KTM Freeride 250 R in the driving report
Two-stroke with good manners
After the KTM Freeride 350, the Mattighofen-based company is now sending Klettermax number two on a climbing tour. The KTM Freeride 250 R with two-stroke engine in the MOTORRAD driving report.
Dang, dang, dang – it meanders with typical two-stroke babbling KTM Freeride 250 R the steeply sloping path littered with coarse boulders to the valley. You can literally feel how the soft tires cling to the stones like octopus arms, the machine, as if controlled by an invisible hand, searches its way and almost pushes the driver into the role of the accompanying observer. Seldom has the flippant phrase fit so well: Everything is on track.
KTM Freeride 250 R in the driving report
Two-stroke with good manners
KTM Freeride 250 R open with 25 hp
For a good 18 months, KTM has been relying on the lightness of being off-road, and with the Freeride 350, which went on sale in March 2012, it added a completely new branch to the model family tree. Less noise and fewer tracks, that’s the message of the hiking trial bike – which was gladly heard. The Austrians brought 4,000 freerides to the offroad-loving people around the world, 600 of them in Germany alone.
And now? The two-stroke freeride KTM Freeride 250 R. Instead of a moderately grumbling four-stroke engine, homologated with 23 hp, a tinny-sounding 250 two-stroke. Open with 25 HP peak power, but with only 7 HP in the approved version. Firmer suspension and, instead of tightly knitted trial tires, more coarsely contoured hybrid tires – things that could make the freeride concept deviate straight from the path of virtue that has only recently been traveled on.
But do it. The new cylinder, not equipped with exhaust control, a 28 mm carburetor (250 EXC: 36 mm) and the shorter gearbox should pacify the two-stroke engine taken over from the Sportenduro 250 EXC, the lean one
Mixing ratio of 1:80 is to prevent blue exhaust plumes on the KTM Freeride 250 R, the 7-liter tank (Freeride 350: 5.5 liters) increases the excursion radius and the standard electric starter makes it easier to get a feel for the first time.
In general, the good manners of the KTM Freeride 250 R – despite all fears – are still very popular even before the aforementioned steep descent. The starter made the long-stroke creak in a casual way, the manual forces on the brakes and clutch are as easy as pie, and the slim waist ensures that Otto Normalendurist is in contact with the ground despite the 91 centimeter seat height. If not, a suspension kit (158 euros) lowers the high seat by 35 millimeters. A flat bench (104 euros) brings the free rider a further 15 millimeters closer to the ground.
Trial motor pushes even the deepest tours
On top of that, the (unthrottled) freeride is also tame when driving. Like a trial engine, the propellant pushes even in the deepest tours and is completely calm, confident and finely dosed over the entire speed range. No trace of the biting two-stroke engine, which is difficult to master due to the performance kink after opening the exhaust control. On the contrary. In direct comparison with the four-stroke freeride, the KTM Freeride 250 R is even more sensitive and loads the chassis with even fewer engine reactions than the already cultivated 350. Respect. Especially since the tighter suspension tuning is hardly significant on small bumps. Small chunks are swallowed up by the relatively soft Maxxis tires, harder heels or high steps can now be handled by the suspension elements from WP Suspension with a little more puncture reserves.
But because the KTM Freeride 250 R with a total weight of almost 93 kilograms (factory specification) undercuts the Freeride 350 (issue 7/2012), which weighed 101 kilograms, by eight kilograms, the little sister can be a tad more nimble on donkey paths or cart paths maneuver. The fact that it can also benefit from 55 millimeters more ground clearance thanks to its overhead exhaust pipe in this area does not make the basic discussion any easier.
Enduro
Single test: KTM Freeride 350
The KTM Freeride 350 in the test
read more
motorcycles
Top test: KTM 1190 Adventure
Rally Express
read more
Two-stroke freeride in terms of driving dynamics before 350 cc
Because one thing is clear: the 350 is quieter, has a less aggressive sound and, with its four-stroke engine, perfectly matches the core competence of the freeride concept, unobtrusive motorcycle touring. But that doesn’t change the fact that the two-stroke freeride is a step ahead of its still young four-stroke sister in terms of driving dynamics. The only question that arises is whether this argument matters on lonely donkey trails.
