KTM is set to release a new fuel injected 350 that may change the face of small dirtbikes forever. The Freeride 350 will officially debut at the Milan EICMA Motorcycle Fair in November of this year. The company is billing the bike as an entry level machine, saying it is ''an invitation to all those who have until now had no contact with this fascinating sport.''
The Freeride only weighs 218 pounds, which opens up a whole world of possibilities. The bike features a single cylinder engine that KTM claims produces a scant 24 horsepower. Probably a wise choice given the low weight of the machine and that it is designed for beginners. The bike is obviously intended for off road use since it sports a license plate holder, but no turn signals. None of the info coming out of KTM even bothers to mention on-road licensing. That's one big question that I still have -- will it be road-legal? If it is, and with the light weight and scant horsepower, this thing is as much as mountain bike as motocrosser. You have to wonder how cheap the motorcycle insurance rates would be. After all, insuring any highway-legal bike is prohibitively-expensive for many young riders (at least in the States - I don't know about the UK).
This could be a great intro bike for new riders and KTM. If the company can pull off a fun bike that is reliable, it could see its market share expand.
Thanks to the team at Motorcycle Insurance Quote for the tip on this bike's debut.
Comments
Leave a comment