Freeride 350

[Geek]

Originally Posted by Narsisco Lopez

I just HAD to click on this thread! Now.... I WANT ONE!

David: I'm going to buy one for me Cheryl when they come to the US.
We'll replace her TTR so she can trail ride it when I'm on the 500.


...and then when she's not using it it'll be the perfect bike for me us to be goofing around and playing "trials style" with.

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by Geek

David: I'm going to buy one for me Cheryl when they come to the US.
We'll replace her TTR so she can trail ride it when I'm on the 500.


...and then when she's not using it it'll be the perfect bike for me us to be goofing around and playing "trials style" with.

"trials style", huh? Sounds like a nice way of saying you'll be climbing over cars with it.

[Geek]

I wonder if I can get it up and over my Sprinter

[afordableperformance]

We may never know if you don't call KTM! I'm pretty sure I could make it over your Sprinter with one, front to back anyways!

[thumperbuddy]

It'd be interesting to convert it to a supermoto since its street legal. Uncork it and get some tires, rims, and a fender, and you'd have one SICK urban hooliganism machine. Isn't it supposed to be very torquey? I dont know what it's capable of as far as top end...

[DrKayak]

Originally Posted by manfromthestix

....5.5 liter fuel tank (maybe 125 - 150 mile range?).....

How about 90km (56 miles) range. 60km if you ride it hard. (several reports on KTMtalk).

From what I have read:

A lot of the parts are the same used on a 85sx.
If you weigh over 100lbs the brakes are not so good.
It runs very hot with radiators designed for a 85cc engine.
Guys are already starting down the "upgrade everything that you can" path.

I WAS 100% sure I would get one. I love wicked hard trails. But to lay down near $10k then have to start hacking on it to make it right... I don't have that kind of $$.

IMO after ridding and competing on real trials bikes and ripping on a 950 and 450exc this bike will not impress. Sure it would be more fun on the hardest 1% of the legal trails out there and be marginal on the rest. I can't see it keeping up with seasoned trail riders on real enduro bikes. I will give up my place in line to buy one... for now.

BTW... it was announced in Dirt Bike magazine that the Free Ride 350 is coming to the U.S. next year. KTM delivered one last fall to EPA for certification.

[Zuber]

If you start hopping this bike up, you are wasting it. You can get three other 350's with any level of HP you want, from a xcw to an xc or an sx. They have the suspension and handling for speed.

Have you ever ridden a trials bike fast? Not too stable. Put you on your ass in an eye blink.

This will be an excellent tight trail bike and play bike. Can't wait to get one.

25 hp, could mean the power peak is at 1/2 the RPM. If the other 350's peak out at 50+ HP at 10,000 rpm. The same torque at 5000 rpm is only 25 hp. Give that a thought.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by manfromthestix

, Brembo brakes, KTM WP suspension, "

Not Brembo brakes. The brakes are from Formula a company that has previously made MTB brakes.
I believe that the forks are Sachs but the shock is WP.
In Australia they can be fully road registered (they come with indicators and mirrors) but the seat is like sitting on a piece of 3"x2" lumber. They are not bike designed for any great distance in the saddle even on the trail.

[Gryphon12]

Why did the OP start this thread? The 2012 350 Freeride thread is much more complete.

The Freeride is a Trials/trail hybrid. It has a 5.5 liter tank that is getting between 60 and 90km per tank for imates in Australia, who ride it pretty hard; that is only 37 to 55 miles. Some have broken the 60 mile barrier. The tank is between the front frame rails so aftermarket will be difficult. There is also NO rear subframe.

After introduction in the UK, KTM revised the tuning for the Freeride. The lastest numbers included 30 hp, but torque was not specified. Power and speed are NOT the objectives with this bike. Traction and maneuverability are - Trials hybrid, remember?

Wet weight is 228 lbs. The steering geometry is steep for a dirt bike at 23-degrees - more normal for a trials bike, and the wheel base is 2.5" shorter than the 350 EXC-F - neither is good for high speed.

If you want more than a great hybrid, go 350 EXC-F / XC-W / XC / SX. Lots more power and very little additional weight (~254 lbs. wet). For reference, he 350 EXC-F makes 43 hp and 34 Nm. Only race-prepped SX bikes come close to 50 hp.

Read the other thread before asking all of the same questions all over again.

Edit: Read the KTM website. Keeping up with Enduros? Really? KTM is selling the Freeride 350 as a weekend RECREATIONAL bike.