Random motorbike chit chat - KTM 350 excf 1000 mile update, why I sold my 701 etc

General bike update, why I sold my Husqvarna 701, how I'm liking my KTM 350 excf after 1000+ miles, and general motorbike / TET type waffle.

[@twowheeledadventuresuk2739]

Would have been nice to know what you think about that bike compared to the others, so what is it like riding the 350 compared to the 300l or the 701, why ditch the 701 in favour of 350. I bought a T7 because my 450 was making some lanes boring, which is what you've found with the 350, so what is the balance for you between road and off-road and why? I am continually amazed that the CRF250/300Ls are so popular considering they are so heavy, have terrible suspension and no power - so what would you say to a beginner, would you say get the heavy and dull 250/300Ls or just go straight for a proper trail bike. I think bike weight is paramount, so I'd say to beginners get an older 250/350 enduro bike and learn to be gentle with the throttle, as opposed to many saying get a heavy and more difficult to ride CRF250/300 and you don't have to worry about power because they don't have any. I guess I'm just surprised the 250/300Ls are so popular as there are far better bikes for trail riding and wonder what an ex owner really thinks now they've had a few proper bikes.

[@biscuitsalive]

I did a fairly thorough vid comparing T7 to 701. So that may help- kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaGwlYOefLmZZqs As regards to 350excf, it’s basically a lighter, taught, more nimble, more powerful 300L. I still think 300l is a good beginner bike, or bike for someone who wants to ride green lanes and doesn’t want to ride too hard or fast. 300l is enough power to have fun, but not enough to get into much trouble (whisky throttle or general mistakes with power is much less of a issue on 300L) Both bikes (350excf and 300L) have decent brakes and light easy clutch, and fairly gentle throttles. But obviously the excf is much more capable over rough terrain at higher speed. And generally 350 is just more nimble than nearly any other bike if ridden. (On par with a few 250s I’ve borrowed though) Things like deep ruts, much easier to climb out of rut on 350. You can point the front wheel where you like, and it pretty much always goes there. (Unlike heavier bikes where front wheel often just goes to lowest point, sliding into holes/crevices etc.

[@biscuitsalive]

Comparing 350 excf to 701. Main issue I had with 701 was it was very snatchy at low speed. (Tried fuel dongles and deleting O2 etc. Which helped, but didn’t resolve snatchyness) For fast flowing off road (and for road) the 701 was great. But it didn’t make me want to find difficult technical routes like the 350excf does. But I do miss 701 on road. To put it into some numbers. - 701 On road = 9 out of 10 701 off road = 7.5 out of 10 350excf on road = 7 out of 10 350excf off road = 10 out of 10 Hope that helps.

[@V111HRD]

Brilliant info cheers. The sort of stuff I wanted to hear as looking to change from my 300l soon.

[@biscuitsalive]

Glad it helped. You will love how the KTM rides, compared to a CRF. Very easy to ride too. Not intimidating at all. (Mainly due to weight and easy clutch) Only the blooming servicing is a pain. But depends how much you ride I guess.

[@marksmejkal4267]

Nice I’m thinking of getting a xr 400 as my first bike. I’m from the Meva area. So roseland will be my play ground

[@701Adventures]

Good to see you putting videos out again. I still have my 22 plate 701 enduro which I use for tours, days out and light off road stuff but I also recently purchased a 23 plate Husqvarna FE350 which I have to say is simply bloody awesome. I've revisited some of the previous trails I struggled with on my 701 and the 350 has just eaten them up, its like I simply have to point and shoot and it goes where I want it to go. @scottc4155 if you can afford to keep the 701 and still get a 350 or similar I would do that simply because each bike excels in certain areas and you might miss the opportunity to travel greater distances on a bike if you sell the 701.

[@biscuitsalive]

Yep. If I was rich I would prob own 3 or 4 bikes. For 4 different use cases. But I can’t justify more than one bike. So the one that puts the biggest smile on my face wins. :)

[@701Adventures]

@@biscuitsalive Yeah I totally understand that 👍

[@obionecoyle3295]

Great video. Regarding electrics I've just cleaned out the light switch and starter button on my 2019 ktm freeride. I was having the same issue as you with the main beam indicator on constantly. Very easy to do but watch the bearing doesn't go awol. Now perfect 👌

[@maxflight777]

I’ve spent many days on a 450EXCF… but I’ve never owned one ! Superb bikes that can even handle 110kph on the tarmac

