The KTM Freeride 350 has cleared emission certification testing in the U.S. including the state of California, getting approval from both the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. A leaked powerpoint slide from KTM’s North American dealer meeting in 2011, listed the Freeride 350 for 2013 and they may still happen.

The lightweight entry-level off-road model has been certified by both bodies for the 2013 model year though the Freeride 350 has yet to be officially announced by KTM for the U.S. An announcement may soon come now that the Freeride 350 has completed testing.

Unveiled at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan, the KTM Freeride has been available in Europe since April 2012. One of its most notable features is the claimed weight of 222 pounds, without fuel. The fuel-injected engine is based on the powerplant of the KTM 350 EXC-F, but ditches the kickstarter and adds a new lightweight die-cast aluminum engine case. The exhaust and airbox have also been modified to provide more torque. Both the EPA and CARB list the KTM Freeride 350 as producing 22.8 hp at 7500 rpm. The electronic engine management system offers multiple mappings, allow riders to choose to optimize fuel economy or performance. Continue Reading »

KTM has started production of its light-weight Freeride 350 and units are already on their way to dealerships. Unfortunately, those of us in North America have to wait a while longer, with the infamous leaked Powerpoint slide from KTM’s dealer meeting listing the Freeride 350 as part of its 2013 offerings.

Still, we can’t help but be captivated by the photograph above released by KTM. A rider and his KTM Freeride 350 appear to be attempting to cross some sort of chasm by shimmying across on a cable. Riding on the Freeride is no doubt more fun than what this KTM rider is trying to do, but the image does help illustrate one of the bike’s key features: it’s light weight.

KTM claims the Freeride 350 weighs just 99.5 kg (219.4 pounds), without fuel. Based on this image, we believe it. Continue Reading »

The two-wheeled orgasm that is EICMA is over, and now comes the waiting for the sexy new machines on display to arrive. You’ve seen our EICMA 2011 coverage (and if you haven’t yet, tsk, tsk!), read the juicy details and gazed longingly at the photographs. But how do these new models look in motion?

While we still have a little while to wait before seeing these new motorcycles (and scooters!) up close, the manufacturers have released some promotional videos to show off their new models. We’ve compiled a number of these videos and created a top 10 list of new bikes from EICMA 2011. Continue Reading »

It was only a matter of time before a major manufacturer took the plunge and developed its own electric motorcycle. Well, that time is now. Introduced at EICMA 2011, KTM has unveiled the Freeride-E. The small and nimble Freeride-E is meant to be an off-road vehicle with the capabilities to be ridden virtually anywhere.

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KTM has revealed a new lightweight entry-level off-road model with a claimed weight of just 99 kg (218 pounds).

Set to debut at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan, Italy, the 2012 KTM Freeride 350 was created as an introductory model for off-road enduro riding. The Freeride 350 offers an easier entry point to off-road riding than the company’s competition-based EXC line.

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We wrote about the KTM Freeride yesterday on Motorcycle.com and now the Austrian manufacturer has released new photographs of the electric motorcycle prototypes, including pictures from the official unveiling at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. They are available in our Motorcycle.com gallery. KTM has also released a video of the Freeride in action. Look for it after the jump.

Scheduled to arrive in Europe by late spring 2011 as a street-legal enduro, the KTM Freeride will be the first electric motorcycle produced by a major manufacturer. KTM showed an off-road and a supermoto version of the Freeride in Tokyo to demonstrate future applications of its patented battery drive unit.

The battery produces enough juice for an hour of off-road riding and can be recharged in 90 minutes. Performance-wise, KTM says the Freeride is comparable to a 125cc two-stroke gasoline-powered motorcycle.

For more pictures, check our our gallery.

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