First Ride on 2020 KTM Freeride E-XC Electric Motorcycle

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Added 4 years ago by tomm

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My first ride impressions of my new 2020 Freeride E-XC are below. Here are my thoughts on the 2020 KTM Freeride E-XC after 450 miles of riding over the past few months....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M8m2NgUgtQ

Some first ride impressions on my new 2020 KTM Freeride E-XC electric motorcycle. This bike is about fun...quiet fun!! The motor makes a whirring noise and there is some chain slap but overall so quiet to ride. You can hear the tires going over leaves and clawing for traction on the trail and even hear the mud hitting the fenders! The quietness is a totally different off road riding experience. The first question I get about the Freeride is always about battery life....how long does it run? In my short experience my best estimate is about 1~2 hours for most riders. Regular rider running mostly in Map 3 in the woods probably about an hour. On the trails in the video I went 1 hour mostly in map 3 and still had 30% battery remaining. I've gone as long as 2.5 hours total run time (1.5 hours in map 1 and 1 hour in Map 2). The (3) maps are very different. Map 1 is Eco and about 50% power and top speed is about 33 mph. This is a great learning map for new riders or just riding around slowly. Map 2 is much more responsive with 16kW of of the 18kW peak power and a top speed of about 45 mph. Map 2 is a fun woods map uses less battery. Map 3 is full power with a top speed of about 50 mph and easily the most fun! 0~30mph in Map 3 is very quick. Even in Map 3 the first 0~1/4 throttle is easy to modulate the power which then builds very quickly with motor rpm. The motor makes instant torque but lacks that instant burst you get with a clutch (there is no clutch). The chassis feels almost 7/8 size - compact yet somehow not cramped. The Freeride is comfortable to stand up on and has a slight trials bike with a seat feel with footpegs low and back. The smaller overall size, low inertia electric motor, and steep steering head angle all combine to give the Freeride a quick response to steering inputs and very agile feel considering the 238 lb overall weight. The suspension has about 10 inches of travel with a plush woods focused setting. The Maxxis trials tires have a very soft compound and provide more traction than expected. The Formula brakes provide adequate front brake power but the rear brake which is operated by a lever on the left side of the handlebars feels weak. My right foot continues to look for a non existent rear brake pedal! The electric powertrain in the Freeride provides a unique stealth off road riding experience. Most importantly the electric Freeride is fun to ride and isn't that the reason we all started riding?
I'll be sharing more videos of my riding experience on the 2020 KTM Freeride E-XC soon. If you have any questions leave them in the comments section below. Ride safe!