Why The Average Person Should Buy A 350 Dirt Bike...

Kris Keefer is a renowned motorcycle test rider and has decades of time in the game. He started his career as a racer, then gear model, OEM test rider and now rules the online space when it comes to the testing of dirt bikes. He has a loyal fan base who over the years has been given some top notch advice on all things dirt bikes and it was a pleasure to sit down for a few hours and talk moto!

[@ThePilotwes]

I hope Keefer knows how much the moto community appreciates him.

[@mdlynch86]

I met Keefer at Loretta’s this year. He and his family are truly some of the nicest people in the pits.

[@travelingmike40]

I will get hate, but here it is. I just finished my 5th track day on a Stark Varg. Each ride - that much more fun. Braking and hp fully adjustable , awesome handling, suspension( ordered to my weight) after clicker adjustments and ride time smooth. Did I say the Stark is an absolute blast for this othg vet rider? Best bike for this average guy. Try it before you knock it.

[@someoneyouknow96]

Nope. EV is for the gays.

[@Chrissy-H]

I rode one at a friends track and it really is a great product - if you want an electric dirt bike, thats as good as you ever need it to be. Got to say not having to worry about clutching, gears, or where you are in the powerband helped me focus a lot more on other riding technique. Battery lasts ages too.

[@christophervillarreal8565]

Rode one and it was pretty sick little heavy but the feel and ergos and power was crazy good

[@Crash276]

I've ridden 450s for years. Went to 350 a couple of years ago and won't be going back. So much easier to ride.

[@hudsonjacob94]

Bought a 24 350 sxf and changed the spring on the rear plus went with race techs psi recommendation on the fork. Love it on both track and trails. Have zero regret going from a 22 honda 450 to the 350

[@sojersey2v]

The problem is, a lot of people don’t want to buy a KTM. So, Kawi and Yamaha, if you’re reading this you need to get your shit together

[@Dashriprock4]

Fantic sells rebranded Yamaha yz250fs in Europe with a Big bore kit that pushes them to 310. Yamaha would sell a bazillion of those if they brought them to the US

[@Dashriprock4]

2022 gas gas EX350 is the best woods bike I've ever owned. That includes a 300 2 stroke

[@MotocrossHideout]

I don't do motocross (casual trail rider) but happened to pick up a '17 FC350 and was impressed at how light it felt to lean and turn at 5-15 mph in the woods. I've had a number of 250s and 450s (2015 and older) and this feels like a lightweight 250 compared to them. I'm thinking the air forks also makes a difference. Just wish they made a fuel-injected enduro bike with a 35" seat height for trail riding. Beta Xtrainer is the closest thing but still has a carb.

[@Chrissy-H]

I ride a 450 RMZ, so the 'slowest' 450 there is. The main thing I notice when I jump on my mates 350 is that I have to shift a LOT, it feels like the gears are stacked way too close together. I get that I'm supposed to be revving it more like a 250, but after a few years on the big bike it just feels so wasteful and not smooth to ride a bike that way.

[@patormiston2819]

Just wish a Japanese manufacturer made a 350.

[@MichaelAbramo]

TM Racing chassis feels like a cross between a Yamaha and KTM frame in terms of geometry and rider cockpit and they have a 300 4T. I'm on a 2T 300 but I will likely get a 4T 300 next year or the year after

[@JayJay-mt2fc]

​@@MichaelAbramo I own a Tm 300 4t. Love the motor and the handling. I can ride longer without getting tired and I'm faster than my friends that are on 450's.

[@scottpeters8640]

A buddy of mine had been on 450's for a number of years until he bought a Husky 350. 3 years later he still says it's the best bike ever.

[@shaynebrown131]

If Kawi comes out with a 350, I'll get one. Ain't going back to the Austrian brands

[@Sell_Dogg]

I’ve had the 22, 23 and 24 350SX-F and I absolutely love it. The bottom end is perfect on the new gen and overall the bike is a pleasure to ride. Church of the 350 🙏

[@2wheelsoffroad730]

Tried out a 2024 KTM 350 XC-F for my current desert race bike and I love it. It has the power and rpm to hold gears for a long time but still feels super nimble and responsive. It also doesn't wear me out like a 450 would towards the last 20 miles of an enduro. 2024 spring forks are also great. AHM got my setup sorted out perfectly.

