MCN guide: choosing an electric dirt bike in the UK. Electric motocross dirt bike

What are electric dirt bikes

Dirt bikes are powered by a motor and fuel that powers the motor. With standard dirt bikes, gasoline is the fuel that powers the motor. Electric dirt bikes have a motor, just like gas-powered dirt bikes. If some of you were asking what electric dirt bikes are and what is the difference between dirt bikes and electric bikes, here is the answer:

Over the past decade, we have been seeing a rise in a new type of dirt bike.

Gas fueled motor VS Electric fueled motor

However, the electric motor is powered by electricity that comes from a battery.

With the dirt bike’s electric motor, the power is like your on-off light switch in your house.

This means that when you open the throttle on the electric bike, there is no lag, and you get ALL of the power at once.

Electric Dirt Bike

Quiet – little to zero noise
No Fuel (gas)
No oil
Instant electric power
No gears
No Clutch
No kickstart
Lightweight
Easy to use

You can also get a LOT of power out of a small electric dirt bike motor.

Electric dirt bikes are quiet and powerful, and the power really is like an on-off switch.

Unlike gas-powered dirt bikes, electric dirt bikes have little to no maintenance.

Electric dirt bikes have no gears, no clutch, and no kickstart. This could make the dirt bike easier to ride.

Having no clutch on the electric dirt bike will be something that we old-timers may have a hard time with.

If you have ever spent time on a gas-powered dirt bike, you know that a carburetor or fuel injection system determines a power curve.

Gas-powered fuel systems have come a long way but still cannot match the one-off switch that a battery-powered electric motor produces.

Keep in mind the electric dirt bike industry still is working on producing a battery-powered electric dirt bike motor that can produce the same amount of power as the 450 four-stroke gas-powered dirt bike.

Right now, you can still easily make a more powerful gas-powered dirt bike versus an electric dirt bike.

The battery technology which powers the electric motor is the weak point.

With major car manufacturers like Tesla Motors investing in battery technology, this, in my opinion, will trickle down to the electric dirt bikes.

This also makes us wonder if you can get the same range with a battery-powered electric dirt bike as a gas-powered dirt bike.

Companies like Alta Motors and Zero Motorcycles started to produce modern electric dirt bikes and electric motorcycles.

Alta Motors focused on the offroad or motocross type of electric dirt bikes.

note Alta Motors no longer makes electric dirt bikes…sad, I know.

Zero Motorcycles are more on-road electric motorcycles.

Zero Motorcycle claims that the cost of ownership over the lifetime of the motorcycle is cheaper with an electric bike versus a gas-powered motorcycle.

But both of these electric motorcycle companies are small and not considered mainstream.

We have companies like Honda and KTM jumping into the electric dirt bike game.

KTM already has produced the KTM FREERIDE E-XC

For 2020 KTM has announced their Youth or kids electric dirt bike, models

Honda motorcycles have also shown the world a prototype electric dirt bike.

Honda has built this electric dirt bike of their popular CRF frames.

Companies like KTM and Honda building electric dirt bikes are crucial to the survival of electric dirt bikes.

Honda and KTM have decades of experience building quality gas-powered motorcycles and dirt bikes.

They have the money, research/development, and distribution channels.

Odds are you have heard of Honda, and if you are a dirt biker, you have heard of both Honda and KTM.

Chances are you have owned on.

As I mentioned, the major dirt bike manufacturers need to build electric bikes in order for them to survive.

We have already seen Alta motors go the way of the earth, and it wasn’t because they didn’t make a quality electric dirt bike.

I hope this article has explained what are electric dirt bikes.

About Sam Oldham

My name is Sam Oldham. Growing up I tried to ride anything with 2 wheels that I could. I have spent the last decade or more riding motorcycles and dirt bikes. Even after all of these years I still feel the same excitement I felt when I first rode a dirt bike as a kid. I have been interested in Electric bikes for years. Please follow me as I try and learn everything I can from riding these electric bikes.

