KTM 350 EXC-F: A Conclusion

 

KTM’s “Ready-to-race” mantra sticks to the 350 EXC-F for sure - but this motorcycle is more than a race bike.

Every part of this motorcycle was designed to perform.  It sums up to a very agile, predictable and easy to drive off-road bike in all trail conditions.  Surprisingly, it also makes the 350 EXC-F an ideal motorcycle for off-road neophytes as it easily forgives mistakes.  However, there are fine prints: the bike does not fit everyone.  As an example, with my 5’9” frame, I had to adapt to the seat height.  But once you’re off, the experience is unique.

In 5 points, what I liked the most about this bike:

1. lightness: at more than 10 Grand (Canadian), we may ask what exactly we are paying for.  The answer is rather unusual, but we are paying for something we don’t want: extra weight that would impact negatively the 350 EXC-F’s agility.  At only 240 lbs. (109 kg), this bike is the reference in the matter;

2. the engine: I was surprised by the engine’s efficiency – a 350cc which has more punch than I originally expected.  This small mono is smooth at low RPMs and has enough torque to have fun.  There is also power in higher revs – I reached speeds that are way above highway limits.  On no occasion while riding the KTM was I under the impression that the engine was short on power or deficient – KTM announces an hefty 45 hp!

3. ground clearance: it is huge, stratospheric, impressive.  The ground clearance on this motorcycle will let the rider go anywhere without the hassle of an impact with a big rock.  However you can’t have your cake and eat it too: because of the ground clearance, the rider must deal with a sky high seat;

4. suspension: it absorbs obstacles on its path with disconcerting ease;

5. narrowness: the bike is so thin that it sneaks in anywhere.  This was extremely useful on many occasions.

I could certainly add more items to the list, but it can be summarized to this: the bike has been engineered without compromise to excel in all off-road situations.

On the other hand, of course there are negative points.  So here is what I dislike in 5 points:

1. seat: unless one rides nearby trails week after week, it is required to travel long distances on paved roads to reach new paths.  After a few experiences, the seat will gradually erode one’s enthusiasm.  There are aftermarket seats that could help in this area (SeatConcept manufactures one).  Towing the bike is an alternative solution;

2. autonomy:  many bikes have an autonomy issue.  With only 112 miles (180 km) of autonomy, the KTM requires to carefully plan adventure rides according to the location of gas stations along the way.  Also, it runs on high octane fuel, some gas stations only offers regular – an issue I had to deal with on my test ride;

3. wind protection: riding most dual sport motorcycles at 65 mph (110 km/h) for hours on the highway makes you feel like a fish out of water – it applies to the 350 EXC-F as well;

4. maintenance: high performance parts of the KTM require rigorous maintenance.  As an example, the piston must be serviced after 105 hours of normal use.  Unless one is an advised mechanic, maintenance fees can escalate rapidly if the bike is used regularly;

5. practical aspect: it is not possible to have a passenger and it is difficult to carry anything - this is simply not a bike designed with this in mind.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, riding the 350 EXC-F was a pretty satisfying off-road experience.  My only regret: I ran out of time due to circumstances out of my control and I could not ride the bike in all the trails I had planned…hopefully, the end of the world will be postponed again and I’ll get another chance.

I don’t think I exaggerated when I described the 350 EXC-F as the dual sport Ferrari.  The price tag is high when compared to other bikes in the same category, but considering this bike as the sum of KTM’s “savoir faire” accumulated over the years – just think about Dakar rally victories – it is possibly a bargain.

Thanks to KTM Canada loaning the bike and thank you for sharing!

DSAQ

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KTM 350 EXC-F 2013: Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve Ride Part 4

See part 3

The teenager’s father that I had met earlier was right: Lake Croche road was great to ride.  It was a little more technical than Scotch road I had taken before getting there.  The 350 EXC-F, however, made this road pretty easy for the rider – the KTM off-road capabilities are far beyond everything I had ridden so far;  its stratospheric ground clearance freed my attention from anything on the road including large rocks on upward slopes – which makes off-road riding an even more satisfying experience.

