Parallel test: KTM Freeride 350 and Sherco X-Ride 290

• Video: Big Boys in the Sandbox

You should, but you really should try! Matevж and I, who cannot do without toys, dirt bikes, made a very positive impression. But as enduro riders, we wondered if both Freeride and X-Ride offered enough to convince us.

Especially for you, we have decorated the sports day with guests. For the first time since a serious injury in Abu Dhabi, a desert fox was riding a motorcycle. Civilian and gave us his opinion as an experienced motorcyclist (in addition to enduro and trial rally races), we were also attracted by Aleш Suhorepakwho, as an amateur driver, presses the accelerator on the Husqvarna TE310 and therefore came in handy to give his opinion on the power of both engines. It is a special honor for us that the sworn asphalt motorcyclist mustered up the courage and was baptized on the road. Primoж манrmanotherwise our expert for MotoGP racing and superbikes. What he, as a complete beginner, thinks of such bikes as these two in the test, you will find out at the very end.

So we had a flamboyant group and we chose Jernej Les Sports Park (thanks again Jernej – let's have a beer sometimes) as the location, which offered us enough obstacles and trails to take KTMs and Shercs to the extreme. There you can also safely and safely try out two Freeride 350 KTMs that are rented from Ready2Race in Zirje.

So both bikes are new, interesting and kind of a revolution. KTM it does not need to be specially introduced. The Offroad giant, which this year has won nearly every title that means something to off-road motorcycles, has developed its freeride as an enduro motorcycle that also wants to be a challenge. Pri SherkuThe Spanish rising star and leader of the race, who has only been tested in enduro for a few years, has taken up the challenge from a different angle. They tested a 290 cubic foot two-stroke engine and turned it into an X-Rid. Thus, both bikes are a cross between trial and enduro, but they do not hide their roots.

From the first blow, Sherco makes it clear that the steel frame around the perimeter has the heart of the test. In addition to sound, the gearbox is also trialistic. Thus, in first and up to fourth gear, the gear ratios are very short, starting from third is a common thing. Well, to overcome long distances there is a fifth, "relative" gear. You can also ride it to work or on short trips, but the X-Ride will really shine on goat trails and the most extreme terrain you can find. With it, I climbed cliffs or rocks like a chamois, something I wouldn't have dreamed of doing so easily with my enduro bike. It is the right machine for all enduro riders who are only challenged by the most extreme conditions.

But the beauty of all this is that anyone can ride it, it's not brutal, it has really great suspension, powerful enough brakes, and it's a real toy. It only lacks the brutality found on a 450cc crossover or enduro motorcycle. it only weighs 87 kilograms, so a few pounds more than the test bikes, but it has everything you can ride in a traffic jam. It's bad!

KTM, on the other hand, epitomizes all the latest in off-road motorcycle. The perimeter frame, made of steel and aluminum profiles, is equipped with the latest technology. 350cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine Cm with electronic starter and fuel injection. Two mufflers were fitted to it for near-silent operation, and yes, the engine is really quiet. The components are top notch as is the build quality. Ergonomics are the same as those of enduro bikes, with the only difference that those with slightly shorter legs will also like it. KTM has exceptional brakes, a great frame and an engine that works well throughout the rev range. It's not brutal, but that doesn't mean you can't fly around a motocross track. Yes! The only major obstacle to longer jumps is the suspension. It's tuned and designed for trail riding that I have no comment on, and for motocross I would need stiffer springs at the very least.

The KTM Freeride 350 is a great all-around bike that can be used every day almost all year round and can also be used for excursions. It is not as suitable for extreme climbing as the Sherco, but great for learning. A beginner will be much faster on such a bike and, above all, safer than on a wilder enduro bike. Anyone looking for something to spice up the weekend or something in place of a scooter for holidays or weekends, this is the place to be. Entertainment, relaxation, adrenaline. Sherco will set you back just €5.800 and KTM €7.390.

And one more thing: there is something Slovenian on both motorcycles. At Hidria they supplied the Sherc ignition, and at Talum from Kidricevo they delivered the latest KTM aluminum swings. Well, we can be proud of something, right!?

And finally, the promised comment of our MotoGP Jurman Primoz: "I fell in love with off-roading, when will we go next?" Yes, if you start with the right bike it will catch you and never let you down again.