[@claytonmcgrath8829]

Wish Yamaha made a 350 it would be so good

[@overthehillmx5667]

I agree they’re much easier to ride more nimble but I like the 450 because I’m over 200 pounds at 6 foot three and the other bikes just don’t have the power stock. It feels like to me just my opinion. Always have to get my suspension done. The springs are nowhere near my weight that also has a lot to do with how the bike feels heavy or light.

[@AZFarmFun-hp1cu]

I had a 2012 350EXC and it wasn’t ‘grunty’ enough for my 200lb butt in deep sand, and I also felt like I was abusing it going over 70 mph on the highway. In 2018 I replaced it with a 500 EXC and that fixed the aforementioned issues. The guy I sold the 350 to still has it and loves it 12,000 miles later.

[@davidlong6796]

Im also 200 lbs, and the older 350s are underpowered. I bought my 501 as a desert bike, and after one GP on it, I never rode my CRF450 again. Better suspension, way more torque than horsepower, but very controllable.

[@sevensi62]

If the Japanese make a 350 I'll buy one

[@Mattracine_1611]

I’ve had 15-20 bikes in my lifetime. I bought a husqvarna 350 recently. It’s by far the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Handles, corners line a dream and has great power.

[@kalefalk5917]

A yz350 would be pretty sweet. Im 6 foot and 235 and it feels just fine. But a 350 would be cool to see and test out.

[@adamwaldroup]

I got a 2022 FX350 that blew four engines in 39 hours. first and last KTM/Husky/GASGAS product. not to mention the air fork was garbage. I did love the engine characteristics when it was running.

[@pastaalalamborghini]

Been on a FE350 since '16, prime woods bike

[@petetownsend7142]

Nice explanation Keefer, very understandable to us lay non competitive riders.

[@markogorman5210]

Agreed - the 23 motor is a huge step up from 22...

[@jonathanwright6275]

Is it a huge step or can you make a 22 near with some upgrades as I've got set of ohlins suspension and won't fit the new chassis bar forks so is it worth buying a new shock for the newer bike or ?

[@markogorman5210]

@@jonathanwright6275 yeah I’m running the factory WP, so the front forks I could bring across but the rear shock you can’t, I had to splash out for a new WP trax shock for the rear… it’s a whole new motor so I’m not sure you can modify a 22

[@jonathanwright6275]

@@markogorman5210 nice set up , I couldn't get on with the wp cones even after couple of shops had them but the ohlins set up and never changed , so I'm wondering is the new one that much better that it's worth selling rear shock and buying new one for newer model or there isn't really that much in it that I could just go with a 22 and get vortex ect fitted

[@MOS09W1]

I really want to try a 23+ 350. I had a 20 and hated it so much. Less bottom end than a 250 and as a trash rider I’m not revving it to 13,400 and carrying corner speed.

[@aaronelliott413]

How do we convince the Japanese manufacturers to start making 350

[@polluter1986]

No, maybe for MX. but all the guys I ride enduro with all ride 450s or 300 two strokes

[@gladegoodrich2297]

My brother bought a 350 KTM and hates the front suspension!

[@johnwadsworth4916]

You gotta run nitrogen in the forks.

[@KerryONeil-mk2nk]

Keefer looking at you talking just thinking about what he wants to say. lol

[@metrichotrods1763]

If you really do the analysis and think through it, average Joe +30 intermediate should be buying 6k dollar new rmz250s, comes with PC pipe, only need tires, race gas, and maaayyybe a revalve, sell it for 4500 each year and buy another. Dont get attached to em and don't be picky.

[@yukonjon5964]

smart man. plus you will corner like a pro.

[@metrichotrods1763]

@yukonjon5964 the problem is that motocrossers are all emotional and make emotional decisions. If you remove emotion, favoritism, brand loyalty, and operate like a one man privateer team, you save a ton of money and headache.

[@aarontagious]

36 y/o dad with a street legal KTM 350 EXCF and it is a true do it all bike. MX, hare scrambles, enduro, supermoto, dual sport camping... Jack of all trades, but a master of none (just like me).

[@Walkeranz]

Easy to ride means more fun and can ride longer due to less fatigue, so safer

[@Markjacobs4477]

Yeah that’s all well and fine but a KTM 350 is like 4k more than a Japanese 450, so no thanks.

