www.motocrossactionmag...-7320.aspx

REAL MOTOCROSS TEST: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 2011 KTM 350SXF
It is not going to wipe the 450cc motocross bike off the face of the Earth. It is not going to bring in a new era of mid-size engines. It is not a revolutionary idea. It is essentially a niche motorcycle that fills a void.

www.mxsportsproracing....ala450.pdf

Here is the entry list of the Final MX race at Pala. 450cc class.
We all know there is Mike Alessi on his 350cc bike.

But wait there are 5 other riders who entered on 250cc bikes. Interesting.

Is small cc the way to go?

So does that mean fabricating and manufacturing this bike is a waste? hehehe

Sunken_G wrote:

So does that mean fabricating and manufacturing this bike is a waste? hehehe

ktm can make decent margins off "niche" market bikes as they still sell in relatively large volumes because there are a huge number of recreational riders out there who don't race. So long as they're making money I doubt they would consider it a waste.

look at the 200SX\EXC\XC bikes...they did not change the face of racing or render 250cc bikes useless...but they are top sellers and bloody awesome bikes. KTM have built themselves on the niche markets nobody else was in.

I heard it was perfect for old fat veteran riders who want more than the 250f but not as much as the 450 gorilla.

Tell you on Sunday after I have run my one in!

You have to keep things in perspective. The office girl at MXA could probably whip all our asses on any given day. These guys test hard core for the hard core. Agree it's no as fast as a 450 but how could it be. It's quite a complement that it's even considered to be that fast.
The reality is though that none of us can really ride the mighty 450 especially on the tracks we have here. For example if Chad reed rode a 450 and 150sx at kluang he would be faster on the 450 but for weekend warriors like myself I'm 1 or 2 seconds a lap faster on the 150.
If you've got a 450 ask yourself when was the last time you gave it more than half throttle?

Lazza wrote:

You have to keep things in perspective. The office girl at MXA could probably whip all our asses on any given day. These guys test hard core for the hard core. Agree it's no as fast as a 450 but how could it be. It's quite a complement that it's even considered to be that fast. The reality is though that none of us can really ride the mighty 450 especially on the tracks we have here. For example if Chad reed rode a 450 and 150sx at kluang he would be faster on the 450 but for weekend warriors like myself I'm 1 or 2 seconds a lap faster on the 150. If you've got a 450 ask yourself when was the last time you gave it more than half throttle?

yup yup... basically, mx action is telling us that its meant for mediocre riders like you and me! (oops, Lazza excluded! haha)

p.s but must have deep pockets cos the bike is pricey (I heard its something like SGD$ 14k!? even though its supposed to be cheaper then the 450f); so next best is a 125cc (under SGD$ 9k)

I had a quick rip on a 350 today and was immediatly comfortable with the ergos; it's like a thin Honda. I know I have picked the right bike for me, the power is perfect not too much but more than the 250f and you can rev it. Get my bike tomorrow and running in his Sunday so will try and give a short report, i think this will be a good Mx bike for me. Only prob now is I have is I got a 350 and 150, recently I have found my mojo again for Mx and it's all because of the 150 and it being so fun to ride, 150 has more power than most of us can handle

thanks Benny for the ride on your new 350

Well after riding my new 350 around Nusajaya yesterday i can confirm all the hype was wrong and all the doubters are correct, this bike sucks. Possibly the worst bike I have ever bought and i strongly advise you to stay away from these bikes as you will feel let down later.

If you like great handling, amazing brakes, suspension is good out of the box ( still fiddling) light as a feather in the air and confidence building then dont buy this bike, it sucks and would be useless for racing. Grips and corners like no other bike i have ridden! Its a weird bike to explain, its like a 4 stroke but also a 2 stroke, almost no engine braking which i really like, the right amount of power for me and the majority out there. Rider controls and components must be the best out there now, the quality is number 1 and you even get a tool kit, super slim feel to the bike. The electric button to start rockets is perfect and it fires up immediately, fuel injection has been reported as the best and i can only say it is the best response I had from a 4 stroke, power is like electric and keeps going.

Dont buy this turkey

It sounds horrible...

sounds horrible...I will take it off your hands for you...will trade you a hardly used '09 KX250F with tricked out suspension bits and some spares. You dont even have to top me up any cash...will settle for a straight swap as I am sure you must be very dissappointed and I hate to see that in such a chipper chap as yourself.

I would love to take you up on your kind offer but being a stand up gent there is no way I would sleep at night knowing I had passed you such a lemon. I will just have to suck eggs and learn to ride with all the handicaps.

No, i must refuse your good deed and live with the turkey

You will see it on Sunday, you will notice how badly it turns and pulls out of the corners, how it rips of the line and down the straights, I will try my best to let you see all of this chaos a good bit in front of you in case i fall off!

Heee haw hee haw... haw ( french laughing)