Are 350's Better? 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition vs 25 KTM 350XCF Back to Back at Briarcliff MX

2024.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition vs 2025 KTM350XCF back to back at Briarcliff MX. Two of my current favorite 4-stroke dirt bikes. Does reducing engine braking on the 24.5 450FE make it feel as light in motion as the 350? Does the latest 350 engine have enough low to mid power to make me forget about the 450? Let's ride them and find out!
2024.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition
I am running the Hard Pack/Dry power map with throttle response and engine braking minimized for very smooth power delivery - still a full on 450 but with a little slower/smoother engine response. The reduced engine braking frees up the bike and gives it a little more playful and lighter feel in motion. Not a huge difference but noticeable. I have owned this set of WP Cone Valve spring forks for 4 years and have run them on many 450's and they simply work. Plush, compliant, controlled, and friction free. Brad at RideWorx re-valved the rear shock for more plush feel at the top of the stroke yet still ramps up as the shock compresses on bigger inputs. Has a 60hp 450F ever been so easy to ride? Such smooth and long pulling power that makes this bike so fun to ride! I have about 10 hours ride time so far and the chassis and suspension are breaking in and feeling better much more quickly than my 23.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition. This current KTM chassis is a great combination of cornering and stability.
2025 KTM 350XCF
350's have long been my favorite overall combination of Power/Weight/Handling and this updated chassis and the latest 350 engine continues the tradition. This is the best stock 350 engine I've ridden to date. I've ridden a '23 350SXF many times but this 25 350XCF engine seems to run a bit smoother at the initial turn of the throttle and feels crisper and a little stronger in the mid range and continues to pull from mid to top. One of the best overall 4-stroke dirt bike engines available today. The latest XCF suspension setting feels very good. Plush enough for off road and enough hold up to work well for slow Vet moto. A few more rides on the stock suspension then I will discuss with Brad at RideWorx and decide if I want to change the settings. Brad has an excellent rear shock setting for the new KTM/Husky/Gas Gas chassis.
I've been on the fence about getting a new Austrian 350. When the 25 350XCF showed up it last week it knocked me off the fence!
Here is my first ride impression on the 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition...
• 2024.5 KTM 450 Factory...
Here is my first ride impression on the 25 KTM 350XCF....
• 2025 KTM 350XCF First ...

[@bcoffroadriding7001]

great back to back!! looking forward to the CUO test on the 350, see how much bandwidth the new 350 has with the tuner!!

[@mxengineer1]

Me too!

[@mschumaker1]

great video. Is the exhaust quieter with the Akropovic system? Thanks

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! Yes the Akrapovic full exhaust is quieter, lighter, and the muffler is shorter and comes with a spark arrester too...and the 350XCF runs strong with the Akrapovic exhaust. It is expensive for the full system but slip on is similar in performance and cheaper.

[@danarussell4246]

Somehow after 50 years of riding I have become an old man of 67 and I only ride dual sports nowadays. I was going to get a KTM 500 EXC-F and after talking to a few folks got a 350 instead mapped like the XC-F. With riding gear I am at least 270 to 275 lbs and my little orange pumpkin has never failed me climbing rocky hill climbs. I’m amazed the power this pea shooter has. I do cheat and it has a Rekluse in it. Love my 350 but wouldn’t mine trying a 500 sometime before I croke.

[@mxengineer1]

Great you are still out riding and enjoying dirt bikes! 350's are such a great combination of Power/Weight/Handling in a 4-stroke dirt bike. And the latest Austrian 450's can be tuned with the Connectivity Unit Offroad to be barky or super smooth (350F like) so it is like having multiple bikes depending on how you have it set. Minimized engine braking is very cool and frees up the bike and makes it feel lighter in motion too. Nice to have choices!

[@huntergable9029]

Thanks for all the videos. I’m debating on a 25 350 xcf or a 24.5 factory edition. Or maybe waiting for the 2025 factory edition. From your experience what are your thoughts?

[@mxengineer1]

I have a 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition along with my newest bike the 25 350XCF. With the CUO it is easy to dial back or dial up the engine response. If you ride more moto and are fast perhaps the 450FE is a better bike. If you like to do a light moto and more off road riding the 350XCF might be a better choice. I would have bought a '25 350XCF Factory Edition if it was available but I did not want to wait as KTM usually announces that bike in late September at the Ironman GNCC race. I really like the overall balance of Power/Weight/Handling in the latest KTM/Husky/Gas Gas 350 models. Here is a quick back to back ride on the 450FE and 350XCF... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmjEhWNvr8essMk

[@huntergable9029]

@@mxengineer1thanks for the quick reply. Most of my riding is single track racing in Texas and in the Rocky mountains 2020 300 XCW. I’m looking for light moto to stay in shape and Texas hare scramble racing. I think I’ll wait for the 2025 factory edition. Thanks again!

[@mxengineer1]

@@huntergable9029 Sounds like a great plan! I am also waiting for a '25 350 Factory Edition!

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

350 vs 450, which of the 2 motorcycles do you perceive has more front end feel traction?

[@mxengineer1]

I give the slight edge to the 450FE - perhaps that extra engine inertia loads the front a little more?

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

@@mxengineer1 thank you for your answer.

[@Joe-pb3lx]

put the 19 inch rear wheel on the 350 and the 18 inch rear wheel on the 450?

[@mxengineer1]

I like having different parts (like wheels) on the bikes - more things to consider when riding them back to back and feeling the different characteristics. The KTM 450XCF does come with the 18" rear wheel.

[@Joe-pb3lx]

@@mxengineer1 ....18 inch on the 450? i didnt know

[@mxengineer1]

@@Joe-pb3lx Yes the XC (cross country) models all have 18" rear wheels and for 2025 model year the 450XCF now has a 6-speed transmission (the 250XCF/350XCF have always had the 6-speed transmission compared to 5-speed in the motocross versions)

[@johndunn9819]

Nope But they're almost as good 👍👍👍

[@mxengineer1]

Nice to have choices!

[@johndunn9819]

@@mxengineer1 indeed. I'm just kidding. I've recently got a KTM 450sxf factory edition and I can't imagine a finer bike... But maybe 🤔

[@mxengineer1]

@@johndunn9819 I've long been a 350 fan as I really like the combination of Power/Weight/Handling. However with the factories focusing so much effort on their flagship 450's and the latest KTM 450 Factory Edition with the CUO where you can dial back engine braking and dial up or dial back the power character...has 60hp ever been to easy and fun to ride?😎