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[Fran K]

I got one of these 2017 bikes, not unusual I get things that are not a marketing success.  Actually I think it is a good compromise for ground clearance seat height no linkage relative simplicity.

The green cloth wads are to keep my knees away from ridges in the shrouds.
That giant above ground swimming pool like thing is for water used in natural gas "fracking".  Sure windmills seem more what they like in the advertising but I will consider mine run on natural gas.  The pad during the hydraulic fracturing phase is also in the background of one picture.

[Fran K]

I do not have a good program to shrink the pictures rules are 600kb per post.

[Marshm]

You mention a good compromise on some characteristics.  I have been thinking about that lately.  I considered the different bikes I have ridden.  Then I went to the shop and sat on the KTM350 dual sport and then on the Honda 250 dual sport next to it.  The long wheelbase of the 350 and the terrible seat that dug into the sides of my legs was quite noticeable.  As far as dimensions go, I think the Freeride dimensions are better.  Freeride has much shorter wheelbase 55.8, compared to KTM 350 dual sport 58.3 or Alta's 58.6.  I really did not like the big bike feel of the 350 dual sport.  I started to think about the bikes I have ridden because I was thinking about how the rake and trail effect handling in tight stuff.  But the crf230 does not have as small a rake as other bikes, I was surprised when I looked, yet it has good slow speed turning.  I figure the 54.1 wheelbase must also play a big part.  I looked at the numbers for other bikes, klx250, drz400, kx250f, wr250f.  I concluded I have a more favorable ride experience on the shorter and smaller bikes.  Sure the kx250f is light weight so does work well in trails, but it still doesn't have the trail bike feel.  It has that big bike feel even though it is so light.  I think KTM's free ride bike line is a great size. However, they don't want to sell them in the USA.  The website only has the Freeride E.  I like the e-bikes for sure, but I was thinking gas due to the range and dual sport.  Alta's is dual sport but I know it will have that big bike feel.  They adjusted the rake for their dual sport, so that will help but I doubt it will feel as nimble as the KTM freeride e.  I often overthink things, but in this case I really think I noticed the trend of what size bike I am looking for, and it's not a full size mx bike.       

[Fran K]

The freeride bikes have been imported into the USA in 350 four stroke and 250 non power valved two strokes in prior years.  I may be wrong but think the concept started as for the electric bike but the CEo of KTM supposedly isn't too keen on e-bikes, or was not.  I did nor really realize it untll later but a lot of the components like the suspention are really from the 85cc youth bike.  I think the most likely ice freeride to be imported will be a 250 four stroke at this point but that is just read it on the internet stuff.  The seat is better than one might expect but really is designed for standing and not getting in the way.  For my purposes it could have been made more like a Yamaha xt250 with a nice seat and lower seat.  The narrowness of the engine base and lack of pedals, brake and shift make only the footpegs to hit things and they are rather hard to damage.

fran

[Marshm]

It seems like KTM does not know what they want to do on the Freeride series.  350 came and went, but never to USA.  I know a lot of people wanted that bike too. Then 250 2-stroke, also to USA, nobody I know wanted that one.  Now 250 4-stroke, but not to USA.  Now the freeride E comes to the USA finally.   Must be a rule you can only have 1 freeride model going to the USA per year. 43mm fork is same size as klx300 or 250.  It seems big enough.  So just because it is not the latest size for the big bikes, doesn’t mean it is insufficient.  I think the ready to race motto is hurting KTM here. If I am honest, do I ride to the capacity that the top level guys can ride the bikes? No I can’t.  So why do I need a suspension that can do all that when it never will.  I know there are limits, like the crf230 I mentioned. The forks are too wimpy for going fast into a corner.  I can exceed the limits of those forks so it handles bad. But I don’t think the freeride forks would be holding me back.  Riding is about fun for me, I don’t care about racing.  Offroad motorcycling is only about race, that’s a stupid concept.  Trail and other casual offroading is legitimate, and many people would pay the high KTM price to get light weight and good components even though they don’t race.   

[tmgofer]

I think it's relevant topic to share a movie with my KTM. Hopefully this will liven up this part of forum

(some jumps and log hopping)

[Crissa]

Nice video!  I love the sound

-Crissa