Ktm freeride questions

[Rocketz152]

Just curious on how many people have had the opportunity to ride a (new) KTM freeride exc on this site... I haven't been too active on here since Alta shut down. Currently I ride a 2021 KTM 450 (vet A/ 450 A)... I suffered a back injury last year that prevented me from racing and honestly it may be all she wrote as far as me racing again (still able to hit the big jumps and ride hard but my stamina/ speed isn't where it used to be and it takes a few days to recover from a hard practice day...

Having said all of that, I spend most of my time riding pit bikes with my kiddos and limit my time on the 450. So my big question is... Is the KTM freeride capable riding hard on a mx track and hitting 80+ ft triples? There's not alot of info on YouTube other than these bikes are sprung soft, speed limited to 50mph (stock) and come with trials bike tires... I've never seen one in real life and I'd have to travel to get one. I'd be willing to get rid of the 450 if I can make the freeride capable on the track for the days I "need to throw down some burner laps" lol... I loved my Alta mxr and could hit everything on my home track in map 2-3 (map 4 on race days)... (side note) I'm super excited on the arrival of the stark varg but am hesitant to spend the money on something that may not be around... Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[snydes]

Pretty sure the Freeride will massively disappoint. Not at all designed for what you want to do, that’s Alta/Varg territory.

 

[Rocketz152]

Pretty sure the Freeride will massively disappoint. Not at all designed for what you want to do, that’s Alta/Varg territory.

I figured the bike would be a disappointment compared to the alta/varg bikes... But you never know if someone was able to make the freeride work somewhat decent on a track with suspension and gearing upgrades... Thanks for the input!

 

[snydes]

We have some European friends here on this forum that have better knowledge of the freeride as far as track riding. Hopefully they will chime in.

 

[F451]

I haven't heard or seen any video of anyone doing what you described on a Freeride and I've been following them fairly close.

I would imagine if anyone did that, there'd be some video out there given how we all love to crow about how capable our e-dirt bikes are, especially when modded.

Like snydes mentioned, hopefully some Freeride owners will chime in.

 

[Philip]

The Freeride has just 20hp (right??) It is like an 80cc equivalent. It doesn't have the suspension travel or probably even the frame strength to jump 80 ft jumps. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Brillie35]

I have both the Alta and the Freeride.

The Freeride works fine on small hardpack backyard tracks where you do not run into the speed limit.
In the sandy stuff you miss the power to pull through.
When you push it hard it does not take very long before it limits the power. I estimate by 15%.
If the landing on a big jump is smooth, there is no problem jumping it.

On the vitalmx forum there was a post from someone who put smaller wheels in it and uses it as a supermini.

It's a nice bike, but for hard riding the Alta is way better.
You better never get rid of it!

 

[Oded]

This guy made some nice videos relevant to your question

 

[Rocketz152]

Thanks for all of the replies. I agree that sadly the freeride isn't going to do what I need it to for Motocross (obviously it would be perfect for riding with my kiddos)... Having said that, I talked to the owner of the dealership that I bought my alta from and he's cool with me test riding a freeride to see what I think of the power. I'll report back once I ride one on my personal opinion of how it feels. (I'll be riding it this coming Monday).

 

[Gtrbo1]

These guys are all spot on. I have 2 free rides and three Alta’s. All for sale actually, but I would train on single track with the Freeride which feels very similar to down hill mountain bike racing. But the Alta is well, we all know it’s as capable as a 450 motocrosser. The you tube guy John does really great videos has sorted out the suspension on Freeride but whatever you do to, it will not be a great motorcrosser. It’s the king of backyard racing. Oh and all your friends grab the Freeride first for some odd reason. It’s just a really fun bike to ride

 

[C5tor]

The Alta size and power can be intimidating, especially to new riders or new-to-electric riders. Hell, I have had mine for 3 years, and I still don’t ride the damn thing in map 4. The Freeride, not so much. It is lighter and never feels like it might rip your arms off if your right hand gets delusions of grandeur. And if you tip it over, the Freeride is easier to pick up than the electric hippo we call Alta.

 

[Rocketz152]

Well I rode the freeride... Like everyone said it's definitely not an alta... I have mixed feelings on it... On one hand it could be a fun bike for messing around (riding with my kids, my wife riding it)... But I couldn't be competitive on it in a race (or do all the jumps on my mx track)... I don't have my alta anymore, and I'd be trading my 450 in on the freeride... I wish I knew if my back is going to be strong enough to race/ possibly take a hard crash or if I should stop racing while I'm ahead... Choices...

 

[effinsiok]

Well I rode the freeride... Like everyone said it's definitely not an alta... I have mixed feelings on it... On one hand it could be a fun bike for messing around (riding with my kids, my wife riding it)... But I couldn't be competitive on it in a race (or do all the jumps on my mx track)... I don't have my alta anymore, and I'd be trading my 450 in on the freeride... I wish I knew if my back is going to be strong enough to race/ possibly take a hard crash or if I should stop racing while I'm ahead... Choices...

My MX is for sale…just saying

 

[Rocketz152]

I'm just going to bite the bullet and be patient and buy a stark varg when it comes out lol.

 

[Rocketz152]

Posted on another thread too but I decided to pull the trigger on the freeride. Can't wait to take her to the track and mountains and test it out!

 

[Gtrbo1]

You will love the mountains. Leave it in map 3 and it will go far in single track and technical obstacle terrain

 

[DirtFirst]

View attachment 8650Posted on another thread too but I decided to pull the trigger on the freeride. Can't wait to take her to the track and mountains and test it out!

Hey there-
I’ve been developing the KTM Freeride as a Supermini MX bike For 12-16 yr olds for the last few years. We run air forks and revalved rear shock and race competively at tracks in SoCal. Maybe you can benefit from our setup info.

2021 Off-Road Racebikes—Andy Lagzdins’ KTM Freeride E-XC

Movie bike builder Andy Lagzdins converted a KTM Freeride E-XC electric trailbike to supermini race spec with some simple modifications.

www.dirtrider.com

 

[Rocketz152]

I'll check it out! Thanks for the information! So far I absolutely love the bike and am happy with trading my 450 in on it. Only owned her 2 weeks and already have half of the time on it that I put on my 450 in 8 months lol.

 

[Rocketz152]

Hey there-
I’ve been developing the KTM Freeride as a Supermini MX bike For 12-16 yr olds for the last few years. We run air forks and revalved rear shock and race competively at tracks in SoCal. Maybe you can benefit from our setup info.

2021 Off-Road Racebikes—Andy Lagzdins’ KTM Freeride E-XC

Movie bike builder Andy Lagzdins converted a KTM Freeride E-XC electric trailbike to supermini race spec with some simple modifications.

www.dirtrider.com

I read the article. Nice work! Personally I'm not racing (at least for another season), I just need the suspension dialed in for my weight for hitting the bigger jumps. I've been pricing out the springs from racetech and they also recommend the rebound mid valve and the performance kit for the rear shock (they say that the shock can be damaged unless I upgrade to the internal and external performance kit they sell)... Have you had any rear shock issues?

 

[Rocketz152]

Getting her dialed in... Just upgraded the suspension. Need to gear it up and put better tires on it...