New bike fe 350?

[gergte310]

Hello,
Thinking its time to up grade into a new bike my 2011 te310 xlite has been great in the single track but showing signs of wear and tear thinking to buy the new fe 350 hoping someone can share there experience and would like to have some feed back will i be impressed etc?
Thx

 

[Norman Foley]

I'd post this in the Austrian 4T section for a better response.

 

[Trenchcoat85]

Hello,
Thinking its time to up grade into a new bike my 2011 te310 xlite has been great in the single track but showing signs of wear and tear thinking to buy the new fe 350 hoping someone can share there experience and would like to have some feed back will i be impressed etc?
Thx

I think they're are a couple guys here who have gone this route... maybe they'll chime in. In the meantime, here is review (based on a minimum of seat time in the FE):

I have a '14 TE310R & my buddy has a '15 FE350 (and he had a '10 310, '12 310, '09 450, and talked me into mine). The FE is a great bike and probably a slightly better all-around woods bike than my 310.

The transmission is heads & shoulders above my husky in terms of a usable ratios and spread- 1st chugs, and 6th is nice and tall. The engine will really pull down low compared to the Italian (but still wind fairly high; mine gets there faster tho). It has a more open cockpit. The brakes are on par with my 310 ...almost (gawddamn- my brakes are great, 'specially for such a spindly-looking non-floating front rotor). The Italian is lighter and feels lighter, but the FE doesn't feel heavy at all. In a roll-on drag race, the Italian can keep up with the FE (maybe pull it by 6" or is that wishful thinking??) but after 45-50mph it's all over- the FE pulls firmly ahead [supposedly it has 45hp (!); I've been *guessing* 38-39hp (40??) for my rocketship. I think the SXF350 is rated at 50hp! these are all at the crank- and could be way biased]. Surprisingly, the Italian seat is more comfortable I think. The Italian is taller but the seat-to-peg distance seems more cramped. The Italian handles better IMO (and maybe his too) but definitely not a huge difference. It corners a smidge better; I think the forks are better and the rear suspension too- but if it is, ...again just barely. The FE might be more planted in the straight line bumps. edit: I think my clutch action and feel is better- although I am meticulous about prepping a clutch lever, so that might be the difference. However I still do not like hydraulic clutch levers.

I do not believe he has had any mechanical issues in almost 4000miles. [edit: rebuilt at 5000]

I guess I should let you know that my friend is a better rider than me: he is a 29yo solid-A rider, I'm a 59yo fading-B rider and slowing rapidly. He is in shape, 5'9" 140lbs and I am 6'1" 220lbs and am definitely out of shape. I made myself some prescription goggles 'cause I can't see anymore, and I scare myself in first gear almost every ride (which is 3-4x's a week). I avoid jumps unless it has a nice tranny-ramp because my knees hurt on landing (so do my shoulders). I'm not as aggressive as I was when I was 50. He takes 5-10day rides to Baja, Idaho, Oregon etc and sleeps on the ground; I ride 1-2hour single track loops and crash on the couch to catch a nap before I go to bed.

I'm thinking of the FE as my next bike when the Italian is ready to retire- which won't be for a while I think (3400miles). I am also hoping the SWM situation works out- something for you to think about too.

 

[zoomdude57]

Went from a TE610 to the 305S for more trail worthiness. The 610 was a tractor, heavy but handled well and a better on-road machine. The 350 is outstanding off-road and tolerable for the roads in between. Key for me was getting the ECU re-mapped. I have a Husaberg FE250 as well - with the KTM motor so lots of part interchangeability. Both bikes have been reliable with zero issues.

 

[sned2502st]

I went from a 2011 WR250 to the 2015 FE350. A bit different change than you but close. Major difference in my opinion. The motor is hard to compare to my 2 stroke as far as which one is BETTER, both are very good but I do see the 4 stroke as being more versatile, and it seems to be easier to ride at the end of a 2 hour race. Its the chassis that really stood out to me. Fit and finish are better, and way more aftermarket parts available which are a big bonus to me. And for a fourstroke it seems to be easy work on. I love it.

 

[ChrisNJ]

Just picked up a 16 FE350. Rode it 150miles hard so far and love it. Coming off a 12 350EXC-F, which I also loved. Engine is same on both. Go slow, go fast it doesn't matter, it works. I like the FE's rear linkage suspension a little better than the EXC, but like the '12 EXC's front a little better than the FE. But neither are different enough to make much of a difference. I did keep increasing compression and rebound along the way from stock, and it kept getting better for me. Awesome bike. Some have said it's heavier than a desmoged EXC, but I couldn't tell the difference. It can pretty much do it all and very well too. I ride woods/mountains as technical as we can find. I am 50yr old slower A-enduro rider.
Only complaint is the oem rubber is more for sand than rocky rides. But they work decent enough to wear them off.