Best Do it All 4-Stroke? 2025 KTM 350XCF!
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- The 2025 KTM 350XCF might just be the best Do it All 4-stroke dirt bike.
350's are such a great combination of Power/Weight/Handling and this latest 350 engine in the updated 2025 KTM chassis with new WP spring forks does not disappoint! The latest 350 engine has stronger low to mid power compared to the KR350 and still pulls forever on top and both of the stock EFI maps run clean and crisp. The complete Akrapovic exhaust system on the 25 350XCF is quieter, lighter, pulls strong, and has a spark arrester too. With the Connectivity Unit Offroad it is easy to dial in the power character of the 350XCF. For woods riding I dial back the power and throttle response using the Gravel/Wet base power map. In the Advance settings option I minimize throttle response, minimize engine braking, and maximize Traction Control. This combination really smoothes out the initial throttle response making the 350XCF easier to ride on tight trails. Minimizing engine braking frees up the chassis and gives the bike a "lighter" feel in motion. At the MX track I can use the CUO to turn up the throttle response and use the Sand/Dry base map for a little more power feel. The CUO offers the option to change the engine power and character.
The updated WP spring forks are impressive! The rear of the bike has more comfort too with the updated frame along with linkage and shock changes though still not as compliant as the KR350 chassis/frame on the chop and sharp inputs. This could be the first Austrian bike I ride with the stock suspension.
I’ve been riding the KTM 350 XCF since 2016 best bike ever until the 2023, i hated that bike. It was heavy and I didn’t love the way it handled. Bought a Sherco 300 4 stroke and i like it but i miss my 350… i was thinking of going to a 300XCF but I’m not a huge 2 stroke fan. Do you like it waaaaayyyy better than the 23? If this your first one?
I've owned the 16 350XCF, 19/20 FX350, and the 21 350 Kailub Russell. Like you I rode the 2023 350SXF and could liked the stronger low to mid power but was not a fan of the more weighty feel in motion. In 2024 KTM updated the engine mapping and it was so much better fueling the engine was about perfect. When they did the revised frame for 2025 model year I decided to try the 350XCF again. This engine is perhaps the best overall 4-stroke I've ridden to date especially when using the Connectivity Unit Offroad to dial in the power character. The new chassis does offer more compliance and the latest WP spring forks (finally!) are very very very good right off the showroom floor. For me the 25 350XCF is noticeable better than the 23 model (better engine mapping, better suspension, better frame compliance). Still not quite as lightweight feeling (in motion) as the 21 KR350 but very close and the engine/suspension are just so good. I just got my WP Pro shock on my 25 350XCF and will do a ride review video soon. By the way I always have a 300 smoker in the garage too!
How much of that low slung tank is usable? Can you run it down to the bottom?
If you are moving and hitting bumps and sloshing the fuel around you can use basically all of it. If you jump on a smooth road section and cruise steady state you may use all the fuel that is held in the pocket around the fuel pump. I regularly ride with only 2" of fuel showing in the lower section but I keep the bike moving and that sloshes the fuel into the cup around the fuel pump.
Does it flame out at all? Or does the tuning app help tune that out?
I don't think the CUO does anything to reduce stalling though when throttle response is dialed back and engine braking minimized on the Gravel/Wet map the engine does run very smooth at the initial turn of the throttle.
Keep dogging the 2023 SX-F 350 and I may have to unsubscribe!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL On a serious note, I've already had one too many thoughts of a trade, my 350 for this 2025 XC-F....wondering how much $$$ I would lose. My wife nearly had a heart attack when I threw the idea at her because she knows how much I love my bike. Still waiting to hear from the dealer if they have an updated map to install.
See if you can get the updated 24 EFI map installed into your 23 350SXF - that might be more than enough of an update. Also you could get the 25 model year engine mounts and bolt onto your 23 model.
You listed a lot of places you had ridden the bike and then only had 3.5hrs on it. I rarely put less than 4-6 hrs on my bike every time I throw a leg over it. You're not trying hard enough!
True!
