Freeride E-XC: Gearing, Set-Up & Basic Riding Tips

[@ryandundas2851]

Have you experimented at all with different size rear sprockets? Or only the front? I am considering a rear sprocket with a few more teeth, but I'm not sure what to go with. Can't seem to find anything online of people trying a larger rear spocket on the E-XC.

[@JohnHowerton137]

Did you get a notification days ago about a reply? I replied to this days ago!!! Spent chunk of my lunch break to do it. Let me know. I’m so sick of KZbin losing and censoring my comments I could scream. They censored like 5 of my comments one day trying to reply to a guy about which activity watch to buy. Seriously… exercise and a watch? Then I was commenting with Broc Glover and they were censoring all my comments 😡 These algos and AI bots they’re using now are redic.

[@ryandundas2851]

@@JohnHowerton137 Hey John I appreciate your response. Yea it looks like your first reply was lost because I didn't get a notification before this one. However I may have answered my own question. I've done some research and found there may not even be a larger rear sprocket available for this bike. My 2022 has the same rear hub as the 85 SX with the 4 bolt pattern. I was about to order a sprocket for an 85 but it uses a 428 chain, not a 520. I have found some sprockets for the Freeride 250 but it looks like those have a 6 bolt pattern. Curious if you have found any others that fit the bike.

[@JohnHowerton137]

@@ryandundas2851 that’s exactly what my response was about 🤣 I never did try switching to 428 because figured the torque was too high in the ebike, but Andy at dirtfirst racing ended up going to it and he told me that he hadn’t had any problems. So running 85 sprockets and chain could be an option. I actually did find some obscure sprocket making companies that could or did make 520 versions of 85/Freeride sprockets, but I think there might be a chain guide clearance issue or something above 47T and I didn’t want to drop $100 to find out. Remember that 1T on the front is generally equal to 3-3.5 on the rear. I’d personally like +2 rear or -1 front for the power, but it’ll probably drop the usable speed to about 40mph. That would be fine with me as I was using mine in very tight quarters at the time and just wanted big power for blasting out of corners and into jump faces (no clutch right) and generally am 0-30mph on/off. Hope that helps.

[@turtlebmx]

Where do you get number plates?

[@JohnHowerton137]

They are from the gas Freerides.

[@TheGdcb]

What are the times like between the E and the 2 stroke?

[@JohnHowerton137]

Haven't got to compare them yet, because the days I rode them back to back I messed up and rode one corner different so the GPS didn't recognize them as the same course 🤦🏼‍♂️ My guess is... in one minute lap the E is 5 sec faster. The second time I rode the E was an MX track. The times on the 250SX were only 2 seconds faster. One catch... the track was dry when I rode the 250. It started raining and track was super muddy when I rode the E. Slick to the point you couldn't even stand up on the hills. The E would have smoked my 250 that day and it was still on the mushy showroom suspension and didn't know how to ride the thing. I raced 250s in Int/A for 5 years so they're not new to me. I'm going to race this thing. People are going to see the negative's that everyone bitches about, are nothing more than people who don't know what they're doing with motorcycles and internet parrots regurgitating what they said. The bike works. On small or tight stuff it's definitely my favorite bike I've ever owned or ridden. Can't wait to get it set up well. I took the 12T off today. I suspect it was negatively affecting my battery life due to more load on the motor.

[@adrienwiwi1077]

@@JohnHowerton137 Are you sure it affect the battery life ? maybe i could do a test, but i have not enough time to do it in the same condition. What i am sure, is that the temperature greatly affect the battery life like other electric moto, i have a 10% difference between winter and summer in France

[@danvalley6524]

Future episode suggestion.. I'll have to buy e-ride out of state, a 1500 mile round trip. So taking it back for service (gear oil change..) would be 60+gallon of spent gas😪 Might forgo warrantee and change it myself. (Was led believe only need to do it once..) so chance 'em. ?? A how to video, maybe? But you seem to have a good report with KTM, so if they put the kibosh on that, then nevermind 😇

[@JohnHowerton137]

I doubt it would void warranty. The gear oil is 200cc (.21q) and they even tell you what kind (SAE 80w/90 gear). I’ll do a video come time (35 more hours 🤣) .

