Hey Thanks for posting - Its hard to find videos on this less-common bike so this is going to help when I do my top end soon. Appreciate it

Nicely and neatly done, thanks for sharing, the Free ride sounded like Mozart's 5th symphony

Nice video of the teardown and reassembly. I recommend a NGK solid top plug, the aluminum top sheds dust in the cap and can also come loose on the threads, two annoying problems to chase. Also debris from the broken ring will not end up in the oil because the oil is just for the transmission. The debris could end up in the bottom end. I can't believe how much the rings were worn, that's crazy. Good idea increasing the premix oil, it seems based on the ring wear it could use it.

@tommyjeep

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comments. I’ll look into the NGK plug you mentioned. I recently changed out the piston and rings again. I had about 90 hours on them. I didn’t have even half the wear on these rings which I attribute to going to 60:1.

@mbrick

4 жыл бұрын

@@tommyjeep I just checked and if you are running the stock NGK BR7ES (5122), the solid top version is NGK 6615. Rockauto usually has the lowest price but you can find them many places, around $1.50. It sounds like the increase in premix oil made a huge improvement, glad to hear! I wonder if the riding style many people are taking is a bit different with more sustained higher rpm than the normal trials bike that idles more? I'm considering a 250 XCW or 250R Freeride as a next bike, found your video when doing some research.

@tommyjeep

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the cross reference. I’ll get that plug ordered. I don’t know if you’re aware, but they don’t make the 2-stroke 250r Freeride anymore. I believe with the emission standard changes, it’s not worth putting fuel injection on this bike. The current Freeride is a 4-stroke 250f. Are you thinking of a used 250r? I definitely push this bike harder than it’s designed for. I’m looking at the 300 TPI to augment the fleet. Just need to win the lottery. I think the 300 probably matches my riding style better. The Freeride is a blast to goof around on super technical stuff, so I don’t see ever getting rid of it.

@mbrick

4 жыл бұрын

​@@tommyjeep Yes, I saw the 250r are no longer made so I would need to go used, but that is ok. I like the idea of more technical riding and I'm not blasting across the desert so I think it would be enough. I am also interested in a newer counterbalanced 250 2 stroke, TPI or not. I'll keep looking and see if either come up. I think a 300 is more power than I need after riding both at the last demo day.

I test-rode one briefly... 2017 with only 100 hours under the belt. Very very nice to ride on the pegs, slim, light... BUT: the gearbox is crappy, the brakes don't shine and the carb settings were all over the place, that thing never stopped choking on the mids. I went there with cash, ramp and tools to dismount the front wheel and put it in the trunk of my SUV but I left it there.

@tommyjeep

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't enjoy the stock carb either. Adding the Smart Carb with the metering rod really smoothed it out. I ended up selling the bike a couple years ago because I was over-riding it. I'm on a 2020 KTM 300 XC-W now. I'm able to ride the 300 without worrying that I'm bending something.

Thanks for taking the time to make the video. I've always liked the Freeride 250r concept. I ride 250xcw. I'm currently looking at the Freeride for wife and play and loaner bike. My question is how are you changing the mixture ratio? I thought these bikes are oil injected. Thanks in advance

@tommyjeep

4 жыл бұрын

The 2016 Freeride 2-stroke is not oil injected. Gas and oil is premixed in the gas can.

Thanks for sharing this. I have a 2017 freeride. Same issue and symptoms. Problems starting/ backfiring when cranking engine. Now the starter spins not engaging crank. Pulled off flywheel and found metal shavings from where starter rotor somehow wore down the shaft notch on that engages the rotor. I now have 2 issues with freeride after watching your video. Hate to take it to dealer $$ and not that knowledgeable with working on engine guts. Any bit of advice would help. I'm in VA btw. Thx.

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

Hey John, Sorry you're having similar issues. One of the reasons I put these videos up is to show people what they're in for when they take it apart. The top end isn't all that complex to take apart and fix. I encourage you to try. As for the starting issue, I'm not sure what failed there. I had a problem with my Bendix several months ago and had to replace it. Again, a fairly easy fix once you know what to look for. I found a service manual for my bike online and that helps with torque specs. I don't remember where I downloaded it from, but you can google it.

@jtramm55

5 жыл бұрын

@@tommyjeep ...thx. I've got a manual on order. Wish me luck 👍👍

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

You don't need luck, you've got skill and determination!

WOW ! AWESOME. GREAT job. PLEASE excuse my ignorance, is the 250r a 2 or 4 stoke? I believe them to be a 4 stroke? (Please reply) Many thanks and REALLY enjoyed the vid.

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

Terry Vincent - Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video. The Freeride 250r is a two stroke. It’s a unique bike that kind of sounds like a 4-stroke. On the trail people often ask if it’s 2 or 4, so you’re not the first to ask. The Freeride 350 and the 2019 Freeride 250f are 4 strokes.

@tpv59

5 жыл бұрын

@@tommyjeep Thank you so Very much for taking the time and effort to reply Tommy. I do Appreciate that. Hav a gd 1! Regards from 'OZ'. (Australia)

Hello. I have the same bike and have never done a top end. I’ve always run 40:1 and haven’t fouled a plug yet. Do you recall how many miles or hours your bike had when this issue happened? I’m still about 120psi.

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

The ring peeled at 140 hours. The book says replace the ring and piston at 100 hours. I always ran 80:1 until this happened, which is what is called for in the book. I now run 60:1.

Not sure how you think grindings from the worn ring will get into the gearbox oil. The engine and gearbox are not connected by oil feed.

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

Good to know, thanks. I thought the crankshaft dipped into the oil. I believe 4-strokes are that way.

Would the difference in thickness be because the old rings had been worn from the previous 140 hours?

@tommyjeep

5 жыл бұрын

That’s exactly right. Ring wear is normal. I’m not sure why this bike only goes 100 hours when other 2-stroke KTM bikes goes 300 hours.

Where did you get the timing/decking tool? Do you have the supplier or part number? I can't quite read the tool numbers from your video. I need to find one for rebuilding my 2017 Freeride.

@tommyjeep

2 жыл бұрын

I usually get my stuff from RockyMountainATVMC.com. I’ll look at the tool tonight and see if I can see a part number on it for you.

@belindakelly7762

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommyjeep Thank you! I've looked on that site before, but never found the tool for the Freeride, but just a KTM 250 which could be (likely is another model (SX).