[@markozer0]

the KTM 350 is not comparing with no one bike I see in your list...it's different machine, better in off road for sure but less confort for long distance than others (vibes; seat ect). It's an enduro bike that many people (me included) use also for off road travels but it's not a dual even with better seat or plexi screen...it remains an enduro bike and for this reason it's easier drive dirty for sure. I don't understand why you have purchased a 2019 350 when you had a 2022 model...from 2020 KTM has changed radically the EXC F family and a 2022 works better (better engine, frame, less weight...) than previous model

[@JinKazama92]

Do you ever see yourself getting back to a 701 or T7 in the future? I come from a 2010 690 SMC. Currently on a Duke 790 and man roads are boring me now. I'm interested in a FE350 thats for sale. :)

[@michaelcooper2514]

Thank you. I'm in a similar position to you from the point of view of what you're after, as well as experience. I have a T7 which I find is a big handful when things get technical. The adv light concept resonates with me and your comments regarding the 300l versus the ktm350 confirm much of what I've been thinking. Cheers

[@michaelcooper2514]

As an after thought, how have you found seat height?

[@biscuitsalive]

@@michaelcooper2514 it’s not low (seat height) and I’m not tall and my legs are fairly short. But it’s so thin and so light it’s just not an issue. I did take a bit of preload off the rear. So it squashed down just a bit more. But with the weight, it can tip over to a big angle without feeling heavy. So you can sort of lean the bike until your foot plants on the floor. So even when things go a bit wrong it’s easy to catch yourself. Only time you may have an issue is riding along the side of a steep hill. If you then tip “downhill” your foot is so far away from the floor you will fall all the way, and crash/roll downhill. But I guess that’s true of any bike.

[@lukepilllj9968]

Iv just started riding again, i live in the hayle area, im deffo going to look up these lanes, right up my street, nothing to challenging and looks great fun! Just found your channel and its brill, thanks 😊

[@biscuitsalive]

Nice. If your on Facebook look up “Cornwall trails group” and ask to be added (say you live in Cornwall on question) Few of us ride fairly regular.

[@lukepilllj9968]

That sounds great, thankyou! Might catch you on the lanes!!

[@user-iz6lz8tc2r]

It'll be interesting to hear your thoughts on the new beta alp 4.0..

[@gaplife3611]

Hi, I’ve really enjoyed your thoughts on the bikes you have owned. I’m looking at buying an off road bike at the moment so I can start riding the TET lane’s. & the KTM does look like a great option. Do you think that knowing what you know now you would have gotten a KTM from the start ? I ride a GS at the moment but only do road tours. & no way would I try it off road as it’s just too heavy.

[@scottc3]

Thanks for making my mind up. Am looking to sell my 701 Enduro for the same reason. Am looking at the KTM and the Husky equivalent, but am told the Husky is a bit highly strung so have been recommended to look at the EXCF…

[@biscuitsalive]

Glad it helped. It was just the low speed technical stuff (or steep stuff) where the 701 didn’t seem to behave as I liked. (Snatchy at low revs etc) I find the 350excf very chill/easy to ride. I don’t think it’s very different to the 350FE. As far as I know the husky 350 has linkage on rear suspension (KTM 350 doesn’t) So that’s one less thing to get hooked up on logs/steps on KTM. But husky suspension maybe a bit more progressive due to linkage. And I believe KTM brake components are slightly better than Husky brake components. But only going by what I’ve heard. Could be different year by year. But they really are going to be very similar.

[@maxflight777]

Seems like there are more legal trails in Cornwall than the rest of the U.K. put together! 😂

[@biscuitsalive]

There really arnt. Wales is good. Cornwall is good but mostly average farm tracks. Not many exciting technical trails.

[@norm701]

a quick chat video lasts 23 minutes 😮, i guess riding off road does change ones perceptions, quick video == 23 mins, quick causal ride == riding though baby head rocks, river bed. i guess "not hard core" == water crossing at hip level etc etc

[@biscuitsalive]

Yep long winded. Apologies. One take wonder. That’s how it goes though. If you take time to do multiple takes you end up with a shorter snappier better vid. But it takes 5 times as long. :)

[@legorj35]

0:48 KZbin Full HD Bitrate says goodbye. Sadly that low KZbinrs get the avc1.640028 Codecs for FullHD and not the vp09 Codecs. Always upscale to 1440p or 4K to get the vp09 Codecs