Official: New 4-stroke KTM Freeride 250 F | EICMA 2017
By Michael Mann
BikeSocial Managing Editor. Content man - reviewer, road tester, video presenter, interviewer, commissioner, organiser. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70 in the back garden aged 6. Not too shabby on track, loves a sportsbike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 7-year old the most.
07.11.2017
Replacing KTM’s two-bike 2-stroke FREERIDE line-up of the 350 F and 250 R comes the brand new FREERIDE 250 F with a new 4-stroke motor.
Designed to be ridden on any surface, the low-weight of less than 100kg should be enough to attract beginners, returning riders and those looking to begin off-road riding as well as the more experienced explorers – BikeSocial will be riding the new KTM this week so stay tuned for the first review.
The newly developed 250cc DOHC 4-stroke engine of the KTM FREERIDE 250 F is based on the powertrain of the competition enduro KTM 250 EXC-F but the Austrian manufacturer claims even more linear power delivery.
The 4-stroke is 20 mm shorter than its predecessor, weighs 1.5 kg less at 27.6 kg and is mounted directly into the centre of the bike.
Among the other upgrades for the 2018 FREERIDE 250 F are a new chassis, engine mounts, hydraulic clutch, longer steering head and larger fuel tank
The new KTM uses the new 43 mm Xplor upside-down fork by WP Suspension with 250 mm of travel. A split design – both of its legs contain springs but separate the damping functions. Rebound is in the right leg, compression on the left, so they can function without interfering with each other and are adjustable from on top of the fork legs.
The new PDS rear suspension works in tandem with the 260 mm of wheel travel and comes complete with a shock absorber mounted directly to the swingarm. Compression and rebound damping are adjustable and separate high and low-speed compression adjustments are provided.
TECHNICAL FACTS
New: ultra-compact 4-stroke engine with 6 speed transmission and torque-oriented performance characteristics
New: hydraulic DS clutch with wear-free steel basket and diaphragm spring
New: compound frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel and forged aluminum with bolt-on polymer rear subframe
New: adjustable WP Suspension XPlor 43 fork with 250 mm of travel and new CNC machined triple clamps
New: WP Suspension rear suspension with new WP XPlor shock absorber featuring multiple adjustments, 260 mm of wheel travel
New: Extremely low weight of only 98.5 kg
Adjustable footpegs with eccentric mounts
Maxxis Trialmaxx tires – specially developed for the KTM FREERIDE series
E-starter and lightweight lithium-ion battery
Price and availability detail are set to be confirmed later this week.
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