Is the KTM Freeride Still Relevant?

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Do you think the KTM Freeride is Still Relevant?

[@tacticooldennis]

I think its a good bike, and anyone would be lucky to own one. I wish more of the gas bike manufacturers would be making EV's. KTM however, isn't doing so well and may be going away, and fear of difficulty finding parts in the future.

[@enkidusool6109]

No

[@galacticnova85]

I found a new in box 2023 for 5k....I really want to pull the trigger but afraid the battery has been dead for 2+ yrs

[@Patzo84]

No, even I am from Austria. Riding a Surron Ultra, my son owns the light Bee, and we are dreaming of a Varg :-)

[@panic.attack]

Yeah it’s a great bike. Fun as hell. Since ditching my gas bikes I might add a Varg to the garage or wait for the Honda, but I have no desire to get rid of my EXC

[@LammensB]

the small battery gets charged when you charge the big battery. But the big battery has to be left in the bike for it to do so. I ride E-XC's for 6 years now. It's still a fun solid bike, but I'll be changing for the start vary EX next year. I need more topspeed and power

[@ElectricCycleRider]

What year is your Freeride?

[@LammensB]

@@ElectricCycleRider My first one was the 2017 model with the smallest battery. My second one was the 2019 model with the bigger battery. I have the 2nd one still.

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Interesting to hear that... ours does not seem to charge in the bike but thanks for keeping us honest!

[@shredmas]

@@ElectricCycleRider Put a volt meter on it and when you start the bike the voltage should go up to about 14volts from say 12.6.The small battery charges when the bike is on. Otherwise the headlight would drain it in 30 minutes of riding. And when parked with the kill switch on the headlight will drain the battery

[@luca_dierks]

@@ElectricCycleRider 12v only charges when powerpack is charged in the bike

[@jasonacool]

Back in the mid-80s, I raced a 500 - I absolutely loved it. Fast-forward 35 years and 35 kg, and I started riding again on this KTM. I absolutely loved it. The three power levels were perfect for relearning how to ride. It was also perfect because I was able to buy sessions at a place that is only 25km from the house. The small track is only 400m from medium-density housing.

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Love to hear that! Electric seems to be getting a lot of seasoned riders back in the sport. Enjoy!

[@travislinton7258]

The new Alta Sigma is an incredible bike. Would get it hands down over the Freeride

[@Ruthenian_Catholic]

They aren’t in the same class

[@Charles-Darwin]

will you be receiving a new stark varg enduro soon? curious about the review and price

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Yes, we'll be getting one from Stark as soon as the fleet is here. 👍

[@MarkFries-o7n]

I am hoping that the Dust Moto will fill size of the Freeride with better suspension and longer range!

[@amywarengo4748]

Good thing about the KTM FREERIDE everybody can Ride. Bad thing is everybody can Ride.. we enjoy ours

[@CurtisLowry11]

Still lovin mine!

[@ElectricCycleRider]

🤘

[@josephvanroekel]

Love this video! I gotta say. I have the ‘23 Freeride E-XC and I didn’t even know I was suppose to charge the little 12v battery. 65 hours on the bike and never charged that thing once. Maybe this was a later model update?

[@ElectricCycleRider]

You made the Freeride look real good at TKO! And in regards to the battery, that's a good call and think you may be right! Ours is the original 2020 model and believe it may have been a later update. We've had to replace those 12v's so many times on our 2020 and we do charge the battery when it's in the bike.

[@1STGeneral]

Can't the 12 volt battery be charged from the headlight circuit ?

[@luca_dierks]

@@ElectricCycleRider when you charge the powerpack IN THE BIKE the 12v gets charged as well. if you always charge the powerpack outside the bike, ofc you are running through 12v batteries fast 😂 (read the manual)

[@evan_is_seifert]

What about the new version?

[@ElectricCycleRider]

We'll be picking one up from KTM as soon as it arrives in the US... should be January!

[@evan_is_seifert]

@ look forward to your review 🔥

[@xandersons]

I miss her so much! KATYYYYY!! I WAS WRONG!

[@RMZ298]

You should consider doing a DIY how to series. The Varg really sets the top end of the market, but you can build a solid Dust/Freeride/Ultrabee competitor for a lot less and top end suspension/frame. If you source everything from Sia/Amorge/Aliexpress is cheap and straight forward. It cost me $4k to build a 2020 CRF 4.5 kwh, 28kw that weighs 220 lbs. Massively better than upgrading a free ride or ultrabee.

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Great call! We've actually got a couple cool projects that have been in the works for some months now - will start posting about those very soon.

[@WheelieBad]

Needing a battery to start a battery powered bike is the most KTM ridiculous flaw

[@MatkatMusic]

The little battery powers the lights and electronics. That is cheaper from a design point than adding a voltage converter to have the 300V main battery power everything on the bike.

[@douglasyoung3992]

Remember the features and build quality of the KTM are Stellar the surronn has a chintzy cogged rubber belt!

[@GuneTools]

I’ve had mine since 2017 and is super fun to ride around my yard and surrounding area

[@Surfratglass]

I like this bike. the lower seat height makes it more manageable when the train is difficult.

[@Etienne85]

You’ve just added another option to my list! Now I’m considering these: a modified UB for 9k€, a Varg-EX for 13k€, or a used Freeride for ~4k€ plus the cost of a custom-built battery. I’m curious why no one has considered the last option yet. Unlike dirt-bike retrofits, modifying an existing Freeride would allow it to remain in the road-legal category.

[@luca_dierks]

used freeride 2nd gen is more like €5-6k

[@Etienne85]

@@luca_dierks I meant the 1st gen, as the frame hasn’t changed in between. In the EU, it was released in 2014 (whereas in the US, it seems like it’s only been available since 2017), so you can find good deals on the 1st gen.

