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Living with the ’24 KTM 350 SX-F
By: Eric Phipps
I have been riding Keefer’s ’24 KTM 350 SX-F since November and have had my share of 350’s over the years too. I bought one in 2011 when they were introduced and it was a good bike, but not a great bike. I tried again in 2016 and bought a Husqvarna FC 350 in 2018. I am 56 years old now and weigh 155 lbs. so a 450 is not on my radar and I prefer the smaller displacement bikes. My current bike is a ’23 YZ250F, but most of my riding buddies ride 450’s so it is always an uphill battle and I eat a lot of roost. When Kris mentioned I should try out the new generation engine I jumped at the chance. My first ride was at Glen Helen, and I realized very quickly that I loved the engine! After all these years, they finally had good low-end power! The KTM also has a Vortex (XPR) and a full FMF exhaust. I have also recently tested a Yoshimura full Ti system with good results.
I also figured out very quickly that the suspension on the bike was set up for someone either way faster than me, or heavier than I am or both. It was harsh! Kris sent the suspension back to Mark at REP and he re-valved it for my weight and ability. The suspension still feels a little stiff, but we’re making progress. The bike also has an REP linkage but could be a little plusher on the small stuff. It takes big hits and over-jumps in stride though, so even though it is stiff, it is also predictable and turns well which I can use all the help I can get with my cornering lol.
Likes:
The power! It is a 10 out of 10 on my scale. It has good low end, a strong mid-range and will rev to the moon and keep making power all the way up. I liked having the over-rev available when getting a little tired and not having to shift if you didn’t feel like it. I also like how simple it is to service the air filter, thank you Twin Air, for the filters! I also like that the bike is easy to wash. Sounds weird, but I am a little ocd when I wash bikes and not having to Scotch Brite an aluminum frame saves time, plain and simple. I also like how nimble the bike feels and you can cut down in turns or rail the outside easier than other bikes I have ridden.
Dislikes:
The spokes came loose for what seemed like a long time. I have 32 hours on the bike now, and they started to seat in at about 15 hours. I still have to check them (especially the spokes by the rim locks) but they are better than when I first got the bike. It is minor, but the rear valve stem seems to start to ‘lean’ every couple of rides no matter how tight the rim lock is. It is now part of my maintenance routine to let the air out and straighten the stem. Checking the air pressure in the AER Forks is also time consuming when I would rather be resting or talking to my riding buddies.
Overall, I really like this bike. If I owned it, I would go to a spring conversion on the forks and keep working on getting the suspension to be a little more compliant on the square edged bumps and acceleration chop. I know they have changed the frame and engine mounts on the soon to be released ’25 models, which I think will definitely help the overall feel of the bike, time will tell.
In closing I would like to thank Kris for ‘loaning’ me his test bike. I really enjoy riding it! Kris mentioned that he wants to come to NorCal at some point to ride our local tracks, and to keep the bike until he comes up. Kris has not actually been to NorCal since 2019, so at this rate I may have this bike in my possession for a while longer. That is a good thing!
