I have a Tard question,,,,no the Re kind

A Big thank you on wheel size! I spent hrs last night window shopping wheel set ups,and Im dumb as a hammer for where to start.as this will be my first Tardo !

 

Wow, I’m obviously out of touch. I reallly was getting a smoking deal on my kids R6. All the other bikes I rebuilt them myself, except the time I paid Ben Solis to port and stuff one of our RS125’s. It really woke it up.

On the Moriwaki, I did this too, after every race weekend. It held so little oil, you actually checked it during the race weekend, too.

I’ve thought about buying a KTM350 EXC-F. Do those require that much oil maintenance, too? I would not be racing it, just single track, fire roads, and possibly a little street riding to get to a local trail or between trails.

 

You’re gonna want 17s front and rear, and my suspicion is you’re not going to be able to fit a 5” back there comfortably (that’s what she said) so a 4.25” is going to be your best bet.

Look around on advrider or somewhere else and they’ll have the “KTM wheel fitment interchangeability” chart so you can see what other models you can source wheels from (helps when perusing Facebook marketplace for sumo wheels).

If you go retail, Warp 9 is the general default for reasonable quality and price.

 

I got the RL. I'm only 50 miles into ownership, but already think it's a winner. I rode it to bike night last week and came home on the highway, I was shocked that at 75-80mph there was almost no vibration at all. Honda claimed they built it that way and they didn't lie. Next week I'm taking it to my MIL's property in West Virginia so I can get some proper off-road use.

 

Thanks again man!! I found one Warp 9 rear already set up for my bike,and a front from another seller,cept that guy is a little too steep on the fronts price. Gonna definitely get the rear,and hopefully the front!

 

Funny... I did the LBJ enduro last month on a 4 stroke 350 I have very little seat time on. I struggled on the first test then settled in and started reeling people in little by little. At the start of the last test I was chatting with an older rider who made fun of me riding a "diesel"... then pointed out I should train on the 4 stroke and race the 2T. Did a HS event after and god damn if he wasn't bullshitting because after being dead last off the start I started picking off riders onesy twosey in & out of corners. Finished 4th out of 30+ riders in a 3hr event.
Obviously that strategy is terrain dependent... but the 4 strokes really like to turn some rpm and need airflow over the radiators.

 

It's almost the same bike as my Husky FE 350s, though there are several things different. I much prefer the Husky as the rear linkage allows it sit a good bit lower. I would suggest you avoid buying a GasGas, as they use older tech suspenders and BrakTec hydraulics. I will also suggest you only look at 2024 and up versions, as they updated and 'fixed' a lot of things that year. '25 and '26 Huskys mostly are fitted with Brembo hydraulics, but I'm not sure about the slightly lower spec 'Heritage' version. In Husky's '25 model page it shows a picture of a bike with Brembo brakes, but the description below says it comes with BrakTec brakes. There are a lot of minute differences between the models, as well as some debate about what these differences are. Let me know if you have questions about them.

You'll love any version you buy and no, they do not require as much maintenance as your Moriwaki, as it sounds like you won't be wringing it's neck quite as hard. I sure don't, as it pulls plenty strong and smooth down low and rips when revved.

I'm sure you are aware this is the exact same motor (minus the Ti valves they added later) fitted in the Talent Cup APX-350 MA bikes. You can ask those who raced them this year what they think of this motor.

My '24 FE 350s is one of my all-time favorite bikes after 2,600 miles of ~ 80% dirt dual-sport riding. Valves were in spec. when checked and I've been pretty slowly making mods. to in the 16 months I've owned it. The rear fender and related lights will require some changes if you do much dirt however.