[@Electric666s]

What after market batteries are available now? Or have to get one made? What range can you get with a new battery made? Or limited by space?

[@paulpotempa8829]

Do you feel E bikes need a clutch? Would there be Any benefit for log crossings and rocks?

[@tommym3876]

I couldn’t see myself getting one just based on how long the battery lasts stock ultra bee battery has lasted me up to 4 hours of ride time on single track with some juice to spare and that’s with the upgraded wheel set and I was in sport the whole time keeping up with my buddy’s on their 250s ripping 20-25 through clough state park single tracks. Other than than the range bike seems awesome for the free ride The only pressing things to upgrade on the ultra bee is pegs, rims and tires

[@bendiesel4446]

I had mine for a year never any issues with the little battery was told not to leave the key on

[@heathhollenshead5192]

I would like to know if the little battery can be bypassed with power from the light or some other Aux power. I found a few for sale new from the dealer for 5k. It's a good deal, but I don't know. The range is crap.

[@jetrep]

For the prices you can get these (new or used) it's tough to beat this bike.

[@hollowedentity7097]

I enjoy my Arctic leopard. I feel I’m the only one who lucked out and didn’t have problems

[@nickkill3r454]

The new varg EX is probably the better pick if you have the money. The new Freeride E (3.rd Gen from 2025) also seems very interesting but it just cant keep up with the new electric enduros like ultra bee, varg, flux primo (hyped for flux production bike) Ive test ridden the E-XC a few times now but it just was too slow for open terrain or street riding in germany if you go from forest to forest or want to dual sport it for enduro and supermoto with just switching the rims. Also the range is still an issue especially for supermoto riding. When im on vacation with my EXC500 i just fill up at any upcoming gas station (about 2-4 times a day) with agressive street riding in the mountains. Preordered the Flux but the Stark is itching my fingers. The newest Freeride would only be interesting at a lower price (6-7k new) but even then just as a fun second bike and not as main one.

[@TheFreerider1987]

I have a Freeride 250R and it’s an awesome bike, I don’t know about the electric versions

[@BarrettMeeker867]

Imho it should have been in the mid size group. It’s what r-lbs more? Not that much compared to the total rider and bike weight.

[@edstoica]

in my view, this bike can't be compared to a the surron class. all the ktm's components (frame, swing arm, brakes, fork, etc...) are so much more solid that the surrons. Its a different class. Just "Real Enduro" Stuff. Tank vs Jeep

[@WH05DAT]

When the Stark Varg EX is due for about the same price, hell nahh. KTM could get out of administration if they make something on par with the Varg 💯

[@1STGeneral]

Just charge the small battery from the headlight

[@jimji2774]

Looked like a review of the new model but I guess you are talking about the old 2021 model. Lets see how they have improved with the new.

[@ElectricCycleRider]

We'll have a new one to test soon 👍

[@panic.attack]

You must be doing something wrong with the 12v battery. If the key is on, it should be charging. I have something like 100 hours on mine, and it hasn’t been even a slight issue.

[@luca_dierks]

12v only charges when powerpack is charged IN THE BIKE. if the powerpack is removed for charging you will never charge the 12v

[@AbnormalWrench]

@@luca_dierks I suspect there are some year differences, but I have heated grips and a plug for heated vest for my bike, and I know it charges the 12v system when riding on my 2023

[@AbnormalWrench]

I boughtI bought a new 2023 KTM freeride, because it was $6K, brand new! I was honestly pretty disappointed. The suspension and weight were great. The power was really disappointing. The range was really disappointing. The low voltage throttling of power was ridiculous. I very quickly stopped riding it, mainly because of the range (18 miles at best of trail riding). I keep it around because it is a great newbie dirt bike, that I hope to entice some friends who are interested it trying out dirt biking, to give a whirl. Otherwise, I'm keeping it around to replace the motor and battery to make it what it should have been from the factory - faster and better range.

[@AbnormalWrench]

Seriously thinking about buying the YZ-EMX conversion kit and installing it into this frame.

[@Electric666s]

Didn't it come out in 2015?

[@cmbscx1084]

Thanks for the update. For us that live in commifornia and need to ride the street to trails it is still not a relevant bike. too bad cause id get two.

[@urbancyclist4280]

I had one in 2016 on a deal £6k new road legal Bargain. Brilliant bike

[@Z0ttMonte]

No, buy the the new one or a stark varg ex

[@bendiesel4446]

New one takes forever to charge

[@Sustrii]

Unless if for a small woman or a slow kid, No, never was. Maybe the new one can be. Two heavy and would run of juice mid "raid", picking this bike over the x trainer was a testament to stupidity.

[@noneofyourbusiness5433]

When was it ever relevant???

[@stupidmoto]

Just picked one up for $6k out the door. Love it so far. Absolutely awesome bike for hard enduro. My only complaint is the lack of aftermarket support, but I’m quickly finding ways around it.

[@MatkatMusic]

How do you get the front end up? These have traction control and I can't get the front end off the ground because of that

[@chillon2922X]

Was it ever??? 😂

[@ElectricCycleRider]

Ouch!! 😆

[@chillon2922X]

@ElectricCycleRider xD But i like the stark very much, since i rode one at my local track. If i see a good deal... Maybe.. xD

[@opencurtains9323]

Not even watched it and I know it’s not

[@brentfield269]

Nope

[@timistheman]

supa early

[@billcarr6289]

The freeride was awesome b4 they went electric

[@ezuoop]

whats so bad about electric

[@1STGeneral]

​@@ezuoop🪫🔌😵