2018 Husqvarna FE 350 Long-Term Review - 2500 miles later!
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- Wow, cannot believe it has been a year so far, time flies! Also, I feel like I put a lot of miles on this baby in the last year, it has been an absolute blast to have and I am stoked to have this bike! You cannot go wrong with any of the modern Husqvarna or KTM bikes or any other brand for that matter, so many good bikes out there these days.
Leave a comment below if you have questions and let us know what you want to see next!
I have a 2017 FE350 that i bought new. Its been a great bike, ive taken it to the dunes, trails, track, around town on the streets and windy back roads. I definitely like 2-strokes more for off-road riding like my 19 TX300, YZ250/270 and even YZ125. That being said, the fe350 is a street legal dirt bike that ive been able to ride all over with and has definitely gotten the most bang for my buck. I do not regret my purchase and hope to keep it going for many years to come. I dont think it is the greatest at any 1 thing but is a great all around do anything bike. The only major things i have done to the bike are, remove end cap screen from exhaust and reed cage from air filter. I thought of getting a rekluse clutch and new ecu but didnt want to spend the cash. It has been very reliable and durable.
I almost sold it last year due to not riding it as much due to my other dirt bikes getting firat pick as I said im more of a 2-stroke guy. After taking it back out for a day i had so much fun riding around on the road that its worth keeping just for the few times i do end up riding it. You feel like your breaking the law riding around on the road with it. Part of the fun in bikes for me is the freedom they give you and this bike gives you that feeling of freedom like no other.
Love my 2018 fe350 and wifes fe250. I like the stock plastics way more than that but we all have our cup of tea. Thanks for the video.
InstaBlaster.
I used to drive mopeds and scooters all my life and Ive always turned my head for Husas and rest of hard enduro bikes, also Scherko is on the "to see list". Now when im a big boy im thinking of FE350.
Cheers! I’m looking to get one soon and get off my 250l after 26k Miles .
Awesome bike KTM/Husky is the way to go!!! 👍👍👍
Just picked up a 19 fe450. I'm crazy about these bikes
good review I finally jumped the gun and instead of getting the FE350 I got the TE250i maybe down the road I will get a FE as well.
Thanks dude! Either way, badass bike!
Thanks for the update video.
Great reviews on the FE, thanks for filling that gap as it helped me deside to buy mine! I also thought about going with a TE tail section however I always woundered if that tail light also works as a brake light?
Thanks man! It's a great bike. The TE tail does function as a brake light, works perfectly.
Great videos mate. Very helpful. I'm currently riding a WR250R in Australia and thinking of upgrading to the FE350. I rode a friends FE350 and absolutely loved it. But the extra maintenance required (compared to my WRR) is a concern for me. For your 107 hours and 2500 miles over 1 year, how often were you doing oils changes, valve checks, servicing etc. How much does a bike like the FE350 cost to service per year? Cheers
I was changing the oil every 10 hours so you can figure about $250 or so in oil changes per year (if you are buying nice Motorext 10-50 synthetic) Valve checks are like ever 15 to 20 hours, super simple to do, takes about 20 min once you have done it a few times. For tires, I went through 2 rears and 1 front. So with that and brake fluid and coolant changes each year, you are probably looking at $500-600 per year in oil changes, tires, and yearly fluid changes.
Thanks for the detailed info. Very helpful. I am glad to hear basic servicing is not too expensive for the FE 350 and not too difficult to do yourself (for the first few years anyway). Maybe oil changes could be stretched out a little more (I thought the service manual recommended 15 hours?), especially if not racing or riding too hard.
@@glossblack1098 Yeah the manual does state 15 hours, but I figure changing the oil a little more frequently can only benefit the motor and I feel I do run it a little bit hard at times. The biggest work will be checking the piston and rings at around 180 hours or so. Then I will have a good indication of wear and tear at my riding level
The FE350 is a much better dirt bike than the wr. Ask yourself the question if you think you need a better bike for the rides you do.
