hi all i am looking at purchasing a newer bike , does any one own.? or had owned one ? has any one ridden one? any info good or bad much appreciated ....... cheers kev
Great bike! but I would say that because I've got one. The fuel tank is small but I carry and extra litre and poor it in as soon as I can.
I changed from a 450EXC and it's much more to my liking but I'm old and decrepid so need all the help I can get.
My previous off roading was pre 65 trials finishing on a 250cc villiers engined DOT and always felt that a modern machine in the style of a 70s trials bike would
make a great trail bike and I think the Freeride is just that, as soon as I saw it I new that was what I was looking for and I am not dissapointed.
However, if you are likely to fancy a go at enduros some time on the same bike, then the Freeride is probably not the one to choose.
Thanks for info so far keep it coming . Bob how many miles do you get from a tank of fuel
I haven't really checked it I'm afraid, largely because I haven't used it much since I bought through lack of time but I carry an extra litre and chuck it in when it's convenient.
Hard to say if a Freeride would suit you, I think it depends on what you want out of your bike. If you like to potter around the woods playing at being a trials rider or take a leisurely ride with your mates and tackle technical lanes without worrying about getting too knackered to enjoy the ride, it's perfect.
If you want to try the more macho stuff or ride 100 lanes without stopping there are probably more suitable bikes.
I'm in Crediton, bit of a way from you but if you want a try on mine you are welcome.
Thanks for the info bob and your kind offer , but as you say a bit to far for me to , I am getting some good and bad feed back from different people . Then I will make my mind up they are not every one ideal bike but that's the same with all bike other wise we would be all riding one make of bike ....... Cheers for all info so far most helpful . Kev
The Ossa is interesting, not seen it before and at 74kgs (163lbs) should make for an easy bike to ride. Not so sure about the low front mudguard and the exhaust is a bit strange as it forms the lower part of the rear mudguard!
What with the KTM Freeride it looks like innovation and the balance of power in is shifting to Europe, especially in 18-24 months time when Triumph release their off road range:)
The Ossa is interesting, not seen it before and at 74kgs (163lbs) should make for an easy bike to ride. Not so sure about the low front mudguard and the exhaust is a bit strange as it forms the lower part of the rear mudguard! What with the KTM Freeride it looks like innovation and the balance of power in is shifting to Europe, especially in 18-24 months time when Triumph release their off road range:)
Interesting point on the tight front mudguard, All the old trials bikes had a low alloy front guard. The simple but important point when fitting one is that the rear of the guard is closer to the tyre than the front, that way mud get sheared off at entry and the gap between the guard and the tyre opens up so doesn't jam.
As is often the case, it looks right fitted that way as well.
I bought the first Freeride that albion got in last april, It ticked all the boxes for me, low, light and soft powered and being an experienced rider i knew it could out perform a lot of bigger bikes on the tricky going.
First ride running it in i thought it was the best bike i had owned squirting over ruts and roots with ease.
Second ride it was run in and i soon became very disapointed when giving it full throttle it didn't make any more power over half throttle, It also had a habbit of stalling on low speed clutch work.
After a few more rides a remap became available, i had it done and i can say it sorted out the lack of power, I think that is how the bike should have been as standard, but it still stalled very easily.
The suspension was ok but can easily be bottemed out if you catch a rut wrong, The seat is very uncomfortable after an hour or so, The fuel tank is small, I put a 12 tooth front sprocket on but it would only do 50 miles before the fuel light would come on, The front brake was good but the rear was crap (wooden with no bite)
The bike was very hard to work on, very compact so very hard to get at things, to take the tank off to get to the spark plug will take 20 mins at the least, It took me an hour to get it back on once and that was after i had done it a few times!!!!!
Overall i think it's a good play bike, Load it into a van and take it to some woods ride it for a couple of hours, Load it back up and take it home with a big grinn!
Take it on a long day trailriding and you'll bring it home with a sore a** not as much fun.
I soon sold mine not because it was a bad bike but it didn't do what i wanted it for ie (road and trail riding) I have still got a Gas Gas pampera which i think is a better bike.
All this is my own opinion and you will have to make your own mind up, Incidently i see there is £1000 off a new one at the moment.
