Ktm 350 Sx-f

[rbgnwa45]

Is this old? I saw Alessi riding one yesterday and they're beating 450s with them. 5-speed, FI, 229lbs dry, electric start. Smart move KTM!

http://ktmusa.com/350-SX-F.103067.20.html?&detailview=2&cHash=da62385a81

[250r rider 88]

Mike Alessi is very confident in this bike, he had a lot of input on the overall design.

From what I understand, a lot of the time the 450s are under utilized and for some guys (smaller riders) can be a lot of bike to hold onto for two 30 +2 motos, by knocking down the displacement a little bit, which for a KTM motor is nothing they always rip no matter what, add FI, its not surprising this bike can run and beat 450s, also coming in at such a low weight doesn't hurt either:devil:

[Trxracr]

i heard somehwere that the AMA wanted to outlaw the 450 and make the Japs make 350s

[250r rider 88]

i heard that as well, i doubt it will ever pass though, we might even see 2 strokes make a bigger come back in the next few years, i'd love to see some of these guys ride an old school CR500 and see how they do

[woodsracer144]

i think a old 500 would be sweet. as far as the getting tired and stuff i think that is no reason to make them run smaller motors, if you cant handle a 450 then you should still be in the lites class cause i think thats just Fin retarded to change rules cause your tired, its a freaking sport.

[rbgnwa45]

I'd like to see 125 2-stroke (skill), 350 4-stroke (raw speed), and 650 4-stroke (overkill) for AMA classes. I'd like to see bigbore 2-strokes make a comeback too. Now that everyone is so fast there might as well be bigger classes.

[dehner47]

Originally posted by Trxracr
i heard somehwere that the AMA wanted to outlaw the 450 and make the Japs make 350s

yes the AMA is thinking about making that switch to a 350cc class. BUT, and there is deff a big butt there... all these manufactures just put out all new machines with new designs the past few years. all based around a 450cc engine. it will be very hard and very very expensive for racers, team owner, especially the factories to stop producing all 450 machines and redesign test ect a new 350cc bike. they are hoping in the future to make the switch. but dont get ur hopes up about it for the next couple years.

and no you can not just throw a 350cc motor into a 250f or 450 frame. everything would have to be redesigned to fit the motor and to deliver the power and handeling the right way. hence why KTM came out with a whole new bike design for there 350 compaired to the 450 bike.

[One_Bad_400]

its not that people are getting tired on the 450's. its that no body exept a hand full of riders in the world can use a 450 to its potential. and becasue they are getting dangerous. a 450 bike only needs literally a few feet of take off room to jump 60 feet.

[woodsracer144]

Originally posted by dehner47
yes the AMA is thinking about making that switch to a 350cc class. BUT, and there is deff a big butt there... all these manufactures just put out all new machines with new designs the past few years. all based around a 450cc engine. it will be very hard and very very expensive for racers, team owner, especially the factories to stop producing all 450 machines and redesign test ect a new 350cc bike. they are hoping in the future to make the switch. but dont get ur hopes up about it for the next couple years.

and no you can not just throw a 350cc motor into a 250f or 450 frame. everything would have to be redesigned to fit the motor and to deliver the power and handeling the right way. hence why KTM came out with a whole new bike design for there 350 compaired to the 450 bike.


if the AMA does run the 350 for the factories that are a little short on the cash can de bore and stroke a 450 or else just stroke and bore a 250. i dont think that there would be that great of an effet if you would start off with a 250r replaca chassis for the start and then mod it as you would go.

[TRX_450]

that may be true, but the whole idea is that the machines are all production models, not just a modded bike given to factory teams.

[250r rider 88]

don't think the de bore a 450 or bore a 250 would be legal, pretty sure there is a rule stating all machines must be production units

[Guy400]

Any rule change like this would be made years in advance giving all factories plenty of time to change. Not only that but the AMA isn't going to make a rule that says the displacement limit has suddenly changed knowing full well that nobody could comply fast enough. You can bet if the AMA is considering this than the factories are involved.

NASCAR doesn't say "next season all engines have to be V6's" without Chevy, Ford, Dodge and Toyota having plenty of time to develop.

[rbgnwa45]

Not that I'm a racer but just because one can't ride a 450 to it's potential, they can still use all the power they can get on straights. Those pro bikes are heavily modified and the majority of sales are to recreation riders so I wouldn't expect the japs to go 350. How much weight was saved from dropping 100cc's? How much higher/faster does it rev? It's 229lbs dry. If manufacturers can get the 250f's to 200lbs wet they'll give 450s a run for their cc's. How to drop weight... make the entire bike smaller :confused: . The 2010 YZ450F is 245lbs wet, it doesn't seem like a valuable weight saving. 15lbs? of fuel in the 350 and it's the same weight! Loss of torque for recreational riders. I'm not feeling the 350 anymore, not even a backup kicker?

[jesseweaver]

Originally posted by One_Bad_400
its not that people are getting tired on the 450's. its that no body exept a hand full of riders in the world can use a 450 to its potential.

every single one of the riders on the line out there uses the full potential of their 450s. they are tamed down from their potential to fit the riders best. read the bottom of this chad reed interview.

http://www.racerxonline.com/article/monday-conversation-chad-reed-5-24-10.aspx

and i dont really like chad reed that much but i love his attitude in this interview and him trash talking alessi already. i have a feeling theres going to be a lot of drama this year.

