KTM 350 SX-F

Like the other enduro motorcycles in the MX range from KTM, the 350 SX-F looks minimalist but extremely functional and purposeful. With a light amount of bodywork, a lean and tall stance and tyres with chunky-looking tread blocks, the KTM 350 SX-F has a purposeful off-road oriented design from the word go.

The front profile of the KTM 350 SX-F, like any other enduro motorcycle, is plain and basic, with an X-shaped plastic cowl with an enlarged upper portion sitting in place of a conventional headlamp. The lack of a headlamp and turn indicators do make the KTM 350 SX-F strictly usable for enclosed off-roading terrains. Adding a more purposeful look to the front profile of the KTM 350 SX-F are the high-mounted and large-sized front fender and off-road tyre with large tread blocks. 

Moving towards the side, the KTM 350 SX-F exhibits its pure off-roading ethos in an even stronger fashion. This enduro motorcycle from KTM has a high ground clearance, which makes riding over large rocks feel like a cakewalk. The motorcycle also has minimal and sleek body panels around the compact fuel tank and upper part of the frame, with all the panels here looking bold with sporty decals and a choice of colours.

The engine of the KTM 350 SX-F takes the centre stage of the side profile, though it misses out on underbody protection which could have given the motorcycle an added sense of safety. Towards the rear, the KTM 350 SX-F comes with a high-mounted single-sided exhaust pipe with a plastic shield over it for added protection while riding on off-road terrains. The tail section of the motorcycle also misses out on a tail lamp and turn indicators, with a pointy plastic panel running till the end. To make it look interesting, the KTM 350 SX-F comes with a bright orange-coloured single-piece long seat.

Given that it is an enduro motorcycle purely meant for riding on off-road terrains, the KTM 350 SX-F misses out on a functional instrument console too, with a large rectangular rubber pad with faux carbon fibre look replacing the instrument console. Even the handlebar switches look minimalist and purely functional, while not adding anything to the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle.  

The chassis and suspension of the KTM 350 SX-F are the real deal which make this motorcycle a champion of off-roading trails. The motorcycle sits on a double cradle 25CrMo4 steel frame and gets a very capable suspension combination of 48mm WP XACT upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks with 310mm travel at the front and a WP XACT mono-shock with linkage and 300mm travel. With a ground clearance of 343mm and a seat height of 958mm, this motorcycle has a tall stance which complements the lean bodywork, thus making handling easier on the off-road terrains. A 260mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear take care of braking duties. 

At the heart of the KTM 350 SX-F is a four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 349.7cc engine, which features a high compression ratio and is a short-stroke engine with the peak of its power lying in the upper rev range. This lightweight engine claims a maximum power output of 57 PS, though the peak torque output hasn’t been disclosed by KTM. The transmission unit on duty is a 5-speed gearbox. 

While the KTM 350 SX-F is bare-bones in design and equipment, this hardcore off-road motorcycle gets a few essential riding aids like launch control, traction control and quick-shifter. The traction control on offer here has two selectable maps – Map 1 for a more linear power curve and Map 2 for aggressive throttle and power. 

With such a functional and focused approach in design, performance and mechanical hardware, the KTM 350 SX-F fits the bill of an off-road riding enthusiast who wishes to have a powerful middleweight enduro motorcycle.