2023 KTM 350XCF | First Impressions & Changes: 13 Good + 7 Bad Things

[@raceprovisions]

2023 KTM 350 XCF First Ride + Review video is live!!! Spoiler alert... this bike is incredible!!! 🔥🔥🔥 -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPXmIJpo8uXeK8

[@johnmerritt6670]

Dude probably the best overall "first impressions/review" I've seen. All the things you mentioned are exactly what dirt bike riders/racers are concerned about. I currently own a 2019 250 xcf and really like it but I'm going to move up to the 350. Looking forward to the ride review.

[@raceprovisions]

John, thank you for the kind words! Glad you got some good value out of the video! Those 19-22 250/350's are amazing bikes, but I can tell you now that I have about 5 hours on the bike, this thing is incredible, at least for the type of riding I do -- 2nd/3rd gear single track/enduro racing + some desert. Here's a little preview:The map switches and traction control positions create drastically different bikes for different applications, which is incredible. I found map 1 without TC is perfect for the dry, slippery dirt we have here in AZ. Also, they fixed the flame out issue pretty much (assuming you're somewhat good on a clutch), it will idle itself up a little incline and not stall. This was a huge concern of mine because thats what I was most worried about losing as compared to a 300XC 2T. How wide the usable power is on the bike is insane too.. IT will chug better than older 350's but still screams all the way to the rev limiter. I find myself shifting even less on this bike. I have already swapped the 47 Tooth rear sprocket for a 50 tooth and it is perfect for 2nd/3rd gear single track riding for fast B/Slow A like myself. I could see if someone was a slow b/fast C they might go to a 13 tooth front with a 49/50 rear. Things I'm going to address are the stiffness/harshness of the bike, its definitely putting a lot more of the square edge feedback from the trail into my body through the hands. I'm going to start with an XC Gear Mako360SX and then eventually probably do a MX Tech Raven spring swap (similar to KYB SSS) and a revalve of the rear by my go to shop EnduroSpec out of Colorado... But only if it needs it. I'm overall very impressed by the suspension all things considered and blown away by the motor. I honestly don't know if I will even modify the motor/ECM on this bike... It might be that good. It definitely needs a fan, Trailtech say should have one in the next couple of months, this thing gets TOASTY haha Stay tuned man, let me know if there are any particular things you want me to look at!

[@johnmerritt6670]

@@raceprovisions I ride all single track here in TN and KY. I had a 2016 350 with a Rekluse and it still flamed out on throttle chop. This 2019, without a Rekluse, never flames out. I run a 52 in the back and I'm able to stay in 3rd 75 percent of the time. I have a SDi bladder conversion rear shock and stock 2022 xact forks off a EC300 GasGas. These latest generation AER's are actually pretty decent. I'm an older B rider. Thanks for taking the time to put out the video's!!!

[@raceprovisions]

Awesome John! You are right, the 19-22 is much better than the earlier generations and this one is even better... its crazy. The 2023 has a new transmission with a much lower 1st and I believe lower 2nd/3rd too, so you can get away with the 50 tooth rear versus a 53. Even if you did have to go lower, I would probably go to a 13/49, so its roughly the equivalent of 14/52.5, I think anything more than that and you might find yourself in 4th a lot in Single track and hurt your road transfer ability. That sounds like a sick setup on your 19 for suspension! I will run these in to 25 hours before I make any decisions to swap them out. Cheers!! Thank you for watching!

[@johnmerritt6670]

@@raceprovisions I've got a 14 on the front. Reached out to the local KTM dealer today, going in Saturday to work out the details. Keep us posted on the fan, they are a must around here.

[@raceprovisions]

Roger that! Just checked my email thread with Trail Tech, I misspoke... They said "Sometime next year..." Hopefully early in the year! LOL

[@worldwide1873]

Recommend this or the 300 for riding track, hare scrambles, and tight but sometimes flowy woods?