I started on a crf250L, doing some green laning first. I wanted to do more hardcore enduro riding and bought a real enduro bike.
I must say...the maintenance isn't all that much when you just use the bike for serious offroading. I ride for 4 hours an do 80km maybe. You want to check your bike before and after every ride anyway because you know how much abuse you give it. Don't worry about the maintenance. Think about your plans.
If I'd do mainly mild offroading and use it on the road often I would keep the wr.
Do you have videos on how to check valves on this bike? Scale of 1-5 in being a mechanic Im a 1.5. And I’d be doing it myself . Mainly jst do oil/filter changes on my street bikes
Surprised you haven't taken the Reed's and screen out yet! It makes a big difference. TPS tuning however won't really fix your fueling. You really should look at a JD tuner or power Commander or something.
Just haven't gotten around to it really, I haven't had any issues with how it runs, but I'm sure once I do it I will have wished I did it sooner!
I plan on getting a new bike within the next year. I just did 2 quick laps on our property with a 2019 six days 300 and it left a great first impression. I like the idea of a 4 stroke and revving the engine out so the FE 350 has been on my mind. If you didn't need a 4 stroke for street legal purposes would you have a preference between the two bikes? I'm in bend as well, keep up the sweet videos.
I have not much experience on a 2 stroke, most 99.9% of my riding has been on a 4T bike. That said, there is something to be said for how light 2T bikes feel and the simpler engine. Power delivery is way different, 4T power is more linear and often more predictable. If I didnt need a plate, I might be inclined to pick up a 250 2T just to beat on
Great content, hope to see some more. Would like to know what mirrors are you running? Do they vibrate?
Great video mate, i really enjoy this channel. What are your thoughts on using this type of bike as more of a dual sport, a 50 50 mix of commuting to work 2-3 types a week and riding trails on the weekend. Im currently ridding a DRZ400 which is great for what i do, but i wouldnt mind something a little lighter and nimble on the trails. Cheers
You could do a 50/50 mix on this depending on the distance and tires. The DRZ is arguably more suited for the road than the 350. The problem with this bike is the oil change and service intervals. Commuting a lot will put hours on faster. You might look at the Honda crf450L
Eyy man awesome video:D the bike looks so nice! :D
Do you think the Fe 350 is too strong for someone who have never ridden a motorcycle before? I lean towards the Fe 250 but many people have said that it doesnt have much power :/ Will the 350 be to strong for me? Im 180 cm and weigh 67 kg ,
love from Sweden :D
Hey man!! Thanks! I do not think the 350 would be too strong. It would be a good bike to start on and allow you to grow into it. The 250 might leave you wanting to sell it. Both, however, are really awesome bikes. The 250 likely has more power in Sweden than it does here in the states. If anything, I would learn how to ride a bike and then see if anyone in your area would let you try a 350 out.
Cheers!
I believe it’s too much bike for first time rider. Learn on basics like Honda XR, Yamaha TT, XT. Crash a few times. Learn controls, learn to turn (tight turns, high speed turns, off camber turns, downhill turns). Learn clutch modulation, feel point engagement. Stand up, look forward. Then after couple hundred hours. Get race bike like this one.
My husky since 2014 until now. Never go back.
You said you rode a 2018 250, was it uncorked? There is a HUGE difference in power when the 250 has reeds taken out, desmogged, new pipe, and Vortex/JDTuner. I’m Referring to the Fe250 and 250 exc-f. They are bottled down 10hp from what they should be at stock
it was a stock FE250. The FE350 is the same in the sense that with the mods you mentioned, you would gain an extra 10hp. The difference being however that the 350 has just a bit more lower end grunt, which is nice, but still maintains the nimble feeling of a 250. So with mods to fuel and intake as well as exhaust, the FE350 should be closer to 45hp, which is great for a woods bike.
its my next bike no doubt
Great quality videos on your channel, I just subscribed. I just got myself an '18 FE350 too.
When I buy my next dirt bike (after 15 years out of the sport), is it a requirement to wear an oversized flat bill hat? Asking for a friend.
