I've read due to the fact these bikes have such a small filter they require more frequent cleaning. One benefit of the engine design is no power valve which wears the piston as it opens and closes which means slightly longer service intervals than a 2 stroke with power valve. Best of luck getting it sorted.
Thanks for your posts Tommyjeep - I have a 2017 and the first thing I am doing is getting the same carb setup you have. I loathe the fueling set up that comes stock. Thanks again, will be following your adventures!
I have not added a map switch. I've never heard that there's a second map that can be used. Also, every 2nd mapping I've heard of on other bikes lowers power to increase traction. The Freeride is already under-powered in my opinion. It's no rocket ship :)
Thanks for saying that, Matthew. I really enjoy the Freeride, so I say get that 2017. The 18’s are 4-stroke, so I don’t know what to think about that..
@tommyjeep I've just had a look through your other vids. Good stuff! Thanks for posting. Just wondering if you're running the standard maxxis front tyre? It sure looks like it. If so, that's probably why you've washed the front out a few times. I run a Michelin comp Enduro tyre on mine and the grip is superb. Don't know if you've already changed it since the vids but you ought to check it out.
I ran the standard TrialMaxx tire for quite a while and I use to wash out the front often. I put a GoldenTyre GT216AA on there a few months ago and it made a world of difference. I still go down once in a while, but I’ve also been saved from going down by this tire more times than I can count. Thanks for the analysis and recommendation though!
Hello Dani. I really enjoy the FMF Turbine Core pipe. I think it wakes it up a little, but it doesn’t make a huge difference. The stock rear brake was too small for me, so I put a master and caliper from a 350EXC on there. A company in Florida called Nihilo makes a caliper bracket to make it work. Nihilo is a difficult company to deal with, but the part works. Since I ride at different altitudes, I put a Smart Carb on there from Elevated Technologies. That was a fantastic upgrade! It uses a metering rod instead of jets, so it works at varying altitudes. It also increased my mileage. I’m getting almost 60 miles per tank in rough terrain. Congrats on the purchase, it’s a fun bike.
Hmmm, I have about 120 hours on mine. I can see how the rings wore so much that they eventually climbed out of the tracks. Bet mine is close to the same. Thanks, I'll get right to it
Hello, I just bought a 2017 ktm 250r motorcycle, do you put gasoline mixed with oil in it? or just gasoline? Greetings, I hope you can answer my question.
Yes, you mix 2-stroke oil in the gas jug before fueling the bike. The manual calls for 80:1 mixing, but I found that to be too lean. I went to 60:1 and found the piston ring to last much longer. Congrats on the purchase. You’ll love this bike!
Coolant goes in the radiator. You’ll find the radiator cap below the handlebars. Just top it off with anti-freeze (or water). You don’t want to be all water, or stuff can rust inside.
Hey Dylan, Craiglist or Cycle Trader are probably your best options. New ones are electric now. 2014 - 2018 ( I think ) are 2-stroke. Sorry I can’t help more.
Have always held the kill switch for the first couple revolutions of starting. Then wait 20 seconds. Bam fires right up. But I only have 8 hours on my bike😀
@@tommyjeep I guess that is pushing it a bit but then a full blown xcw might easily do that many hours on a piston and not have such an issue. Maybe you were unlucky. Or do you ride the bike hard?
The Freeride bike is a very different bike. You’re meant to put around on technical obstacles. From that perspective, I’m probably pretty hard on the bike. I haven’t seen the maintenance manual for the xcw, but I hope it goes more than 150 hours before top end maintenance. What bike do you ride?
@@tommyjeep I've got a FR250 and an XCW300. I definitely wouldn't leave the top end on the xcw for more than 100 hours and I'd do the rings every 50. I will probably do about the same on the FR as although it is supposedly a lugger, the low power and the snappiness of the engine encourages me to give it a handful. I do love the bike though. Not quite as good build quality as I'd hoped but otherwise it's fantastic and I've hardly ridden the xcw since getting the FR..
I also have a KX450 and I hardly ride it since buying the FR250. FR250 on technical trails and the KX in the desert. I live near tech trails and I enjoy the challenges, so I’m on the FR almost every weekend.
Unfortunately the KTM shop near me is terrible. I had to drive 300 miles round trip to the next closest KTM to buy the bike in the first place because the local shop wouldn’t sell it to me. When I called to talk to them about the engine issues they told me it would be 2 weeks before they could even look at it. Also, I estimate I saved at least $500 by doing the work myself. Never fear a little manual labor my friend.
I've read due to the fact these bikes have such a small filter they require more frequent cleaning. One benefit of the engine design is no power valve which wears the piston as it opens and closes which means slightly longer service intervals than a 2 stroke with power valve. Best of luck getting it sorted.
Thanks for your posts Tommyjeep - I have a 2017 and the first thing I am doing is getting the same carb setup you have. I loathe the fueling set up that comes stock. Thanks again, will be following your adventures!
Thank you for the nice comments, Mitch! The SmartCarb has been an awesome upgrade to the bike and I strongly recommend it.
@@tommyjeep TommyJeep did you add a map switch to your freeride? If you did would you suggest it?
