KTM 350XCF VS GASGAS EX350F - Dirt Bike Magazine

#adventure #outdoor #offroad #dirtbike
For a long time, our favorite size for an off-road four-stroke has been the 350. We didn’t really care which 350. All of the offerings from Austria were light, easy to ride and had tons of power when you needed it. The differences were noticeable, but not dramatic enough to give one a significant advantage. Now that’s changed. For 2023, KTM has a new platform for all its competition bikes. GasGas has stuck with the previous version, which gives us the opportunity to compare them back to back. We have a 2023 KTM 350XC-F and a 2023 GasGas EX350F just for that purpose.First of all, you can’t ignore the fact that GasGas is seen as the more affordable line of the two. The price certainly isn’t low; it’s $10,799, but it’s less than $11,399, which is what the KTM costs. For that difference, the KTM gives you handguards, a skid plate, a map switch, machined triple clamps, a few name-brand parts and a resonance chamber in the exhaust headpipe. If you wanted to buy all those items for your GasGas, they would cost way more than the $600 price difference.Much more important is the KTM’s new chassis and motor. Almost everything is different; the frame, the motor, the rear suspension, the bodywork, even the wheels and axle sizes. The only carry-over is the WP Xact air fork. Even that is different between the two bikes. The GasGas has softer valving and less recommended air pressure.There’s a net weight difference between the two bikes. The GasGas weighs 224.8 pounds without gas on our scale. The KTM is 232. Part of that is the handguards and accessories, part is the fact that the new chassis is heavier. Just looking at the frame you can see how beefy it is. KTM paid a great deal of attention to frame rigidity and flex characteristics. The top of the KTM motor looks completely different, particularly in the valve train area where it’s wider and more squat. The cams are new, the piston is new, the crank is new and the compression ratio is higher (14.6:1 vs 14.2:1). KTM also messed with all the gear ratios in the six-speed gearboxes, the primary drive and the final drive. Bottom line: the overall gear ratios are more spread out on the KTM. First gear is about 12 percent lower. Second through fifth are lower as well, but by lesser amounts until sixth, which works out exactly the same as the GasGas. The biggest difference between the two bikes is the feel of the chassis and suspension. You would never guess that the suspension is made by the same company. The GasGas is a more cushy, plush motorcycle. The KTM feels hard-edged and stiff. You can feel the Supercross influence in the KTM’s new chassis, whereas The GasGas is truly a more comfortable trail bike. When you’re riding hard through big whoops, the KTM takes the hits slightly better and goes straighter. Does that mean the KTM is the better cross-country racer? Maybe, but we think you’ll have to work on the suspension to get the most out of it. The GasGas’s flexy frame is very forgiving of suspension. By taking some of that out of the picture, the KTM reveals some shortcomings of the WP Xact air fork. That fork’s greatest assets are adjustability and light weight, not comfort.
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[@jarvis2101]

Not even going to talk about how the two chassis’s handle differently?…. That’s the whole point of comparing these two

[@scotzundel6336]

i didn't hear much said about the power difference either

[@YZFMX256]

I switched over to gncc racing from motocross and have a 2018 crf450r I’ve been racing. The bike is set up for motocross. I know the suspension is shit for the woods, but just the overall feel of the bike in the woods is stiff. I’ve been looking at the gasgas, maybe it’s time to pull the trigger on one.

[@EmileModesitt]

Power differences? Engine characteristics? Handling/cornering? Seems like some info is missing

[@chadkimmel8957]

I was a KTM fan up until they became the General Motors of dirt bikes. I’ve always been partial to Euro bikes. I’ve raced my vintage 81 KTM GS390, 98 Hüsaberg FX501, and 01 Husqvarna WR360, I enjoyed them before they were just KTM color variants.

[@Dashriprock4]

I love my Italian Husky and will probably never sell her. I hate that KTM has went to this platform sharing instead of letting each brand have its own natural evolution

[@chadkimmel8957]

@@Dashriprock4 absolutely. The Cagiva Husqvarnas were relatively popular here in the Ohio Harescramble scene. I always loved the 410s and 610s.