Love all the videos - A+++ lots of information and wonderful test reviews !!!! These new bikes are getting pretty tecno with all the new computers , ignitions and settings etc - the cou units are getting a bit too much for me as far as technology goes imo ( that is one of many reasons that I love my 24 Beta RX300 ) it is still pretty simple 😁 Both of my KTM's 2023 sx 250 2 stroke and my 21 Fact edition 450 look like a road atlas of wiring under the seat where Breat has some but they have done such a good job of keeping things simple like me lol !! I went down to my local KTM HUSKY GASGAS dealer last weekend and have decided to purchase a new 2025 GASGAS EX 350 - the dealer gave me a great deal on trade for my 450 but not sure I want to let it go just yet ( for me it is the best 4 stroke I have ever ridden ) I have raced a newer RMZ 450 which was a very nice bike , the Beta 450 , a KX450 , and a and a 2022 works edition Honda , have not rode a newer YZf 450 yet ( 250f yes ) and have not liked any as much as my 21 450 , I like my KTM 250 / beta 300 better than all the bikes I have listed - the problems that make me say hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Thanks for the real world feedback on so many great bikes! I really enjoyed my 21 KTM 450 Factory Edition and it currently resides with a buddy of mine so I can still ride it and it gives me a great comparison feel to the 23/24 and latest 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition. I also have a 2024 Beta 300 Race Edition and it runs amazingly clean and smooth for a simple carb and mechanical power valve. New 23/24 YZ450F is a beast and with the downdraft intake revs like a 2-stroke - very fun but hand on! Gas Gas EX350...very nice!!! You will be impressed with the latest 350 engine. Get the map switch and CUO so you can dial the power up or down and minimize the engine braking. 350's are such a great combination of Power/Weight/Handling!
Great review but I’ll split the difference and run a Sherco 3004t
Yes I've ridden the Sherco 300 4-stroke...that is a nice size engine. Wish there were more OEM's making 300~350cc 4-stroke off road bikes!
This is my next bike for trails I love my 300 for singletrack but sucks for open trails.
Yes the 300 smokers are so good on tight single track and the 350 loves the more flowing open trails!
I have the Gen 3 Cone valve & Trax Shock do you know how the stock suspension feels and handle vs your Gen 1 cone valve?
I have a set of black WP CV spring forks (you call them Gen 1?) and a set of 2023 WP CV forks (Gen 3?) and a 2023 WP Pro Component shock ready to go onto the 25 350XCF. I want to ride the stock suspension a few more hours to really understand it and then decide if it needs re-valved or just go straight to WP Pro stuff. For now the stock suspension is exceeding my expectations - works really well. Wish my 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition came with these spring forks!
Awesome bike. A 250xcf would be the bike for me at only 73kg. The 350s are the best for the masses though no doubt about that 👍
Yes lighter weight riders are a great match for the 250XCF. I am about 190 lbs and love the overall combination of Power/Weight/Handling of the 350.
Cooper Webb raced a 350 at that jday in maine i spectated at and that bike was fast on one portion where there was a straight......i was impressed, it was like a dragster, yeah the other riders were on fast bikes too but it was coop.....lol
Rider still 85~90% of the speed so Coop would be fast on a 125!
i keep hearing roczen going to yamaha.....that would be something
Roczen is such a skilled rider I enjoy seeing him racing on any bike!
Spring forks now?
Yes. For 2024/25 KTM went to a WP new closed cartridge spring fork. The stock WP spring forks on my 25 350XCF worked really well for my slow Vet moto speed on track and great in the woods. I ran a comfort like setting (stock is C12 R18 and I run C18 R24 for woods and light moto). I have owned a set of WP Pro Components Cone Valve spring forks for a few years and they work great so I installed them on my 25 350XCF. Pro Component rear shock is next on the 25 350XCF.
@@mxengineer1 thanks. Good stuff man
Love the videos! How do you get the Red Bull shrouds for your 23 300 xc?
Thanks! Those RB shrouds came off one of my 450 Factory Editions.
does the 2025 xc 300 have a quickshifter
No QS on 2-strokes
There's really only one reason, and one reason only that I don't favor 4 strokes for woods riding, more specifically the tighter woods is the flame out issues. If it wasn't for that, Id be on one of these scoots. Love my 350 on MX track, but use my smoker for off-road. Have you had any flame outs as of yet?
Have a 2023 SX-F 350 and it's definitely an issue for me at low speeds. Apparently mxengineer1 said there's a new map (his son got it on his 450 SX-F) that will help with flame out. I'm a "VET" rider in my early 50's and it's definitely much different than riding a 2 stroke (which is what I grew up on) at low speeds. Can't ask for anything more on a moto track though......WOW!
Hard to beat a 300 smoker for tight technical woods riding. I've not stalled the 25 350XCF yet but always have a finger on the clutch and have not ridden it in really technical woods stuff yet. Realize the 350XCF is a high compression ration high HP engine (MXA says 54hp) so making an engine breathe and run good at 13,000rpm+ does make it want to run at low RPM's. KTM offers the lower compression ration and lower power 350XCFW for the tighter more technical riding - much more stall resistant.
Wheelies 😎Tune with Phone 🚀 Four Banger 🏆
Quick shifter too!
nice review.....bike sounds like a winner
350's are a great combination of Power/Weight/Handling!
Forget to say...Great review as always!
Thanks!
Does that bike have the updated closed cartridge forks?
Yes and for 25 model year the settings were tweaked a little to account for the frame changes. These forks work great but for trails I open them up. Stock is C12 R18 and I go C18 R24 (a comfort setting).
@@mxengineer1 thanks for the info and great videos.
I need to get me one of those
350's are a great combination of Power/Weight/Handling!