[@LammensB]

Thanks for the great informative video. I do have a small question. I’m not a motorcross guy (more light enduro) so forgive me my ignorance. But why do you give throttle mid air in a big jump? I have heard it twice in this video during the same jump :)

[@JohnHowerton137]

On hard landings you rev the engine and land under load to stiffen the rear suspension.

[@JohnHowerton137]

Bram Lammens it's also used to drop the rear end in the air. ...and helps the rear come back around on whips (gyro). ...and it becomes habit to land under power to go faster. Basically it's just the cool thing to do... you know... if you want to be the cool kid. LOL There, now I've properly covered the question. Sorry for my previous laziness 🤣

[@LammensB]

John Howerton thanks a lot ;-)

[@daspedal3798]

Imagine two separate calipers on the same rear brake disc. One going to the handle bar the other one going to a pedal. That would be interesting

[@JohnHowerton137]

I believe it would be. And very powerful! I’m hoping I can find a way to keep both, but not sure it’s so easy.

[@MrErichonda30]

What was top speed before and after?

[@JohnHowerton137]

Didn’t get to check. Before it would hit 50... Just barely. I’d call it 47 with knobbies. I’ll do a road test soon.

[@adrienwiwi1077]

@@JohnHowerton137 On the road for me on the counter, i don't try with a GPS : 11 teeth (origine) : 49,5 mph 12 teeth : 54,5 mph 13 teeth : 59 mph

[@JohnHowerton137]

Adrien Wiwi very good information! Did it take a while for 13T to reach that? And did it effect the battery negatively?

[@adrienwiwi1077]

John Howerton no it is like the original top speed, but for me you loose too much acceleration with 13 so I try it only 10mn and the chain need to be changed with 13 cause it is too tense with it, you need too add one link. I use 12 since the beginning, so I don’t know how it affects exactly the battery but when I compare to other, I am doing the same mileage and for me it is the best, I do enduro in forest and i don’t need more top speed.

[@JohnHowerton137]

Adrien Wiwi I'm finding the 12T pretty good too. I think I miss mode 2 being a little more powerful, but I'm going to try mode 3 a little more because I think I will need it in the motocross racing. The 12T makes it a little more forgiving in loose corners. Map 2 would be amazing if the throttle was 1/4 turn 😍 too much movement. For enduro racing mode 2 might be perfect. Harder to make mistakes when tired, especially with so far to turn in the throttle.

[@douggraham5575]

I forgot to mention that I like your bike trailer. I pull a Sherpax single wheel trailer. I've used it twice for Baja trips on the 701 and I'm thinking about using it lightly loaded for some BDR trips on the TE300i. I've used the 300 quite a bit on the highway and I think I can get it over rides like the Colorado BDR. In your loop video you showed a stone in the rear axle which got me to thinking about hauling a generator in my trailer hooked up to the Freeride. The trailer hooks up with a skewer through the rear axle. You can tell it's late and I better get back to sleep before I have anymore thoughts.

[@JohnHowerton137]

That Sherpax is cool. Never seen one! It’s like a BOB trailer for motorcycles. I towed a BOB almost every day for 4 years. You have a great stable 👌 Have a great night 🤙

[@John__Doe__]

I wonder what the top speed will be. Will be watching future videos to find out!

[@JohnHowerton137]

Yeah, I’ll try and get that detail in there ASAP since that was my original goal. It was just kind of a busy day and I forgot I was having so much fun 🤣

[@JohnHowerton137]

john doe another commenter just posted 54.5 I’ll verify that if I get a chance. Maybe today if it stops pouring rain.

[@douggraham5575]

I had myself all talked out of getting a Freeride, then I started watching your videos. Your enthusiasm is infectious. My problem is that I'm not a racer. I still like to push my pace though. I'm 70 and ride the desert and some mountains around here in T or C. I understand you're not going to pay much attention to my type of riding, which I guess you could call like enduro, but any advice would be appreciated. I am subscribed. So I'll pay for that Freeride later this morning and try to enjoy it as much as you seem to enjoy yours. I like the 12 tooth tip. BTW I currently ride a TE300i and 701, so the Freeride won't be alone in the stable. Also, as time goes by if you have any thoughts on proper generators, or any street equipment please pass that on. I'm going to try to plate mine so any info you have on where to get the appropriate parts, i.e. tail light, would be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to do what you are doing.