[@raceprovisions]

Yeah man, perfect bike for all that. I choose the 350 over my 300 for everything except Billy goating. If you are in 2nd gear the 350 is 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@nightrider4370]

You sounded sick. My god I am too right now. Never been so sick.

[@raceprovisions]

HAHA yuppp I was like 2 weeks after COVID during filming on this one. So much fun. Hope you feel better

[@RC.56]

Nice review...what do you think of the xcfw? first bike, so maybe wont be charging corners for a while, but long rides in woods or desert sounds fun....

[@raceprovisions]

Great bikes! I have a 500 XCF-w that I completely built out on my other channel, Source ADV. The 500/350 XCF-w is the perfect do it all bike that can do races if you build it that way, but is totally happy cutting some slow trail too, the 350 XCF is a proper race bike that needs to be ridden that way. Cheers!

[@RC.56]

@@raceprovisions Awesome. So you wouldn’t putt around with an xcf350? What you mean by build it that way? The xcfw… Could you do a vet moto with it?

[@raceprovisions]

The motor and suspension on the 350 XCF demand to be ridden aggressively otherwise it will feel stiff and it will stall. The XCF-w is on the other end of the spectrum, it can be lugged, but the suspension is soft, but you can get the suspension worked to handle anything you want when the time comes. MX track on the XCF-w will all be about the suspension and how you build it. Cheers!

[@RC.56]

@@raceprovisions Well, unfortunately they do not make 350 XCF-W for 2023. I was set on that bike, new engine frame sounded nice. Will not be riding aggressively all the time, so somethings soft, what else should I be looking at, 23 300 XCW?

[@raceprovisions]

@@RC.56 all 2023 XCW/EXC bikes do not have the new frame or motor updates yet, that happens in 2024. They do the XC/SX & XCF/SXF bikes first, then update the off road bikes the next year. The 2020/2021 350 XCF-w with a GET ECU from Taco Moto and some suspension work would be epic!

[@motokid413]

I'm gonna get this bike to race GPs, scrambles, other desert races/enduros and the for track days too. Can't wait

[@raceprovisions]

Should be awesome! The bike is amazing in everything 3rd gear and up, its only rough in slow stuff if you need to do that. Incredible bike. Cheers!

[@Johnr37us]

I have a new 300 SX on the way. but I noticed you and I use some of the same aftermarket products. I always go to the Fastway foot pegs so that I can go 1 inch lower. But with the 2023 I also think the stock pegs are adequate .And on my off-road bike I use a Funnelweb air filter. I will probably stay with the twin air because it’s on a motocross bike and I won’t be putting in the time and distance between riders like aI do on my off-road bike. it’s a 2020 Beta 300 and I went with that because I did not fill the 300 KTM in 2020 was totally ready for production for a $10,000 motorcycle. but what I like about the Funnelweb filters is they are a lot harder to stop up in the twin air so I can ride all day long without worrying about airflow restriction. Thank you for your comprehensive review of your 350 off-road weapon 😜

[@raceprovisions]

Oh man!! I bet that 300SX is awesome John! Those Funnelwebs are great, we can get about 5-7 riding hours out of them here in AZ when it is dusty versus the Twin Airs looking pretty scary around 2 riding hours. Stay tuned for more videos in the not too distant future, should be working on them in the next few days. Cheers!

[@onthethrottle7104]

Looking at this bike, one can tell KTM used a ton of stuff from this bike and put it on the new two stroke TBI bike, like a LOT of things. You really did a great job finding all the little niches, etc. Super attentive. Sweet vid, lots of great info!

[@raceprovisions]

Thanks!! The xc bikes both 2 and 4 stroke are actually all based off the SX line of bikes. That’s why you can look at the mid year release factory edition SX bikes to get a good understanding of what changes are coming to the XC’s about 3-6 months later. Hope that helps!! Enjoy the ride out there!

