350 vs. 450

bvm111
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5/2/2020 9:28pm
I was on a 450 and Loved it, I sold it last year expecting to get a new leftover 2019 KX450 and the deal never happened. I just started hammering on my KX250 about 6 months ago and have so much more fun on it than the 450, as soon as this nonsense is over I’m getting 2020 KTM 350!!!
T-Fish
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5/3/2020 12:06am
350.
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The Shop

NeedMoto
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5/3/2020 7:13am
350 all day long, and that's coming off a 19 Kawi 450.

The fun factor is off the hook with the 350, and I can do almost twice as many laps as I could on the 450 at speed.

Currently on a 2020 FC350.
5/4/2020 9:24am
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between a 350 and 450:

Hammer 663s
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5/4/2020 12:18pm Edited Date/Time 5/4/2020 12:19pm
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between...
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between a 350 and 450:

I had Blais racing remap my stock ECU on my 18 FC350. I did the airbox open and have an FMF slip on too. It now has plenty of power, and with the black throttle cam is snappy too. I'm sure I could get even more power out of a Vortex from TD, but I spent my $$$ more on suspension, where I needed it. To me, having the MX Tech lucky installed made the bike. W/o a good fork, all the power in the world would be no good to me.

I haven't raced it since the remap, but map 2 w/TC off will pull the front end up easily whenever I want. My boys say I am noticeably faster on the 350 than on my last 450. And I can feel that, and I am faster, longer. A properly setup 350 is the viagra of moto for me, Smile

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tek14
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5/4/2020 12:34pm
I have both 350f and 450f. Been playing with idea to have just two same bikes but having both 350f and 450f is best. With 350f I can rev bike and have fun with it 1,5hours at one day. I move more with this bike and have higher HR. With 450f there is just torque and riding bike smooth is fun also. Cant do much more than one hour at one day. More I ride 450f more muscle I do seems to get but it makes me more tired after many riding days.

Not sure if get/vortex ECU would help me with 350f as bike have plenty of power you just need to turn more gas and be active. Better/younger rider will be faster on 450f but older guy like me lap times are same. Bigger bike little faster on short run but 350f will make it back later.
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erik_94COBRA
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5/4/2020 1:49pm
The 350 is easier to ride for longer, but isn’t as easy to go fast on (as a 450). Also less likely to get out of hand when you get tired as you do have to ride it harder.
Tenacious P
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5/4/2020 4:53pm
austin_bo wrote:
Digging up this old thread because I’m pondering the same question. I’ve had my 350 for about a year and a half now and I’m steadily...
Digging up this old thread because I’m pondering the same question. I’ve had my 350 for about a year and a half now and I’m steadily stacking hours. Thinking about my next bike and it’s between a 350 sx-f and 450 sx-f. I love the 350 but you really have to ring the piss out of it to ride it right. I’m comfortable with the amount of power, but I prefer short shifting and riding in a lower rpm - I’m wondering if a 450 is the way to go. Seems that opinions are split on what wears the rider out more... riding a 350 aggressively or hanging on to a 450. I’m a casual vet rider that likes to spin as many laps as I can on a Sunday... what do you guys think?
I'm also in the 450 camp. As a vet track rider, I really appreciate 450 torque. The bike is never working too hard, motors can go 100 hours without much hassle, and that all-over power means you can make mistakes and still avoid the hospital.

That being said, 450's are heavy, hard to turn, and when something goes wrong it can go REALLY wrong, REALLY quickly.
5/4/2020 5:52pm
I have a 350 and it's a really good spread of power, my last 450 felt like it had more overall but was heavy, the 350 I have now is pretty good but wears me out in the sense that it give's me the sensation to rev the piss out of it, they roughly make the same top end but the 350's just have long gears and rev like a 250f, I would suggest do a few demo days and make a decision from there
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cody41
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5/6/2020 5:02am
You have to ask yourself if you’re prepared to deal with the worst suspension on the market if you go the 350 route.
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Spagina767
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5/6/2020 6:13am
I have my first 350 now, a 2019. I spent some time on a friends 2018 and loved it.