[@user-lv3py5vm6i]

How does a de-tuned 450 compare to a 350? Same experience or different as far as inertia etc.?

[@jamespaschall1240]

This has nothing to do with this video whatsoever. So, since it's recent I was watching Arenacross this past weekend and I was wondering have you ever reached out to Kyle Peters to be on the show? He's been one of my favorites for a few years and I'd love to hear some of the stuff he has to say about Arenacross vs Supercross etc.... He seems like a pretty chill dude.

[@myusrn]

We should just bring back 125, 250 fuel injected two strokes for track and 300 fuel injected two strokes for lazy trail riding. Four strokes are obnoxious noise machines and overpowered which had ruined spectating and competition on the track.

[@gw4717]

I had a 450 and it just beat me to shit got anew Husqvarna fc 350 and man I won't ever ride anything else and everyone I race with has 450 and I smoke them great starts I blast out the gate got that perfect and if a 450 gets me off the start I got him by one lap 350 best 👌 bike ever Husqvarna fc 350 and I haven't not one thing go wrong just Bullet proof

[@daneg]

does a 350 have a chance in the first turn? I mean obviously if you're THAT much better than everyone. but in a relatively equal skill gate?

[@scottpeters8640]

That is the very same conundrum that guys face when thinking about racing the 250 2-stroke against 450's. Fun lap-time bike but likely to get buried on the start.

[@walterdemo2895]

Yah but 90% of 450's are sold for slow trail riding so they can overheat blow up & manufacturers make lots $$$ off them

[@someoneyouknow96]

Lots of people would probably buy 350s but I’m not riding a overpriced ktm. Fuck those guys. I sat on a 350 before I bought my 450 and as soon as I sat on the thing I was like “nope”. Bike felt non japanese and I’ve always ridden japanese bikes. Ended up on a Kawasaki. Love the thing. I still have my 04 crf450 and I’ve never done anything to it. No valve adjustments, no clutch replacements. Just changed the oil and filters.

[@christophervillarreal8565]

Yeah I was the same until I actually rode a ktm ended up selling everything I had and upgrading to all ktms now I have them all 125t 250t 250f and 450f best bikes ever made Japanese bikes are trash compared to them.

[@Eddiep80]

@@christophervillarreal8565😂pretty much. I have a 250t 250f had a 450f. Really want a 350f Prally get one this winter. Only thing I wish they would change is the front forks lol

[@christophervillarreal8565]

@@Eddiep80 dude the forks are not bad you just have to read the manual and to learn how they work and how to tune them to your liking every single person that has rode my bike swears I put springs in them and when I tell them it’s stock they’re in shock. 2021 forks and up are phenomenal.

[@Eddiep80]

@@christophervillarreal8565 yeah maybe to an average rider. When you race and are more advanced, the forks are garbage. They just don’t have the valving and dampening suppression, that’s why, suspension is the first thing to get upgraded for anyone who is serious, or races.

[@christophervillarreal8565]

@@Eddiep80 yeah no I’m top of the 25b and 35b class in my local race series with some pretty fast guys and my suspension does just fine. Also there are plenty of pro am riders riding bone stock suspension and doing just fine.

[@richardjones5635]

AMEN BROTHER!

[@ronlawson5819]

Why won’t the Japanese brands build a 350

[@christophervillarreal8565]

Cus they’re trash

[@yukonjon5964]

same reason they only made 125 and 250 2-strokes... the entire market in their view is driven by racing and the rules that govern the cc size. Japan is simply not interested in changing everything just for the hobby market. so its the same problem as back then... we all knew 200 and 300 2-strokes did everything better, but again, only KTM made them as MX capable models (sorry KDX). if you wanted to race them you had to move up a class.

[@jamisrvv]

@@yukonjon5964 Funny thing is, the hobby market is much larger than the race market.

[@jimmyharris135]

i love keefer but for moto he’s wrong. i’ve ridden numerous 350s a friend has owned 5 of them and sold every one within 3 months and gone back to a 450. we are both over 230lbs and maybe that has something to do with it but for any big guy, B rider up a 350 is a big nope. i’ll add 1 exception. i’m 6’4” 245lbs and i would absolutely ride/own one for woods/trail riding. hard enduro i’m a 300 2x guy.