This comment is a little douchey, so I would prob recommend a backwards Monster Energy cap and some white rim sunglasses for you.
For high altitude riding, Colorado 7k-10k, would you recommend going with the fe450?
john birkmeier really depends on what you are riding, if you are riding tight single track and technical stuff, then likely not. If you don’t need a plate, I would go with a 300 2 stroke.
I’m looking at buying the FE 350, I live in AZ doing a lot of single track. Debating between the FE or FX. Did you have to add anything to the 350 to make it a little more powerful?
FX is more race-oriented bike, FE is more trail/enduro/street-oriented. All I did for the FE was the TPS adjustment and the mods that go with that. We have videos on that which you should check out. Makes the FE a whole new beast
What kind of chips are on the bench behind you? Munchos?
What kind of MPG do you get?
I'm currently in the dilemma of which out of the 350/450 bikes I'm going for. The weights and prices are so similar it's hard to decide. One question I have is regarding engine life before pistons need replacing and valve work etc. How is the 350 holding up in that regard? I'm erring towards the bigger engine because I know I will not be riding it hard at my time of life and feel with no racing and just cruising the trails it should last for a long time regardless of the conventional wisdom of when parts need replacing. Unsure for the 350 as I would be using a lot more revs.
The 350 was sold a little over a year ago now. But engine life between the two is prob going to be similar. I would say an older rider would benefit more from the lighter weight of the 350 vs the 450. They are close on paper, but the rotational mass and slightly larger motor can be felt when things get technical. You really can't go wrong with either though.
@@OregonDualSport Thanks for the reply, I'm erring towards the bigger engine because of my physical size and weight, but it's probably going to come down to which I can get the best deal on.
fyi no start issue after washing kill switch gets wet grounds
I’m interested in the TE tail swap you did. What parts were required for that?
You need Sicass turn signals, the whole TE tail setup (black plastic tail piece, LED brake light) which can be had from Rocky Mountain ATV. It all bolts in fine, just a little tight with the wires - Jaren
Motor idola 👍
I love my 18 fe 450 it too feels light and nimble and mountain bike like, I have not had the same luck tho it’s had some issues, mainly slave cylinder failures. Love the bike so much i may cnc my one clutch cable conversion kit 😂
The slave cylinder issue is common with the Magura stuff. There are some aftermarket options out there though that fix it. I have gotten lucky as I am still on the stock one and approaching 4k miles on the bike. - Jaren
Did you resolve? And how much did it cost ya?
@@dereckrodriguez9688 yea man stuck a recluse slave cylinder in it and the recommended fluid and there’s been zero issues for nearly a year and a couple thousand miles
Aftermarket slave is like $200-$250 ish I believe way over priced but it definitely fixes the issue
Jimbro 389 thanks brother Ima look into that. Might be buying an 18 450fe and just prepping for the potential issues.
How is it on the freeway? I have 20-50 miles to good trail riding. My DRZ400E already seems wound up going 65mph...
It is fine up to about 70, but I wouldn't buy it to ride 20 to 50 miles, the stock tank will only get you about 90 or so depending on how you ride. I would look at a 500 if you are doing 40 to 100 miles on the pavement during a ride as it will be more friendly on the highway.
@@OregonDualSport thanks 500's on my radar.
Awesome video! Can you post a link for that low profile tail?
Thanks! Here you go - www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/husqvarna-slim-taillight-kit-p?v=15088
Cool hat
Great vid!
The TPS adjustment doesnt really do much on these newer bikes, like at all. If you havnt touched the fuel side, get a JD tuner setup....It really makes a big difference. I have the same bike and same mods and it runs great!
I'm in Oregon too. Have you ridden the KTM 350 excf? If so what's better
They are basically the same bike. We have a comparison here - ua-cam.com/video/N0USNfxCrHA/v-deo.html
Please link me to these wrap around hand guards, cannot find this style anhwhere!