[@adambatchelder4121]

Good detail on the video, I think a 350 W would be my 4 stroke pick if I wasn't on a 2 stroke. Hope the aftermarket comes up with a tank soon for the new body style. I also hope the new chain guide will still work with a 53t as we do a lot of high mountain tight stuff.

[@raceprovisions]

Adam, Im super curious about the '24 350 XCF-w too once it gets some of these updates. I bet it would be awesome with a GET ECU, exhuast and uncorked. I love that 2020 500 XCF-w, it chugs and pulls almost as good as a 2T and is basically stall proof with the GET ECU, 50 Tooth rear and 7 OZ clutch weight from Blais racing. But this bike is for racing here in AZ in AMRA and Hare and Hound later. Those races tend to have average speeds that are much higher, so this bike will be great. I don't think you will need a 53 tooth rear on this bike. They changed the transmission ratios and 1st gear is super low now. I don't use 1st at all unless its for a big technical log bump or something like that. Even so, you could just drop the front sprocket to a 13T and use a 50 Tooth rear and that would be the same. IMS has a tank that is almost ready to go from what I hear. Let me know if there is anything specific you want us to take a look at on this bike for the future. Cheers!

[@ryanpatrick4813]

Is the xcf-W returning in 2024, anybody? Thanks from MN.

[@mitchdunn8479]

Do you ever coordinate group rides? I'm in the east valley. Great content!

[@raceprovisions]

Hey Mitch! Usually rides are coordinated through Coconino Trail Riders CTR up here in Flagstaff as far as group stuff goes. Are you looking to come up to Flag or Verde valley? Cheers!

[@Nathan-ty5ef]

Good video, have you tired the new QS (QuickShifter) function on the map button?

[@raceprovisions]

Thanks Nathan! Turns out that the XCF version does not have the quick shifter. It’s only on the SXF. I also thought the XCF has the quick shifter but after pressing the button and getting no light and then going through the manual I figured out it’s just an SXF feature… but the button is still there LOL… a little odd for sure.

[@RobNaughton54]

That’s my old Worcs days practice track (at least all the whipped out to death areas on the other side of that turn track. I’ve got thousands of laps around that place. Lol I also made the wing loop single track back in the early 2000s. One of mine and many others favorite areas to ride. Unfortunately I’m broken again or I’d say hit me up next time you’re there, that’s a couple miles from my house. And by the way, the 350 is my all-time favorite size bike to race.

[@raceprovisions]

Hey Rob! I’ve heard through the grapevine that these spots were your creations, so much fun man! I was at page when you got busted up, so sorry dude. Hope you heal up fast and we can ride together, I ride with Collin a lot. I can’t wait to race this thing next season! Cheers!!

[@claytontycksen9472]

loose fasteners is on the dealership that assembled the bike, not KTM necessarily.

[@raceprovisions]

Seems like it’s probably both, but it doesn’t matter why they are loose, they are on these bikes, gotta check em

[@chaseharpole2357]

I work for a shop all we do on assembly out of the crate is handle bars skid plate and pegs

[@nicolaspugliano3303]

Awesome video! Those rear shock clickers...🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@raceprovisions]

Sooo easy ;)

[@SteveHofsaess]

I have a 2018 Excf and it is a great bike for me, I am still a rookie,, I am looking for another 350 , because I have a home in South America. Would I notice a big difference with a 2021-22 model? I do like the Map settings which I do not have on my bike.

[@raceprovisions]

Hey Steve! The EXC-f and the XCF are pretty different bikes in how they are setup and I’ll be honest I’ve never ridden a 350 EXC-f/XCW-f so I can’t really speak to those bikes. So sorry I can be of assistance.

