2023 KTM 350 XC-F (Factory Edition) First Impressions in 4K

My first ride and initial impressions on the KTM 350 XC-F Factory Edition. Spoiler Alert (but you already knew this): ITS AWESOME!!!

[@craigloomis8022]

Long time 2 stroke rider. When this came out with a normal sized tank I had to have it primary because of the looks and between this is probably the ultimate stock 4 stoke in the woods if you can handle it which I have 't adjust to the flame out coming t corners. My only other complaint is the new kick stand design is hard to catch with your boot. Other than that I can't think of another 4 stoke that I would want unless I want to and YZ 250FX

[@motovalleyenduro]

Bike is a monster. Thanks for letting me ride it 🤘🤘

[@foxtailadventures]

So awesome! My husband and I just got new 2023 xcf 350's as well. We rode them hard this week in the desert. They are beasts!!

[@BigIronMoto]

Yes they are! 🤣🏁🤘🏻

[@speedtoad6167]

I love the close ups of the bike. New bike old gloves 😁.

[@sxmNice]

I got my 350 XCF FE late October and was able to ride it 2 weeks before winter hits us here. I did both single tracks and motocross tracks. What an amazing bike!

[@BigIronMoto]

About the same for me. I got two rides on it then away for the season. Eager to get back on it.

[@tsh7090]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video! Hands down the best review (private or pro media) I've seen. Sincerely appreciate the depth of detail & your view on whom the bike fits. Hope you'll do a follow up after you've had a chance to race it. You've got a new subscriber here.

[@quadcityracing]

Nice log work. And good review.

[@davidb.4623]

Best looking bike from KTM this year by a mile. If I didn't get a xc-f 250 last year I'd get one for sure. Saw the zip ties, I couldn't put a screw through that front plate either.

[@thorty27]

Good review buddy, was torn between this bike and another 2 stroke. Can't wait to chase this through the woods...lol

[@kiwi-moto]

I recently rode the Husky FX300 2023, which I think is the "equivalent" of the KTM bike in White :) . Even with the "tame" map mode, that thing was a beast on the trails ! ha ha! Looking forward to seeing more 4T footage next year. Congratulations

[@TheRcscalebuilder]

Congrats on the new bike Sean, Been dying to pick up a 4t for a while. They really are easier to ride for the faster flowy stuff! Great video!

[@BigIronMoto]

I don’t think I would say they are easier to ride for flowing stuff but they do keep their momentum better. This one is a much bigger workout for me to ride than my 300 2T but it’s fast Af. I would still prefer my 2T for a trail ride among friends (unless I want to leave them behind🤣🤘🏻)

[@jetdr]

I always run full bar wraps. Reason, Trees don’t care and they do not move. Have smacked into them many times and a full bar wrap saves your hands! Have never ever had an issue of my hands going through and breaking my wrist! Have never seen or heard anyone having this happen. Love this Bike though!! Wish Yamaha would make a 350

[@BigIronMoto]

Thanks for watching.

[@theta-moto]

Awesome bike! I’m looking at picking up the ‘23 non-FE version and doing the same spring conversion with the 6500 kit… my brother is a tech for a KTM dealer in BC and says they’ve been getting really positive feedback on it from their customers, so definitely looking forward to your review on it!

[@russianrouletteracing]

KTMs should be just coming with those 6500 stock🫣

[@mauritzfourie7453]

@@russianrouletteracing I agree...the suspension has really gone backwords in KTM, my 2008,2010,2012 was all great with a bit of revalving

[@christopherevans4978]

@@mauritzfourie7453I have a ktm 2019 150 and the 23 350 xcf both air forks is the spring conversion really worth it I ride motocross and desert

[@marks7759]

Beautiful bike, I have the same one. Tell your dealer they forgot to install the hole shot device on lower right fork protector.👍🏻

[@BigIronMoto]

Thanks. All good. I installed it. I wanted to wait until I got my suspension done. Congrats on your purchase. Such an awesome ride.

[@Lee-mx5li]

Great thorough video.

[@BigIronMoto]

Thanks!

[@sdr7008]

Almost too petty to get dirty. Called my dealer today and my name is now on one. On my past two KTMS (SxF350 and SixDay450) I've upgraded the suspension to Kreft. That did wonders. Might be a less costly alternative. Also, you need to ride these bikes for 10 hours before you can eval the suspension as they come so tight!

