KTM “completely refresh” Freeride E electric enduro motorcycle for 2025 – fully updated with new motor and chassis, homologated for street use (95kmh top speed claimed) to help off-roaders tread lighter and goplaces gas bikes can’t.

KTM is going big on the promotion of the 2025 Freeride E as an answer to many of the off-roading problems we all face: emissions, noise, and where we can ride. It’s understandable, unless you’re lucky in where you live in the world, dirt biking is getting harder. 

Ignoring the fact we’re writing this from the ISDE paddock in Spain where nearly 600 riders are making a lot of noise, blue smoke and many of whom are riding KTMs, the second coming of the Freeride E is both inevitable and overdue.

After launching a decade ago, KTM has been conspicuous by its absence in the ‘real’ electric motorcycle market, seemingly allowing other manufacturers to run away with it.

Well it’s here and, while the new Freeride E is still not an EXC, for trail riders, newcomers and riders who like to play off-road and to go places without causing issues with walkers, landowners and the law, it’s a big deal.

A decade later, technology has advanced, hardware is better and lighter, and software has improved and KTM are saying now is a better time to get back in on the electric dirt bike market.

95kmh top speed

KTM say the R&D department has “been busy bringing the most exciting interpretation of electric drivetrain technology”: 11 kW of nominal output, 19 kW peak power, more than 37 Nm of torque, and a top speed of 95 km/h is impressive.

The engine is quieter, cooler (water-cooled in fact), safer than previous Freeride E model KTM add and it is water and dustproof.

The ‘25 Freeride E has three ride modes (Eco, Normal, and Sport) and three energy recuperation settings (Off, Mid, and High) which can be adjusted for flexibility with the range and power. Traction control can also be pegged to a certain level to limit or increase wheelspin also. There’s also a ‘rollover sensor’ that cuts the power in the event of a crash.

New chassis

KTM say they focused on nimble and light handling in developing a new chassis. It’s one of our question marks about this new model: how will it handle? The previous Freeride was ok but if you tried to treat it like an enduro bike it protested and didn’t handle too well. It was better at bumbling than blasting along a track or trail.

The geometry has been altered and the wheelbase lengthened for “more stability and comfort”, they say and it runs enduro wheel sizes of 21-inch front and 18-inch rear with Michelin Medium Enduro tyres as standard in Europe.

The chassis remain light though, helping the novice-friendly status and slim. It’s a chrome-molybdenum steel frame on the new bike rather than the hybrid on the old one, with a load-bearing engine and battery. The subframe is a mix of aluminium and fibreglass reinforced nylon.

Expect the final ride-ready weight to be “less than 115 kg” with a seat height of 906mm.

New battery technology

The 29kg MX50 Lithium-Ion battery has been tested and proven in the most extreme conditions, KTM says, and claims 5.5kWh, an improvement of 1.5 kWh compared to the previous model which they say gives 20% more riding time or distance.

Battery life can withstand over 1000 charge cycles before dipping to 80% effectiveness and typical riding time is estimated to be between two and three hours – though you can expect that to vary depending on your right hand on the throttle, just like any motorcycle.

One trick is has is being interchangeable, allowing the use of a second pack while the charging the first. It comes with a 660W charger and will complete a full charge in eight hours with a normal household supply. 20-80% rate can be reached between 4-5 hours.

The WP suspension fitted is 43mm WP XACT fork, with an air capsule in the left leg and the oil damping system in the right. Adjustment is made with the air pressure valve and supplied air pump for preload and clickers for compression and rebound.

A brand-new design of the WP XPLOR PDS system provides 250mm of travel from the 374mm shock which has new bearing seals for longer service intervals. The shock has compression and rebound adjustable clickers for tool-less alterations on the fly like the EXC models.

Other features include black aluminium wheels (fitted with Michelin Enduro Medium tyres for EU models), Braktec braking systems with 260/240 mm front and rear discs, a new Switchcube selection unit for the handlebars, and in-mold graphics and the look close to the SX and EXCs.

It also shares components like front fender and the digital dash/odometer with the EXC, plus the braking components (rear brake is on the handlebars) with the GASGAS enduro modelsand has an ignition with key. 

2025 KTM Freeride E technical highlights:

• New 2025 model from the ground up, new in-house KTM drivetrain
• 11 kW nominal power, 18.5 kW peak power, 37 Nm of torque, and a top speed of 95 km/h
• 20% more battery potential. 8h charging time with 660 W unit, 1.5h with 3.3 kW power charger (0- 100% capacity) & 5 kWh battery capacity for 2-3 hours of Enduro riding time
• 21”/18” aluminium wheels
• Adjustable and light WP XACT and XPLOR suspension technology redesigned chromoly steel frame purpose-built for the platform and 113kg total weight
• Removable battery in less than 10 minutes
• Price to be confirmed

*all figures are claimed

The new 2025 KTM FREERIDE E will be rolling off the Austrian production line this winter and will be available at authorised KTM dealers from February 2025.

Here’s Mani Lettenbichler giving it the once-over...

For more information: www.ktm.com