KTM 350 EXC-F with Lake Croche in the background

2:04 p.m.  A stop near Lake Croche While I was riding in the area, I saw a small opening in the forest leading to the lake.  It was a small access to the lake with an area of about 200 square feet – enough place for a couple of tents.  I also saw traces of a camp fire. Camping and moto adventuring is probably something I’ll try in the future.

A nice section on Lake Croche road.

2:09 p.m. A little more rugged section.  As I was saying earlier, this is no challenge for the KTM – with its large wheels and long travel suspensions, the 350 EXC-F took only one bite of this road.

 

Forest trail near Lake Croche

2:20 p.m.  Forest trail.  At the end of the Lake Croche road there is a forest trail.  The contact with nature here was awesome.  I had the impression of being a little lost, but that is exactly what I like about moto adventuring: breaking the routine and filling my head with nice memories. I would have continued further on this trail, but there was a muddy section and I had had my dose for the day… (see part 2).

 

2:27 p.m. Another trail.  Turning around was the right thing to do -giving me the opportunity to follow a trail I had seen earlier from the road (on the picture). Once again, with the right bike, this section was a piece of cake!

 

2:33 p.m. On the bridge.  I should have brought along a patio chair and a couple of beers.  I would have stayed here for a while just looking around and appreciating the moment.

2:44 p.m. That’s it?!  I wish that trail had been 10 times longer!  On the picture on the left, you can see the signs on the main road. What a surprise: I had no clue I could reach Lac des Plages from the park – that’s what the signs read.  25 miles (40 km) of off-road riding.  It’s a date.

 

Another view of the area.  You can see the KTM further on the right side.

Then is there a challenge for the 350 EXC-F?

All the roads I tried so far were quite easy with the KTM.  The real challenge, especially for the driver…its the monotony of highways.  After I rode out of the park, I had to drive back on regional roads and highways for 90 miles (140km) non-stop to go back home.

The suspension of the bike was too softly adjusted to ride at more than 60 mph (100km/h) for a long period of time.  I would have needed a tool to temporarily adjust the front suspension for the occasion, which would have prevented the front wheel from occasionally jiggling - it was annoying.

There is no wind protection: going faster than 65 mph for hours is a prowess on a dual purpose bike in general – the KTM is no exception.

Comfort wise, it is ok as long as your brain is doped with adrenaline – that is, riding trails.  But on paved roads, the longer the trip, the harder the seat feels, and this is exponential… which probably explains why the 5 –6 hours I rode the bike off road seemed much shorter (and fun!) than the hour and a half I spent on the highway…

To be continued…the conclusion.

DSAQ

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First Contact: KTM 350 EXC-F 2013

When I asked KTM Canada to lend me a bike, I did not expect to be catapulted miles out of my comfort zone.

The landing is a bit brutal: it is not the bike that is adapted to humans - but humans must adapt to it.  The word “compromise" was not part of the 350 EXC-F spec sheet.

Result: about 240 pounds.

Once the shock of the first contact has passed, one understands where he just landed: in a world where gravity is no longer as important. The 350 EXC-F is easy to tame and quickly becomes an extension of the driver.  The step is high, but behind the handle bar, everything is possible.  I experienced it on my way back from KTM Canada in St-Bruno.

My first off-road experiment was done in Kahnawake, near Mercier Bridge on the south shore of Montreal: I spotted a trail from the road and gave it a try.  There was a steep slope covered with boulders - the kind of road where you have to think twice with a bigger bike. With the KTM, I was on top of the slope in a wink. It felt like the weight of the bike was almost negligible and it didn’t require much effort to drive even in difficult situations.  I was pretty eager to find other similar challenges after this one.  I rode alongside the St-Lawrence river for a while in short trails then I continued my journey to St-Eustache.

On my way back home, there is a trail that I could never access with my regular motorcycle: there are big concrete blocks that prevent vehicles from crossing.  The 350 EXC-F is so thin that I could snake around the blocks easily.  At the other end of the trail there was a racing sand pit with jumps and bumps pretty well hidden from sight – probably the best kept secret in town.  I went for a couple of laps in the sand, through the bumps, and even attempted a few jumps.  That was pretty cool.  I was able to ride the bike it the sand with such ease!  The biggest surprise was that the small 350cc engine was more than sufficient for the task.

