Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/225297
SHOOTOUT P42 2014 450-CLASS MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT >> QUICK REVIEW On paper, the 2014 KTM 350 SX-F is very similar to its bigger brother, especially when it comes to suspension and chassis. Dimensions and components are identical, except for the 350 having slightly softer fork springs than the 450. Their motors, however, are significantly different, the most obvious being cylinder displacement, the 350's 88x57.5mm bore and stroke revealing 349.7cc versus the 450's 95x63.4mm bore and stroke and 449.3cc's. They also differ in that the 350 uses KTM's CCS (Coil Spring Steel) clutch system, versus the 450's DDS (Damped Diaphragm Steel) clutch system, but both are hydraulically operated. Weight difference is just four pounds, 246 pounds for the 350 and 250 pounds for the 450. On the track, the 350 is a revver compared to the 450. You ride it more like a 250F than you do a big-bore 450. Instead of relying so much on bottom-end and torque like you usually do on a 450, you tend to wick the throttle open harder and quicker on the 350 - throttle control isn't as important on the smaller-bore 350 as it is on the 450s, but the 350 is still a very fast motorcycle once you get it spooled up. It feels almost as fast as 450s on top but getting there is a different story. Four-fifties are significantly quicker out of the hole and off the starting line than the 350, which might be too much give away if you're into winning races. But if having fun is your thing, then the 350 is your bike. The 350 is a blast to ride. Don't get us wrong, you can still go fast and win races on the 350 against the 450s, just ask Antonio Cairoli, but you're going to have to work a little harder on it against the more powerful 450s, especially on soft and hilly tracks. Power is power. The biggest advantage the 350 has over the 450s is that it feels lighter and more agile even though it weighs right in the same ballpark as the other 450s. Since there is less spinning mass and smaller and lighter parts moving around inside the cylinder and engine cases, the 350 just feels lighter and requires a little less effort to make it do what you want while in motion, which, for some, can be a huge advantage in a long moto when everyone is getting tired. But is it enough to make up for its horsepower disadvantage? Hard to say. Maybe. Especially if the moto is long enough and everyone on the starting line trains less than you do. We also prefer the smoother on/ off engagement of the 450's diaphragm clutch over the 350's spring clutch. Suspension-wise, the 350 and 450 KTMs are similar on paper, but the 350 didn't feel as plush as the 450. The front end had a spikey mid-stroke feel, much more so than the 450's fork. We believe the 350 would benefit from stiffer springs like the 450 has. Overall, the bike handles well and feels great in the turns. The 350 has many other things going for it, too, like its light-pull clutch, comfy ergos, outstanding brakes and, of course, electric starting. It's just that power thing.