Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/422367
2015 KTM FREERIDE 250 R FIRST RIDE P48 to give the Freeride's clutch a light pull while maintaining a solid bite. There is no kickstarter; in- stead, it gets an electric start- ing system. It has a unique-looking, low- noise exhaust system. It tucks in close to the engine to stay out of harm's way, has a header pipe that looks like it came off a four-stroke before it widens up at the midsection, but not as much as your typical 250cc two-stroke expansion cham- ber. This is done to tone down the midrange hit and keep the powerband as smooth and lin- ear as possible. The exhaust pipe is fitted with a lightweight aluminum silencer that does not incorporate a spark arres- tor from the factory. A small 28mm Keihin PWK carburetor is in charge of the fuel/air mixing, and it gets its fuel from a 1.9-gallon tank that is made from a semi-clear poly- ethylene plastic material, mak- ing it simple to monitor fuel consumption. Since this bike is designed to be ridden at fairly low speeds, the recommended fuel/oil mixture is a rather lean 80:1, so you'll be getting the most out of your bottle of oil. Flip up the seat and a small TwinAir foam filter is revealed. It's well protected and the en- tire airbox system has been designed for easy maintenance and cleaning. No tools are needed, just fingers. Variable riding modes for the motor is available. You have two choices—standard and trac- tion. In traction mode, engine response is tamed down a bit to reduce the chance of wheel spin in wet or loose terrain. However, changing modes is not easy; there is no button on the handlebar or coupler that can be simply swapped out. Instead, it requires popping open the seat and fiddling with a couple of wires. It certainly isn't convenient but the option is there. A lightweight, slim single- aluminum radiator is located to- ward the front of the frame, and it is fitted with an external radia- tor fan and redesigned thermo- stat to help keep the Freeride running cool at low speeds. The Freeride has a slim build with a rather short 55-inch wheelbase. Seat height is 36 inches, which isn't exactly low but isn't all that high either. The frame is made up of a perim- eter steel cradle specifically designed for the 250R's en- gine, and there is a generous (Left) The KTM Freeride 250 R is a cross between a trials bike and enduro bike that is designed for both inexperienced and experienced riders. (Right) Just like its name implies, the Freeride is meant to get away and have some fun.