When KTM first rolled out the 350 EXC-F back in 2012, it changed the game. Up until that point, riders were pretty much forced to choose sides; rev the guts out of a 250 or hang on to a 450. There wasn’t really anything in between that genuinely worked across both ends of the spectrum. Then KTM dropped the 350, and suddenly everything made sense.
It had enough bottom-end torque to lug through technical terrain, enough top-end to stretch its legs when things opened up, and most importantly, it didn’t try to kill you in the process. It quickly built a reputation as the “do-it-all” bike, something you could trail ride, race, or just enjoy without feeling like you were constantly fighting it. Fast forward nearly 15 years, and that same question still hangs over the bike: is the 350 EXC-F still the ultimate mid-capacity trail weapon?
For 2026, the answer isn’t as simple as “what’s new?” because, on paper, not much has changed. There are fresh graphics and minor updates, but the real overhaul happened back in 2024 when the bike received a completely new platform, frame, engine, suspension, electronics, the lot. Since then, it’s been a process of refinement rather than reinvention. So instead of asking what’s changed this year, the real question is whether KTM has kept the 350 at the top while the rest of the market has caught up.
To find out, we threw a leg over the 2026 model with two very different riders, Wes Mills and Jeff Briggs, guys who sit at opposite ends of the size, speed, and riding spectrum. If a bike works for both of them, you know you’re onto something.
A Bike Everyone Understands
Before we even hit the trail, there’s something worth pointing out, everyone already kind of knows what a 350 is meant to be. It’s that mythical “perfect” capacity that blends the best bits of a 250 and a 450. But that doesn’t always translate in reality. Early 350s felt like a compromise. A bit of everything, but not quite enough of anything.
That’s no longer the case.
“Back in the early days, I didn’t really enjoy 350s,” Wes admitted. “They felt like a slow 450. But now, it’s just its own thing. It’s not like you’re taking a bit from a 250 and a bit from a 450, it’s just a perfect capacity.”
Mr Smooth
If there’s one thing that defines the 350 EXC-F, it’s the engine. And the first thing that stood out, again, was just how smooth it is.
“The motor’s just so gentle,” Briggsy said. “It doesn’t beat you up, it never gets away from you. But when you want it to turn on, it’s got that torque. It’s nipping at a 450’s heels.”
That’s the magic of the 350. It doesn’t hit hard, it doesn’t spike, and it doesn’t try to rip your arms off. Instead, it builds power in a way that’s incredibly predictable. You can crawl it, rev it, or sit somewhere in the middle, and it just keeps delivering.
“It’s so smooth and linear,” Wes added. “There’s no real hit anywhere. It just builds and builds, and you can use all of it.”
That linear delivery is what makes it so versatile. On tight single track, you can short shift and let the torque do the work. On open fire roads, you can wind it out and it’ll keep pulling.
And compared to a 250, the difference is obvious when the terrain turns nasty. “You come to a long hill climb and the 250 might start to struggle,” Briggsy explained. “But the 350 just has that extra torque. It lets you carry third gear more, which makes everything smoother, braking, acceleration, traction, everything.”
That ability to carry a taller gear is a huge advantage. Less shifting, less clutch work, and more momentum. It’s not just about power, it’s about how usable that power is.
Boxing
One of the standout traits of the 2026 KTM 350 EXC-F is how well the engine, gearbox, and traction all work together. “The six-speed gearbox is perfect for trail riding,” Briggsy said. “You’ve got that spread where you can really use third gear a lot more, and that makes everything smoother.”
That smoothness translates directly into traction. When you’re not constantly stabbing the clutch or bouncing off the limiter, the bike stays planted. It tracks better, hooks up better, and ultimately makes you a better rider. “It just gives you more traction everywhere,” Briggsy continued. “That’s the bonus of the 350.”
And when it comes to modern fuel-injected four-strokes, one issue that always comes up is flame-outs. Tight terrain, low revs, technical sections, this is where a lot of bikes fall over. But not here, not like it used to anyway. “Unlike a lot of guys, I’ve never found these to flame out,” Briggsy said. “They’re just smooth. You can roll into corners, roll through them, and they don’t just die on you.”
Wes backed that up too. “I use a lot of clutch, but even then, these just don’t flame out. They’re really forgiving.” That’s a big tick, especially for less experienced riders.
Firm but fair
While the engine gets most of the attention, the suspension on the latest 350 deserves just as much credit. “I really like that they brought back the closed cartridge forks,” Briggsy said. “They’re a massive bonus. You can tune them properly, get them really close to that KYB feel that I like.”
That’s a big call, but it highlights just how far KTM has come with its suspension. The old setups had their soft moments, but this current generation feels far more refined. “They’ve definitely improved them,” he added. “They were good before, but these are hard to beat now.”
Wes had a slightly different take initially. “I actually softened them up a bit at the start,” he said. “They felt a bit stiff compared to what I expected from an enduro bike.” But as the day went on, that opinion started to shift. “Once I got comfortable and started carrying more speed, it actually made sense. I’d probably go back closer to the original settings now.” Wes is about 80kg.
