Features of KTM Electric Dirt Bike New Model KTM FREERIDE E-XC (2023)
The electric car market has experienced significant progress in recent years.
With the growing popularity of electric vehicles, it’s only realistic that the motorbike industry will track suit.
KTM appears to be the first major off-road motorbike company to release its electric dirt bike.
Rather than setting lofty aims, the business has created the KTM Electric Dirt Bike, intended to be a play bike or an entry bike for individuals interested in trying off-road riding while also potentially appealing to cyclists.
KTM Electric Dirt Bike Model Introduced in 2023
The KTM FREERIDE E-XC is the most recent era of KTM electric bikes.
It boasts a brushless 18 kW synchronous motor in a current FREERIDE chassis with WP XPLOR suspension front and rear, making it exceptionally agile, engaged, and offroad capable.
The KTM FREERIDE E-XC is a real all-terrain machine designed for fun on any terrain.
Key Points Of The New Model of KTM Electric Dirt Bike
System of traction control
Traction control prevents the motor from spinning up suddenly in low-traction circumstances.
It is good, such as bouncing through bumps where the wheel comes off the ground.
However, soft sand can restrict you from obtaining the punch you need from your engine on hills.
Power settings
The Freeride E-XC boasts a liquid-cooled, brushless engine with a maximum power of 18 kW (24 HP) and three different power modes to let you choose how to use that power.
Power mode 1
Power mode one is almost as soft and forgiving as a 125 four-stroke when you twist the throttle.
The pace is limited to 35 mph to ensure that the rider does not get too far ahead of themselves.
The motor pull in this mode is so gentle that an Olympic sprinter could beat this bike in a 50-foot sprint.
Power mode 2
The second power option has the feel of a mellow 125 two-stroke but without the two-stroke hit.
This setting has a highly unbent powerband that appears to increase in intensity until you reach the 50 mph speed limit.
Power mode 3
The third power option is the most forceful, matching the 50 mph speed limit with map two but getting you there considerably faster.
I’d compare the energy in this method to a 125 two-stroke until you get above third gear.
The throttle response is gas-powered, with a linear yet forceful pull from the bottom.
Quiet bike
The most notable feature is the comparative silence in which this bike travels. All you can hear is chain slapping, tires gripping and slipping, and a little electrical engine whine—plus the sound of the wind. It truly is a unique sensation that most petrolheads will disregard right away.
However, with threatening sound difficulties everywhere, this is a tremendous advantage you cannot overlook and will be loved and accepted by the majority.
System of LEDs and batteries
The LED gauge appears to be the lowest weighted–the lights go out faster than in the last 30% of battery life.
When we ran it down to less than 10% on the meter, the bike went into a limp-like mode, which we realize may not be ideal for battery life, so we would believe this cleared except in emergencies.
Heat and cold did not affect battery life, but we noticed some random flashing of the mode lights. We “rebooted” it by turning it on and off several times.
Shock quality
The shock is similar to the forks in that it is a little mushy, but recreating with the high-speed reduction made it keep up better.
The shock does not have the exact hardness as the forks; it is more soft and soft throughout the stroke. Both crowns bottomed a little easier than expected for a contest bike, but nothing serious happened.
While the forks and shock needed additional clicker changes, we had the suspension set up for many riders who wanted to ride it fiercely or slowly.
Suspension
The XPLOR 43 forks and XPLOR PDS shock provide 250mm and 260mm of travel on the Freeride.
The forks have easy-to-tune clickers, with the compression on the left fork and the rebound on the right.
When our 165-pound test rider first hopped on this bike, he felt it was soft, bumbling through most of the stroke on a motocross circuit.
Increasing the compression helped the fork ride higher in the stroke, allowing it to stand up better in the berms.
It held up well, although it felt harsh when going over bumps.
Recreating with the rebound has helped with the hardness, but some lingered until it broke in and became less sticky.
First Impressions of the KTM Freeride E-XC Electric Dirt Bike
The first item we took note of on the KTM Freeride E-XC was the serious likeness to a normal dirt bike. Out of a lineup, we’d be pressed to tell this model apart from its standard gas-powered counterpart. This was exciting from a few different angles since the element of surprise can be useful on race day, and existing parts mean more ways to make it your own.
As far as customization, the KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike can be outfitted with different kits depending on your specific preferences. KTM’s enduring legacy means that their parts offerings are vast, and they’re likely to fit both motocross and off-road setups alike. While Stark is undoubtedly innovative, their lack of customization means what you see is what you get, and that can be a drawback if you like a tailored ride.