So my next ride with the bike will be to kick some ass in trails that I could not complete and had to turn around with my regular bike.  My expectations are very high, but I feel that I will not be disappointed… 

Ciao!
DSAQ

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12oo GS Rallye 2012: Ride to Parent: part 2

See part 1

Parent road at the 309 intersection

10:23 am  The famous road to Parent. After refuelling a few minutes beforehand in Mont St-Michel village, the signs indicating the road to Parent came into sight.  Looking at the blue sign, I realized right away that this road was unusual… it read: “Warning! This road is used by heavy trucks.  For your safety, use a CB on channel 10 to indicate your presence…”  Not very welcoming. I took some time to put on my motorcycle pants (which I recommend for this route).

What follows is a blend of my two rides to Parent: first with my Versys, then with the Rally. It's a bit unfair to the Versys, but it served me as a base comparison to evaluate the Rally. The Versys: an entry level crossover. The Rally: top of the line adventurer whose reputation is second to none. That being said, I learned a lot about the 2 bikes and I will try to transmit my observations as precisely as possible.

 

First contact with the gravel on Parent road.

When I took on Parent road with my Versys, I really did not know what to expect.

After a few moments of riding on gravel, I experienced something very, very troubling:

“DrrrRRRrrrrRRRrrrRRRrr”

Ouch!  What was that? ... For the first time in my life... at more than  45 mph (70 km/h),  it was a brutal contact with a section of washboard.

The transmitted vibrations to the handle bar were so intense that my hands where opening by themselves even though I was gripping the bar as tightly as I could. I immediately thought: "What the heck am I doing here with this bike?".

I was very tempted to turn around.  I kept thinking: "I can’t believe I drove all this way for nothing…not possible, I must continue."

I took out the mini tool box that came with the bike and turned the spring preload adjuster two full turns counterclockwise to reduce the suspension preload (there was no dedicated tool for adjusting the suspension, I had to work with a pair of pliers ... very frustrating).  Luckily, it was enough - I could have removed even more, but the operation was tedious and I scratched the suspension adjuster with the inadequate pliers.

***

With EAS, dust free drive shaft and a wide base kickstand that does not sink into the sand, this bike is well adapted for this type of road.

All this to highlight the option I liked most on the Rally: electronic adjustable suspension (EAS). This is simply genius! The first thing I did when arriving on Parent road with this bike was to adjust the suspension mode to "light off-road" and "Soft". That’s it! 30 seconds was all it took to make the adjustment. One must have lived both situations to assess this option at its fair value. When I went on washboard sections with the Rallye, yes, there were still vibrations transmitted to the handle bar, but the difference was huge - much smoother!

 

Over the 115 miles (178 km) to Parent, there are several stretches that are fast. It even becomes quite euphoric. One can get caught in the game, thinking it is a race and often noticing the speedometer is over 60 mph (100 km/h). Then suddenly, a sand patch…this is not a ride for the faint of heart!  I have noticed a few more white hairs on my head since the ride. On many occasions I told myself: “That’s it, I’m cooked, I’m gonna bite the dust.”  On those occasions, the only thing to do is to abandon the bike to the road and l let it work its magic. Finally, one realises that the main skills to develop are to keep a good balance standing on the pegs and do slight course adjustment when the road gets tough.

A straight section of the road after the passage of a vehicle.

Here the 110-80/19 front wheel of the Rallye had an obvious stability advantage over the Versys 120-90/17 wheel.  Most likely a thinner 21 inches wheel would have been the ideal choice.

Some pictures midway at the Longs Rapids

Signs indicating the direction of Parent, Lunic, outfitters, Lake Mary and so on.

 

Longs Rapids

 

Trucks and other vehicles on the road

Loaded logger truck.  There are many on the way.

The biggest source of stress is moving into the cloud of dust raised by these large vehicles in their path. One should slow down a lot, visibility is almost zero. Fortunately, the road is quite wide and there is plenty of space.

One of numerous blind turns

There are many blind turns where you cannot see what is coming from the other side. One must keep to the right of the road as much as possible in case an oncoming vehicle requires more space to take the detour.