[@BigIronMoto]

I did my suspension too. 6500 kit and revalving. Thanks for the watch.

[@SWFlowseeker]

Beautiful bike. Congrats.

[@BigIronMoto]

Thanks!

[@peternufc1981]

Lovely bikes

[@xBobby]

Still have it? Thoughts still the same? I picked up a ktm 500 this year and would like to start doing gncc, wouldn’t mind finding a used 350

[@BigIronMoto]

I do. I love it even more now.

[@dankruger2890]

just got a 21 KX250x with a Rekluse clutch and i really struggled between 2 or 4 stroke.

[@nagelmotox284]

How is it in the small chop? Still pretty rough w stock suspension?

[@BigIronMoto]

It’s ok but I didn’t use stock suspension for long on this bike. Went to a 6500 kit right away. Small chop at slow speeds sucks for this bike. It likes going fast and furious through woods.

[@onthethrottle7104]

Nice to see someone talk about how wrap around handle guards suck your arms down in and you can get super injured. I saw a pro racer's arm get sucked in after hitting whoops and he ended up getting super inured due to his arm getting stuck into the area and going a high rate of speed. I'll never run those again. Flags for me going forward. Anyway, love the bike, wow it looks fantastic. Great show.

[@BigIronMoto]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. 🏁

[@mauritzfourie7453]

the suspension will be stiff and a bit harsh...suspension needs to break in and settle, will be better after a few hours. I cant believe that the factory edition does not come standard with the 6500 kit or cone valves or some kind of upgraded suspension...my opinion its the only thing that really needs an upgrade from stock to get them race ready. Awesome Looking Bike though!

[@BigIronMoto]

I am now using the 6500 kit on this.

[@digicustoms7699]

Are you going to sell the bike given the suspension switch for the 2024?

[@BigIronMoto]

No, I have A-Kit suspension on it already. The 24 upgrade is really nice though. I rode a few 24s and it’s amazing.

[@paweukaszewicz4973]

Where did you get red bull stickers from? They're sick

[@charlesnew1289]

The factory edition is a limited bike, it comes with red bull graphics and a bunch of other bling stock.

[@BigIronMoto]

They aren’t stickers. The factory edition comes like this. I didn’t add any decals.

[@TJ-po9ol]

I want to get this bike, but everyone says I need a 2 stroke. Lot of technical mtn riding, but I also have dunes/desert by me. I used to ride an old yz250f in the mountain single track and never flamed it out so idk.

[@BigIronMoto]

I have a 2T (300xcw) and this one. For mountains and technical stuff the 2T would be much better IMO. These bikes are better suited for fast racing through trails. Not great for slower speeds compared to 300.

[@craigloomis20]

Great review and riding . Picked one of these up as well its truly a beast. Its stable, fast and maneuverable. The quick shift I understand will be available later via ecu update, fender fins I believe their primary function is to direct more air for cooling. Maybe a secondary benefit may be mud deflection. Only gripes I have other than me stalling it too much is the kick stand is harder to get to with you foot and I on the fence on the fmf silencer. I don't know how well it will hold up overtime with anodized color. I think a Akro unit may be more durable They also already have some decal protectors to prevent that wear wear you are gripping.

[@ogPolen]

Can't find a factory edition around me 😅

[@jimzigouris]

hi nice bike is any possibility to give us the shroud (or spoilers from tank) part number left and right the tank to order red bull shrouds?

[@BigIronMoto]

Just contact your KTM dealer if you want to order them. Don’t feel comfortable sharing that info.

[@jcsquared1111]

If you dont mind me asking how tall are you? I am only 5 foot 7 and change, and just wondering if I would feel like I have to lower this thing lol. Bike looks amazing I might add thanks for the vid.

[@BigIronMoto]

5’8. Non need to lower IMO

[@jcsquared1111]

@@BigIronMoto Awsome!!

[@artysa.blackwood4261]

2023 xc-f 450 here, quickshift light work when pressed, too n00b to notice the diference from on to off tought.

[@Moto619films]

Did you change gearing

[@BigIronMoto]

No. Stock gearing.

