TRF Forums

I'm currently using a Honda CRF250L for my Green laning currently around the Essex area but I find it a bit heavy, not powerful enough and bits keep breaking on it. I suspect its not really up to the bashing I'm giving it. So, I really like the KTM350 EXC F it looks good and according to everyone I've spoken to is the best bike ever. My concern is, what are the KTM's like to maintain? I hear of pistons having to be replaced, Valve being reset etc etc...I currently use my CRF maybe three times a month around Essex for about 4hrs each ride.

I've also been advised that the CRF450X is a good bike!

Any ideas?

Cheers.

Hello, all bikes need maintaining, my 525 exc has oil and filters every 15-20 hours, air filter, at the same time and valves adjusted when it doesn't start first kick never done any internals and it's on around 200 hours? Maybe 250? A few mates only service there ktms and I only know one person that changed a piston and valves, incorrect valve timing so he caused it him self! Hope that helps. Btw, I'm led to believe crf's need heads off every 30-40 hours? Correct me if I'm wrong though!

The KTM (I ride one) is essentially a race bike, and the official service schedules are specified accordingly. Sometimes you'll see one for sale and the seller might say 'oil changed after every ride' which might make sense if it's being ridden in an enduro by an expert level rider, but for gentle trail riding I'd say 15 - 20 hours between oil changes is about right as Bwright suggests. I also agree that there are lots of trail-ridden 4-stroke KTMs on big hours with original internals, as long as you do the regular oil and filters you should be OK.

I'm very pleased with my 350 but sometimes I wish it had the quietness of a CRF250L and the lightness of a Freeride. Trail bike choices usually involve some sort of compromise unfortunately.

I have a 450.

I do oil changes ever 500 miles. 1000 miles oil filter. 1500 oil
2000 miles oil filters and strainers.

It is electric and kick start. The bike has been excellent. if you use the bike expect brake pads , chains , sprockets to need replacing. In the 20 months I have owned it I have recently had the valves and had the carb cleaned.

Good idea to have some fork bleeders. £16

Enjoy

As already mentioned if you are an average trail rider and not hammering the bike on enduros you can ignore the KTM service schedule. Use good quality fully syth 10/50 oil either Motorex or Putoline. I usually change it every 15 hours or so or 3-4 rides. Air filter after 2-3 rides, more often when its dusty. Valve check around every 30 hours.
Piston should be good for 100+ hours if not thrashed.

Modern oils have detergents in them so it's actually detrimental to change the oil too often.
I change mine every 20hrs.
I have a 350 excf,used for laning,it's done 228hrs/5000mls on original piston.
I've seen them advertised with 10.000mls on original piston.
When it becomes difficult to start I will change it.

Rubbish.


Test ride a 350 before you buy: I too thought it would be a great trail bike; but I didn't like it. Went back to my 250F.

I change oil approx every 20 hours; a bit longer if it has been more gentle riding; sooner for hot 'n' hard riding. Air filter every 2-3 rides, piston when it starts burning oil and the power drops off.

1200RT is right, my last KTM 500 EXC had regular air filter clean / replacement and oil change every ride or every other ride with filter (that model had separate transmission oil) so only 600 ml of engine oil. I used Putoline 20/50 or 20/60. I sold it with over 600 hours and 16,500 miles. Oil consumption as stated in book (about 50 ml per ride). Never changed the piston, never had engine apart, power never dropped off. Testament to materials, design and build quality of KTM. As any bike, best to warm the engine for a minute before you ride and don't labour the engine.

Just quoting a mechanic with 30+yrs experience. He said 20hrs is good if used for laning.

I had a 250f before the 350f, both great bikes and very capable. The 350 does have that extra bit of grunt but feels as numble as the 250.
As for oil changes yes synthetic oil has come a long way in recent years, changing it too often is not detrimental to the engine but it is on the pocket.