 

To be continued...part 3

DSAQ

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12oo GS Rallye 2012: Ride to Parent: part 1

After BMW Canada offered me the Rallye for a week, I wondered which type of road I should ride to test it out to its full potential.  I have read here and there about the ride to Parent and I was hoping to have an occasion this year to make it - the stars were aligned,  the Rallye was about to be in my driveway, I was on vacation, so be it!

 

	In fact, I made the same ride twice in a week: -the first time with my Versys on July the 19th, a few days before I received the BMW – making the ride first with my own bike would give me a point of comparison; -the second time on July 27 with the Rallye, after my first ride with the BMW to Mont Tremblant Park. So I’ll be describing mostly the second ride.
St-Eustache(A)-Parent(C), through Mont St-Michel(B) : 400km

First section between St-Eustache and Mont St-Michel

The first section was mainly on highway 15 North and 117 to Mont Laurier.

This road is quite nice when we look at the scenery, but nothing too exciting on the motorcycle riding side. The road is fast without many curves, it often slows down to cross the different villages on the 117.

It did allow me to appreciate the ride on the 1200GS. The first observation: the saddle is truly one of the most comfortable I've had the chance to try.  Even my passenger on a previous ride appreciated it. So a big plus for the GS.

Second, the windshield: it looks a little short, but surprisingly, it is very effective. With the big handguards, the wind protection is optimal. I caught myself a few times riding at 80 mph (130 km/h) and I had to constantly watch the odometer to maintain a reasonable pace, especially since there were many police patrols in this construction holiday period.

And finally: the engine of the GS - a strong presence and plenty of torque at all speeds. There are no parasitic vibrations caused by the engine and the mirrors are perfectly clear at almost all RPM (the vision is slightly blurred around 4000rpm). Passing a car is effortless and really makes you feel the constant pull no matter if you drive on an upward slope or a flat section of the road.

The only thing this bike is missing to be perfect on long road trip is a cruise control.

[Installation of a Throttle Rocker] After some 30 miles, my right hand was getting numb.

I discovered the Throttle Rocker a couple years ago.  It wraps around the handle and allows you to use your wrist to apply gas and free your hand from constant stress.  A well invested 15$.

Then I spun to Mont St. Michel without stopping.

 

10 a.m. Even if the seat is comfortable,  140 miles (225 km) non-stop is something.

There is a rest area near the Lièvre (Hare) River on the 311 before arriving at Mont St-Michel.

Yet again an occasion to take some pictures.

 

Lièvre (Hare) River, passing under the 311, near Mont St. Michel, Quebec

 

Lunch at the rest area near Mont St. Michel ... (Almost too good looking, that bike…)

To be continued…Part 2

Ciao!
DSAQ

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Ride to Mont Tremblant Park with the Rally: The finale

Part 1 I Part 2

[A trail for the 1200GS Rally] This picture is the continuity of the15 East.  The road also branched to the right.  I rode a long way on this path.

Not quite a spectacular picture, but yet this is what the motorcycle adventurers seek above all: a road with an interesting challenge, much like Scotch Road which I wrote about in part 1.

After several miles, when I realized that the road did not lead to an end (I could go on and on), I turned around - there were two other attractions that I really wanted to see and I had to head back to Lake Superior road to get there.

Anyway, for this road, I will certainly have other opportunities to see what's at the end of it.

 

7. Continue on Lake Superior road...

After a few kilometers, there is an indication for the “Croche” fall . There is a 300 meter walk along a charming forest path before you get there.

Above, the “De la Diable” waterfall. A 15 meter (50 feet) high waterfall which is one of the principal attractions in the area. The intense downpour of the previous day increased the river flow which - according to frequent visitors - made ​​the falls more attractive. There is a beautiful forest trail (half a mile) that you need to walk to get there.

***

I went back to Mont Tremblant Park with my family a few days later. The kids loved running on the paths that lead to each waterfall. We also rented canoes at lake “Escalier” which is a little further. And finally, we had a great time at the beach. It was truly a day enjoyed by all!

