Freeride 350

[pjturbo]

Who has seen the Freeride 350? Anyone put a leg over it?


Phil

[Sandman 950]

Yep, absolutley fantastic bike, so light.....er no wait...it was all a dream

[Kenbike]

Are they bring it to the USA?

[68deluxe]

Originally Posted by Kenbike

Are they bring it to the USA?

It is listed on the USA website, the pics did not come up though.

[cool dude]

Here is a photo I took at EICMA 2011....



Here is a link to a bigger version http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...M/P1020801.jpg

[Denalidirt]

Thats a picture of the freeride electric not the 350 four stroke. They do look almost the same, the lack of exhaust is the dead giveaway.

It sure looks like it would be a sweet ride, just a little heavier than the 200 2 stroke!

Originally Posted by cool dude

Here is a photo I took at EICMA 2011....



Here is a link to a bigger version http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...M/P1020801.jpg

[manfromthestix]

Here's the latest link to the KTM website

http://www.ktm.com/freeride/freeride-350/highlights.html

This is the only photo I could find on their website.



About a million years ago I had a Montesa Cota 247 with the high seat that I used more as a trail bike than a trials competition bike and I just loved the fact that it was sub-200 pounds. If you got back in the really rough stuff you could pick it up and carry it or throw it over a fence or whatever. I can't do that with my 1150GS and I miss that ultra-light, high performance machine. I'd love to give this thing a try. Anybody seen or ridden one? What does it cost??

I'm over this thing...

Doug

[DrKayak]

Here's a good video

http://youtu.be/n2eUucG4gwU

I wanted one till I read that the engine was detune to reduce HP and was being marketed as a entry level bike for new riders. No so sure now.

I want it as trials bike for real trail use on wicked hard single track.

Would love to hear if it's coming to the states and can it be re-mapped to the power of a 350EXC-R

[stevodadevo]

I want one so bad!

[manfromthestix]

Fuel injected, water cooled, electric start, street legal, low seat height with killer ground clearance, under 100 kilos, Brembo brakes, KTM WP suspension, "large steering lock" (which I take to mean tight turning radius), 5.5 liter fuel tank (maybe 125 - 150 mile range?), etc. Yes, de-tuned to 23 HP, but that's not a show stopper for me. And it looks very cool!




I don't remember how many HP my old Montesa had, but on the Cota 247 it was all about torque, not HP and high-RPM power and that bike would go literally anywhere (why oh why did I ever sell that bike ????). You could blip the throttle on that bike and it would literally jump off the ground; you could ride endless wheelies on it. I've owned plenty of 125s, 175s, 225s, and 250s with power in that range (or less) and had a blast on them, but they didn't have top drawer disc brakes, FI, fantastic suspension, reasonable seat height, etc. Even with 49 years of riding experience I can see this thing being a hoot to ride. I'm looking for a lightweight performance trail bike, not a motocrosser or Dakar contender and this thing looks like the real deal. Don't need no stinking rubber-mounted turn signals, etc.

I would love to get a ride on this bike. I hear they're for sale in Canada... My son lives in northern North Dakota, just a few miles from Winnipeg... Hmmmm....

Of course, I have to admit to being a total motorhead and admit that if I could re-tune it for some additional HP I would of course do it . You wouldn't have to futz with chopping weight to get some performance, like on my old DR650 or KLR650, both great bikes with double the HP but also +130 pounds made them real pigs in truly rough terrain.

Doug

[68deluxe]

Originally Posted by manfromthestix

Here's the latest link to the KTM website

http://www.ktm.com/freeride/freeride-350/highlights.html

This is the only photo I could find on their website.



About a million years ago I had a Montesa Cota 247 with the high seat that I used more as a trail bike than a trials competition bike and I just loved the fact that it was sub-200 pounds. If you got back in the really rough stuff you could pick it up and carry it or throw it over a fence or whatever. I can't do that with my 1150GS and I miss that ultra-light, high performance machine. I'd love to give this thing a try. Anybody seen or ridden one? What does it cost??

I'm over this thing...

Doug

Girlie-man. Can't lift a GS.

[manfromthestix]

Originally Posted by 68deluxe

Girlie-man. Can't lift a GS.

It has honestly earned the nick-name "The Big Pig". I can pick it up if I drop it, but it isn't easy. I don't know if I want to meet a guy that can throw a GS over a fence . That said, the GS is my favorite by far of the 44 motorcycles I've owned in my life so far. It's a wonderful machine but it ain't a trail bike.

Doug

[akarob]

Originally Posted by manfromthestix

Yes, de-tuned to 23 HP, but that's not a show stopper for me.
Doug

I once put a stock XR650L on a dyno and it was about 24hp. After a new silencer and rejet, it was almost 30 - and the bike weighed 50% more. Anyway, that just puts it in perspective. Was has been de-tuned can always be re-tuned.

[Narsisco Lopez]

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

[afordableperformance]

I called KTM and told them I'd like a Freeride 350 in the USA, had to leave them a message as it was Black Friday and no one answered. To my surprise they called me back! We had a nice little chat about the Freeride 350 and I told them I would buy one if they bring it here. I was told they are keeping track of inquiries, hopefully, if they get enough calls, maybe they'll bring them to the USA. So, give them a call at 440-985-3553 if you want them bring it to the USA, if not for your own sake, how about mine! Thank You!