It’s a more versatile tool
than a screwdriver - TB
he 350 EXC-F is one of KTM’s most
misunderstood models with it
commonly being called a trail bike or
a dual-sport, but in fact it is a more
versatile tool than a screwdriver. The 350 is
very capable trail bike, but is also a good race
bike in stock condition, and even better with a
few simple modifications.
With KTM giving this model a serious
upgrade last year, making it an almost all new
bike, it has remained basically the same for
2018. I don’t see that as a problem though,
because I already thought it was the perfect
bike, but in typical KTM fashion they’ve
improved it further. With a slight change
to the fuel mapping this bike has got even
better. This makes turning it into a race bike
simple, with the only changes I’ve made to
this bike being heavier fork and shock springs,
and an Akrapovic slip-on muffler.
Hopping on for the first ride I expected it to
be exactly the same as the 2017 machine, but
quickly realised it wasn’t. It has significantly
more bottom end than last year – feeling
more like a 450, as you can hold it a gear
higher and lug it at very low revs and it will
still pull away without having to abuse the
clutch. This means it gets a lot better traction
and you don’t have to constantly change
gears. The new mapping also is better suited
to the Akrapovic muffler. I run the aftermarket
muffler because it is a lot less restricted and
a bigger pipe, which gives just a little bit more
power and makes the engine a bit punchier.
Last year it was quite flat off the bottom with
this pipe due to being so open, but not now.
The power starts straight away and revs out in
smooth four-stroke fashion.
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