2012 KTM 350 freeride

[TwilightZone]

>"...since "entry level" is what they were going for anyway..."

I don't think it's entry level. Hybrid trials/enduro bike. IMHO: The demo riders pretty much rode it like it was designed. Don't think that KTM has ever targeted 'new' riders... or women for that matter. Well, maybe kids, but the KTM's are already race bikes for them anyway.

Sounds like it won't be available in North America anyway.

[NONo443]

Originally Posted by TwilightZone

>"...since "entry level" is what they were going for anyway..."

I don't think it's entry level. Hybrid trials/enduro bike. IMHO: The demo riders pretty much rode it like it was designed. Don't think that KTM has ever targeted 'new' riders... or women for that matter. Well, maybe kids, but the KTM's are already race bikes for them anyway.

Sounds like it won't be available in North America anyway.

To me, the Duke 125 and 200 seem to be a target for new riders; but new riders for the street.

[John Ashman]

The KTM Freeride 350 is an entry level dirt bike (for KTM) with a low price (for KTM) and a low, accessible seat height (for KTM).


The question is, are they serious about getting it into the hands of entry and midlevel riders or are they going to sell it at $8000?

I'm hot and bothered over it, but I am assuming it will not be in the $5000- $6000 max range it should be in.

[rickypanecatyl]

Looking at the stats I'm just guessing it will be a great bike for guys that ride hard with their buddies and whose wives want to come along and join for say a few hours of an all day ride.
From the circles I hang with, I think that would be a huge market! I also think its a good market to push as if I'm being honest, sometimes my bike can get in the way of family but when we ride together it's one of the best family fun /bonding times out there.
Right now my wife only feels comfortable on the KLX150 (think street legal KLX140) or Honda CRF 230. This looks to be about the same size but significantly lighter and more/better power and components.

I've only ridden a trials bike once and it was a hoot. I'm sure I'd be able to climb things I couldn't do with my 690 and it'd be a fun new style of riding. Doesn't look like its made for a big person to play on a MX track with though .

I'm hoping 350cc and 24 hp means 5,000 mile oil changes, and still running fine when my grandkids find it in a barn in the year 2047!

When it comes to how many hp you can get from a certain cc size I think it would be interesting if consumers like us could see the difference in performance vs reliability. What would be really cool would be if we could chose which reliability level vs hp level we wanted.
For instance going back 15 years you could compare Honda's own CR250 vs CRM250 - both 250cc 2 strokes. CR had about 42 hp at the rear and the CRM about 30ish. I'm just guestimating at these #'s but typically I hear of guys doing new top ends on CR's every 2,000 km and CRM's every 40,000 km or 20X longer. I've heard of guys getting the CR up to 54 hp at the wheel but then needing a rebuild after every single race.
Anyways my crazy idea (Highland almost did something like this) would be to offer an engine in various states of tune with a good honest estimate of the lifespan of the vehicle and then let the customer choose which he wanted.

If you were buying a 250cc 2 stroke engine and had the option of A.) 54 rwhp - 15 miles, B.) 42 rwhp - 1,500 miles or C.) 29 rwhp 25,000 miles that'd be awesome for buyer awareness and having a better guess at what you were getting or getting into.

[MrHaun]

I am pretty disappointed to hear we probably won't be getting this bike in the states. I am super-excited for a 350cc thumper at that weight. I was really hoping to buy one off of one of you guys in a few years

[Maxacceleration]

With a stone age Honda XR650L coming in at $6690, the is no way a high tech KTM will be at $7000, IMO. No way!
They don't operate that way.
But... I hope I am wrong.

[derrickbwg]

Sounds like Honda really messed up. If they only would have waited 25yrs to introduce their 198lb street legal trials type bike (TLR200) maybe it would have made it past the 2 yr production run it enjoyed with this kind of response. But then aren't there rumors of a new one based on the crf230?