[@MotoFamMayhem]

I love the improvements they've made, I'm considering getting the 350XC..... Also the Race Provisions product we may be interested in checking out 🤔thanks for sharing this 👊😎

[@raceprovisions]

Us too!! So glad the video gave you some value! We are launching the new Starter Pack product on Instagram today! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! 🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@raceprovisions]

Oh! Forgot to mention too, that our KZbin channel launch discount works with that Starter Pack even though it's already discounted 10% ;) -- 20% Discount Good (Good until 12/31/2022): RPYT20OFF2022 Here's the link to the Starter Pack -- raceprovisions.com/products/prepare-sustain-starter-pack Let us know if you have any ??'s!

[@matthewtoes6433]

You got a fmf silencer on it already Looks good how do you think you would do if you entered a race

[@raceprovisions]

The bike had the FMF can from the dealer for some reason, I didn’t complain. I usually am 4th in B30 in AMRA and top 10 overall B. I think the suspension for me would be a little stiff in slow stuff, but I think I would do better on it overall in stock form. We’ll see what happens next season!

[@matthewtoes6433]

@@raceprovisions if your top 10 then your a good rider and the bike will make things so much easier Over a 3 hour race there designed to rev so you have so much power with the nimbleness of a 250f your results will improve just remember How easy it is to get injured be safe I'm green with envy good luck

[@raceprovisions]

Thanks man! Can’t wait to get this thing out in the field. Happy holidays!

[@mattdecandia9607]

We're the tires matched to stagger spec ?

[@raceprovisions]

Sorry what do you mean?

[@mattdecandia9607]

@Race Provisions sorry when you said make sure its torqued to spec it made me think of a scene from days of thunder . Harry tells Cole he can go to the outside because the tires are special they are matched to stagger spec . I know kinda stupid but just the same I recently found your channel and enjoy the content. Have a great day . Sometimes us old guys forget everyone isnt old .

[@raceprovisions]

Haha! All good man! Appreciate the laughs, sorry I didn’t get it on the first go. Yes they are matched to stagger spec 🤣

[@goneridingparts]

any content coming on the 23-300XC

[@raceprovisions]

Maybe a comparison, I have a buddy that’s picking one up! Stay tuned

[@craighogland8509]

New kickstand design!!!

[@raceprovisions]

Yessir! It’s in there in the second half. I’ve come to like it a lot even though it’s a little harder to get to while sitting on the bike. It’s super easy to get it down with your toe when you are off the bike and way sturdier. Cheers!

[@gcostanza2115]

I'm also not sure about the bolt at the front of the seat, hopefully KTM or someone else will find a way to improve it. As it is, it looks poorly finished and back to front. Aside from that minor detail, it's a superb looking bike!

[@raceprovisions]

I’m keeping my eye on it! Hasn’t moved yet, but definitely scary to look at LoL!! Cheers!

[@vhayne91777]

Have you had any kind of issues with starting/restarting the bike? My older KTM would either kill the battery just trying to get it started, or if I did get it started, and ride for a while (trails), get it hot, then take a break and turn it off for a few minutes....then it would kill the battery again, trying to get it restarted. Been towed out of the woods more times than I can count. I really love KTM, and the bike (250xcf) is amazing...when it works. I just want the dependability of my son's KLX300 haha. :)

[@raceprovisions]

Hey Vhayne! No issues like that, this bike actually loves to be started with the throttle about 1/8-1/4 open. Once you do that you are back to ripping in less than a second if you are on top of it. A lot of times hard starting on older 4 strokes is a function of the valves needing adjustment or low compression. We check valves on these bikes every 20-30 hours, but have gotten it down to a science so it usually takes less than an hour to do even if it needs a shim swap. Low compression... well, it's top end time. We're expecting to do top ends on this 350 around 100-150 hours for the type of riding and level of dust we have here... Hopefully Funnelweb filters will come out with their filter for this bike pretty darn soon. Love those for the silt we have here in AZ. Hope that helps, feels really good thus far!

