KTM is a reputed manufacturer of electric bikes. Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike is the latest offering by the company. It is expected to surpass the performance of any high-end electric dirt bike currently available on the market. The price of the Freeride E-XC dirt bike is set at $11,299.
It is an exuberantly high price tag for an electric bike. Is this price justified for KTM electric dirt bike Freeride E-XC?
Let’s find out in this article!
Highlights of KTM Electric Dirt Bike Freeride E-XC
- 12 hp motor with a peak output of 24.5 hp
- A torque of 42 Nm to climb a 67-degree steep slope
- A top speed of 60 mph+
- Three different riding modes
- An extended range of over 60 miles
- 3.9 kWh battery pack with a charging time of under 2 hours
- A full suspension to ensure a comfortable ride
- Car-like dashboard integrated with warning and indicator lights
- Large-sized wheels and anodized aluminum rims
- Formula disc brakes with floating calipers
- Adjustable seat and handlebar
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A Sneak Peek into the All-New 2023 KTM Freeride E-XC
KTM Freeride E-XC is an exceptional electric dirt bike in all aspects. It is laced with a powerful motor, a large-sized battery pack, and a full suspension. Let us know more about the KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike in this detailed review!
Motor Power and Output
What good is a dirt bike that doesn’t have enough power to conquer slopes? The all-new KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike has no power lag whatsoever. It is powered by a brushless electric motor which has a nominal power output of up to 12 hp at 4,500 rpm. This motor of KTM Freeride E-XC can produce a torque of 42 Nm, which is enough to tackle most steep roads.
That’s not it. Under load, the peak output power of KTM Freeride E-XC becomes double the nominal power. The peak output of 24 hp ensures prime performance on the roughest tracks. But mind you, that nominal power is rated at 4,500 rpm. When the motor is operating at peak power, the value of rpm will reach 5,000. This gives you a steering head angle of 67 degrees.
Top Speed and Acceleration
The official top speed of the KTM Freeride E-XC is limited to 35 mph. But that’s in the limited power mode. Otherwise, it is safe to assume that KTM Freeride E-XC will be one of the fastest electric bikes on the market. The current fastest e-bike, SWIND EB-01, has a peak motor output of 20 hp, and it can achieve a top speed of 80 mph.
I see no reason why an electric bike laced with a 24-hp motor cannot beat it. Baring the efficiency of the drivetrain, KTM Freeride E-XC would have a top speed of 60 mph and above. The power of the motor is enough to satisfy your need for speed. Plus, the delivery and acceleration of the KTM Freeride E-XC will put any gas-powered dirt bike to shame.
Advanced Motor Controller
The power of the motor is one thing, but if the electronic controller isn’t compatible with the motor, most of this power will go to waste. That’s certainly not the case with KTM Freeride E-XC. It uses a highly advanced state-of-the-art set of electronics. Thanks to this, the response and power delivery of the electric motor is amazing.
The job of a motor controller is even tougher on twisty tight tracks. With so much variation in power, acceleration, and rpm, at times, you feel that the motor isn’t responding quickly enough to the throttle. However, the motor controller of KTM Freeride E-XC is specially designed for high-performance activities such as off-roading and mountain riding.
Riding Modes and Range
KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike offers up to three different modes to match the specific needs of a rider. Each mode is tailored for a specific purpose. You can toggle between the three riding modes, Economy, Enduro, and Cross, by using a multifunctional display. It is located between the steering head and seat and also indicates the remaining battery power.
The first mode offered by KTM Freeride E-XC is the economy mode. In this mode, the power is limited to nominal value, and you can achieve a top speed of 35 mph only. As the name of the mode suggest that this is done to conserve as much of the battery power as possible. So, you will get an exceptional range of over 50 miles in economy mode.
Next up is the Enduro mode, in which maximum motor power is limited to 19 hp. Hence, the top speed would slightly improve, but the range would drop to 35 miles in this mode. The last and most ferocious mode of KTM Freeride is the Cross mode. The maximum potential of the motor is unleashed in this mode, and you get a full power of 24 hp.
Battery and Charging Time
Nobody likes a battery that runs out of juice. KTM Freeride E-XC electric bike is equipped with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack of 3.9 kWh. This is enough to power the lights and fans of your house for several hours. Thanks to this large-sized battery pack KTM Freeride E-XC can achieve a maximum range of 60 miles if the speed is kept below 25 mph.
There aren’t many electric bikes that are laced with fast-charging capability. However, KTM Freeride E-XC can be fully recharged in less than 2 hours using a regular home socket. Charging the battery pack up to 80% takes about an hour as the maximum charging voltage is capped at 260V, so you can use any socket rated up to 13A.
Chassis Dynamics
Dirt bikes are all about chassis design. We have seen many dirt bikes that were laced with a powerful engines, but they failed due to poor chassis design. The chassis of KTM Freeride E-XC is divided into the main frame and sub-frame. The main frame is sufficiently stiff to ensure stability and agile enough to keep your rides more comfortable than ever.
The frame of the KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike is made out of materials like chrome molybdenum and forged aluminum. The placement of critical components such as the motor and battery has been given a fair bit of thought. The center of gravity has been kept extremely low to keep it safe during feats such as high jumps and acrobatic curves.
Front and Rear Suspension
Just like a spec of perfect dirt, KTM Freeride E-XC electric bike features full suspension. The design of the suspension has been kept pretty straightforward. Unnecessary linkages and connectors are eliminated to avoid complexity. On the front, you get a WP XPLOR 43 fork which allows suspension travel of up to 250 mm.
While on the rear, KTM Freeride E-XC is fitted with a WP XPLOR shock absorber spring which allows the travel of up to 260 mm. It is a perfect companion to the XPLOR 43 front fork, which has somewhat similar allowed travel. In addition to the main spring, WP XPLOR uses a second damping piston to further aid shock absorption and make rides smooth.
Wheels and Brakes
KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike is laced with large-sized 21”/18” mountain tires. These tires are fitted onto the anodized aluminum rings to avoid rusting. This high-end choice of wheels and rims will provide you with the best road grip and stability. The wheels are attached to the CNC machined hubs in order to reduce rolling friction and maximize efficiency.
You would need a special pair of brakes to stop the momentum of a 24-hp electric bike. In order to ensure rider safety, the E-XC dirt bike is equipped with formula disc brakes on the front as well as the rear wheel. The lightweight disc brakes on the front use dual pistons, while the one in the rear uses a single piston. The braking performance of the KTM Freeride E-XC is optimal with short braking distances. It gives great confidence to the rider.
Smart LED Display and Dashboard
The KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike features a fully digital dashboard as well as a smart LED meter to display the remaining battery power and current riding mode selection. Most electric dirt bikes on the market only use an LED meter to display the vitals and speed. A fully-equipped dashboard is quite rare for an electric bike.
The dashboard of the KTM Freeride E-XC electric bike has several integrated warning and indicator lights. Next to this smart dashboard, there is an ignition lock on the right side of the headlight mask. It not only guarantees ease of access but also acts as a considerable theft deterrent.
Final Word, KTM Electric Dirt Bike Freeride E-XC
We begin with the question is the price tag of $11,299 justified for KTM freeride E-XC? Well, high-performance vehicles are never cheap as it is extremely difficult to achieve that last part that brings you an outstanding product.
KTM Freeride E-XC is an exceptional electric dirt bike, no doubt about it, but if you’re not a professional mountain rider or outdoor adventurer, I’d advise against buying it.
Apart from the price, how did you like the all-new 2023 KTM freeride E-XC electric dirt bike? Let us know in the comments below.