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MCN guide: choosing an electric dirt bike in the UK

While the motorcycle world at large is taking its time to warm to electric alternatives to petrol, there’s one category that’s embracing the tech with open arms in the UK: electric dirt bikes.

Lightweight, unlikely to break down, torquey and with barely any servicing to worry about, UK electric dirt bikes are fast becoming a genuine alternative to petrol models. This is especially the case at the intersection between electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and electric mopeds.

If you’re using your bike for competitions or on private land (with the owner’s permission) then you don’t need to worry about the legal side of things. But if you want to use your electric dirt bike on the road or public byways then there are a few things you need to know.

guide, choosing, electric, dirt, bike, motocross

Electronically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) can be ridden everywhere a bicycle can by anyone aged 14 or over without a licence as long as they adhere to the following rules.

An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.
It must show either the power output or the manufacturer of the motor.
It must also show either the battery’s voltage or the maximum speed of the bike.
Its electric motor must have a maximum power output of 250 watts and should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph.
An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).

Any electric bike that doesn’t meet the above rules counts as an electric motorcycle or electric moped and must be registered and taxed. You can only ride it on the road if you can the relevant licence and you must wear a helmet.

Road-legal electric dirt bikes for sale in the UK

Sur-ron L1E

A 50kg crossover between a bicycle and a motorcycle with 8bhp and 28lb.ft of torque on tap and a 60 mile range. Not to be confused with the cheaper and non-road-legal X model, the L1E costs £4995 and requires at least a CBT licence to ride.

Cake Kalk

The Kalk (Kalk And) is the first road-legal model from Swedish fans of awkward bike names, Cake. The bike weighs 69kg and has a power rating of 13.5bhp meaning a top speed of 56mph. It’s much costlier than the Sur-ron with a price tag of £12,500 and you’ll need at least a CBT to ride it.

Competition only electric dirt bikes

Stark VARG motocross racer

Meet the Stark VARG: An all-new electric motocross racer claiming to outperform its combustion-engined rivals in every way.

Developed over the last two years on the outskirts of Barcelona, the Stark VARG (‘strong wolf’ in Swedish) weighs a claimed 110kg ready to race, with a suggested power figure of circa 78.9bhp.

Said to be more powerful than its 450cc petrol-powered competition, the bike has been developed alongside Stark Future by former AMA Motocross Champion Sébastien Tortelli and AMA Supercross race winner Josh Hill.

This performance is then delivered in a range of customisable power settings, with maps to mimic a 125 two-stroke, up to a 650 four-stroke – controlled via a smartphone app, which also doubles up as a dashboard for the bike. There are over 100 riding modes in total.

Housing that motor is a lightweight chassis, which uses the unit as a stressed component and features a carbon fibre sub section to help keep the weight down.

Providing the energy is a compact sub-32kg 6kWh battery, which claims to offer both full Gran Prix intensity or up to six hours of gentle trail riding – a performance they claim is similar to a 450 four-stroke with a full tank of fuel. Expect between one and two hours to recharge it.

On top of that, other quality touches include Pirelli MX32 tyres and KYB suspension with 310mm of front and rear travel.

If you’re interested, the Stark VARG is available to order online now for €11,900 – around £10,170 to you and me. Visit www.starkfuture.com

EAPC

Ducati MIG-RR eMTB

Ducati paired up with eMTB specialists Thok to create the MIG-RR. Costing £5412, the MIG can be ridden anywhere a bicycle can with no licence requirement.

That’s because it’s an electric mountain bike rather than a dirt bike, but it’s still available to buy in the UK.

Top 11 Best Electric Dirt Bike (Motorcycle) for Adults in 2023

A good list starts with a nifty ranking scorecard. We cover everything from design and technology, to customer service. We’ve also grouped these factors into eight sections:

Build Quality

We note materials, components, and durability. We provide plus points for high-end components, as well as reliability and ease of repair.

Responsiveness

This criteria covers each bike’s throttle and brake response, as well as handling. We also add points for bikes with single-gear transmissions and instant acceleration.

