Kiwi Rider March 2024 Vol.2 | Page 59

After a couple of years riding two different brand colours I was very excited to swing a leg back over a bike I was very familiar with ; the KTM 350 EXC-F . To make it even more exciting , for 2024 KTM has produced a completely new bike , not just the old bike with striking new plastics and graphics , something you might think looking at it from the outside . Yes , there are those , but in addition the chassis and engine has received big improvements .

SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS If there was one thing that has hindered the orange brand in the past it was the suspension . This year the EXC range comes with WP XACT closed cartridge forks which are very similar to the 6500 kit that WP had been producing to improve the performance in the fork in previous years . For a stock fork they are firm , and I was very impressed with how they worked in rough terrain , especially when braking where it ’ s important for the fork to hold up . The shock remains a stalwart of the KTM enduro range with the WP Xplor PDS unit receiving a host of updates . New mounts where it joins the swing arm and frame have improved the bikes anti-squat characteristic under acceleration . This is noticed massively when powering out of a corner through acceleration bumps . You can feel the wheel keeps better contact with the ground allowing the rider to get the power down . A great feature of all the WP components is that they are completely adjustable without tools , making it a lot easier to make changes to the settings whilst out on the trails . The frame is also completely new which gives the bike a rigid feel . I know this has been a big talking point about the MY2024 bikes , but I find for enduro style riding this is a big plus . I find it makes the bike a lot more precise especially in front end grip , which makes it very nice to corner . I do feel I ’ ve had to change my seated position a little , by moving as far forward as possible to help get over the front a bit better .

KIWI RIDER 59