They might not have been great bikes in 2012, but now? Man, they are everything I could want.

More power than a 250f, so they can be lugged a bit, but they also love to be rose mid-high RPM’s. They flat out fly but don’t have the “rip your arms off” feel as much as a 450.

As mainly a two stroke rider, you will gel well with the 350.
Spagina767
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5/6/2020 6:13am
cody41 wrote:
You have to ask yourself if you’re prepared to deal with the worst suspension on the market if you go the 350 route.
What years? I have a 2019 and I feel that it works excellent!
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Spagina767
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5/6/2020 6:18am
Nystrom7 wrote:
I say 450 i think they are easy to ride. The 350 you have to rev and its insane fast att hi rpm ? maybe its...
I say 450 i think they are easy to ride. The 350 you have to rev and its insane fast att hi rpm ? maybe its just me but the 350 wears me out. But of youre more of an aggressive rider who can handle the power the 350 might fit, but they do have alot of power high up in the rpm's
crowe176 wrote:
I agree with this. Went from CRF450's, back to RM250, to a bunch of years off, and went with a 350 thinking light with power. Being...
I agree with this. Went from CRF450's, back to RM250, to a bunch of years off, and went with a 350 thinking light with power. Being out of riding shape, It's really taken some time to realize how important it is to rev 350's out. I've ridden friends 450's, and I really miss that 450 low end out of corners. IMO, 450's are easier to ride if you like to lug a gear higher. I'm really trying to love my 350, but I think I might end up going back to a 450 as i'm not as young and aggessive as I was when I was younger.. I just don't have the stamina to make a 350 sing for more than a few laps.

I should note, I have a 15 350, and I've read it's night and day compared to the newest 350's. Hopefully I can swing a leg over a newer one before I get a new bike.
If the 15 350 feels anything like the 15 SX 250 I have rode, WOW the chassis and ergonomics have improved tremendously. I LOVE the 2018 SX350 I rode, and the 2019 SX350 I now own. On the contrary, I couldn’t stand the 2015 SX 250 I rode.
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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5/6/2020 7:30am
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between...
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between a 350 and 450:

I have Vortex from Twisted with Yosh exhaust and it wakes up the bike for sure but still lacks roll on power that the 450 has.

I heard VitalMX/Ping are working on a 350 build with Twisted that makes more HP than a 450! It will be interesting to see the video on that!
stone881
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5/6/2020 7:33am
I think most people are overlooking the easiest and cheapest mod you can make to a 350, drop a tooth on the drive sprocket.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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5/6/2020 7:36am
stone881 wrote:
I think most people are overlooking the easiest and cheapest mod you can make to a 350, drop a tooth on the drive sprocket.
There’s pros and cons to changing gearing. I’m running 14/52 on my 19’ 350
PRM31
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5/6/2020 7:43am Edited Date/Time 5/6/2020 9:26am
Well, to follow up to my original post starting this thread, I ended up going a completely different direction. 600! Basically a lack of nearby riding areas, and thus not enough riding to ever feel proficient led me to try a different route. Had I stuck with motocross, I would have definitely gone 350 over 450, and maybe even 150.

But these things are a blast! If you’re looking for something a little less physical, but no less of a rush, visit a local track. By physical, I mean the jarring, bumps and ruts. The acceleration, braking and cornering forces on the R6 are very impressive and moving it side to side quickly at high speed is work. Just different than a dirt bike. And if you like fiddling with bikes there is so much you can do to these things.

Anyway, just thought I’d share. Back to your regularly scheduled programming...


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bvm111
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5/6/2020 8:03am
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between...
Has anyone installed a vortex or one of these to gain another 10+ hp on their 350? Seems like this would really narrow the gap between a 350 and 450:

I have Vortex from Twisted with Yosh exhaust and it wakes up the bike for sure but still lacks roll on power that the 450 has...
I have Vortex from Twisted with Yosh exhaust and it wakes up the bike for sure but still lacks roll on power that the 450 has.

