KTM EXC-F 350

Following the bare bones and minimalist approach of other dirt bikes from KTM, the EXC-F 350 is one sharp looking motorcycle with snazzy looking minimal body panels and slim profile.

At the front, the KTM EXC-F 350 has got a small trapezoidal headlamp, which again is surrounded in a similarly shaped puny fairing. The EXC-F 350 misses out on proper turn indicator assembly, however, it comes with a high mounted horizontally laid front fender with a sharp beak at the front tip. The WP forks at the front come with decals on the upper portion, and plastic protectors at the lower portion, which manage to make the rather slim bike look beefy when viewed head-on.

The side profile of the EXC-F 350 looks a bit cluttered, however, it does look good in that way. The fuel tank and radiator are partially covered in a forward slanting panel, thus exaggerating the naked appeal of the motorcycle. Below these units, the orange colored frame and engine are exposed in full glory. The EXC-F 350 comes with an almost flat single piece seat, which however, is best suited for only one rider at a time.

Moving towards the rear, the EXC-F 350 manages to look visually a bit bulky, thanks to the under seat exhaust partially hidden behind a large side panel. The sleek rear side body panels end up in a petite LED tail lamp. The high ground clearance, as well as full off-road spec tyres, accentuates its wild and untamed appeal.

The riders’ cockpit of the EXC-F 350 comprises of a minimal looking instrument console shared with the Freeride 250, which shows only a speedometer and lap timer. Apart from it, the single piece handlebar, as well as handlebar crash guards, looks purposeful as well.

The prowess of the KTM EXC-F 350 when it comes to brilliant riding dynamics is credited to the excellent chassis which the bike is blessed with. At the front, the EXC-F 350 is blessed with a pair of 48 mm inverted hydraulic telescopic forks, while at the rear, the bike comes fitted with an aluminium swingarm and a monoshock. Sourced from WP, this suspension unit is set on a slightly stiffer side to make the EXC-F 350 agile and light-weight while steering.

However, this very setup results in stiff ride quality as well. The setup of petal disc brakes at both the ends, 260 mm front and 220 mm rear, gives it an amazing stopping power.

Powering the KTM EXC-F 350 is a four-stroke, single cylinder, fuel injected, liquid-cooled, 350 cc engine, which in nature, is a rev-happy motor. With an impressive bottom end grunt as well as top-end power, the 350 cc engine is good enough to squeeze out a maximum power output of 45 PS and a peak torque output of 27 Nm. The figures feel even more impressive when you realize the fact that the kerb weight is almost equal to that of a the EXC-F 250, which gives the EXC-F 350 a tremendous power to weight ratio.

To keep costs as well as weight in check, the KTM EXC-F 350 is devoid of any sophisticated safety feature, even the ABS. However, the disc brakes at both the ends and wide profile off-road tyres manage to keep the bike under control with utmost traction from the latter.

The KTM EXC-F 350 is purely for those off-road aficionados who like to conquer the hardest of terrains with ease and fun. The slim profile of the motorcycle, coupled up with aggressive looking body panels, exposed cycle parts and off-road tyres, make the EXC-F 350 look purposeful. On the other hand, the eager performance, as well as dynamism, of the overall chassis make the EXC-F 350 a very fun-to-ride machine, in a typical KTM fashion.