KTM or Husky 350?

mikejones202
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11/2/2017 11:01am Edited Date/Time 9/24/2018 6:57pm
Going to be pulling the trigger on a 17 or 18 of either of these two within the next two weeks or so and I really don't know which to get. Price is going to be the same on the 18's for the KTM or Husky. Any recommendations? Pro's and cons of either one?

Also, I race MX if that feeds into anyone looking from a contingency stand point.
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mattyhamz2
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11/2/2017 11:09am
Haven’t ridden either one yet, but man, there is something about the husky that catches my eye way more than a ktm. Let us know what you end up picking!
walleyeguy
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11/2/2017 11:11am
I have a 17 FX350. Love it. Never rode a ktm 350 though. I guess its whether you want linkage or PDS. I wanted the linkage.
rjg
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11/2/2017 11:16am
Husky looks like it's from the 80's
mikejones202
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11/2/2017 11:26am
walleyeguy wrote:
I have a 17 FX350. Love it. Never rode a ktm 350 though. I guess its whether you want linkage or PDS. I wanted the linkage.
What do you mean linkage or PDS?

The Shop

stone881
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11/2/2017 11:38am
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this made all the difference from being a good bike, to a great bike. Helps you get to the power a lot easier and carry a gear higher in really tight corners.

Didn't ride the Husky, so can't give an opinion, but will be buying another KTM in June.
mmcmx
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11/2/2017 11:43am
What do you mean linkage or PDS?
The off road models KTM has no linkeage. Both mx models do.
mikejones202
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11/2/2017 11:44am
stone881 wrote:
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this...
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this made all the difference from being a good bike, to a great bike. Helps you get to the power a lot easier and carry a gear higher in really tight corners.

Didn't ride the Husky, so can't give an opinion, but will be buying another KTM in June.
I have rode the Husky and I liked it a lot even with suspension set up for someone 40 pounds heavier then me, but I was told the KTM felt a little plusher in the corners? Im not sure. I wish I could try the KTM too lol. My big thing I liked was the power. What do you mean by black throttle reel?
Big Tex27
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11/2/2017 11:53am Edited Date/Time 11/2/2017 12:27pm
Just bought a 17' ktm 350sxf last week and raced it last weekend. Dealer gave me $1500 off. By far the best bike I've ridden. When you hear the motor start to rev and think you need to shift, just twist it a little more and it's like hitting a another gear. The only thing i did was put new bars on. I can't stand the stock bars that come on it. I ran 148 PSI and and 19 clicks out on rebound (17 stock) and 17 out on compression (stock) Top B rider for off road and weigh 160. Bike handled better than my 08" YZ250 i thought.
11/2/2017 12:12pm
I have a 17 Husky 350 with 15 hours on it for $8,000.00

Get 1000 ish off for a bike that's like new. let me know.
Titan1
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11/2/2017 1:06pm
What do you mean linkage or PDS?
mmcmx wrote:
The off road models KTM has no linkeage. Both mx models do.
The KTM XC line has linkage...the XC-W line doesn’t have linkage.

I have no idea on the husky...
seth505
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11/2/2017 1:11pm
Actually, only the street legal KTM has PDS (EXC-F) and the Husky counterpart has linkage.
mxjon454
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11/2/2017 1:12pm
Ive ridden a '17 KTM 350, loved the bike. The power on that thing was unreal. But something about the look of the Husky just pops to me. I see a lot more KTMs at the track over the Husky. If i were to buy one, id probably go with the Husky.
EastFlorida
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11/2/2017 1:23pm
stone881 wrote:
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this...
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this made all the difference from being a good bike, to a great bike. Helps you get to the power a lot easier and carry a gear higher in really tight corners.

Didn't ride the Husky, so can't give an opinion, but will be buying another KTM in June.
What did the "black throttle reel" do for you?
CLT809
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11/2/2017 1:36pm
Only distinguishable difference for me (after holes in the airbox are drilled) was the plastic. I really prefer the shrouds and side panels on the husqvarna. Sit on both if you can at the track in your gear. My knee braces catch on the KTM shrouds and something on the side panel/airbox area snagged something on my leg as well. These weren't deal breakers, I still enjoyed riding the KTM, and could probably get used to it, but the husqvarna feels seamless.
Titan1
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11/2/2017 1:37pm
seth505 wrote:
Actually, only the street legal KTM has PDS (EXC-F) and the Husky counterpart has linkage.
Ah! Good to know...thanks!
mikejones202
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11/2/2017 1:40pm
CLT809 wrote:
Only distinguishable difference for me (after holes in the airbox are drilled) was the plastic. I really prefer the shrouds and side panels on the husqvarna...
Only distinguishable difference for me (after holes in the airbox are drilled) was the plastic. I really prefer the shrouds and side panels on the husqvarna. Sit on both if you can at the track in your gear. My knee braces catch on the KTM shrouds and something on the side panel/airbox area snagged something on my leg as well. These weren't deal breakers, I still enjoyed riding the KTM, and could probably get used to it, but the husqvarna feels seamless.
Thanks! Like I said I rode the Husky and the ergonomics felt awesome...little wider then my zook
DTR830
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11/2/2017 1:48pm
I picked orange because it was cheaper & the cases show less wear with time
TeamGreen
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11/2/2017 2:19pm
I ride the Husky and I love it.
AZRider
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11/2/2017 2:38pm
Another vote from me for the husky, I love mine and every one of the 4 people besides me who have ridden it want one now.
Zaugg
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11/2/2017 2:46pm Edited Date/Time 11/2/2017 2:48pm
The rider touch points are probably the biggest difference.

