NoobCorpse
Active member
No worries, doesn't sound patronizing at all - it's a valid question. Truth be told my "commute" is literally 8-10 minutes in duration and mostly urban. There's another couple of EXC-Fs (one 350 and one 500) that park nearby with similar commute times and by their telling it's not super hard on the engine - still higher maintenance than typical streetable supermotos (drz, wr, smc) but totally doable.
I'm not shy to do maintenance on dirt bikes; I'm still pretty new to it but have been getting better over time and the garage is almost fully kitted out with everything I need
My 2012 350 exc-f maint schedule is oil & filter (change or clean) every 15 operating hours. The dash has an odo and hour meter to keep track. For me, a typical day of farting around Metcalf's single track and trails and the GP track (oh I love the GP track) is about 3-4 operating hours a trip, sometimes less, for about 4-5 hours of day riding at Metcalf. This works out to an oil change every 4-5 outings or so, which is about the same as any dirt bike's maint schedule for oil & filter. I think they recommend valve checks at 30 and 60 hours, mine were in 100% in spec both times. The real kick to the nuts is the recommended oil (Motorex 4T 10W40 I think) is expensive, I think $18/qt? The 350 takes 1.1 qts.
I wouldn't recommend any KTM dirt bike as a freeway commuter, you'll just rack up hours too fast - I did the SheetIron 300 on mine in 2013 and that pretty much was a 15 operating hour event (maybe 1 or 2 trips to metcalf as well). As a dirt bike with occasional SuMo sweetness, you can't go wrong though - expect to become proficient at breaking your chain link and swapping chain lengths each time though. I am running 13/48 for dirt, I think SuMo sprocket is 44 or so, even 14-44 or 14-45 you'll need a 2nd chain.
If you want a commuter / SuMo / fire road bomber hooligan machine, I would highly, highly recommend you seek out Husqvarna's new 701 SM. That thing is pure boner jam, and it's only about $1500 or so more than a brand-spanking-new 350 EXC-F, I think. I dunno how PITA it is to do wheel swaps with the 701 enduro wheels (basically a ktm 690 enduro), but it depends on what kind of riding you want to do most.
Hope this helps!
Edit: OP I just saw your commute is 8-10 mins on urban/city streets - in which case, go nuts
The 350 won't be too much power for you on dirt, and it'll be just enough on street.
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