2020 K TM 350 EXC-F VS. 350 XCF -W
COMPARISON
P38
shock has softer settings in the
PDS system.
Ergonomically, both bikes take
on a new seat and fuel tank. A
new airbox is featured, as well.
Header pipes are now two-
piece units for easier fitting, and
the mufflers are all new, as well.
The cooling system is updated
with lower radiators to drop the
center of gravity a bit, and the
cooling circuit is optimized with a
larger center tube. The radiator
guards are new for more impact
protection.
Each bike has a new throttle
body and updated cable rout-
ing. And the engine gets a new,
lighter cylinder head, updated
ports and cam timing, a shorter
cylinder to drop the rotating
masses, a higher compression
CP brand piston, new lighter
engine cases with improved main
bearing oil supply, and new Pankl
transmission material to increase
durability.
Lots of new stuff!
The EXC-F
Compromise:
Mythical Beast or
Reality
There are a lot of opinions on
what you can and can't do with,
or do and don't need, when it
comes to off-road motorcycles.
The perception of KTM EXCs
is varied regionally with riders
using them successfully in stock
trim across all terrain and others
condemning them for being over-
regulated.
Our experiences are the
former, and while friends at KTM
have added six-speed transmis-
sions to 450 XC models in the
past, or highly modified their
EXCs with tuners and do-dads,
we tend to ride stock EXCs and
enjoy ourselves. The alleged
compromises just don't come up
very often. And we need the li-
cense plate to ride the good stuff.
There is one exception here:
a 450 EXC doesn't always exist.
For 2020, there's a 350 and 500
model in the U.S. So, if you want
a 450's power character but don't
want a 500, you're out of luck in
the six-speed, street-legal and
longer-distance off-road world.
There is an XC-F, but that's closer
to a motocross bike than a trail
slayer. You're relegated to put-
Is the KTM 350
XCF-W the ultimate
trail bike? Could be
for many.