The cockpit of the Husky and the way the side panels and shrouds are designed, feel very symmetrical. Also the triple clamps and handle bars are more compliant. Finally, the Husky seems to feel ever so slightly down on power (due to the airbox) but the numbers might suggest different.

The KTM is very precise feeling and the triple clamps and handlebars are less compliant provided tons of feel. The sharper, less symmetrical plastic design makes the bike feel a little narrower. The power, feels a little more snappy as well.

If you change out the triple clamps, bars, and seat, drill a couple holes in the airbox of the Husky, you might not be able to tell a difference at that point.

You can't go wrong with either bike...

endurox
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11/2/2017 3:34pm
seth505 wrote:
Actually, only the street legal KTM has PDS (EXC-F) and the Husky counterpart has linkage.
All the XC-W models have the PDS also.
MotoMatt_928
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11/2/2017 3:48pm
You can't go wrong with either. I've ridden both, and I went with the Husky FC350. Either way, you will be happy. Drill the holes in the airbox and side panels, and go up two teeth in the back. It's a beast!
ben5020
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11/2/2017 3:54pm
I love my 17 fc350! It keeps up just fine with my buddies 17 crf450r on race day but I love the high rev characteristics of the motor, you can pull way longer in second/third gear on starts then the 450's do. I put the black cam on my throttle, drilled some holes in the air box, and put 51 tooth rear sprocket on, she's a ripper and you won't regret buying a husky. Plus the contingency money is a nice perk, think I have $200 to spend on maintenance parts that would otherwise cost me money.
stone881
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11/2/2017 4:12pm Edited Date/Time 11/2/2017 4:15pm
stone881 wrote:
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this...
I had a 17 KTM, best bike I have ever owned. Install the black throttle reel and put a 13 tooth drive sprocket. For me this made all the difference from being a good bike, to a great bike. Helps you get to the power a lot easier and carry a gear higher in really tight corners.

Didn't ride the Husky, so can't give an opinion, but will be buying another KTM in June.
I have rode the Husky and I liked it a lot even with suspension set up for someone 40 pounds heavier then me, but I was...
I have rode the Husky and I liked it a lot even with suspension set up for someone 40 pounds heavier then me, but I was told the KTM felt a little plusher in the corners? Im not sure. I wish I could try the KTM too lol. My big thing I liked was the power. What do you mean by black throttle reel?
It comes with a grey spindle I guess you would call it and a second black one. The black one is a bit quicker to take up the cable, like a quick turn throttle. Not sure what the actual % difference is, but for me its all about getting to the upper part of the curve because you do have to revvvvvvvvvvvvvvv these bikes to get the power out of them.
seth505
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11/2/2017 4:32pm
seth505 wrote:
Actually, only the street legal KTM has PDS (EXC-F) and the Husky counterpart has linkage.
endurox wrote:
All the XC-W models have the PDS also.
Ah true, I was just thinkin 4-strokes. .
mikejones202
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11/2/2017 5:28pm
fast willy wrote:
Just picked up a 2018 350sxf [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/11/02/223056/s1200_20171027_143733.jpg[/img]
Just picked up a 2018 350sxf

where did you get it and what did it run ya if you dont mind me asking? I see you're in delaware which is why i'm asking...
mikejones202
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11/3/2017 10:34am
You can't go wrong with either. I've ridden both, and I went with the Husky FC350. Either way, you will be happy. Drill the holes in...
You can't go wrong with either. I've ridden both, and I went with the Husky FC350. Either way, you will be happy. Drill the holes in the airbox and side panels, and go up two teeth in the back. It's a beast!
Any tips on where to drill at? and both sides?
c0ncEpT
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11/3/2017 11:31am
I have a 2018 KTM 350SXF. I haven't ridden the Husky so I can't comment on how it rides compared to the KTM.

I picked the KTM over the Husky for pretty much the sole reason of the dealer being a lot closer to me. The orange frame was a huge factor as well. The black frame KTM's look way worse than the all white Husky.

The last Husky I bought I had to drive to PA to get (6 hours drive). The KTM dealer is 5 miles from my house.



1
c0ncEpT
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11/3/2017 11:37am
For the guys asking.

The black throttle cam is 3/16 twist and the gray throttle cam is 1/4 twist.

The gray cam is the one that comes in the bike from the factory.

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