Text: Petr Kavčič, photo: Primož Ûrman, Mungo Production

Face to face

Primoж манrman

This KTM took me to a world of off-roading that I had never experienced before. Until now, this has been the road I have been chasing my freedom to ride a motorcycle. However, over the years they become less and less, more than 200 "horses" are in use with increasingly stringent restrictions, virtually useless. With Freerid, I rediscovered the already somewhat forgotten original idea of ​​motoring, where power and (expensive) modern technical equipment are not important, but pure pleasure from two-wheeled vehicles. This one is even bigger if you can afford it on a closed motocross track.

Aleш Suhorepec

KTM surprised me very much. At first I thought it was a "soft" enduro, without the ability to use it on serious off-road. In fact, the bike is very lightweight, handling and with enough power, a super toy for many weekend riders who have no ambition for the harsh extremes and motocross tracks!

When I slept a little together and watched the footage of the gopro, I did not ride the Sherc worse. Since I am not used to such bikes (2t and trial, different power and torque curve), after I rode a little more, it would get even faster, because the bike feels more powerful and even lighter. However, I find the KTM to be more versatile and more suitable for the average hobbyist user.

Matevj Hribar

I never knew or dared to make a turn on the spot before with the front wheel up. So, to get to the ground with one foot, use the clutch to lift the first wheel and turn the bike 180 degrees (plus or minus 180, sometimes things go wrong (). I started a gyro sport day with Sherk, tried a trick and, looking at the fraction, I soon trained him pretty well.

The X-Ride is so much like a real test bike that getting around with a few exercises is childishly easy, and even if it rides on the ground, there is no harm due to the flexible plastic. Then I tried the same maneuver on a mixture of trial and enduro, freeride. No major problems! Enriched with this experience, I dared to try the plant at my EXC home for the first time. It got a little tricky with that, but yes, it did. In short: for learning to use a motorcycle (I completely omit "off-road"!) Such a toy is ideal. I don't believe anyone would be sorry to try.

Civilian

I was very interested in how KTM rides, because I train a lot in the trial. In my opinion, freeride is very suitable for beginners and outdoor enthusiasts, it is versatile and fun. Sherco, on the other hand, offers many opportunities for serious athletes who would like to ride the most extreme terrain. A close relationship with the court can be seen here.

KTM Freeride 350

• Basic data

  Sales: AXLE doo, Kolodvorskaya c. 7 6000 Koper Phone: [phone], www.axle.si, Seles Moto Ltd., Perovo 19a, 1290 Grosuplje Phone: [phone], www.seles.si

  Test model cost: 7.390 €

• Technical information

  engine: single cylinder, four stroke, liquid cooled, 349,7 cc, direct fuel injection, Keihin EFI 3 mm.

  Power: n.p.

  Torque: n.p.

  Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: chrome-molybdenum tubular, aluminum subframe.

  brakes: Coil with a diameter of 240 mm at the front, a coil with a diameter of 210 mm at the back.

  Suspension: WP front adjustable inverted telescopic fork, WP PDS rear adjustable single deflector.

  Tires: 90/90-21, 140/80-18.

  Growth: 895 mm.

  Fuel tank: 5, 5 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.418 mm.

  Weight: 99,5 kg.

Sherco X-Ride 290

• Basic data

  Test model cost: 5.800 €

• Technical information

  engine: single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 272 cm3, Dell'Orto carburetor.

  Power: n.p.

  Torque: n.p.

  Energy transfer: Transmission 5-speed, chain.

  Frame: tubular chromoly.

  brakes: Coil with a diameter of 260 mm at the front, a coil with a diameter of 180 mm at the back.

  Suspension: front adjustable classic 40mm Marzocchi telescopic fork, rear adjustable single Sachs shock.

  Tires: front 1,60 "X21".

  Growth: 850 mm.

  Fuel tank: 7 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.404 mm.

KTM Freeride 350

We praise and reproach

ease of driving

brakes

workmanship

quality components

versatility

quiet engine operation

great bike for beginners and for training

too soft suspension for jumping

price

Sherco X-Ride 290

We praise and reproach

ease of driving

brakes

extreme climbing ability

quality suspension

price

the gearbox has been translated a little trialistically

it lacks the brutality when accelerating out of a corner