[jigg14]

Originally posted by jesseweaver
every single one of the riders on the line out there uses the full potential of their 450s. they are tamed down from their potential to fit the riders best. read the bottom of this chad reed interview.

http://www.racerxonline.com/article/monday-conversation-chad-reed-5-24-10.aspx

and i dont really like chad reed that much but i love his attitude in this interview and him trash talking alessi already. i have a feeling theres going to be a lot of drama this year.
I like Reed, and I really like the comment he made about Alessi being cocky. Its so true, just listen to the podium interview he gave.

But back to the 350, I was really surprised KTM put fuel injection...

[XCRacer236]

Originally posted by One_Bad_400
its not that people are getting tired on the 450's. .

apparently you missed the interview with Mike Alessi about the bike.

[jigg14]

Originally posted by XCRacer236
apparently you missed the interview with Mike Alessi about the bike.
Yes Alessi said that the 350 weighs less and is easier to ride, but does the 100cc really make that much of a weight difference?
And like Reed said, they're racing in the "premier class" which means they are some of the most physically fit people in the world, they shouldn't be getting tired. It didn't seem like Reed got tired, he charged from somewhere like 10th to 3rd in the second moto.

Alessi's lap times started to slow towards the end, but he claimed that he was taking it easy. I'm not sure its a great idea to take it easy when Davi is behind you, and Davi made up a good bit of time in the last few laps.

I think fitness has nothing to do with the 350, Alessi is just trying to help KTM sells by giving people a reason to buy one.

[bmxican345]

you missed the point, the fatigue wasnt due to the extra weight of a bigger displacement it was because of the incredible power a 450 puts out. alot of riders are having troulb ejust holding onto that kinda of power halfway through the moto.

[eastside 400]

what does it really matter, if you get tired quicker on a 450, or the 350 is lighter, it was proved that the 350 can win a 450 motocross race, it can run the lap times, it has the power for holeshots, nothing else really matters, all that matters is that the 350 can do it. so that does prove that the extra 100cc isnt really being used to its full potential, watch the practice helmet cam lap of shorty at hangtown, didnt really sound like he was ringing it out. look at the 250 lap times compared to 450 lap times, not far off at quickest to quickest or even top 5 in each, now some tracks will require more power but i think the 350 is a good idea. I dont think the class should be a 350 class but just allow the 350 to be in it and see if anyone follows... now that being said, if KTM can get someone who knows how to ride SX i think there might be something big to be said there, the 450 isnt totally needed in SX, alot of riders say that the 250 is better on some tracks, the 350 will be able to make the bigger leaps and rythems of the 450 but it wont be overpowered in the turns

[jesseweaver]

the main reason all the guys prefer a 450 in SX though is because of the broader power range. a lot of guys only use 2 gears on a SX track

[KXRida]

Originally posted by rbgnwa45
I'd like to see 125 2-stroke (skill), 350 4-stroke (raw speed), and 650 4-stroke (overkill) for AMA classes. I'd like to see bigbore 2-strokes make a comeback too. Now that everyone is so fast there might as well be bigger classes.

good luck with that. Maybe in europe, but you'd never see that in the states.

I'd hate to see the price tag on the new 350sxf. I'm sure it's rather pricey. If it weren't I know what bike I'd be on. That would be the ultimate bike IMO.

[rbgnwa45]

Just for shizzles I want to see all the pro's race stock engine TTR125s. Atleast once.

[eastside 400]

not a ttr125 but still pretty funny

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[ATVMX33]

hahaha..id love to see him take that to a track and pass a bunch of people

[Guy400]

How about a TTR125 vs. an old Fat Cat.

[ikas]

Originally posted by KXRida
good luck with that. Maybe in europe, but you'd never see that in the states.

I'd hate to see the price tag on the new 350sxf. I'm sure it's rather pricey. If it weren't I know what bike I'd be on. That would be the ultimate bike IMO.
I have heard the FIM to put a 125 class for the younger athletes in the European championship. The difference between the classes become smaller when they get the chance to run the 125 instead of going directly from a 85 to 150/250.
So you're probably right

[rbgnwa45]

LOL, that 650 is ripping! You can see/hear the torque. My neighbour had a Yamaha fat wheel, it was great, lots of smooth power and traction.

[motofreak2772]

The bike only goes as fast as you make it. Why would you want to lower the displacement just because no one is using the power, just leave it there and eventually someone will. Just like modding an engine, unless the bike was holding you back before there is no need for the extra power(except acceleration) but everyone modifies their engines in hopes of using all that power when they are on the track. Idk I just think going to 350s would kinda stop/slow down progression of riders today.
But as technology increases and engines get better a 350 will be the 450s of today, in the future.

[BLU82]

Alessi pulled the second moto holeshot at hangtown on the 350 and held the lead for the whole race.

[ikas]

USGP First moto

1. Cairoli, ktm 350
2. Alessi, ktm 350
3. Nagl, ktm 450

Cairoli was stuck in 3rd gear half the race.