Best in Class: KTM 350 EXC-F
If you had to pick just one off-road motorcycle to do it all, there’s only one bike that fills the bill– the KTM 350 EXC-F. Fast, light, agile, and street legal, this is the benchmark that other dual-sport bikes are measured by. Having a license plate on a competition-ready motorcycle is what KTM is all about. You can ride it from your house to the dirt. And when you’re out on a trail ride you can jump on road and cruise into town for fuel and hot steaming plate of enchiladas. Sounds like the perfect day.
POWER
ENGINE
- The 350cc 4-stroke engine with a state-of-the-art electronic fuel injection offers a very wide power band and is distinguished by a dynamic but easy to control power delivery.
- Comes equipped with a kick starter as well as electric starter. And the hydraulic clutch by Brembo paired with a six-speed gearbox.
BODYWORK
AIRBOX
- The ingenious airbox design guarantees protection of the air filter plus maximum air throughput for high performance. Replacing the air filter is an easy, no-tool operation.
HANDLEBAR
- All EXC models are fitted with super strong tapered handlebars made of high tensile strength aluminum alloy. KTM bars can be fixed in four different positions to fine-tune rider ergonomics, and standard open hand guards provide protection to the rider’s hands.
SPEEDO
- The speedometer integrates speed, distance, trip warning lights into a single unit with clear readily available information.
FUEL TANK
- The fuel tank is made of lightweight polyethene, and fitted with a fuel pump and pressure regulator. This 2.25 US gallon capacity tank is good for 70-75 miles of off-road riding.
CHASSIS
FRAME
- The frame design of the 350 EXC-F combines maximum longitudinal stiffness with optimum torsional stiffness for easy handling and precise steering behavior, as well as excellent ride stability.
- Frame: Central double-cradle 25CrMo4 steel
- Subframe: Aluminum
SWINGARM
- The cast aluminum swingers is computer-designed for minimum weight, optimum stiffness and precisely-defined flexibility.
FRONT SUSPENSION
- The front fork features CNC machined triple clamps specifically designed to minimize fork flex to provide the rider prices feedback from the front wheel, even in the toughest terrain.
- Suspension travel front: 11.8 inch
REAR SUSPENSION
- A PDS shock absorber from WP Suspension works with a direct linkage to the swingarm. A wide range of setting options for rebound damping and high and low-speed compression damping are standard.
- Suspension travel rear: 13.1 inch
EXHAUST SYSTEM
- Light and robust. The aluminum silencer combine awesome power output, while keeping noise levels to a minimum.
COOLING SYSTEM
- An integrated cooling system routes the coolant from the cylinder head through the frame, directly to the aluminum radiators.
CHAIN
- It comes standard with a beefy 5/8 x 1/4” O-ring chain
WHEELS AND BRAKES
WHEELS
- Black aluminum rims with black spokes are mated to CNC machined hubs with aluminum nipples to achieve maximum strength and minimum weight.
BRAKES
- High-tech Brembo brakes are standard on KTM off-road bikes, and are combined with lightweight Wave disc rotors.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Spring 2016 print issue of Tread Magazine.