I heard VitalMX/Ping are working on a 350 build with Twisted that makes more HP than a 450! It will be interesting to see the video on that!
Joe, Seely has a video up on you tube where he rides the 350 from TD you are talking about... he actually said after riding it he thinks he should have bought one or is thinking of building one or something like that. I know I am starting to look for a 20 KTM 350 soon!

https://youtu.be/n5Z37LIGOLk

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Matt Fisher
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5/6/2020 1:02pm
stone881 wrote:
I think most people are overlooking the easiest and cheapest mod you can make to a 350, drop a tooth on the drive sprocket.
There’s pros and cons to changing gearing. I’m running 14/52 on my 19’ 350
My son was running +2 on his 18, and most of the faster guys around here are running +3 on their 350's. Much improved response.
c0ncEpT
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5/6/2020 1:39pm
HC piston, DCR cams, Vortex ignition, Race gas. Over 60hp
austin_bo
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5/6/2020 2:16pm
Though it’s awesome that they’re getting those numbers out of a 350, I don’t understand why it’s necessary when 450s exist. A ktm 450 is $200 more (MSRP) and arguably far more reliable than a hopped up 350. Isn’t the weight difference only 1lb between the two?
5/6/2020 3:20pm
austin_bo wrote:
Though it’s awesome that they’re getting those numbers out of a 350, I don’t understand why it’s necessary when 450s exist. A ktm 450 is $200...
Though it’s awesome that they’re getting those numbers out of a 350, I don’t understand why it’s necessary when 450s exist. A ktm 450 is $200 more (MSRP) and arguably far more reliable than a hopped up 350. Isn’t the weight difference only 1lb between the two?
Supposedly the 350 feels lighter and more flickable due to less gyro effect of the smaller bore
yz133rider
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5/6/2020 3:39pm
austin_bo wrote:
Though it’s awesome that they’re getting those numbers out of a 350, I don’t understand why it’s necessary when 450s exist. A ktm 450 is $200...
Though it’s awesome that they’re getting those numbers out of a 350, I don’t understand why it’s necessary when 450s exist. A ktm 450 is $200 more (MSRP) and arguably far more reliable than a hopped up 350. Isn’t the weight difference only 1lb between the two?
Supposedly the 350 feels lighter and more flickable due to less gyro effect of the smaller bore
And the power delivery of the 350 even with more power than stock is just less tiring than 450s.
Nystrom7
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5/6/2020 3:59pm
Am i the only one that thinks the 350 is more tiring than a 450? To be honest i did not feel any weight different riding the 19 both Husqvarna and ktm compared to My 19 kx450.
No bottom and like rocket when it starts to rev. Those 350:is are more then a handfull on higher rpms, those 350 engines are powerfull to say the least.
#RZRNick
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5/6/2020 4:45pm
walleyeguy wrote:
Bought a 17 FX350. Best bike I ever rode. Last bike was a 14 yz250f which was amazing too but this Husky has it in almost...
Bought a 17 FX350. Best bike I ever rode. Last bike was a 14 yz250f which was amazing too but this Husky has it in almost ever category.
Same, and Same. If I wasn't 200lb and rode in sand washes a lot, I'd probably go back down to a 250, but the 350 is the Bees Knees.
Hammer 663s
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5/6/2020 8:29pm
Supposedly the 350 feels lighter and more flickable due to less gyro effect of the smaller bore
^This. At 56, I am actually learning to throw a whip. I'd never even thought of trying that on a 450. Way too much to bring back. My 350 actually encourages me to try it. I'm so happy I went to a 350. There's no need for a 450 if you are not pro.

Hammer
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5/6/2020 9:44pm
Problem with 350 is that it isnt as fast as a 450, and it still feels heavier than a 250. Why not just ride a 450? Theyre so easy to ride. Wide powerband and forgiving
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