Here you go www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/acerbis-endurance-handguards-p
Are you running stock suspension?
Yes I am still
did you replace large oil pump gear mine warped and the motor starved oil hence the whole motor was destroyed 50 hrs 2018 ktm 350sxf
I have 214 hours on it without replacing that. Actually never knew that was a problem till the other week haha! So I guess mine had the newer part number - Jaren
You would know...... I wish I could show you the inside of this motor ktm is rebuilding everything new motor on there good will policy the parts to rebuild would have cost 6-7 grand I would have parted out the bike
You race OMRA?
Sure do! Uploading a little moto vlog here in a bit from the race the other weekend!
Husqvarna 350 fe or KTM 350 freeride?
Are you asking which is better?
Is sicassracing reliable and do they ship their products to you?
Never ordered direct from them, just other retailers that carry their products. Been happy with what I have
Let me know when you sell it. I’m in Bend. ;)
Will do!
Mean zero offense at all. How is a one year later review with 2500 miles a long term review? How about 5 years later? Most of us are buying these bikes used and will be much older than your current review.
Long term is subjective. Some people never put that many miles on what is essentially a dirt bike. I browse used bikes all the time and the vast majority around here don’t accumulate that many miles in that period of time.
Dude that bike looks brand new lol
About how long would you say you can get on one piston on the 2016 fe350s?
It is all dependant on how well maintained you keep your bike, oil and filters and how you ride. - Jaren
Just MHO, I have a 2016 FE 450. 120 hours and 3500 miles. I have ZERO intention of cracking the head until 200 hours. Granted, I clean air filter religiously, and change oil at 8 hours max and never hit the rev limiter. Mostly under half throttle, just quick cracks of the throttle, no MX, all trails.
what seat are you using
Stock seat - Jaren
@@OregonDualSport could you please link the seat cover you are using ?
@@dreadmag6372 www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/attack-graphics-factory-seat-cover-p
where did u get mirrror
giantloop.com
@@OregonDualSport thx if u go on ktmhusky .com thier product kick ass for 350 and 500 use thier stuff on mt ktm 500 excf went from 45 hp to 58 does same for 350s
@@jcpaclax19 I actually had a great experience with their product as well. I bought the end cap for my KTM 350 and it's killer! Not to mention they have pretty solid info and data that backs it from the Dyno. Thanks for watching! -Alex
i did thier power bundle for 700 it has everything and comes wth thier programer which is acutualy better than vortex its legit
Secretly inside he is regretting getting the 350 I personally was going with 250 fe but went with 501 fe you will grow into it fast get the 501
Absolutely zero regrets in the 350. It fits what I ride perfectly. Less rotating mass and a lower center of gravity is key to reduced fatigue in the tight and technical stuff, plus once I desmog it and modify the fueling, it will be plenty powerful
@@OregonDualSport the 350 is less then 4 pounds lighter then the 501. After I did emissions delete, smaller mirrors, combo turn signal hand guards and sleeker tail light assembly I'm sure I lost about 10 lbs and gained 10+hp. I love the 500 on single track.. it just lugs in 1st and 2nd without stalling and makes it happen. I'm not saying I would take it over a 300 2 stroke but I also plan on hooking a Timbersled Aro 3 to it. Great review though. Also does that aftermarket tensioner work on hydraulic pressure or is it mechanical/self adjusting🤔
@@FErdr20 it isnt about the effects of straight-up weight, all of the FE and EXCF line is very close in weight. The main difference is noticed in rotating mass and what that does to maneuverability (you cannot change that feeling through weight reduction in other areas). Anyone I know that owns a 450 or 500 that has ridden the 350 agrees it feels much more nimble and lighter in the tight stuff. Plus, after the mods that have been done to the 350, its more on par with the stock 450 in terms of power. It all depends on what you want to ride, I would take a 350 every day and twice on Sundays in the woods over a 450 or 500. The chain tensioner is hydraulic and mechanical, essentially impossible for it to fail, much better than stock that fluctuates with oil pressure.