At the rear, KTM’s PDS system continues to divide opinion, but in this terrain, it shines. “I find it tracks really well over the small stuff,” Briggsy said. “Tree roots, little chop, it’s better than linkage in that sort of terrain.”
Easy to handle
All KTM’s nowadays have a familiar feel. They have a generic cockpit setup that just feels natural and easy to get along with straight away. This comes from being around so many years but also because they got it right. “It’s got that 250 cornering feel,” Briggsy explained. “But with more torque. So you get the best of both worlds.”
That combination is what makes the bike so easy to ride. It turns easily, it doesn’t feel heavy, and it never feels like it’s trying to overpower you. “You can ride it however you want,” Wes said. “You can lug it, you can rev it, you can ride it aggressively or just cruise. It does everything.”
That adaptability is what makes the 350 stand out. Despite being a trail-focused bike, it’s more capable than you might think. “You could take this on a motocross track and it’d still go alright,” Wes added. “Maybe a few seconds slower, but the motor’s more than capable.”
Who Is It For?
This is where things get interesting, because the answer is pretty simple. When we discussed who would suit the 2026 KTM 350 EXC-F, Briggsy summed it up best: “Everyone”.
And he’s not wrong. “I’ve recommended these to mates who are brand new to riding, and they love them,” he continued. “But I’ve also raced one myself. It works for both.”
That’s the beauty of the 350. It’s not intimidating for beginners, but it’s still capable enough for experienced riders. “They don’t beat you up like a 450,” Briggsy added. “But they’ve still got enough torque to get you around a track or through a race.”
For vet riders, weekend warriors, and even racers, it makes a lot of sense. “It’s just so versatile,” Wes said. “You can do anything on it.” A Punter could even race it in the desert but that is probably the only discipline where you’re going to want something more powerful.
Still the King?
So after all these years, is the KTM 350 EXC-F still the ultimate mid-capacity trail bike? It’s a tough question, because the competition has definitely caught up. There are more options now than ever, 300s, 390s, even smaller capacity four-strokes that are starting to show mid-cap power.
But there’s a reason the 350 is still the benchmark. KTM didn’t just create a new capacity, they created a new way of thinking about bikes. Instead of choosing between power and agility, you can have both.
And while other brands are now playing in that space, the 350 still feels like the most complete package. “It really is the mid-capacity pinnacle,” Briggsy said.
That might sound like a big statement, but after riding it, it’s hard to argue.
The Benchmark Still Holds
Fifteen years on, the KTM 350 EXC-F still does exactly what it was designed to do, and that’s make riding easier, more enjoyable, and more accessible for a wider range of riders.
It’s not the most powerful bike, it’s not the lightest, and it’s not the most aggressive. But what it does better than almost anything else is balance.
Balance between power and control.
Balance between performance and comfort.
Balance between beginner-friendly and race-ready.
That’s why it’s lasted this long, and that’s why it’s still so relevant today.
In a world where bikes are becoming more specialised, the 350 EXC-F remains one of the few that can genuinely do it all. And until something comes along that can match that level of versatility, it’s safe to say the king of the middleweights isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
WHAT’S NEW
Fuel Tank & Mounting
The transparent XPE fuel tank gets an updated mounting system to hold it more securely and reduce frame wear. Fuel pump and filter access has also been improved, making servicing easier.
Switchgear
New simplified switchgear features a cleaner start/stop setup, with an optional map switch allowing riders to toggle between Map 1 and Map 2 on the fly.
Graphics & Ergonomics
Fresh in-mould graphics bring a sharper look with updated colours, while a new high-grip seat cover and matching textured contact points improve rider feel and durability.
WP XACT Closed-Cartridge Fork
The 48mm fork gets lighter internal components, revised damping and updated internals, dropping around 200g while improving feel and adjustability.
WP XPLOR PDS Shock
Updated settings in the rear shock improve balance and consistency, keeping the PDS setup working better across varied terrain.
Cooling & Details
A new radiator cap design and small cooling refinements improve usability, while the LED headlight and mask get improved mounting and protection.
2026 KTM 350 EXC-F
ENGINE
Type: Single-cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement: 349.7cc
Fuel System: Keihin EFI, 42mm throttle body
Engine Management: Keihin EMS
Gearbox: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet DDS multi-disc, Brembo hydraulics
Primary Drive: 24:72
DIMENSIONS
Seat Height: 963mm
Ground Clearance: 347mm
Fuel Tank: 8.5L
Weight (dry): 106.8kg
SUSPENSION
Front: WP XACT USD fork, 48mm, compression and rebound adjustable, 300mm travel
Rear: WP XPLOR shock with PDS, compression, rebound and preload adjustable, 310mm travel
BRAKES & Tyres
Front: Brembo, Disc brake
Rear: Brembo Disc brake
Tyre: Maxxis MaxxEnduro
RRP: $17,165
Warranty: 6 months
Website: ktm.com/en-au
