Real world KTM 350 EXC impressions?

[Cyberg]

Originally Posted by BanhXeo

I am closing in on 3000 miles on my 2013 350 exc-f. I have ridden most terrains now. My gearing is still stock at 14/45 as the snow has restricted my travels into the fun single track in the hills above my house. I have a 48t waiting to go on(will probably be on this week). I dont enjoy going 62 mph+ on this bike in stock gearing (14/45). It is super happy cruising at 55. Anything more than 60 is really making the engine work too hard. I've tried with little wind resistance to reach 70 mph and its just not happening, 68 is where its done with that gearing, and it litterally feels like 6500+ revs...not where you want to "cruise". Hope that helps anyone that really wants to be able to blast down the interstate (buy a GS if that is the case)

I have a (Ca Plated) 2013 Husaberg FE 350 with 13/52 gearing and mine will do 85+ mph. I also come in at a trim 300lbs.

[BanhXeo]

Originally Posted by Crawdaddy

HDB....simply, "The Best": http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_Shop/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=display&ref=splash

The supplied tap cuts the aluminum bars like butter.....very easy to install.....variety of top clamps available......the mirrors are trick......tell Paul I sent you.....

+1 on HDB. You can't find better.

The bike can run high rpm's. It can run up to 12,000, so don't be afraid to run it out some more.

12k is redline if I'm not mistaken..I will try to run it out a bit more and see what else it can pull someday. It hasn't happened yet and I couldn't be happier personally with the bike overall.

[Capp]

Going to be checking the valves for he first time. Have many of you had to adjust the valves on the first check? Also going to install the dirt tricks tensioner at the same time. Thanks.

[chompino]

Originally Posted by BanhXeo

12k is redline if I'm not mistaken..I will try to run it out a bit more and see what else it can pull someday. It hasn't happened yet and I couldn't be happier personally with the bike overall.

I'll be interested to see what you say after running it a bit more. I'm planning to upgrade from my KLX250s in a couple of months. My stock 250 has done multiple non-stop (only for gas) 300+ mile (all highway) trips, where I keep it at 70-78 (speedo) the entire time. I'd be worried if this bike couldn't handle that. But I know the 350 engine is a little more strung out and not as conservative as the KLX. In any case, I'm still completely sold on this bike at the moment!! This thread has been very helpful and informative.

[wizz]

Originally Posted by Capp

Going to be checking the valves for he first time. Have many of you had to adjust the valves on the first check? Also going to install the dirt tricks tensioner at the same time. Thanks.

how many hours on the bike? the dt tensioner cant be installed until 20 hours

[Capp]

3 hours on the motor. Whats the reason the tensioner cannot be installed until 20 hrs?

Originally Posted by wizz

how many hours on the bike? the dt tensioner cant be installed until 20 hours

[gplassm]

I would guess that installing a manual chain adjuster is not recommended "right away" is to let the chain have it's initial stretch. The stock hydraulic adjuster will take up the little bit of slack as it occurs, but a manual adjuster will not.

Edit - I see that the DT tensioner is *not* a manual tensioner. Now, I have no idea why they recommend waiting...unless it may exert too much force on the new chain?

[David_Moen]

What I am trying to figure out is whether the computer mount puts the whole thing above the headlight mask, or if it has to be bent around it.

I really like Paul' stuff, but I may end up going back to a Scott's or BRP damper mount and Fastway style inner mounts for the HDB bars.

Originally Posted by Crawdaddy

I simply purchased the stock computer protector and moved everything up top.....no turn signal indictors on the XCF-W......just FI, Low Gas, and headlight pull switch........be careful with the small "press fit" FI/low gas idiot indicator tubes.....the plastic/amber lenses on top of the white plastic tubes break easily......ask me how I know ....cost me ~$30 to replace the FI indictor tube/amber lens cover.......which probably cost KTM ~$3.00

http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_Shop/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=KTM_Computer_Protectors

The push button switch runs my heated grips.......the Powerlet is there to charge my phone and/or anything else I want to power off a SAE pigtail (camera, battery tender, heated clothing, etc.)......the GPS/powerlet are direct wired to the battery....the heated grips are "switched" so they only run when the bike is running.....I have another switched lead that I'm not using at the moment.....

I bought my electrical harness here: http:www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/Fuseboxes/3_Circuit/3_circuit.html//

[Crawdaddy]

Originally Posted by David_Moen

What I am trying to figure out is whether the computer mount puts the whole thing above the headlight mask, or if it has to be bent around it.

The headlight mask simply leans/rubs against the computer protector at the top........doesn't seem to cause any great deal of headlight deflection.......the protector sticks up about 1-1.5"(?) inch above to top of the mask......I'll take a closer pic from the front when I get home......

[David_Moen]

Thanks!

[Capp]

Just received an email from dirt tricks saying that hours aren't critical to install the tensioner.

[wizz]

Originally Posted by Capp

3 hours on the motor. Whats the reason the tensioner cannot be installed until 20 hrs?

According to the dt instructions the reason is their tensioner does not compress as far as the stock, so the timing chain needs to break on to give the slack necassary. Otherwise it will put too much pressure on the chain.

[BanhXeo]

Originally Posted by David_Moen

What I am trying to figure out is whether the computer mount puts the whole thing above the headlight mask, or if it has to be bent around it.

I really like Paul' stuff, but I may end up going back to a Scott's or BRP damper mount and Fastway style inner mounts for the HDB bars.

Check post #130 in this thread. It doesn't show a great angle of the headlight mask with the computer housing from the other side but I outlined some tips when ordering if you are leaning on getting a submount stabalizer. I just had a BD Squadron installed and that actually has spacers so the mask doesn't touch the top clamp at all. I'll try to grab a pic as well so you can see what i'm talking about.

[Crawdaddy]

Originally Posted by BanhXeo

Check post #130 in this thread.

That's a better setup than I'm using......the old models have the 4 indicator/tube holders mounted on the bottom of the protector as opposed to the top.....the top is way better.......mine are hard to see.....not that I ever look at'em anyway

Planning on topping off the 5.3 Acerbis tank this weekend and heading out on a good/long ride.......haven't brimmed that beast of a tank before.....I'm actually looking forward to it......I want to see just how heavy the bike feels with 5.3 gallons up front.....

[Capp]

Correct. He said as long as the oem tensioner (when its removed) is the same length or longer than the dirt tricks tensioner in its collapsed position, you are good go.

Originally Posted by wizz

According to the dt instructions the reason is their tensioner does not compress as far as the stock, so the timing chain needs to break on to give the slack necassary. Otherwise it will put too much pressure on the chain.