Intermot show: KTM Freeride E SM
A supermoto version of KTM’s new electric bike fare which has snuck up on us, and now joins the SX and XC in the 2015 line-upKTM’s Freeride E electric family is now three-strong, with the SM supermoto version joining the previously announced SX and XC models on the stand at last week’s Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany.
Like the XC, the 110kg SM is road legal, but it has smaller wheels with sticky rubber and is also geared taller for higher speeds. The suspension is also at a different state of tune.
The SM has a 300-volt battery and brushless, permanent magnet synchronous motor with up to 22hp (16kW) of peak power and 42Nm of torque. At a capacity of 2.6kWh, the lithium-ion battery provides up to an hour of E-power for the single-geared machine.
In Europe, the SM complies with the restrictions of the A1 driving licence, which means 16-year-olds can use it on public roads.
As for the other two models, the SX is for more hardcore riders and pitched towards closed-circuit riding, while the SX is “aimed at a vast array of riders” including urban dwellers and learners.
The Freeride E project has included a dedicated team of 20 at KTM's R&D base in Mattighofen and, while the company doesn't believe that electrically powered motorcycles will replace conventional combustion engines in the near future, it has a clear vision in the creation of a segment in its own right.
“We're really excited to finally see this ultra-innovative bike head into the market. The feedback from our E parks, situated around Europe, has been really positive and this is a quality product, which we hope to see on many tracks and trails in the near future,” said Thomas Kuttruf, KTM's .PR Manager.
“KTM is completely committed to this project, and while the Freeride E is already a very established bike, this is really just the beginning of our involvement in E-mobility.”
All three bikes have a perimeter steel-aluminium composite structure, with a high-strength polyamide and plastic subframe, rolling with 43mm WP upside-down forks and a WP PDS rear shock damper.
According to Greg Chambers, KTM Australia’s marketing and communications manager, KTM will use Europe to test and evaluate the E project in terms of getting the infrastructure right to service an E bike customer. Once rolled out KTM will look to enter more markets. No news at this point as to when it will hit Australia.
Photo: H Mitterbauer
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