KTM first showed the Freeride E, an off-road electric motorcycle, twelve years ago. Now, the 2027 Freeride E is fully legal to ride on streets in all 50 US states. This gives electric motorcycle buyers another option.
This new Freeride E is not just a small update. Almost every part has been changed or improved.
What's New with the 2027 Freeride E
The new model has a larger 5.5-kWh MX50 lithium-ion battery. This is 1.5-kWh more than the old model. The battery is still swappable, so riders can carry extra batteries instead of waiting to charge.
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Start Your News DetoxA full charge can last up to three hours. However, this time might be shorter if the bike is ridden hard on trails. Charging takes about 1.5 hours with a 3.3-kW charger, or eight hours with a 660-W charger. KTM says the battery can handle 1,000 charging cycles before losing about 20% of its power.
The motor also got a power boost. It now makes 26 horsepower and 27.2 lb.ft (37 Nm) of torque. The top speed is 59 mph (95 km/h). This speed is fine because the Freeride E is made for trails and dirt, not long highway rides.
The frame is made of chrome-molybdenum steel with an aluminum and glass-fiber reinforced nylon subframe. This helps keep the weight down. The motorcycle weighs just under 247 lb (112 kg), with the battery making up 64 pounds (29 kg) of that weight. The seat height is 35.8 inches (910 mm).
The Freeride E has a fully adjustable WP XACT and XPLOR suspension system. This helps it handle rough terrain. It uses 21/18-inch aluminum wheels, Braketec brakes, and Michelin Enduro Medium tires.
The bike's electronics include a "rollover" sensor and adjustable traction control. These are useful features for an enduro bike.
The price in the US is not yet known. In the UK, it costs £8,999 and will be in dealers by late April.
Freeride E vs. Stark Varg EX
The Freeride E is now in a competitive market. For example, the Stark Varg EX is a street-legal enduro that makes 85 hp, much more than the Freeride E's 26 hp.
However, these bikes are for different riders. The Freeride E is light and easy to ride. It's good for short trips, trails, and even commuting. It's now usable in a way it always should have been.
The Stark Varg EX is much faster and more powerful. It's more like a race bike. It's not something you would ride casually.
KTM is focusing on a simpler, more usable bike with the Freeride E. While other companies chase higher numbers, KTM offers a bike that many people might ride more often.
For years, the Freeride E was only for private trails in the USA. In Europe, KTM offered street-legal versions. The 2027 update means American riders no longer need to find workarounds to ride it on roads.
This update shows that KTM understands riders want one bike for both trails and roads.
Deep Dive & References: KTM Press Release - KTM, 2024