Related articles
-
Ducati Monster 797 in the driving report
Ducati Monster 797 in the driving report The new entry-level monster The beginnings of Ducati’s Monster series shaped air-cooled engines. They have since…
-
Ducati 959 Panigale in the driving report
Ducati 959 Panigale in the driving report Big little ones Let’s leave the new exhaust aside, after all, it’s also about inner values. And the Ducati 959…
-
Triumph Street Triple R driving report
The Triumph Street Triple R The sheer madness What makes a motorcycle a hit? A coherent overall concept. And what makes a motorcycle a successful model…
-
Driving report BMW HP2 Easy to digest The HP2 is different from the usual BMW models: more radical, tougher, more sporty. MOTORRAD was able to try out…
-
Yamaha Tracer 700 in the driving report: More than just a new shell
Yamaha Tracer 700 in the driving report More than just a new bowl Yamaha has given the Tracer 700 a facelift. But a lot has happened under the disguise…
-
Moto Morini Scrambler 1200 in the driving report
Moto Morini Scrambler 1200 in the driving report New work, revised models New work, revised models, fresh energy: Moto Morini is back. Five years after…
-
KTM RC 390 in the driving report
KTM RC 390 in the driving report Lively speedster with great handling You could guess: after the small entry-level sports car, the RC 125, the Austrians…
-
Kawasaki Z 900 in the driving report
Kawasaki Z 900 in the driving report First contact with the new Kawa The old Kawasaki Z 800 now ekes out its existence as a retiree, the new Kawasaki Z…
-
Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report
Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report Low entry motorcycle The Kawasaki Z 650 takes on the role of the entry-level motorcycle, the ER-6 is allowed to…
-
Ducati 899 Panigale in the driving report
Ducati 899 Panigale in the driving report When reason is fun 898 cubic meters, 195 kg, 148 hp – according to today’s standards, which have been shot far…
Related articles
-
MotoGP – Moto GP: Rossi continues the development of the Ducati GP12 –
Top test Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 Simple and poignant With the classy Corsaro 1200, Moto Morini takes up the idea of the purist driving machine again….
-
MotoGP – Moto GP: Max Biaggi tests the Ducati at Mugello! –
top test BMW K 1200 S S-class Sporty, strong, fast. With the 167 hp K 1200 S, BMW dares to do the balancing act between daredevil corner sweep and…
-
MotoGP – Ducati in Bridgestone for 2005 – Used DUCATI
KTM Freeride 350 (2012) Entry-level enduro from KTM Little noise, fewer tracks – with a new concept, KTM is trying to make off-road fun more socially…
-
MotoGP – Mercato MotoGP: Ducati keeps Dovizioso alongside Lorenzo –
Suzuki M 1800 R Intruder Endurance test interim balance Cast off for a long-term trip with the Über-Cruiser, which has the thickest pistons in series…
-
MotoGP – Ducati GP12 Moto GP: 250 hp and 360 km-h! –
Naked bikes: KTM Duke 125/200 KTM Duke 125 and 200 in the test The little Dukes from KTM are like twins. Read here what the 200s can do better than the…
-
MotoGP – Moto GP: Ducati talks about the new engine of the GP12 –
Review Kawasaki KLX 650 R To a new one After a two-year absence, the Kawasaki KLX 650 R is back on the German floor. Although reduced in performance, but…
-
MotoGP – Moto GP: Crutchlow leaves Ducati for Honda-LCR –
Comparison test, Honda XR 600 R, Yamaha TT 600 R Honda XR 600 R versus Yamaha TT 600 R Does it really have to be state-of-the-art, water-cooled,…
-
MotoGP – Moto GP Aragon FP2 testing: the HRC battle with Ducati! –
BMW R 1150 R Rockster test Signs of storm Hard to believe, but true: BMW is also surfing the streetfighter wave from now on. In no time at all, the…
-
MotoGP – Moto GP Sepang J-2 tests: Petrucci causes a sensation on his Ducati Pramac –
Top test: US cruiser Victory Hammer in the test So far, Victory has only operated on the American market. Now the still young manufacturer also wants to…
-
MotoGP – Suzuka deemed too dangerous for 2004 –
Comparative test of the BMW K 1200 TL against the Honda Gold Wing GL 1500 SE Welcome Wos d´Japana kenna, des kenna mia scho lang, muttered the Bavarian…