, and other content we've run - all of which gets the broad-based and objective evaluation techniques you've come to expect from us. If you're dying to check out the specs or have a more technical question, we'd suggest perusing those before getting upset that these "reviews" don't contain our normal, rigorous efforts.

I've already written about my experience at the ShareTrails.org ride, as well how great attending a planned dual sport ride like that can be, but I wanted to save a review of the bike for separate piece. Both because I didn't want to dilute the story of my experience and because I wanted to give the bike its due.

Especially because, after just two days on it, I fell in love with the Austrian off-roader.

KTM has eliminated the XCF-W models from its range, claiming that the new EXC-F range is just as ready to race while coming with the added bonus of a license plate.

The engine is all new, with KTM claiming that every single rotating part is different from the outgoing model. Based largely on the 2016 SX models, the new engines are more compact and improve power delivery. The 350 I was riding shaved 4.2 pounds off the engine alone.

This is all thanks in part to 20mm shorter die-cast engine cases, a new cylinder head, engine covers, engine mounting brackets, a more centralized crankshaft configuration, and shorter connecting rod, which through reduced rotating mass, enables the 350 to feel so much lighter than its bigger brothers, handling-wise.

The chassis has been completely revised. It now provides 20% more torsional stiffness and 30% less longitudinal stiffness, changes that should enable the frame to twist less but absorb bumps better. The frame also sheds 0.8 pounds, and is now pre-drilled with threaded inserts for an engine guard.

The shock has been moved 5mm closer to the center line, which allows for better progression through the stroke, and it mounts to a new and lighter (0.5 lbs) swingarm.

The suspension is also updated with a new XPLOR PDS rear shock and new XPLOR 48 split fork. The shock is a cup type PDS unit that is smaller and 1.3 pounds lighter than the one it replaces, and the fork has a new hydro-stop for additional resistance against bottoming out. It also loses weight (0.4 lbs).

Some of the body panels are new too, with this 350 sporting a larger gas tank (2.5 gallons versus 2.25), a flatter seat, and new radiator shrouds.

KTM has included their "no dirt" offroad specific pegs, which sit 6mm taller than the SX pegs for additional clearance (though the SX and XC pegs can be swapped in).

The brakes have been improved, with a longer brake pedal for better feel, a larger piston on the rear caliper, and lighter brake discs.

The airbox design is new and is designed to allow you to change the air filter without any tools. The intake now uses a reed valve set in the intake, which was implemented to reduce noise to help pass restriction limits, but came with the unexpected added benefit of improving torque.

In a small stroke of genius, KTM have chosen the Continental TKC 80 tire to come standard on EXC-F models. The TKC is a great 50/50 tire that we love more for adventure bikes, and was one of the key elements in helping reduce the noise emitted from the bike so they could pass sound restrictions. You'll want to swap them unless you're keeping the bike on the street (which is also a most excellent idea).

As I've previously written about, I took the KTM 350 EXC-F to a planned dual sport ride in Needles, California, out on the California/Arizona border. On the first day, the route they'd planned for us included lots of deep, clean sand, plenty of fire roads, sand washes, and little hill climbs.

On the second day, we ventured out on our own and found slot canyons, shale covered hills, single track, atv trails, mining deposits, and red clay canyons. For only spending two days on the bike, we covered not only a lot of ground, but a ton of different types of terrain.

After spending so much time on other off-roaders lately, the KTM took a little bit of warming up to. On the positive side, KTM does a fantastic job at creating a package that feels light and transitions side to side quickly. I assumed the bike weighed a ton less but the differences are negligible, at least on paper. The high-quality and well-designed frame just packs the weight lower and more centralized, which makes for a much more nimble feeling motorcycle.

On the flip side, KTMs have a much more evenly spread powerband, which meant I fumbled a bit as I tried to shift as I normally would on a Honda CRF450X or the Yamaha YZ250FX I'd been riding. That, combined with a fairly quiet exhaust, made gauging where you were in the powerband awkward as I acclimated to the bike.

Fortunately for tall guys like me, the KTM handlebar can be placed in four different positions which open up the rider triangle as desired. I put the bars in the furthest position which, while not perfect, definitely helped the ergonomics of the bike for me.

As I got more used to the bike I really began to appreciate all the work that KTM have put into designing these bikes, and started to understand why it's able to charge such a premium for them.

The 350 EXC-F is a 250 on steroids; light and nimble through rock gardens and tight single track, but powerful enough to pull high speeds as the trail opens up.

KTM sponsored the breakfast for the event and Justin Dawes, KTM USA's marketing manager, came out to ride the event on his 2017 450 EXC-F Six Days. The Six Days (named after the International Six Days Enduro) adds a whole host of upgrades including a new seat, handlebar map switch, reworked triple clamps, upgraded fork, brakes, engine guard, and orange frame. That is to say, it's got most of the upgrades anyone would do to an off-road bike and more, and that it basically comes completely dialed out of the box.

We swapped bikes from time to time, so I could have the chance to compare the two models, and if I'm being completely honest I still prefer the 350. Sure, the suspension and brake upgrades, not to mention the little crash bits, go a long way toward making for a more planted and perfect ride, but the extra moving mass in the larger engine is felt way more than you'd imagine. Justin's bike is likely the more capable for almost all types of riding, but I'd argue the 350 is easier and more fun to ride.

To put it plainly, there isn't anything wrong with the KTM 350 EXC-F. That doesn't mean it can't be improved upon, but this section is normally reserved for the problems we found with a bike.

As with most dirt bikes, I'd add higher bars and adventure pegs. I'd probably also add a steering stabilizer, larger fuel tank and, after riding the 450, a new exhaust and tune to try and get a little more power out of it (but that's really only because we do so much open desert riding).

I've been noticing a theme with my off-road riding lately, and that's that my passion for it and the things that draw me to it are much different from the things that draw me to street riding. On the street, so much of it is about the speed and performance. It's all about going faster and riding harder.

In the dirt, it's far more about my love of exploring and seeing things I'd never otherwise have a chance to see. Improving my riding skills is always something I'll work on, though I care more about getting better at the technical stuff than speed. Because those are the skills that will help me get to cool places.

From my viewpoint on our world, I've seen a massive uptick in dual sport riding. Lots of the guys that I know who were building cafe racers five or seven years ago are riding dual sports now, and after doing it I see why.

So far, the KTM 350 EXC-F is my favorite dirtbike I've ridden, and it checks pretty much every box across the board in proficiency, performance, and feeling.

Helmet: Bell Moto-9 Flex
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake
Jersey: Fox Legion Offroad Jersey
Vest: Fox Racing Legion Vest
Pant: Fox Legion Offroad Pant
Gloves: Fox Racing Flexair Race Glove
Armor Jacket: Alpinestars Bionic Tech Jacket
Armored Short: Alpinestars Bionic Freeride Shorts
Knee Guards: Alpinestars Vapor Knee Guard
Boots: Sidi Crossfire 3
Hydration: Kreiga Hydro-3