[@nightrider4370]

How do ya like suspension and are you gonna do anything with it?

[@BigIronMoto]

I haven’t tried it yet. Just got it done at the end of the season. The stock suspension (before I upgraded to 6500 kit) was excellent for stock. New WP AER is a significant improvement from previous years.

[@trueinfidel7321]

Hi, Great looking bike, when you have your 23’ on the stand, do you have up and down linkage play?

[@BigIronMoto]

Nothing out of the ordinary. Regular movement from suspension but no clicking or movement that you might find from bad bearings.

[@schumif1champ]

the green is the more agressive map

[@BigIronMoto]

Yes. Figured that out. (I put it in the subtitles). Thanks for watching.

[@RC.56]

Nice…. Had you considered the xcfw? First bike for me, thought I would consider one for all around bike… do you have issues going slow? Or eng braking? Also are thoes air shocks? And are they preferred over spring.

[@BigIronMoto]

The XCFW would be too similar to my XCW (2t) which I prefer for more technical terrain and hard enduro. The XCF 350 is my fast XC race bike so I don't use it if I am going at a slower pace. I think I mentioned this in the review bit the 350XCF is not a casual fun bike IMO. The 300 2Ts are far better for most casual riding as there is no engine braking, no flame outs, and just feels lighter. They are air shocks and the standard suspension is excellent but because I race quite a bit I have since upgraded to the WP 6500 Pro conversion kit which are excellent but I think unnecessary unless you are racing or doing some pretty extreme stuff. Stock suspension for 23 bikes is perfectly fine for 95% of people's riding IMO (with right spring installed). Thanks for watching!

[@RC.56]

Thanks for the reply, that makes sense, so it’s full xc race bike…. 300 looks great, and I’ve seen many videos on them, super light and peppy, but not trying to get a two-stroke as I plan on doing long rides, and don’t want to fill tank every 20 minutes. (if that’s an accurate statement.) So xcfw prob best for me… would be nice if they made a factory edition with the xcfw… maybe if I ask the factory 👍

[@BigIronMoto]

@@RC.56Two strokes will last just as long or longer than 4T. My 300 XCW will last 140km on its tank. The W models of KTM (4 or 2) are meant for longer rides. I would recommend visiting a KTM dealer for them to explain everything your options in greater detail.

[@colees7446]

Did your 350 come with the aluminum mounts (formerly cones) to replace the rubber triple clamp/bar mounts? I saw they were coming in the box of stuff with the new 2 stroke XCs, but i just picked up my factory edition 350 and they weren't in the box.

[@BigIronMoto]

No, nothing like that came with mine that I saw.

[@novendra_]

can the quickshifter work like on the sxf and xcf 450 or husq fx 350 series ktm motorbikes?

[@BigIronMoto]

The quick shifter doesn’t work on the 23 XCF. The button is just used for launch control (holding it and transition control at idle). Maybe a software update will engage it.

[@novendra_]

@@BigIronMoto but I saw on the official Husqvarna motorbike website that there is a quickshifter feature even though they use the same 6 speed. is it possible that the 350 xcf doesn't work because of a problem in the gearbox which has 6 speed unlike the 450 xcf 5 speed

[@BigIronMoto]

@@novendra_ I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. I have never had / used the quick shift so I don't notice it not being there.

[@novendra_]

@@BigIronMoto I guess like that, because on the sxf 250 350 450 the quickshifter works, because the ktm sxf only has 5 speeds unlike on the ktm exc,excf or xcw, xcwf which has a 6 speed gearbox

[@Alien300Blackout]

What’s the fuel range on this model?

[@BigIronMoto]

Maybe 80km. Not sure. Never really tried

[@cuddleman]

engine and flywheel is the same of sxf 350?

[@BigIronMoto]

I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like an SX bike but it might be.

[@germancontreras4448]

Any flare issues ?!

[@BigIronMoto]

Flare? Like flame outs? No, not really. It is quite good in that respect relative to other 4Ts

[@PhilemonMortimer-q6o]

Anderson Paul White Anna Young Cynthia

[@robsonenduro3316]

why would anybody want traction control on such bike...

[@BigIronMoto]

Some people might prefer it in wet conditions. It works well. I don’t usually run it but when it gets really wet it helps from spinning out during power bursts.