[@Coopdegras]

2 strokes forever! (Until we can't)

[@JROC734]

Or just stay a smoker with a 250cc, premix machine FTW.

[@donnieprescott5675]

Ok come on honda and yamaha . I don't want no ktm and I want a 350 wake up Poindexter engineers build it and they come or buy

[@MrBumbles2]

well it could end up only 1 class 350 , may go that way if our economy doesn't quickly change.

[@ozzielinkin]

The economy is pretty good for many of us ? Everyone I know is making more money now than they ever have . My 401k has never been higher . I realize that younger people that dont own a home are getting hosed with the rent they have to pay and for sure homes prices are too high and many cant get a mortgage. Its a tale of two different sets of reality.

[@MrBumbles2]

@@ozzielinkin lmao but everything is 40 percent more plus, oh boy

[@bigals.ktms.9937]

350 = unicorn bike.

[@OtisFlint]

Church of 350!

[@owch_pvp840]

This economy needs to stop sucking so I can buy one.

[@someoneyouknow96]

So now you buy a 11k bike and have to throw another 1k+ into the POS to make it work for keefer? Sounds like some BS to me.

[@kxrider70]

Air forks

[@reecebartlett1977]

Real men ride 2 strokes

[@dericwalker5456]

2025 350 or 450 ?

[@nicholasshook7513]

Just hate how the Austrian bikes handle

[@benmoberg9112]

yamaha, please enter the chat

[@lw3918]

I bought a KTM. It's the worst bike I've ever owned in 44 years of riding.

[@throttlehappy105]

Can you tell me more?

[@lw3918]

@throttlehappy105 Everytime I touch the damn thing something breaks. I had Krefft do the suspension. After riding Honda 450X's since they came out I thought I try one. It just not a good desert bike in my opinion. I hate the thing. It makes me not want to ride.

[@nathanielostrowski2437]

​@@lw3918 I find that so untrue. Lol. What is breaking? I work on them and I would never and I mean never own a Honda on the current platform. Maybe 25's will turn it around. The KTM and Kawasaki are the two most reliable bikes right now. The Yamaha is up there but eats a Crank at 100 hours. Let me put it this way, I see more Honda's in need of repair than any other bike. KTM has issues yes but way less than everyone else right now.

[@lw3918]

@@nathanielostrowski2437 We're just going to disagree. KTM's are overrated and overpriced. I have absolutely never, not once had a reliability issue with Honda's. Like I said, 44 years of riding/racing. Including moto, H & H, Big 6, Tecate, and Baja. All on Hondas.

[@nathanielostrowski2437]

@@lw3918 @lw3918 Sorry bud but disagree on Opinions is one thing and I agree there but facts are another. It's an absolute fact that Honda's are Valve munchers with constant valve timing needed, clutch basket destroyers and always and I mean always having the timing chain tensioner fails, oh how shall we forget the infamous 2013 Honda's. At this point you have been riding for 44 Years and I believe you on that and have knowledge. I truly do believe that but with that knowledge of 44 Years that also just says I believe the reliability of a Honda in the 70'-90's holds true today when it factually doesn't. I will tell you any bike has their issues. They all do, some really bad. KTM really screwed up with the L8C engine from 2022 and press together Cams. However they are still one of top Most reliable bikes on the market and push it farther than any other brand with newer tech. I am sure you are a nice guy but please actually open up your mind a Little bit and look into the bikes on the market and see who really is good and stop being misguided by Nostalgia. I have all brands of bikes quite literally, 1 KTM, 8 Kawasaki's, 3 Honda's, 2 Yamaha's, 3 Suzuki's, 1 Husky, a Flippin Kayo. I repair bikes for a living, I know it's hard to believe but I might just know a few things about what bikes work and don't. Now that said. Is Honda the WORST bike on the Market? Not by a Longshot, there is plenty of bikes I would put under a Honda 450 but when it comes to main brands they aren't the front runner. It's also okay for them to be your Favorite brand, I get it, who doesn't love Honda's? But please don't crap on another bike brand because ya think it has issues when the full story is not even close to being shared on here. Now we can all agree SSR, Apollo bikes are absolute garbage.