Once we got down to business, the first thing we noticed was how top-heavy the KTM Freeride E-XC felt. Even though the battery is situated in a similar area to where an engine would be, the battery sits slightly higher in comparison. This placement also affected the overall maneuvering of the bike, since many gas bikes have a slightly lower center of gravity than this KTM electric dirt bike. This new setup may take some initial rider adjustment, but it’s only an outright concern for smaller riders who may have difficulty picking up their electric dirt bike after a spill.
Other than this placement, the feel of the KTM Freeride E-XC isn’t much different from other KTM machines. Neken handlebars and no-dirt footpegs are standard as always, and you’ll find a built in speedometer and map mode display easily accessible from the saddle. While Stark’s idea of a phone as your dashboard is innovative, it can be another item to mess with before a race. We appreciated the simplicity of this KTM electric dirt bike for staying true to what works. There’s also a convenient lock-on left grip ready to go so you don’t have to worry about the pain of installation.
We found the KTM Freeride E-XC to be more comparable to a 250cc dirt bike for its size, so it might not match your expectations if you’re looking for a sturdy 450. With that being said, its smaller size did not stop us from thoroughly enjoying our riding time. This KTM electric dirt bike might not be a beefy dirt bike like some others, but we loved it for cruising around as a pit bike or with your friends in the backcountry.
It’s important to note that any electric dirt bike you get will be barely audible compared to a gas bike. Although the Varg is technically quieter, the minimal noise on this KTM electric dirt bike still won’t be enough to alert any nosy neighbors to your riding habits.
Power Delivery on the KTM Freeride E-XC Electric Dirt Bike
Even though it was tempting to give it all we had, we wanted to take our time and be thoughtful of the limited battery life on the KTM Freeride E-XC. This is a good metric to follow as you’re learning the ins and outs of your KTM electric dirt bike as well, both for power and responsiveness in different conditions. Especially with it being so top-heavy, we can say that the KTM Freeride E-XC offers a decidedly different experience than a normal dirt bike.
As a guide, we tested out the standard programmed power modes to really get comfortable in the driver’s seat of this electric dirt bike. The zone one (economy) setting left much to be desired, and while that’s obviously a drawback for experienced riders, this mode is great for starting smaller riders or beginners without any serious risks. Part of the reason zone one is so slow is because of the fact that the KTM Freeride E-XC is partially regenerating power in this mode, so it’s not going to be nearly as in-your-face as the other two modes.
Zone two is where things start to get interesting. Mostly built for enduro riding, zone two is excellent for slick conditions and slowly progresses into smooth, steady power. We can verify that you won’t be tearing off the starting line, but full power is easy to come by at the top end of your range.
Conversely, zone three is where the KTM Freeride E-XC outdoes itself. Torque is more comparable to a 300cc at this level, and you’ll top out a bit above 40 mph (65 kph) in normal settings. You may not dust the competition, but you’ll certainly put up a fight. If you’re someone who’s put off riding because you can’t disturb your neighbors, or you want an electric dirt bike to play around with on a day out, the KTM Freeride E-XC is most ideal for you.
As far as distance and battery capacity, it’s no secret that off-road riding will drain this KTM electric dirt bike’s battery more than riding on a smooth track or road setting. Our trek lasted a bit over 16 miles (26 kilometers) on gravelly terrain, but we could see it lasting an additional 5-10 miles if conditions were more uniform. Even with battery life lacking in comparison to the Stark Varg, your battery will drain about as fast as a dirt bike with a smaller gas tank. The important thing is to be aware of these similarities before riding so that you know when to quit and recharge.
You’ll know it’s time to finish up when the built in battery sensor on the KTM Freeride E-XC starts to flash. This flashing indicates that you’ve just hit your 10% battery reserve, and it’s time to take a rest. Your indicator won’t just tell you when it’s time to quit, either. Flashing at different patterns can indicate some sort of error with the dirt bike that requires attention. If you’ve fully charged your electric dirt bike and this indicator is still flashing, you may have another issue that needs troubleshooting before you head out riding.
