KTM announce the 2027 Freeride E, an electric off-road motorcycle model revealed originally in 2024 but the Austrian manufacturer explains the delay means a much-improved bike with more technology and better battery life.

If you’d been waiting for KTM to finally reveal the Freeride E, an all-new model announced in 2024, then you’ll by now be following their suggestion that “all good things come to those who wait”.

For many in our world of enduro, the electric bike is still not for them. But there’s no doubt they are becoming more and more integrated into off-road, with more bikes wherever we ride and it remains a surprise KTM has been so slow in getting in on the act.

That KTM suggests the 2027 Freeride E is worth waiting for at the top of their press release today doesn’t just point to the obvious issues they’ve had lately in getting any bikes out the door, but also speaks to the reality of this rapidly developing sector of the motor industry.

Things are changing fast in the electric motorcycle world and the delay in this new model, for whatever reasons, has also meant time to keep developing it. Which means, before it had even turned a wheel, the new model can boast “more distance, more purpose, and advanced technology”.

What’s different here from the original “first look” at the all-new KTM Freeride E we covered in October 2024? KTM has answered some of the major questions…

Is the 2027 KTM Freeride E a new bike or just an update?

The specs for the 2027 KTM Freeride E have been redesigned from the ground-up and they claim 99% new.

Power to match combustion-engines “with a fraction of the fuss”

8.3kW of nominal output, 19.2kW peak power, more than 37Nm of torque and top speed of 59mph (95km/h). They claim the motor is a quieter, cooler, and has a more compact unit that is “fully integrated into the overall character and agility of the motorcycle” – no, we’re not quite sure but we think that means the motor is part of the frame.

More efficient energy consumption sounds good though and like all electric vehicles the instant and controllable torque and power is likely to be addictive to ride. Delivery will match combustion-engined rivals, KTM say, but “with a fraction of the fuss”. 

How long does it take to charge and how long can you ride?

The 63.9 lb (29 kg) MX50 Lithium-Ion battery is easily interchangeable, allowing the use of a second pack while the charging process takes place or to increase travel range.

Removal it is easy, they say, but “in less than 10 minutes” is still a pretty slow process and we expected better.

The capacity is 5.5 kWh, an improvement of 1.5 kWh compared to the previous KTM Freeride E and means 20% more riding time or distance. Nominal voltage registers around the 50V mark and the battery life can withstand more than 1000 charge cycles before dipping to 80% state of health. Typical Enduro riding time is estimated between 2-3 hours. The charging time with the included 660 W charger is less than 8 hours when using a standard household power supply. Charging from 20% to 80% will take less than 6 hours.

How much does it weigh? 

The KTM Freeride E tips the scales just under 247lb (112kg - claimed) including mounted mirrors, indicators and other street legal relevant parts.

Waterproof but do we need a cut-out feature?

The battery is IP67 rated, watertight as well as dustproof and robust after extensive testing in the most extreme conditions. In the case of a tip-over, the KTM Freeride E is equipped with a ‘roll over’ sensor that will cut the power for a period when the motorcycle’s inclination is detected and recognized by the ECU. Again, without testing, we’re not sure how this translates to enduro and more extreme riding.

Ride modes

There are three ride modes you can switch between quickly using the four-button switch cube on the handlebar.

Move through the modes and the bike delivers more torque and more power, obviously. To help efficiency of the engine and battery life, there are also three recuperation settings: Off, Mid and High. These can be selected with a each mode to ensure flexibility with the power package and to keep riding as long as possible or engage more grin-factor we are guessing.

There’s also traction control which is independent from the ride modes and easily activated or deactivated through the buttons on the handlebars. 

Chassis feel

KTM say light feeling, handling and agility were a priority with the slim design: this was one of the strong attributes of the initial KTM Freeride E and “important to refine and maintain for 2027”, they add.

The geometry has been altered and the wheelbase increased for more stability which is a bonus as the original Freeride models suffered in this department.

The chrome molybdenum steel frame is integrated with the engine and battery architecture. The aluminium and polyamide glass-fibre subframe helps too they say.

Seat height is measured at 35.8 in (910 mm) and the in-mold graphics and overall aesthetics are a strong point we reckon, hinting at the KTM SX motocross range with a sharp and futuristic look.

Fully adjustable WP Suspension WP XACT USD fork and WP XPLOR PDS shock

The WP suspension set-up on the ’27 Freeride E uses a 43mm split design fork with the air capsule in the left unit and the oil damping system in the right.

Adjustment is made with the single air pressure valve and supplied air pump for preload and then clickers for compression and rebound.

The new design of the rear WP XPLOR PDS suspension has 250mm of travel from the 374mm shock with 80mm stroke.

They also boast new bearing seals to improve service intervals and all-around maintenance. The WP XPLOR PDS has adjustable clickers for tool-less changes on the fly, high and low speed compression at the top and clickers at the base to change rebound. Preload is tweaked with an allen key or wrench on the rear shock spring.

Michelin Enduro tyres 

The Freeride E uses Braktec 260mm front disc and 220mm on the rear with mounting of both front and rear brakes on the handlebars (supplied by NEKEN).

Black coated wheels with aluminium Giant hubs look pretty cool we think and have 90/90-21 and 120/90-18 dimensions.

Another bonus Michelin Enduro Medium tyres with their proven performance as standard.

The LCD dashboard shows a single value at a time to ensure the rider is full focused on the route ahead and the options can be cycled thanks to quick contact with two buttons. The options are: the state of charge, the selected ride mode and regenerative map with odometer, clock, trip time and accumulated run time.

Why are KTM making an electric motorcycle now?

Despite an ultimately disastrous foray into e-mobility, KTM know there is a growing place in the motorcycle market for electric bikes.

The merits of a battery-powered two-wheeled vehicle are clear for younger riders and those new to off-road. With environmental pressures on offroad – noise, emissions, space – and the need for approachable dual-sport models, the advantages of electric bikes are obvious. The evolving improvements in battery capacity and power management mean e-mobility holds more value as time progresses: as introductory platforms, convenient transportation, more flexible riding options and even as junior race machinery.

Street legal

The KTM Freeride was always supposed to be a versatile motorcycle and the E model is not different. The bike is smaller in dimension but they say “constructed with high-quality, certified materials primed for wear and-tear of all-terrain use.”

The 2027 model is quieter than its predecessor and when coupled with its street-legal homologation, and will permit access to locations where conventional combustion engine motorcycles and offroad competition machines cannot ride.

They also boast low maintenance costs and effort from a rider with air filters confined to history and charging times have been reduced for the 2027 version.

The electric motor is clutch-less and there is no need to shift gears, which means less moving parts and easier riding. 

The first KTM Freeride E was brought to the market by KTM in 2014, with the ICE Freeride already in existence at that point with each going through updates during the last 10 years.

The 2027 model represents a major overhaul which is homologated for road use but, with removal of a few key components such as mirrors, lights, and number plates, it look good for enduro, hard enduro even and certainly free riding. The proof will be in the pudding.

More information: www.KTM.com