TE/TC 2015 FreeRide

Hard to beat a KDX....

I don't know if that guy got a lemon or what but I've watched at least an hour of his YouTube videos and that's the first that has featured any actual riding - brief though it was. All his others are pretty much the same - bitchin' about the brakes, battery, starter, etc. (but from the comparative comfort of his driveway).

I agree that given the absence of a kick starter his bling money would have been better spent on a heavy duty Li-Ion battery. But I also agree that that shouldn't be necessary on a new bike.

Then again maybe those auxiliary lights he stuck on it are 55W halogens. Who knows, maybe he's added heated grips and an arse warmer too.

Regardless, the lack of a kick starter on any off road motorcycle designed to take you far from the beaten (and paved) path is engineering malpractice.

Light is good but given the choice of riding a 93.5 kg bike back to civilization vs pushing a 92.5kg bike back to civilization, I know which I'd choose. And judging from the colourful language in the above video I expect there's at least one other person who'd agree with me.

Man I just don't get the appeal. It seems like a good idea in theory but in fact its either a really really heavy trials bike or a really crappy dirt bike... or both. My money would be on a YZ125 with 12:52 gearing, it weighs about the same and has better suspension and brakes it also has a power valve and a kick starter that you can start the engine with you hand if you want too. If anyone has ever ridden a modern 145 pound trials bike on the trails they would know that if you trail ride them a lot they get clapped out pretty fast because of the limited suspension and small light brakes and other featherlight components. The freeride has the disadvantages of weaker suspension and the small brakes but still weighs around 200 lbs. Beta makes an EVO 250 sport that is 249 lbs dry and Sherco has made a "longride" option for years, both are much closer to the mark possibly because they understand trials bikes better than KTM.

That was painful to watch

Riding a dirt bike off road isn't for everybody...

There was riding in that video? Would have never guessed it. Could only watch to where he dropped the bike leaving the fenced area.

An hour? Don't see how you did it, must have been a few beers

Language ! (But I had to laugh). Anyway ... t´was quite good downhill. Don´t think I want a Kaytee.

Here's my green-colored Freeride.
A 1987 KDX200 with upgraded brakes and suspension. A seat you can sit on all day, and at 224 lbs I can actually pick it up and....

it comes with a KICKSTARTER (yes, it can be started by hand too), and I decided to keep the power-valve assembly since it didn't seem to hurt anything, LOL. Notice, much like the KTM Freeride engineers I decided retro is good so I used air-cooling to eliminate the unnecessary hassle of radiators. But, I also decided reed valves were good too, so I kept that.

The biggest single expense were the Flexx bars I put on it.

I'm old and slow and would love a light weight modern play chase with the grandkids bike with e-start and low seat height......did I mention I'm only 5'8" . As much as I haven't found a KTM I like the FreeRide could be it. I would like to try one. Would I get one as my only bike, ride MX, go way out in the middle of nowhere without a jumper device, race one, NO. As I think it's designed use is a play bike. Should it have a kick starter ....probably but it's not a deal breaker for me after seeing how small the jump boxes are now. I give them props for having another option for riders.

Yeah...I wanted free ride too....that is until I looked at Beta and bought one. Low seat height, estart that works and kick backup. Oh..and no sacrifice in power output and only $7500

ks9mm was that a new Beta for $7,500.00 and if so where did you get it?

2014 300rr. I may have got last one in US they sold out pretty quick I was told.

2015 model is about 1 month away and have some good improvements, but I did not want to wait and price would be $8100

Pm Twowheels. He is member here

NICE bet that little bike rocks KDXs r sweet 4 what they r love mine all 292cc

Sweet looking bike. I'd ride that!

Thanks guys! It's amazing how these older trail bikes still perform right along with the new stuff - and can actually still best them in many situations - especially tight trails. I'm riding the wheels off of this bike right now...it's just a fun bike and really works well. I used to ride/race this model back in the day, and I always wanted to see what it would do with a better rear disk brake (originally used a drum) and modern forks, so I rebuilt an old castaway from the ground up. It was worth it.

I'm still not sure if it was the bike or the rider . Was the bike that underpowered ? I can't imagine a bike being that weak. Hmmm maybe if he twisted the throttle a little it may have run a little better..