 

I would not sweat the Braketec thing... that was a supply issue.
When I bought my 2024 I read a bunch of unwarranted complaints from "non-race" types about how poorly their non brembo branded components were working, but in the same breath praised Magura with mineral oil binders.
You can buy a brand new Nissin caliper, master, & custom brake line for less than $500 thats been used on YZs for 20+ years.
In my riding club the complainers were offered a free diag... 2 folks followed up and were found to have air trapped where the brake line rises out of the master. After a proper bench bleed these brakes had every bit of force the cast brembos have. Simply grabbing the brake lever isnt the full story... does the lever have enough force to settle the front???
Also the GG & Husky bikes typically use a different swing arm from the KTM branded models.
I know for a fact you can put the KTM fuel tank & body on a 24+ GasGas if you wanted the seat with the exposed bolt.

 

I agree with you on the functionality of the BrakTec components and other things you said, @TurboBlew . Unfortunately though, I learned at KTM World /Highland Park last November that the BrakTec lever on my Husky does not interchange with the Brembo lever and costs three times as much as a Brembo lever, which they had in stock.

 

Depends who you talk to.

I smoked the top end of mine (2017 Husky 350) when the plastic oil gear deformed. Rebuilt head but the crank was fine, so I've got an (effectively) brand new motor.

It does street and kart track (backup bike for when my 150 isn't available) action during the warmer months, and when riding it on the street I'm effectively riding it like I'm on track (all gas, all the time).

Will change it to a winter trails bike for the Pine Barrens fairly soon.

I recently removed the reeds/desmogged and installed a Vortex ECU and fucking christ this thing rips now (I think it's a claimed 50+ horsepower, but whatever it is it's pretty amazing for a bike that weighs less than I do after a big dinner).

Mine's also got a 320mm front and I installed the stock master off of my KTM 690 SMCR for some more braking power.

@ToofPic I just went out in the garage and took some pics, but one thing to be aware of is that you're going to need to cut the fork protector shrouds for the wider front tire to clear.

 

@ToofPic I just went out in the garage and took some pics, but one thing to be aware of is that you're going to need to cut the fork protector shrouds for the wider front tire to clear.[/QUOTE]
Awesome man!! I'm all about some Dremel time! Thanks again for all the tips! So it doesn't rub in any transition,dips,wheelies?

 

If it does, I don’t feel it

 

I would not do a 4.5 rear. 5.0 is the way to go. Reason being are choices in tire size. Change the oil alot and get some street friendly gearing. 08 is not a favorable engine as the twin cams had issues early on. 07 was the last of the RFS engines. I have had about 20 street motards and they are a blast. Do it and go have some fun. My current street tard is a 2006 KTM 525 exc.

 

That’s the DOHC rare version engine only from 07-10

mid have bought those parts in a second. I’ve had great luck with those on eBay.

 

A Lot Of yall are confusion the 530 with the RFS platform.

complete different engine family.

the 530 was the newer version single on the dual sport bikes around 2010 till like maybe 16osh.

can’t remember exactly but yes some of those parts are pricey.
Definitely a reliable steed though.

if you’re gonna keep it, send it to me,

the cranks in those and trans are pretty solid. At 5k I’d not touch the bottom end unless needed.

If mine and keeping ot I would do a Piston/cylinder matched set and a valve kit. Basically rebuild top end.

of you do it yourself you’re looking maybe 5-6 hours if you’re mechanical.

non special tools on those. The previous DOHC family requires a special tool to do can timing.

this engine is simple that you’re working with

 

What wheels are those? Tubeless?? I been looking at wheels kinda like those,but just don't know enough to pull the trigger,so bout a new 12 Ga, semi while I decide!

 

Thank you Robby! The motor has me skeert! Im staying up on the oil changes,and have always been loyal Orange working for KTM in the past.
Since my original post,I got smacked up by a Doe riding home a week back. I came out of a corner,and she smacked me really hard in my left foot/leg. I got a purple foot,and some broken toes,but stayed up!
dragging. Damn Rut has the deer all horned up,and coyote chasing them I guess?

 

Those look like Marchesinis, and yes to them being tubeless.

Even if you find some spoked sumo wheels on FB marketplace that require tubes, it just takes some 3M tape and a couple of hours to make them tubeless.