[@vhayne91777]

@@raceprovisions Awesome, thanks for the reply! So, for the type of riding I do, maybe this bike isn't for me as 20-30 hours seems like maintenance would be happening very quickly. We do family rides on our land, mix of vehicles, including kids riding sometimes. We might ride for 4-8 hours each time, but it's fairly relaxed riding. When it's just me and some friends, we will rip around...so I could understand the stresses on the engine a bit and the need for a more frequent maintenance cycle, with that kind of riding. But if it spends 60%+ at slower speeds, relaxed riding....could you push that maint cycle out further?

[@raceprovisions]

Perhaps, but the 350 valve trains are just intrinsically more temperamental. Honestly, the 450XCF or a 450XCFw with some suspension work is a pretty awesome bike and those engines are bulletproof. Most guys report that the valves don’t move for 200+ hours and they have been used as adventure bikes with 10’s or 100K miles. You’re going to lose a little of that lightness and playful feeling, but they are still phenomenal bikes. The XCFw is more trial oriented, the XCF is better for racing. Honestly the 350 wants to be revved, the 450 XCFw will chug a slower speeds much better

[@vhayne91777]

@@raceprovisions again, thank you for taking the time to give me some advice. 😄

[@raceprovisions]

No problem, I have a 2020 500 XCF-w and it is an awesome bike. It definitely holds you back a tiny bit in a racing scenario, but in all other aspects it is the perfect trail and do it all bike. I have a whole content series dedicated to it on my channel Source ADV. Check it out!

[@loadthebowl]

I wonder if these bikes have any power im usually not a fan of trail bikes because theyre slow

[@raceprovisions]

It’s almost exactly the same motor as the 350 SX. For most people you will be faster on this bike than a 450 because it’s much easier to corner. This is definitely not a trail bike either, it is a cross country race bike.

[@mt1885]

KTM really put a lot of thought in the new 2023!

[@raceprovisions]

For sure!!! Lots of good updates

[@joeb10p69]

I love my 23 250 zcf they're beautiful bikes. I also found sone loose stuff including the hose clamps but going over a new bike isn't a big deal to me. One thing I don't like is the fork its awful imo the air setup was the first thing I changed.

[@raceprovisions]

Definitely good looking bikes!! I found that the fork running the comfort settings on the clickers at 148PSI (I am 205 LB without gear) with 105MM of rear sag is actually pretty darn good for stock suspension at a fast B/Slow A pace on rough single track. I do like spring forks more, but I used to absolutely hate the air fork... This one I'm actually on the fence a bit.

[@joeb10p69]

@@raceprovisions The fact that I'm barely 150 pounds may be a factor in my dislike for the fork but I loved it on my 22 125xc all I had to do was lessen the air pressure a bit and swap the rear spring to get the suspension perfect. I'm also not sure if switching to a 4 stroke or the new chassis plays a factor. I spent an entire day riding and changing things on the fork before I gave up and sent it off to a specialist lol

[@raceprovisions]

@@joeb10p69 Totally get it!! We do plan to swap these out at some point for MXTech Ravens with springs at some point, but I was surprised at how well they worked for me. Definitely on the harsher side at slower speeds, but pretty darn good smashing through stuff when you're moving. Enjoy the ride out there!!

[@monocogenit1]

Orange frame all the way.

[@raceprovisions]

No way, matte black all day. 🤣

[@morricecalligaris4386]

You need to remove a chain link

[@raceprovisions]

For sure, already did and went a couple teeth bigger on the rear

[@dunch711]

Let me race that in amra pro class =)

[@raceprovisions]

Haha, Sorry dude, still a very small company, not really in the place to be giving out bikes. Happy holidays and hope to see you out at AMRA!

[@nathanscottshoemaker2554]

Just take a link or two out of the chain.

[@raceprovisions]

For sure, already did that and went a couple of teeth bigger in the rear

[@evans4119]

Lay off the blow 😂great info to

[@raceprovisions]

Ha! Try COVID dude. Wish it was something fun