2012 KTM 350 freeride

The comment about N.Cal and 5% freeride terrain may be true, however, in SW Alberta, there is a ton of terrain that is perfect for a lighter bike with single track prowess. The freeride looks like it is intended to enjoy and jib your way down single track. If your thrill is going mock speeds and holding on, maybe it's not the best choice. As for me, I hope it is street legal and it will turn into my ultimate single track assault machine.

A side note, I still ride a 525 exc street legal bike and despite having a few maintenance issues, it has never been unreliable in its incredible 19000 kms. I have been on rides with all brands and really, preventative maintenance often dictates reliability.

Just don't expect the freeride to last like DR. The reason the freeride is so light is because of tight tolerances and slimming the metal down to its minimal amounts. The DR is a freakin tank, it will last longer. Even if its rode hard, put away wet and oil never changed.

OK, boys let the flamin begin.

HEY BUT WAIT! Before you think I am anti orange - take a look at my ride...

Sherco X Ride and Scorpa T Ride same bike different badge the Sherco will be here in the States mid 2013. If you are looking for very light reliable stuff ?

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gyl7KyaBG6c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's like saying our EXC's aren't as reliable as something like the old DR's / XR's, but I haven't found that to be the case. My current 450 has about 9000 miles on it right now - mostly dualsport and highway miles, but it's raced a few national enduros and Vegas to Reno. My brother's last 450 had about 350 hours of hard riding on it when he sold it. We've had a bunch of these bikes and none of them have ever required anything more than oil changes and valve checks (rarely even needing adjustment). Sure they're high-performance race bikes, but I don't see why we shouldn't be about to get 20,000+ miles out of these EXC's without any major failures. So with a de-tuned 350, I don't really see much to worry about reliability-wise.

Ah now you are into a proper discussion. I would think this is a better comparison than the DR. I've had my Freeride for about 4 months now and love it. There was talk of the Sherco and Ossa Explorer which both look better on paper but they weren't available when I ordered the Freeride back in May 2012.

If they had been I really don't know which one I would have chosen. Both look awesome as does the Freeride E.
As it stands I would have to say the Freeride 350 wins as the music in the advert is way cooler.

Anyone who's giving a definitive opinion based on any more than a spec sheet and which advert is the best is frankly full of shit.
If i'm wrong then kindly point us all to the back to back test and I go back in my cage

My nod went to the Freeride once I saw it compete in the Romaniacs. I see that one of the course planners with Martin for this years event is also scouting on one. The DR is a different tool or weapon if you are into sledge hammers.

Talking about CA, what is the terrain like in the LA area, and where can one publicly ride offroad there? Angeles National Forest or Simi Valley area?

Anybody with a long-term review? Just curious

Check out KTMTalk - there is a thread by MexMex on the FR350. He rode it in the Romainiacs and does a lot of riding in Mexico. Basically the suspension and brakes are weak, but the light weight is nice.

Cheers! will do

How could you not like a bike like this for fun riding in the woods? The breaks are the same as any KTM. The suspension is WP. Beef it up if you need. I only wish they were available in the States for 2013. Maybe next year.

Great video, thanks for posting! I can't seem to find "back flippable" on my list of requirements.

I would love to own one of those but wonder if the size of the dealer network would be a problem.

The brakes are not the same as other KTM's - it the first time they use that brand on one of their bikes.

I may have missed part of this thread, but are there already plan to import this bike in California?

No plan of importing it into the US as of yet .

possibly...

Nice . Now I will have to look into it .

Some thing to plan for!

^^^^^

I just read an oz dirt bike mag review that said KTM were having a hard time keeping up with freeride orders in their current market countries, I guess it's difficult to know what sort of response the market will have to a new style of bike.

The original shipment of 2013 model freerides to Australia last september was only 20 bikes and they were pre-sold before they got here.

If you guys in the states don't get the 2013 model, the good news is that KTM get their following year bikes out pretty early, so you'll get 2014 bikes in september (although that seems like an eternity when waiting for a new bike).
Here's a goood write up from Dirt Action Magazine in Oz.

http://dirtaction.com.au/2013-ktm-freeride/