***

Back on Lake Superior road, there are 20 kilometers of gravel road and more beautiful scenery, lakes, beaches, campgrounds, bicycle paths, and probably several other trails just waiting to be discovered by adventure motorcycle enthusiasts. Once the unpaved road ends, it’s back to regional roads ...

8.  So, what does 110 ponies @ 6675 rpm mean?  …this road had the answer…

 ………………yes, that’s it - a big smile on my face - on each gear.  Of course, we are not talking sport bike performances, but the 1200GS 110 hps has quite a lot of punch at all rpms from first to last gear.  However, what impressed me the most was the windshield efficiency – at high speed and with a hybrid helmet, air was still flowing around me.

That is it for this ride.  It was great, the bike was great, the weather was perfect…I could not have wished for more. 

I have created a video montage that shows all the ride shots with great music... Enjoy!  and thanks for watching.

Entrez la légende de la vidéo ici

Next ride: the real test.

Ciao!

dsaq

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Ride to Mont Tremblant Park with the Rally: part 2

 

See part 1

3. Turn left on Harrington road then right on Red River (Riviere Rouge) road…

Despite the fact that Red River road is a gravel road, it does not require any particular riding abilities nor a specific bike – a cruiser could ride here no problem.

So this road is not a challenge for the 1200GS Rally.  However, the TKC 80s tires installed on the bike, as well as its torquey engine can turn this road into a somewhat interesting playground.

A couple of things worth nothing: the view is magnificent along the Red River and the hillside fields offer a panoramic view as well.

If you pay attention, you cannot miss the Buddhist monastery on the right side of Red River road.

I like to stop at this place from time to time to take some pics, the change of scenery is astonishing – each time I get the feeling I took a bypass to Asia.

I am not Buddhist of course, but the monks that live here are very courteous and accept “visitors” into the area.  While remaining respectful of the place I take some pictures and  continue my journey.

4. Continue on Red River road, then take the 327 North, then the 117 South and finally take the exit to Lake Supérieur…

Following the Lake Supérieur road, you eventually arrive in Lake Supérieur town.  The landscape here is absolutely beautiful and I could not resist: I stopped to take some pictures.  Above, the Lake Superior with a mountain range in the background.

 

Other pictures of Lake Supérieur.  Left, a steep hillside that seems appropriate for climbing.  Right, a windsurfer on the Lake Supérieur.

5. Continue on Lac Supérieur road…

…that eventually lead to the Mont Tremblant Park gate.  There is a 6$ fee per adult (there is a family fee of 12$).

Once in the park, it's a cascade of breathtaking landscapes. The Mont Tremblant Park is certainly one of the most beautiful places in Québec.

 

For the early birds (you must arrive at the park entrance in the morning to register), it is possible to ride down the river by canoe.

6. Optional, turn right onto 15 East ...

The 15 East (unpaved road) proved to be the highlight of this tour.

At some point, I thought I was dreaming - I was driving a beautiful motorcycle on a gorgeous road while a splendid summer sun illuminated my path.

Here are some pictures of this paradise ...

I still get chills looking at these pictures. Several times during the ride I told myself: “I’m such a lucky bastard to see all this!  Someone pinch me!”  What a beautiful moment of moto adventuring ...

To be continued…see the last part.

Ciao!

dsaq

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BMW 1200GS Rally 2012: First Contact

Fan-tas-tic!  That is the first thought that came to mind after a first day with the 1200GS Rally edition.

It is sublime, powerful, comfortable and so on… this bike has all the charm needed to win over a motorcycle adventurist.

When I asked my contact at Moto Internationale if it would be possible to have dual sport tires, BMW Canada authorized the installation of TKC 80s to allow me to ride the bike under many different conditions.

So the plan for next few days is:

• ride long distances on paved roads to better evaluate seat comfort, wind protection, gas consumption and better understand what 110 hp @7750 rpm means!!;
• ride the Scotch road, the best place I know for a first feeling of a bike on unpaved roads;
• then the Lac des Plages (Beaches Lake) fire roads;
• and more…

The Quebec motorcycle “bible” (Guide de la moto 2012) rants and raves about the bike – so my expectations are high, but based on this first day, things are off to a good start!

Read more: Ride to Mont-Tremblant

Ciao!

dsaq

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