[@yuriabmxr]

Who cares? Pick the one with the features you like best and enjoy. There are fantastic. I prefer my red 350 to any Japanese bike I've ever ridden.

[@250txc]

Yes, there are some changes here but small and 99% of us riders will feel not much if any differences ... These bikes are made across the road from each other and have the same frames ... Yep, this is commercial only.

[@mxbadboy263]

Not one word about the motor performance between the two.

[@OtisFlint]

Well, the '23 GasGas is the '22 KTM. GasGas was only on a level playing field because KTM just acquired them, from now on they will be one generation behind. I bought a '22 GasGas in Sept 21 because it was $1500 cheaper (based on my local dealers) than a KTM for essentially the same bike, but i would not do that in '23.

[@Dashriprock4]

I would because KTM has a track record of first-year bikes being riddled with problems

[@yuriabmxr]

And the old bike is not as harsh as the new one.

[@harm97]

The Gasgas,last years frame better for sure👌🏼👍

[@sparkykendall4653]

What's the music at the start

[@michaelanderson1727]

Would love to see what you guys say about the Husky 350fx.

[@CR500R]

With technology the way it is, there is no excuse for the KTM's weight to be more than it was last year.

[@redrockracing4571]

Where’s the Husky? Would be great to an in depth shootout of all the 350 XC bikes.

[@chillon2922X]

Compression 14,6 ?! Omg. Thats a lot! Maybe to much for US pump gas..?

[@barry5607]

Hry Evan that sounded just like the gas gas 350 dirt bike Awesome😂😂😂😂

[@RC.56]

How do you feel about the xcfw? Is it more cushy on susp than the xcf? I really need super soft susp… first dirt bike, but prefer the ktm. Are those air forks no good? Better to get spring maybe…. I hear the air fluctuates with temperature. On the right is not the same from beginning to end. True?

[@yuriabmxr]

No beginner would ever be able to tell the difference

[@f3vermonkey318]

I’ll take my 2022 KTM 350 XC-F over both!

[@MXJEFF94]

I definitely wouldn’t. Inferior to the new ‘23 KTM models. The engine on the 350 specifically is vastly improved (I have owned a ‘22 FX 350 FWIW). Enjoy your 2022… 😂😂

[@Dashriprock4]

@@MXJEFF94 but it's not inferior. Is totally dependent on the role in which you choose to use it. If you're a high level racer than the new KTM would probably be a better choice. If you're a vet C Rider then your probably going to be better off on the gas gas. Certainly if you're a trail Rider you're going to be better off on the gas gas.

[@jetdr]

They are basically the same Bike! One has a better exhaust and slightly different components, brakes, hydro clutch, other than that, same engine, just a little added compression, which I am not sure if that is a good thing, stall easier with the higher of the two

[@yuriabmxr]

No, the '23 KTM is all new. The Gas Has is not.

[@CLAUDIO_KTM]

Ktm #1 Husky #2 Gas Gas #3

[@j-macmedia4378]

I didn't think the 350 XC-F came with the quickshift activated? It has the same combination switch, but I believe the QS function doesn't work as it does on the 450 XC-F and the SX-F range.

[@MXJEFF94]

Correct. There is no quick shift feature on the XCF models (as there are on their MX counterparts).

[@novendra_]

then why only 450xcf has a quickshifter. whereas husq fx 350 and 450 both have quickshifters like on mx bikes

[@kirkdunn1379]

the gas gas just looks so blah, with red it can be made to look really good but then its not cheaper......just for the brakes alone I would get the KTM

[@harm97]

I think the old chassis (gasgas) is much better after riding them both.The new KTM is to stiff

[@helgejohan3604]

Gas gas just a red KTM🤣🤣

[@queenslander954]

Hmmm .. 2 more Indian bikes made by Bajaj . those Indian roads are adventurous with all those man made berms everywhere.

[@strokenumber3]

But...but...they're all KTMs.........

[@bear1568]

Ive said it several times. I will NOT by a motorcycle called "Gas Gas". Geesh

[@RideFishHunt]

No one cares

[@stephenmitchum5864]

Ok, noted.

[@yuriabmxr]

🤡