KTM Freeride E-XC Handling Responsivity
While tricky terrain isn’t always guaranteed on your time out, we feel comfortable saying that the KTM Freeride E-XC has no problem handling terrain that requires more skill and attention. Compared to the Varg, this KTM electric dirt bike has super steady power delivery, which means you don’t have to worry about twitchy, unexpected movements when you’re not trying for them. Corners aren’t quite as easy to dart out of, but the predictable power tradeoff is worth it in our eyes.
KTM Freeride E-XC Rear Brake Pedal Kit (How To & )
The brakes on the KTM Freeride E-XC got an update for 2021, and though they’re not Brembos, they’re still incredibly responsive. A Formula system now comes standard on this KTM electric dirt bike, complete with floating calipers, two front pistons and one in the rear. No one wants to be stuck in a situation they can’t handle, and this upgrade had us feeling ready for whatever the terrain threw at us.
Electrek’s take
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to ride the electric KTM Freeride E-XC 2017 or 2018 model, so we can’t (yet) give you our own experience. However, we did have a blast riding the 2015 Zero DS ZF 9.4 a few months ago. The instant torque from the electric motor and lack of ICE noise was a whole new motorcycle experience. Even though the Zero DS and the KTM are completely different bikes, I would imagine that riding the KTM Freeride E-XC through the woods would be a similarly mindblowing event.
The new KTM Freeride E-XC will arrive at dealerships in certain markets at the beginning of next year. One caveat though, we don’t know whether this will include the US market. If you are currently in the market for an electric motocross bike, you could take a look at Alta Motors with dealers throughout the US.
If you are interested in electric motorcycles, then I recommend reading the following articles on Electrek, about the Evoke, Kalashnikov, Honda, Tacita, Curtiss, Alta Motors and the 2018 Zero line-up also with increased battery range.
What do you think about electric motorcycles and the new KTM freeride E-XC in particular? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below.
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The 2018 Freeride E-XC
Even though the Austrian company, KTM (Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen) is relatively new to the US market, their roots go way back to the nineteen thirties. They first started manufacturing motorcycles in 1951 with the R100. Now, decades later, they are introducing the 2018 KTM Freeride E-XC, a full electric motocross bike.
Typically, motocross bikes are quite loud and noisy. The KTM Freeride E-XC should provide a welcome alternative with its practically maintenance-free, near-silent liquid-cooled electric motor. It has a continuous power output of 9kW and offers a peak performance of 18kW (24.5hp) with 42Nm of torque. The new KTM Lithium-ion PowerPack offers 50% more battery capacity, now rated at 3.9kWh instead of the previous 2017 version with 2.6kWh. This should provide you with about 1.5 hours of riding time, depending on your style and the terrain. Once depleted the PowerPack can be charged up to 100% in 80 minutes (up to 80% in 50 minutes) or it can be swapped out for a fresh one by simply flipping up the seat and loosening four bolts. The bike also offers re-gen to recuperate some of the energy during coasting and braking.
Also new for 2018 are the upgraded suspension components. The KTM Freeride E-XC now uses the WP XPlor 43 fork, a set of 43 mm upside-down fork legs with 250 mm of travel. In the back, the bike features a new WP PDS Xplor shock absorber with “improved progression and adjustment options”. The Freeride E-XC comes standard with lightweight wheels consisting of high-end anodized aluminum Giant rims with CNC machined hubs with aluminum spoke nipples. The reduced unsprung weight of the wheels in combination with better suspension components should go a long way in making the bike ride more composed and providing better control compared to the 2017 model.
How to fix dirt bike brakes that don’t work! #mx
Electrek’s take
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to ride the electric KTM Freeride E-XC 2017 or 2018 model, so we can’t (yet) give you our own experience. However, we did have a blast riding the 2015 Zero DS ZF 9.4 a few months ago. The instant torque from the electric motor and lack of ICE noise was a whole new motorcycle experience. Even though the Zero DS and the KTM are completely different bikes, I would imagine that riding the KTM Freeride E-XC through the woods would be a similarly mindblowing event.
The new KTM Freeride E-XC will arrive at dealerships in certain markets at the beginning of next year. One caveat though, we don’t know whether this will include the US market. If you are currently in the market for an electric motocross bike, you could take a look at Alta Motors with dealers throughout the US.
If you are interested in electric motorcycles, then I recommend reading the following articles on Electrek, about the Evoke, Kalashnikov, Honda, Tacita, Curtiss, Alta Motors and the 2018 Zero line-up also with increased battery range.
What do you think about electric motorcycles and the new KTM freeride E-XC in particular? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below.
Gallery and video
Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.