The 350 platform has been a popular one in recent years, offering a balance between the lighter weight of a 250 and edging towards the power of a 450. GasGas has released a new generation package from top to bottom with the 2024 MC 350F, and MotoOnline Tested the new bike at the global press launch in Italy.

Before I get into this review, I must say that this is always the bike I’m looking forward to riding most. That in-between mix of the 250 and 450 always intrigues me, seeing how it will all balance out and what they’ll come up with next. For a more extensive technical rundown, view Detailed.

The Citta di Castello circuit might have been the perfect track for the 350. A mix of off-camber turns, big uphills, steep downhills and a really hard-packed surface made it a tricky track to ride. The 250 was awesome to turn, while the 450 powered up the hills with ease, so a mix of both sounds perfect, right?

Image: Supplied.

I started out the day on the MC 250F, so after riding that and seeing its cornering capabilities, I was excited to see what its big brother could do with that extra power on the climbs and it’s safe to say it didn’t disappoint.

The 2024 GasGas MC 350F is the perfect bike for someone that is looking for more power than a 250, but not necessarily as much as the 450. It maintains that light, nimble feeling, while adding that 450 surge up the hills. If there was one thing I’d pick that I didn’t like, it’d be the gearing. I felt second gear had a huge punch off the bottom, but revved out a little too quickly. I’ve noticed this in the past on the 350 and usually one tooth down on the rear sprocket made all the difference.

Equipped with a 14-tooth sprocket on the front and a 52-tooth sprocket on the rear, my opinion is that a 51-tooth sprocket on the rear would be better suited. It doesn’t quite have the guts to pull third and fourth gear like the 450, so changing that rear sprocket makes second gear a little more user-friendly and eliminates having to shift immediately out of the turns.

Moving to the electronics, my opinion here is much the same as the 450. On the hard-pack and slippery surface we were testing on, my favoured option was the more mellow map. I felt I had more control of the power the the tricky turns and the power was more progressive throughout the range.

Image: Sebas Romero.

That being said, different tracks require different settings and that’s the beauty of having options. I think in softer or sandier conditions, the aggressive option would be the way to go. It had more punch down low, but I felt it was a little less torquey through the mid-range of the power.

The WP Suspension works well in the 350. I think settings-wise that they hit the nail on the head best with this bike, especially charging hard into the turns over the bumps. The stock settings were not as soft as the 250F and it was quite noticeable. As a result, the 48mm XACT forks felt like they held up a little more charging the downhills, which is something I was looking for a little more out of the 250.

Paired with the redesigned WP XACT rear shock, I loved the balance of this bike. GasGas really nailed it with this new shock, it works exceptionally well in the hard, choppy bumps, especially exiting the turns. But, if there’s one thing I’m most excited about, it’s the ability to adjust clickers on the fly with no tools needed. The forks and shock come with hand-adjustable clickers for the high and low-speed compression and rebound, which make it so much easier to change.

Image: Supplied.

For 2024, Braktec brakes and updated calipers have been added, and many people tend to form an opinion about them without even trying them out. However, in my experience, the Braktec brakes and hydraulic clutch were just as good as Brembo. I couldn’t tell the difference between the two, except for the rounder shape of the levers and I personally prefer them.

Overall, my opinion on the 350 remains the same as ever. It’s a bike that is perfect for a range of different people, but enhanced with the new generation package in line with the latest KTMs and Husqvarnas, and is suitable whether you’re a casual rider or even a pro.

For the young MX2 racers, I think it’s a great tool to use for training as the 350 and 250 share a number of similarities, as well as it providing an ideal power-to-weight ratio for riders that might need a little more on hand than a 250, but not as much as a 450. I love the package that GasGas has come up with for 2024 – I’m a huge fan.

Specifications

Engine type: 349.7cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke
Bore/stroke: 88×57.5mm
Transmission: Five-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch: Braktec hydraulic
Traction control: Yes
Launch control: Yes
Front suspension: WP Xact 48mm
Rear suspension: WP Xact shock
Front brake: Braktec 260mm disc
Rear brake: Braktec 220mm disc
Tyres: Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST
Weight: 102.5kg (without fuel)
Availability: September 2023
Further information: www.gasgas.com.au