2025 KTM 350XCF vs 2021 KTM 350 Kailub Russell Editon Back to Back: What are the DIfferences?
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Riding my new 2025 KTM 350XCF vs my fully dialed 2021 KTM 350 Kailub Russell Edition back to back: What are the differences in feel and performance? Back to back rides are a great way to get a feel for characteristics of different bikes!
2021 KR350
Lightweight, agile, and quick handling with what feels like fully built 250F engine. This bike is plush and the chassis is compliant especially with full WP Pro Component suspension. The Akrapovic exhaust is quiet and helps the overall power. The myKTM connectivity unit from 2021 allows for power character changes (like throttle response and engine braking) but stopped working once the latest Connectivity Unit Offroad was released. I hop KTM can make the older unit compatible with the new software. This bike has been my gold standard and favorite 4-stroke dirt bike for a few years now. My new '25 350XCF is challenging the gold standard!
2025 350XCF Lap Time: 2:01.1
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. 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.
Looking forward to more back to back rides with my '21 KTM 350 Kailub Russell Edition and 25 KTM 350XCF!
Do you have the quick shift button activated on your switch? It was hard to tell.
Yes I activated QS at the end of the ride on the 25 350XCF - it works better than what it has on my 450 Factory Editions. I need to go into the CUO and turn up the sensitivity so it does not take such a hard stab at the shift lever - for me quick shift takes too much effort at the shift lever.
Dude 4 years old and still has original tires😂😂
Yep! I can usually get 15~25 hours use out of a set of tires...these have 31 hours on them!
is it a 3G to 4 or 5G thing why the my connectivity unit doesnt work? my CPAP machine is 3G and they want me to update it so my dr can keep track of my breathing at night.......
I don't know!
@@mxengineer1 ....yeah my 2012 chevy truck is 3G and onstar doesnt work anymore.....
why do you reduce engine breaking,, doesnt engine braking help going down steep hills?
Yes engine braking can be helpful, especially on downhills. Some riders prefer more or less engine braking. With the Connectivity Unit Offroad you can dial in more engine braking if you like (stock is #3 so slide to#4 or #5) or reduce engine braking (slide to #2 or #1).
I have a 21 500excf and a 23 xc, I've gotten used to no engine braking on the 2 stroke. Now when I ride the 500 4 stroke I wish I could dial down the engine braking significantly. For the riding I do I would much rather less engine braking
@@chrisverkitus6280 Yes riding a 2-stroke then getting back on a thumper (especially a 500cc) really makes the engine braking stand out on the 4-stroke. The CUO does not eliminate engine braking but does reduce it.
Great info, thank you! Still eagerly awaiting the CUO test!!
Me too! Later today....
Wonder if they changed transmission ratios, with 14/50 sprocket as stock. My 24 350xcf FE came with 14/47, went to a 14/49 sprocket felt too low in 1st, 14/48 now is better for trails here and the track. Only difference between the two are the small frame change, linkage and such. That Kailub Russell is still a sweet bike
The 350 Factory Edition is such a cool bike! Usually they introduce them at the Ironman GNCC round in September but I did not want to wait for the new chassis (which I like very much on my 24.5 450 Factory Edition). Hopefully KTM makes a 25 350 Factory Edition this year! So far I've not felt the need to change the gearing on my '25 350XCF for the Vet moto and woods riding I do here in Ohio.
@@mxengineer1 I kinda wanted the chassis update, but didnt want to wait, went to a floating rear axle and changed engine mounts to Works chassis Labs soft version to somewhat get close, so far really liking it.
@@rjcook450Sounds like your 24 350FE is working great for you!
So you could say these two bikes are the same model just updated?
Yes. The 2019~2022 KTM 350XCF was a very popular bike. KTM brought out an all new chassis/plastic and updated the engine in 2023. Some riders felt the new chassis was too rigid so KTM has done a big update to the 2025 chassis to provide more compliance. Bikes are so well developed these days that sometimes newer is not automatically better - just different. There are riders that prefer the previous generation KTM chassis (19~22) as it was lighter with more compliance. I have kept my 2021 KR350 around as it was still my favorite 350. Now that KTM has updated the 2025 chassis it is very close between these bikes for me!