New 2 stroke Freeride 250!

[White trash]

How awesome does this thing look? Bigger tank than the 350 Freeride (up to 7L), 'Lecky start and only 93kg! Wicked. Can't wait to have a buzz.

http://www.ktm.com/freeride/freeride-250-r/highlights.html#.Uh6G7dJHKA6

[Jay GTI]

How awesome does this thing look? Bigger tank than the 350 Freeride (up to 7L), 'Lecky start and only 93kg! Wicked. Can't wait to have a buzz.

http://www.ktm.com/freeride/freeride-250-r/highlights.html#.Uh6G7dJHKA6

It looks fapping awesome, however once again the relatively high seat height is an issue. I could possibly justify one as "a bike for the missus", but she'd never go for it at 915mm.

[andy 101]

I hope they have fixed there crapy 2 stroke starters, as there is no kickstart.

[HenryDorsetCase]

It looks fapping awesome, however once again the relatively high seat height is an issue. I could possibly justify one as "a bike for the missus", but she'd never go for it at 915mm.

I was thinking the same thing about the 300 till I sat on it. no good for a shortarse man :(

[Jay GTI]

I was thinking the same thing about the 300 till I sat on it. no good for a shortarse man :(

Yeah don't know what it is with KTM and seat heights, they used to be able to justify it with the PDS system, but mine has a linkage and it's still up in the bloody clouds (not a short-arse but I do have short legs).

[takitimu]

Yeah don't know what it is with KTM and seat heights, they used to be able to justify it with the PDS system, but mine has a linkage and it's still up in the bloody clouds (not a short-arse but I do have short legs).

try a husky :), I'm enjoying the KTM seat height.

915mm is what 1/2 way between a 250sxf & a Ag200, kinda tough to get to much lower than the freeride & have 1/2 way decent suspension travel I'd suspect.

[Tony.OK]

So whats the point of these Freeride's? They're not an enduro spec bike, nor an mx spec, are they supposed to be an enduro/trials cross sort of thing?

[pete.ktm]

however once again the relatively high seat height is an issue.

they're thinking of you...

The seat height is 915mm, but KTM offers a lowering kit the reduces the height by 25mm. (http://motocrossactionmag.com/mobile/news/9b6225d1-75c8-436c-83a2-4ed2815f9351.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MxaNews+%28mxa+news%29)

[SPman]

"Mixture oil lubrication"

premix?

[Jay GTI]

they're thinking of you...

The seat height is 915mm, but KTM offers a lowering kit the reduces the height by 25mm. (http://motocrossactionmag.com/mobile/news/9b6225d1-75c8-436c-83a2-4ed2815f9351.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MxaNews+%28mxa+news%29)

Yeah they did the same with the 4T Freeride, but alas still too high for the missus...

[Ocean1]

So whats the point of these Freeride's? They're not an enduro spec bike, nor an mx spec, are they supposed to be an enduro/trials cross sort of thing?

I like the way the spec's are heading with these. Compared to an EXE they're much shorter, lower seat, more ground clearance and much steeper head angle. Nowhere near trials bike geometry but a definite nod in that direction, they'd be a nice fit for typical tight NZ trail work. Hope their elec leg is more betterer than they have been until now, and I'd want 10L of gas...

[Jay GTI]

To be fair, a lot of the issues with KTM's 'leccy legs on 2Ts came from the bikes not being designed for it and the starter being a clumsy add-on. A ground-up design with the starter in the right place from the outset should help considerably.

[takitimu]

So whats the point of these Freeride's? They're not an enduro spec bike, nor an mx spec, are they supposed to be an enduro/trials cross sort of thing?

Well we had a lady ride with us who ended up on a husky 125, because it was light, a Freeride would have been way better suited.

I think they suit a niche for lighter smaller riders who want to trail ride, but want something that handles way better than the 230's, but not as peaky as a 125/144 & is alot lighter than say a ttr250.

No idea how they are selling mind you :).

[HenryDorsetCase]

I think they suit a niche for lighter smaller riders who want to trail ride, but want something that handles way better than the 230's, but not as peaky as a 125/144 & is alot lighter than say a ttr250.



YES exactly. that is exactly the sort of thing I would love to do. pottering about. I learnt to ride on a dirt bike, rode mountainbikes for years and would love to do some of those trailrides. I even own a bike trailer.

And I have money in the bank at present. I was even thinking of buying something like a TY250 just to piss about on.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I was even thinking of buying something like a TY250 just to piss about on.

If you can find one...get a TYZ. Incredible diff.

[Night Falcon]

YES exactly. that is exactly the sort of thing I would love to do. pottering about. I learnt to ride on a dirt bike, rode mountainbikes for years and would love to do some of those trailrides. I even own a bike trailer.

And I have money in the bank at present. I was even thinking of buying something like a TY250 just to piss about on.