I have not added a map switch. I've never heard that there's a second map that can be used. Also, every 2nd mapping I've heard of on other bikes lowers power to increase traction. The Freeride is already under-powered in my opinion. It's no rocket ship :)
Very well put together video and very informative, thanks a lot. I’m thinking about purchasing a 2017 250 freeride
Thanks for saying that, Matthew. I really enjoy the Freeride, so I say get that 2017. The 18’s are 4-stroke, so I don’t know what to think about that..
How its compression in new piston?? I make 30mth and i see 8,1 bar . its corectly?
@tommyjeep I've just had a look through your other vids. Good stuff! Thanks for posting. Just wondering if you're running the standard maxxis front tyre? It sure looks like it. If so, that's probably why you've washed the front out a few times. I run a Michelin comp Enduro tyre on mine and the grip is superb. Don't know if you've already changed it since the vids but you ought to check it out.
I ran the standard TrialMaxx tire for quite a while and I use to wash out the front often. I put a GoldenTyre GT216AA on there a few months ago and it made a world of difference. I still go down once in a while, but I’ve also been saved from going down by this tire more times than I can count. Thanks for the analysis and recommendation though!
Tommy, I have got recently this bike. Is it worthy the
FMF Fatty Pipe? Did you change other pieces to get better perfomance? thx
Hello Dani. I really enjoy the FMF Turbine Core pipe. I think it wakes it up a little, but it doesn’t make a huge difference. The stock rear brake was too small for me, so I put a master and caliper from a 350EXC on there. A company in Florida called Nihilo makes a caliper bracket to make it work. Nihilo is a difficult company to deal with, but the part works. Since I ride at different altitudes, I put a Smart Carb on there from Elevated Technologies. That was a fantastic upgrade! It uses a metering rod instead of jets, so it works at varying altitudes. It also increased my mileage. I’m getting almost 60 miles per tank in rough terrain. Congrats on the purchase, it’s a fun bike.
@@tommyjeep thank you for sharing your knowledge. Hope to have ton of fun ;)
Hmmm, I have about 120 hours on mine. I can see how the rings wore so much that they eventually climbed out of the tracks. Bet mine is close to the same. Thanks, I'll get right to it
Rode more in the dirt.?
Hello, I just bought a 2017 ktm 250r motorcycle, do you put gasoline mixed with oil in it? or just gasoline? Greetings, I hope you can answer my question.
Yes, you mix 2-stroke oil in the gas jug before fueling the bike. The manual calls for 80:1 mixing, but I found that to be too lean. I went to 60:1 and found the piston ring to last much longer. Congrats on the purchase. You’ll love this bike!
@@tommyjeep How can I put coolant on the ktm 250r motorcycle? I am new I hope you can help me x2.
@@tommyjeep Thanks!!
Coolant goes in the radiator. You’ll find the radiator cap below the handlebars. Just top it off with anti-freeze (or water). You don’t want to be all water, or stuff can rust inside.
Hi, I have a Ktm 250r freeride and the tank is broke, you know where I can find one ? It’s a little hard to find parts for this bike :/
I never had to buy a tank for mine. Have you tried AOMC? Any chance you can mend your tank?
How did you get the stock stickers off!
I didn’t. I put a graphics kit right on top of them. Normally I’m able to heat and peal stock graphics off, but on this Freeride they were infused.
Hey Tommy, it’s 2021 and I am looking to buy a ktm 250r freeride but can’t seem to find one. Any ideas?
Hey Dylan, Craiglist or Cycle Trader are probably your best options. New ones are electric now. 2014 - 2018 ( I think ) are 2-stroke. Sorry I can’t help more.
@@tommyjeep Thanks, I’ll have to look. 2018 is actually the 4-stroke version!
Have always held the kill switch for the first couple revolutions of starting. Then wait 20 seconds. Bam fires right up. But I only have 8 hours on my bike😀
I'm wondering why you do that. Is it to get some lubrication going?
How many hours/miles on the piston and cylinder?
140 hours and about 2,200 miles. I believe the book recommended 120 hours, so it was my own fault.
@@tommyjeep I guess that is pushing it a bit but then a full blown xcw might easily do that many hours on a piston and not have such an issue. Maybe you were unlucky. Or do you ride the bike hard?
The Freeride bike is a very different bike. You’re meant to put around on technical obstacles. From that perspective, I’m probably pretty hard on the bike. I haven’t seen the maintenance manual for the xcw, but I hope it goes more than 150 hours before top end maintenance. What bike do you ride?
@@tommyjeep I've got a FR250 and an XCW300. I definitely wouldn't leave the top end on the xcw for more than 100 hours and I'd do the rings every 50. I will probably do about the same on the FR as although it is supposedly a lugger, the low power and the snappiness of the engine encourages me to give it a handful. I do love the bike though. Not quite as good build quality as I'd hoped but otherwise it's fantastic and I've hardly ridden the xcw since getting the FR..
I also have a KX450 and I hardly ride it since buying the FR250. FR250 on technical trails and the KX in the desert. I live near tech trails and I enjoy the challenges, so I’m on the FR almost every weekend.
Just go to ktm service :/
Unfortunately the KTM shop near me is terrible. I had to drive 300 miles round trip to the next closest KTM to buy the bike in the first place because the local shop wouldn’t sell it to me. When I called to talk to them about the engine issues they told me it would be 2 weeks before they could even look at it. Also, I estimate I saved at least $500 by doing the work myself. Never fear a little manual labor my friend.