[flatboarder]

Originally Posted by John Ashman

The KTM Freeride 350 is an entry level dirt bike (for KTM) with a low price (for KTM) and a low, accessible seat height (for KTM).


The question is, are they serious about getting it into the hands of entry and midlevel riders or are they going to sell it at $8000?

I'm hot and bothered over it, but I am assuming it will not be in the $5000- $6000 max range it should be in.

I do not think it is meant to be an entry level bike. It is the most lightweighted hightech dualsport bike available and I rate its offroad potential huge. In fact I am happy they did not release one more cheapo oldstyle enduro bike with crappy suspension and a stoneaged engine (that has been built for at least 20 years without major change). There are lots of these around for those who like it.
I am excited about the Freeride and I really hope it will work out for me. I did not expect it at all, and I guess I settled to early with my Yamahas.

Phil

[mxbundy]

Originally Posted by derrickbwg

Sounds like Honda really messed up. If they only would have waited 25yrs to introduce their 198lb street legal trials type bike (TLR200)

The problem with that bike was that it looked the part,but was all show and no go. Terrible suspension and an XR200 motor (maybe 12 hp?)
Same thing with the Trans-Alp, Honda couldnt give them away, now they would sell everyone they brought over.

Bundy

[derrickbwg]

you're way off base....it was more like 13.2hp

[Ramv]

As a previous TLR200S owner, I think the major downfalls of that bike was:

12hp (or 13)
drum brakes
trials like seat
terrible suspension




My dad still has the bike and uses it on his ranch to herd cattle. Outside of the brakes, it was an awesome bike. He has an XT250 for road use though.

A well sprung, better powered, decent braked replacement is what I want. I do need the HP for highway use, but thats it.

[theMISSIONARY]

What is the KTM 350 Freeride for!?

this sort of thing

[John Ashman]

Well, if you do the calculations, a theoretical US price would be $7500.

That kind of puts it on the cusp of sanity. But you also have to wonder how many people would choose it over other machinery in that price range. I guess the weight is the main attraction, not the highly tamed motor.

[skierd]

With the WR250R sitting at $6590, $7500 for the KTM that should, in theory, have a better suspension and more importantly 80 less pounds to haul around, would absolutely be worth the extra coinage if the reliability and other stuff were similar.

[flatboarder]

Originally Posted by skierd

With the WR250R sitting at $6590, $7500 for the KTM that should, in theory, have a better suspension and more importantly 80 less pounds to haul around, would absolutely be worth the extra coinage if the reliability and other stuff were similar.

This is something I am going to check. Service intervals, engine durability and things. Well, I actually do not expect it to reach the WR250R level (valve clearance control 40000km ), but I hope it will be a low maintenance bike.

But there is one more point which is very important in my opinion. The WR250R engine characteristics is more or less high rev operation. Though it can be ridden at lower revs at enduro tracks, this does not compare to for instance a Tricker 250, which has got way better ridability at low rev level, running both softer and stronger, making it easier to play at very slow and difficult passages or climbing difficult stuff. In other words, the WR has got some MX style engine more or less, also well suited for onroad riding, but not optimized for slow trail riding, climbing, playing. I am sure, KTM put some effort in optimizing the 350 engine for the Freeride intended use.

Due to the fact that I need to sell at least one of my Yamahas to be able to purchase a Freeride, it will take some time to do so. Maybe I will skip the first edition and get hold of a 2013 model and check user reviews before that.
However, the Freeride matches _exactly_ what I have been searching for for several years. Neither the Scorpa T-Ride (with its old carburated YZ250 engine) nor my Tricker that I had been riding for three years could come close.

To me, pricing of the Freeride appears to be absolutely ok for what you get. For those who do not like to spend that much money for that much technology and riding fun, there are different bikes available with higher weight, old engines, weak suspension, old style looks, whatever. But I am not aware of any bike at the market immediately comparing to the new Freeride while being streetlegal and durable. Lets see.