Launch: 2014 KTM Freeride 250 R

KTM’s Freeride 250 R is aimed at a more ‘sporty’ audience -- those with a trials background who crave a little more zest from the engine. The Austrian company started with the acclaimed 250 EXC power pack and went back to the drawing board, removing the kick-starter, power valve mechanism, dropping in a whole new cylinder and head design, and adding a new exhaust that has different routing and is reminiscent of a Yamaha TY250.

Because of the smaller two-stroke engine, KTM has been able to redesign the lower frame rails, adding an extra 55mm of ground clearance. The Freeride 250 R is also 7kg lighter than the Freeride 350. It has a different fuel tank and airbox design too, as well as a much bigger air filter. The 250 R still retains the clever cartridge air filter design of the 350 as well as the easy-access hinged seat. And finally, the 250 R is graced with some shiny graphics, including a huge ‘R’ for that extra sporty touch, and slightly different suspension settings. Otherwise the two bikes are identical, sharing all the same frame geometry and components.

Both bikes feature new wheels made by mountain bike company Giant; revised brake and clutch master cylinders by Formula (to make bleeding much easier than before, which will assist with the fade issues); revised gear ratios; a return to a traditional coil spring clutch instead of the EXC-based diaphragm spring clutch for a “more direct response”; and a new Maxxis TrialMax hybrid tyre with a trials compound and style, but with looser packed and deeper knobs.

2014 FREERIDE 250 R
This is vastly removed from the 250 EXC. The engine note instantly screams trials bike, and so do the ergonomics. It is the little things like the gear lever -- which sits a good distance away from your foot -- and extremely close rear brake that helps to give it that feeling.  

The power delivery is unique. It is geared short and has no powerband. It’s a linear delivery that requires lots of gear changes. It quickly becomes obvious that being in the right gear is essential to getting the best from the 250 R, and those riders with trials experience will revel in the engine. It’ll reward you all day long if you have the skills and knowledge to be in the correct gear, but it has a tendency to eat you up if you start making mistakes in difficult riding. It doesn’t appreciate poor gear choice at all, and doesn’t have the torque to pull gears that are too high.

However, it’s not a bad thing as there is little room for laziness and it really promotes an active riding style. It suits those with trials experience so much more than those from another type of riding.

The handling is what you would expect from a two-stroke bike. The lightness is very noticeable compared to the Freeride 350, and it’s easy to flick around, bunny hop off things and be precise with. The control on technical descents is incredible, and on the numerous drop-off and boulder steps the bike excelled. It is just so easy to place the front wheel, scrub off speed and choose the tightest of lines.

The 250 R does have that two-stroke tendency to skip and bounce. It’s a characteristic that makes it fun, and whether that is a negative characteristic is entirely dependent on personal taste. However, it is incredibly easy to play on, and that light feeling is a smile maker.

2014 FREERIDE 350
The 350 really isn’t all that different to the last model (review here), and in my opinion not a lot really needed to be done. If you’ve got issues with the bike, then it’s probably not getting used for its intended purpose.

>Freeride 350 in Bike Showroom

It’s genuinely an incredible bike to ride: so forgiving, so easy and extremely rider friendly. There isn’t another bike which can make you so much better than your skill level, and it caresses and softens all your errors and areas of weakness and drags you up the hills and over obstacles that it has no right to.

The engine is star of the show, and glosses over the areas where it falls behind the 250 R. There have been complaints about the lack of power, but the torque and softness makes the bike what it is. It’s a rocky, rooty, slippery hill-eating monster and removes all the thinking. You can pick a gear and just ride. If it’s the wrong gear, it doesn’t really matter either, as it has the torque to pull you out. The grip and forward motion it generates is superb, and as such it encourages and builds confidence quicker than anything else.

It lacks some of the agility of the two-stroke, but it is 7kg heavier. It’s a little slower to turn and encourages you to carry more sweeping lines. Sometimes the intense engine braking can be overbearing, but like most four-strokes it comes with a dose of stability that makes it planted, comfortable and safe -- just as fun as a bike that skips off everything. It is harder to play ride, but it’s still easier to mess about on than just about any other bike bar the 250 R.

One of the biggest complaints about the original Freeride 350 was the soft suspension, which lacked any bottoming resistance and had a tendency to hit hard, even on soft riding. To counter that, KTM went back to the drawing board, using the newest-spec suspension from its 85 SX model to reduce the chance of blowing through the stroke. KTM has also put a new bumper stop on the rear shock to prevent metal on metal action.

It no longer bottoms out anywhere near as often as the first model, and its soft, slow action means it doesn’t tend to skip at all. If you try to ride it in quicker going, with big bumps you’re going to arrive in a situation that doesn’t suit the bike, but for gentle trails or very technical riding it’s well setup.

THE OTHER BITS
KTM is renowned for excellent components and, despite having moved away from its staple Brembo parts, the controls on the 250 R and 350 are excellent. The front brake is especially good, offering incredible feel and control. The clutch is also light and consistent.

The new Maxxis tyre is the standout. It’s hard to describe just how good it is. The grip it can find on wet, slippery rock is superb and, unlike your traditional trials tyre, the more open design of tread means you still have some level of grip when the going gets muddy. It isn’t the greatest tyre in the wet stuff, but it is consistent which means even though you’ve got a little wiggle action, it feels the same and is manageable. The downside to such a soft compound is the shelf life: it’s soft and isn’t going to be on there a long time.

Overall, they are both incredible bikes to ride. They caress and nurture you, giving you the ability to ride in places your skill level shouldn’t let you. For non-trials riders, you can take one of these way beyond where you could a trials bike. Between the torquey engines and the low seat height you get away with horrendous mistakes and keep riding. I prefer the 350 slightly, purely because it feels more like the enduro bike I’m used too. However, neither bike is better than the other; it’s purely personal preference and desired use that will dictate which model will suit.

The Freeride 250 R and Freeride 350 are the ultimate play bikes. If you want to push the boundaries, are short, a novice, or you just want to have a chilled-out ride, then are no better bikes. Just don’t take it to an enduro expecting wonders, as you’ll be sorely disappointed.

The updated Freeride 350 will go on sale in October, 2013 for $9995, and the Freeride 250 R in November, 2013 for $9295.

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 23hp
Claimed maximum torque: Not given

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, hydraulically operated

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel backbone and bolted to forged aluminium side spars, plastic sub-frame
Front suspension: 43mm WP fork, 250mm travel
Rear suspension: WP shock, preload adjustment, 280mm travel
Front brakes: Formula disc with radially mounted four-piston caliper
Rear brake: Formula disc with radially mounted twin-piston caliper
Tyres: Front 80/100-21, rear 110/90-19

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 23 degrees
Claimed dry weight: 92.5kg
Seat height: 895mm
Wheelbase: 1418mm +-10mm
Ground clearance: 380mm
Fuel capacity: 7 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $9295 (2014 Freeride 350: $9995)
Availability: November, 2013
Colour: Orange/white/black