2011 KTM 350SXF REVEALED! PHOTOS OF THE PROTO BEING TESTED: KTM Tries To Sneak In Some Real World Testing; Close-Up Views Of It In Action
YOU’VE HEARD ALL ABOUT IT, NOW SEE IT: THE 2011 KTM 350SXF PROTO: KTM TRIES TO SNEAK IN SOME REAL WORLD TESTING; CLOSE-UP VIEWS OF IT IN ACTION
Looking a little cobby to avoid attracting attention, the throaty sound and the tell-tale linkage give the 2011 KTM 350SXF away.
While the MXA test crew was testing cams with Yoshimura at Glen Helen, KTM was trying to quietly test their 350SXF prototypes. KTM had two versions of the KTM 350SXF with them (actually one was the 350 frame with a 250 engine in it).
On this prototype, the electric starter and over-size, sand-cast, ignition cover are clearly visible in front of test rider Mike Sleeter's foot. This is the true-to-life KTM 350SXF.
A close look at the engine shows that the engine is about the size of the 250SXF, but the engine is totally new from the ground up (it is not an over-bored 250 or a sleeved 450). Horsepower is claimed to be right at the 50 horsepower mark (with a major weight savings and a lighter feel over a 450). If we were betting men, we'd bet that the 350 will come with an electric start for production (the system is foolproof on the KTM 450SXF). There was no kickstarter on the 350cc version at Glen Helen
The frame uses smaller oval spars than the production bike (with a cross brace extending from about carb height up to the shock tower). The main oval spars are tilted farther forward (which is evident by the space between the spar and the airbox on the prototype frame with the 250 engine mounted). There is no space between the spar and the airbox on the 2010 KTM 250SXF.
KTM has both Keihin carb and fuel injection versions of the 350 engine. The smaller oval frame tubing and the cross brace that runs from the oval spar to the shock tower is clearly evident in this photo (as is the rising rate shock linkage). This is the 250 engine in the 350 frame.
As for whether the KTM 350SXF will be fuel-injected or not, that remains to be seen (because KTM has been testing 350s with each system). KTM is not behind the curve on fuel-injection and could easily make the 350SXF fuel injected by borrowing technology from Husaberg (after all, KTM owns Husaberg and Husaberg has a very advanced closed-loop EFI system on the FE450).
Although this bike would appear to be fueled by the failed Luongo/Whitelock 350 plan from three years ago, KTM says that it really is a offshoot of a plan to replace the 400cc enduro bike with a 380cc enduro bike. At that point of development, the Luongo/Whitelock plan was announced and KTM decided to start over with a new 350 design.
It should be noted that KTM is a "niche marketer," which means that they build bikes that the Japanese manufacturer's economic scope does not allow. It is very unlikely, in these tough economic times, that a Japanese company would build a 350 to compete with KTM. The Big Four's planners see the 350cc bike as a product that would just bleed sales off from the 450 and 250 bikes they already make (and not increase the total number of sales). That is why, the Big Four told Luongo and Whitelock to go pound sand.
KTM, on the other hand, is capable of building smaller production runs of a wider variety of models and engine sizes (50, 65, 85, 105, 125, 150, 250, 300, 400, 450, 505, 530 and 690). If there is demand for an engine size, KTM has been ready, willing and able to supply bikes.
Look ma, no kickstarter.
Yes, the 350SXF does have linkage. It is attached to a swingarm that has a beefier cross-section than the 250SXF (probably to accommodate the increased load of the rising rate linkage).
With a totally new frame design and mid-size engine, the KTM 350SXF is quite different from its smaller 250SXF brother (the 350 engine shares very little in common with the bigger 450SXF). The remainder of the parts (wheels, plastic, brakes, forks and triple clamps) are straight from the 250SXF.
The linkage in action.
There you have it. Mike Alessi told you about it. Now you've seen it. Wonder no more. As for an official announcement, we expect the new to be released in November.