I love the idea behind the freeride cos its aimed at folks like me who aren't interested in racing but who still want something light with enough power and handling to simply have some fun on. I almost bought a 350 FR but ended up with modified Beta Rev3 trials bike at half the cost. And I have to say I'm loving it.

The 250 freeride would be a cool bike but too expensive as a hacker for me...but I really dig the concept...it wont be for everyone - still there must be heaps of 40+year old riders who simply want a bike they can swing their leg over and have fun on without the added risk of injury that goes with riding more race orientated machines. But who knows....if they catch on I might buy a second hand one in couple of years :eek:

[Jay GTI]

The thing I find most interesting about the Freeride concept is the number of seriously fast and skilled guys that have had a go on the 350 and raved about how much fun they are.

[pete-blen]

Far better deal than that orange thing...
290cc ,only $7500 New & road legal to boot
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/261367449.jpg

[george formby]

Far better deal than that orange thing...
290cc ,only $7500 New & road legal to boot
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/261367449.jpg

Yup, been looking at them, too. Definitely a style of bike for a 40 something like me & the missus. Am wondering if the Ossa will be hitting our shores.

[Night Falcon]

Far better deal than that orange thing...
290cc ,only $7500 New & road legal to boot
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/261367449.jpg

yeah definitely - that's all ya need.







and you can buy some orange paint with the spare cash and do it up
:dodge:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Far better deal than that orange thing...
290cc ,only $7500 New & road legal to boot
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/261367449.jpg

Heres a link to the listing rather than the photo:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-630249237.htm

I can't do $7500 for (another) toy at this point. Was thinking $5k but tell SWMBO it was $4k...

[mossy1200]

Heres a link to the listing rather than the photo:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-630249237.htm

I can't do $7500 for (another) toy at this point. Was thinking $5k but tell SWMBO it was $4k...

Would be fun owning that but it would take a while to get from A to B because I would detour every time I spotted a piece of land worth riding on.

[Ocean1]

If you can find one...get a TYZ. Incredible diff.

You'd have to be lucky, how many in the country dude?

And I think they'd now be eligible for doddery old pharts class, so they'd fetch a tidy wad.


Far better deal than that orange thing...
290cc ,only $7500 New & road legal to boot
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/261367449.jpg

Yes, I heard about them. Relatively robust are they dude? Got any good reviews? I had great hopes for the long awaited Scorpa T-ride but when I finally got my hands on one I couldn't give it back fast enough.

[george formby]

Yes, I heard about them. Relatively robust are they dude? Got any good reviews? I had great hopes for the long awaited Scorpa T-ride but when I finally got my hands on one I couldn't give it back fast enough.

Oh? Please tell me more.

[Crasherfromwayback]

You'd have to be lucky, how many in the country dude?

And I think they'd now be eligible for doddery old pharts class, so they'd fetch a tidy wad.

.

Doubt you'd find one here in unzud. Few in Australia but. And Ebay it is the best chance.

[Jay GTI]

Saw a photo of the engine last night, it's a development of the existing EXC 250 engine and still has the cock-eyed starter arrangement and not a ground-up new design. Without a mechanical leg back up, I'd be concerned about starting reliability.

[takitimu]

Saw a photo of the engine last night, it's a development of the existing EXC 250 engine and still has the cock-eyed starter arrangement and not a ground-up new design. Without a mechanical leg back up, I'd be concerned about starting reliability.

Mmm, I agree the 2/ ktm's are hardly an advert for e-start reliability, but the 4/ are pretty impressive. I think if they wanted to KTM could do it just fine & nothing like removing the kick start to motivate you to get the e-start right.

No power valve either :).

[Jay GTI]

Mmm, I agree the 2/ ktm's are hardly an advert for e-start reliability, but the 4/ are pretty impressive. I think if they wanted to KTM could do it just fine & nothing like removing the kick start to motivate you to get the e-start right.

No power valve either :).

Not had a single issue with the electric start on my 4T KTM, other than the battery recently giving up the ghost through lack of use and the fact it's getting on for 3 years old. KTM can make a reliable electric start, it's just the way they stuck it on the 2T engines, it has always had fundamental issues due to the add-on nature.

[Ocean1]

Oh? Please tell me more.

Difficult to pinpoint, it simply wouldn't behave for me. Admittedly it was set up for a much smaller guy but it felt like the front ploughed on turn-in and then suddenly washed out. It's the sort of thing you get with a lot too much compression damping, but it felt OK bouncing around at walking speed.

Again, might have just been me, or that machine, but I'd been watching the long gestation of the bike, with each subsequent press release having it heavier and heavier and more expensive, and to have a first ride be so bad was disappointing. Experience tells me the geometry of these new trailbikes, (for the want of a better term) is better for typical NZ bush-bashing than the heavily MX influenced stuff aimed at the US market that’s been the only real choice for ages.

Now, if one of them arrives that handles like I think it should, with a torque-tuned low revving 500cc 4T it’ll be difficult to keep the cheque book closed.

[takitimu]

The 350 can do ok :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F8iJgl9kXc