I said typically, because it is largely true of the subject of this review.
The KTM 350 EXC-F is a dirt bike with lights. Yes, it is certified street legal, has passed emissions and sound standards, and can take you on U.S. highways. It also weighs roughly 240 pounds with all fluids, except gasoline, and has roughly 12 inches of suspension travel at each end. Between my legs, it feels narrower than the motocross bikes I used to race. Quite honestly, it made me think of a bicycle.
So this is probably the most serious dual sport available in the United States, with the possible exception of its 500cc sibling. Serious in the sense that it is focused on dirt riding at a high-level.
The 350 EXC-F is a tall bike. Unless you have an inseam north of 33 inches, you will be on tiptoes at a standstill. Unfortunately, this is necessary when you have 12 inches of suspension travel and the kind of ground clearance serious dirt bikes offer.
This bike is quiet, both while idling and at full throttle. In this sense, it is nothing like a motocross bike or a dirt-only enduro. Although the sound is carefully muffled, engine performance from the 349cc single is extremely impressive.
Throttle response is very good, even from low rpm levels, and power builds in a linear fashion to a strong top end. During trail riding, trying to keep up with an expert rider on a KTM 500, the 350 pulled well out of corners, and helped our test rider stay close enough to close-up on the brakes entering the next turn.
All-in-all, the engine in this bike is a gem. If you haven’t ridden a modern KTM dual sport, it will surprise you with its broad spread of power, and the feeling of twisting the throttle on a larger displacement motorcycle.
Those slim ergonomics include a very narrow seat, which is great for riding in the dirt. That seat is also flat enough that you can move fore and aft, shifting your weight for different traction conditions. Of course, that narrow seat was not made for long distance comfort on the road.
The 350 EXC-F is not a dual sport made for highway miles. A Kawasaki KLR 650, for example, is off-road capable but can also cover large distances on the street and keep the rider in reasonable comfort. It’s worth stating again, the 350 EXC-F is a dirt bike riders’ dual sport. It can get you from home to your off-road riding location and back, assuming that location is within 50 miles or so, without difficulty. That is its purpose.
Once in the dirt, that long travel suspension and tractable engine, together with the slim ergonomics, make this an outstanding dirt bike with virtually no compromises in that environment.
The six-speed transmission offers you a gear for any occasion … from crawling over rocks to blasting down a fire road. Shifts are crisp and positive, with or without the clutch.
The 260 mm single-disc Brembo front brake offers just the right amount of power with good feel off-road. At higher speeds on the street, you can tax the front brake a bit, but it is generally adequate. The single disc brake in back generally does its job well.
The front fork is a WP XPLOR 48 mm unit that is fully adjustable, as is the WP XPLOR shock out back. The suspension is very plush, generally dialed correctly for aggressive trail riding, but a bit soft for hard core motocross. The fuel tank holds just 2.25 gallons, but, once again, is mainly intended to get you where you need to go off-road. Nothing more.
If you love riding in the dirt, but enjoy the convenience of an electric-start, street legal dual sport to get you there, the KTM 350 EXC-F just might be your perfect companion. It feels every bit as agile as a 250, but has the grunt to hang with 450s and 500s on the trails. Although we tested a 2021 model, KTM has announced the 2022 350 EXC-F with no changes other than some suspension tweaks and new graphics. It is priced at the U.S. MSRP of $11,399. Take a look at KTM’s website for additional details and specifications.
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