2023 KTM 350 EXC-F - Dirt Bike Magazine

KTM wasn’t the first company to make a serious dirt-worthy dual-sport bike, but you can give the Austrian company credit for making the concept truly legit. The KTM 350EXC-F goes back to 2012 and was most recently revamped in 2020. KTM’s off-road and dual sport models continue to use PDS rear suspension sans linkage. This is the most significant difference between the current KTM and Husqvarna dual-sports. PDS has the advantage of being about 6 pounds lighter and providing greater ground clearance than linkage designs. Otherwise, the two Austrian dual-sport bikes are similar. They both use WP Xact forks with steel coil springs. The KTM uses a cast triple clamp to hold the fork on and if you look close, there are a number of other components that differ, as well. The KTM has Brembo brakes and a Brembo clutch master cylinder. It also uses a Neken handlebar and Excel rims. As far as the motors go, the KTM and Husky have six-speed gearboxes and double overhead cams with four-valves and finger follower valve trains, just like the motocross bikes. The KTM uses a reed valve in the air boot, although that boot has a different shape than the Husky’s because the PDS shock allows more space. That and a different airbox design are the only design features that might account for any difference in performance between them. The KTM also comes with handguards, a skidplate and a radiator fan. The tires are Continentals which were replaced with more aggressive Metzeler MC360s. The KTM sells...