- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Time for another dirt bike - which one to get for a short rider?
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Is the Freeride even available in the US?
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I thought it was. On another note, they introduced a freeride 250r 2t in Italy. Awesome.
http://www.ktm.com/us/news-events/news/racing/details/ktm-puts-the-r-into-freeride.html#.Usjk3TPn_qA
http://www.ktm.com/us/news-events/news/racing/details/ktm-puts-the-r-into-freeride.html#.Usjk3TPn_qA
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I don't believe it is, but I may be wrong.
Cascadia
Undecided
- Location
- Orem, Utah
No. They made the 105 up until 2010. Seat height is 35.5" on the 105. The 150 actually sits at over 39" which is an inch higher than my 250 sits. That wouldn't work.
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/688346-ktm-105-xc/
Last edited:
Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
Don't rule out using a lowering link on some of the bikes and shaving the seat down.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
It's hard to tell. It's on their 2014 us page.
http://www.ktm.com/us/freeride/freeride-350/highlights.html#.UsjzdPRDtH4
But a recent article states "None of the Freeride range — 350, this new 250 or even the electric E — have yet to go on-sale in the United States."
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Cascadia
Undecided
- Location
- Orem, Utah
What exactly does a lowering link do other than lowering it? How does it work? Is there a good way to cut down a fork or is that crazy? I have read a few pages saying you can have the fork cut down and it maintains a good angle. Obviously it'd need to be done professionally is this is possible.
I don't think any of the Freerides have made it in to the US yet. I know they've been working on the importing precess, but I think Ken Block is the only one to have one in the US right now. Didn't the 350 freeride still weigh a fair amount? I remember when it actually came down to it, it wasn't a hybrid trails bike like it was played up to be??? I may be mistaken on that though 
It was a very mild trail bike though, great for a wife.
It was a very mild trail bike though, great for a wife.Depending on the fork, you can have it lowered internally. Again, it needs to be done by a professional (or at least someone comfortable tearing the forks down) but it can be done. The angles are important, but on a wife bike, I doubt they'll really care too much about the angles (or will even notice I should say).
Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
A lowering link will typically drop a bike 1-2". You do sacrifice some suspension travel and some would say even a little handling. As far as the front end just lower the fork tubes in the clamps. It will effect handling but for a beginner she probably won't notice any negative effects
Yep, I'd look at a 150XC with a lowering link, lower seat (ktm usually has a factory lower seat option, I know my old/Greg's 300 has the lower KTM seat along with the stock seat), and drop the forks a little along with having them lowered by a shop like Race Tech.
Cascadia
Undecided
- Location
- Orem, Utah
How do you lower the rear? Is that where the lowering link comes in?
Yes, the lowering link replaces the link on the rear suspension. This obviously only works if the bike has a rear link. Luckily the 150XC does
. Or you can send forks and shocks in to race tech and they can lower them both internally.
Cascadia
Undecided
- Location
- Orem, Utah
What a boring website! But I learned more on that boring website than I thought possible. They told me everything I needed to know. Thanks Caleb!
Yeah, their site sucks. It's even worse when you're trying to find the info you know is on there. Try and find that page by browsing around starting from their home page. Is doable but a PITA
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Didn't the 350 freeride still weigh a fair amount? I remember when it actually came down to it, it wasn't a hybrid trails bike like it was played up to be??? I may be mistaken on that though
I think you're right.
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
Here you go. If you have a spare $10K after taxes etc, this would be a sweet bike
http://www.betausa.com/node/1983
my friend rides a 2014 300 Beta. I have yet to throw a leg over it but it sure is pretty
http://www.betausa.com/node/1983
my friend rides a 2014 300 Beta. I have yet to throw a leg over it but it sure is pretty
Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
That's awesome! I can't wait to buy a used one in 10 years