[@JohnHowerton137]

Doug Graham haha sorry! You’ll love it. As far as chassis... weight etc.. will feel kind of like the 300. Mode 3 will kind of feel like the 300 also, but it’s a little smaller and easier to handle. That was a 300XC-W that I was drag racing in the review video. Blew the doors off. Haha! You will love goofing off in the driveway on it. I’ve been putting around doing balancing stuff in the driveway every night. No doubt it will improve your confidence on the 300 out weaving around in the rocks and dirt. I’d play in your type of terrain more, but our rocks are insanely sharp they murder everything. I’m tired of scared bikes and body for tip overs. I’d actually love to desert race. I was considering a move to CO or AZ last year. Trying to make up that street parts list, but I haven’t ordered it yet, not sure if it’s complete to make everything work. KTM has a kit but but doesn’t offer it to the public. I’ve been scouring all corners of the world for it. I found some other kits, but the flasher relays are wrong or one connector different. It’s been like 50 hours of research. We can’t get inspections with the pandemic and I’ve been blowing money like 2-stroke smoke lately, so the street legal has kind of taken a back seat. As far as generators, seems like the inverters need to be like 3500w or the old school noisy kind can be lower wattage. Maybe 2500. Don’t quote me on that. And there is a whole bunch more 220 research to do in that dept too. Haven’t looked too much. I can help you with the connectors and stuff to charge it off your house. That video would already be done, but had some setbacks with the house’s electrical so I couldn’t test my research. Appreciate you watching. Hope I continue to keep you entertained 😋

[@JohnHowerton137]

@ktm should be commissioning me on these. I’ve sold a bunch of them already. Haha! And a whole pile of 690 and 701s 🤣

[@rikuperry2792]

@@JohnHowerton137 My e-xc is street legal here in Europe I have my rear number plate assembly out at the moment KTM calls it NUMBER PLATE CARRIER BOTTOM part number 700.05.016.050 its only 20€ so I think it might not have the lights in it. If you want I can try to find the numbers for those too. The rear light says RINDER 807 and blinkers FACOMSA 1099VT09

[@JohnHowerton137]

I believe ours come with that too. There is an internal accessory kit (brown box full of street parts). KTM USA has a description, but says the part “does not exist”. None of the European dealers seem to have availability that I’ve found. Maybe if you DM/email me I can shoot you the numbers and you could check next time you cruise by your dealer?

[@rikuperry2792]

@@JohnHowerton137 Sure, I´ll email and try to look for them in here

[@wholebetter]

Is that R1 your riding at ?

[@JohnHowerton137]

I don't disclose specific locations publicly.

[@wholebetter]

@@JohnHowerton137 Good answer. :)

[@rikuperry2792]

Thanks for that gearing tip, i´ll try that too on my bike. Ps how does the bike act in air with full gas or hitting rear brake to lower front compared to gas bike?

[@JohnHowerton137]

Basically exactly the same. Maybe a little exaggerated actually, because it does kill/stop the motor in the air. If you’ve ever stalled gas bike in the air off a big jump and dead sailored it, it’s almost like that... except you don’t shit your pants. Just hit the throttle again 🤣 If you land wide open, it hooks up WAY better than a gas bike. One of my first videos I almost looped it landing under power. I believe Alta actually limited the power with the ECU on landing to prevent this in their even more powerful bike. Reminds me of a story... I had this 90 or 95ft table top on my practice track. That jump was actually the dirt they moved for Josh Hill’s school bus jump in the movie Mini Warriors 4 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2TJXqiGgrWag9E). It was is the early days of my last bad wrist injury. My friend Bill had just changed out of his gear and was watching me ride. Maybe I was jumping it a gear low or something... but I came off really front high and jammed the rear brake. Engine stalled. Quiet as a mouse... Like parasailing 🤷🏼‍♂️ Landed flat and woke my ancestors. Wrist was done for the day. I rode over to Bill’s truck. He looked right at me and said, “You were up there for so long, I think you could have started your engine.” 🤣 Everything is in slow motion in situations like that. No shit, the thought actually crossed my mind to kick start it. LOL! NOT AT ALL saying that was possible, but 2 seconds or whatever felt like 20 looking down at all the braking chop about to sack me out.

[@JUGGERNAUT606]

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