KTM’s Electric Freeride Dirt Bike Delivers Instant Torque, Pure Joy

For decades, KTM has been building some of the most durable off-road motorcycles and although it recently ventured into the world of street bikes and sports cars, it remains committed to delivering world-class dirt bikes.

The latest advancements in electric drivetrains, which have taken the automotive industry by storm, have also influenced two-wheel manufacturers who have been developing electric motorcycles at an accelerated pace.

KTM has joined them by creating the Freeride E-XC, an all-electric dirt bike that promises to offer the same thrills as their ICE-powered siblings without the expensive maintenance costs.

The bike is powered by a liquid-cooled 18-kW (24 hp) brushless electric motor managed by a hi-tech control unit specifically calibrated for intense off-road use.

Since the maximum torque is instantly available and it does not use a shifter with a clutch, riding the E-XC should be extremely easy and incredibly fun.

A small multifunctional display is fitted between the steering head and the seat, allowing riders to select one of three power delivery modes. The first one, called Economy, limits speed to 50 kph (31 mph) and enables energy recuperation when coasting or braking. The Enduro mode restricts motor power to 16 kW (21 hp), while the Cross mode unleashes the full power of the drivetrain.

The drivetrain uses a 3.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted where the gas tank would be on a gas-powered bike to achieve an optimum weight distribution.

Using the external charger, which can be connected to any regular 230V socket, the battery pack can be fully charged in about two hours.

Both the electric drive system and the battery pack are fully sealed, enabling the bike to operate without any electrical hazards, even if it’s completely submerged in water.

These components are fitted to a lightweight composite frame made from high-quality chrome-molybdenum steel with bolt-on forged aluminum sections.

This design ensures increased rigidity and stability, making the E-XC extremely agile and capable of withstanding hard landings.

Riders can easily tackle the most unforgiving terrain thanks to the extremely durable, high-performance suspension. On the front, the bike uses a WP XPLOR 43 fork with 250 mm (9.8 inches) of travel that offers outstanding response and damping characteristics, which can be adjusted using the dials on top of the fork.

For the rear, KTM has fitted the E-XC with an equally impressive WP XPLOR shock, which provides 260 mm (10 inches) of travel and features an advanced progressive damping system. It is mounted directly on top of the swingarm, eliminating the added weight and complexity of a multi-link setup.

Stopping power is provided by a completely new Formula braking system that features a two-piston caliper in the font and a single-piston version to stop the rear wheel. They use lightweight rotors with a diameter of 260 mm (10 inches) in the front and 230 mm (9 inches) out back.

Although many riders will miss that wonderful “BRAAP!” sound which has become synonymous with dirt bikes, the 2021 KTM Freeride E-XC is an extremely capable, environmentally friendly alternative. It should be a lot of fun to ride and could prove cheaper in the long run, due to lower maintenance costs.