Aesthetics

This factor consists of the bikes’ design and originality. We also take note of unique details and add extra points for bikes with great details.

Cool Factor

Like with aesthetics, we also lay out points based on how visually appealing the bike looks or if it has references to pop culture (such as an electric dirt bike that looks like something out of Mad Max).

Speed

We provide points based on standing torque and top speed, and also the duration in which the bike reaches peak speed.

Range

We take note of the bike’s battery level or operation time as well as range distance. We score bikes higher for having special features such as brake regen and extra reserve power packs.

Weight

Lighter bikes get more points, and vice-versa. The last thing we want is a 900lbs off-roader.

After-Sales Support

We take into account the range of services a dealer or manufacturer provides and the responsiveness they can offer a customer after purchase. Additional points for reliable services, warranty support, quick-replies to inquiries, and visitable locations.

Our 11 Best Electric Dirt Bikes and Motorcycles for Adults this Year: Quick Review

Best Electric Dirt Bike for Adults — Zero DSR/BF

Score: 84/100

The Zero DSR/BF is a full-size electric supermoto made for long rides across both on and off road routes. If you prefer relaxed cruises over great distances, then this bike is for you.

A successor to Zero’s previous DSR model, the Zero DSR/BF electric motorcycle comes with adventure bike features which provide greater convenience and safety for riders. These features include solid aluminum side panniers and top box, an adjustable touring windscreen, and full body crash guards.

Runner-up — Segway X260: A Stark Contrast to the Sur Ron X?

The Segway X260 is a medium electric dirt bike meant for narrow off road trails and tracks. The bike’s 31.1-inch adjustable seat height allows both teens and adults to safely operate the bike.

The Segway X260 light electric dirt bike features a dual drive system which uses both a belt and a chain to propel the bike. This increases the torque at the wheels to provide stronger acceleration.

The Sur Ron Storm Bee is a full size electric motocross dirt bike built for adult professionals and beginner riders. The Sur Ron Storm Bee is also Sur Ron’s second production dirt bike — right after the Sur Ron X. The Sur Ron Storm Bee sports an authentic dirt bike look (or close enough).

Judging from the details on the table, the Luna Cycle Sur Ron Storm Bee performs pretty well when it comes to power and range. It’s 260-lb weight isn’t bad for a pedalled bike. I guess all you gotta watch out for is the price tag.

The Enduro eBikes 12000W electric dirt bike is a medium size trail/enduro ebike for both adults and teens. Its rugged design and tough build makes the 12000W a great option for aggressive off road riding.

The Enduro E Bikes 12000W features a Sine Wave controller which provides smooth power delivery depending on throttle input. This is the same controller used by the Stealth B-52 “Bomber” and other Stealth electric dirt bikes as well.

The Segway X160 is a medium light electric dirt bike intended for shallow dirt tracks or the local trails. The bike’s size and seat height suggests both teens and adults can operate it, despite Segway’s recommendation for adults. The bike’s features include: smartphone connectivity and configurability, built-in headlights, adjustable and flexible frame length seat height, and a modular frame.

The HPC Typhoon Pro is a large hybrid e dirt bike built for the trails and dirt tracks. Featuring an aggressive black gold steampunk look, and scrambleresque styling, the HPC Typhoon Pro is a great option for stylish riders.

The Zero DSR is a large electric adventure dirt bike known for its sleek and aggressive design, as well as convenient features. It is Zero’s base bike in their adventure lineup preceding the Zero DSR/BF which is a beefed up version of the DSR with built-in utility boxes.

Like all of Zero’s bikes, the DSR boasts a high tech arsenal of convenient features. One of these features is performance configurability with Zero’s mobile app using a connected mobile phone. Another is the ability to switch batteries on the fly (provided you bought the power tank accessory provided by Zero).

The KTM Freeride E-XC is a full-sized electric dirt bike in KTM’s off-roader lineup. The KTM Freeride electric dirt bike shares the same aggressive profile with its petrol-powered counterpart, the KTM EXC.

It also features a 5/8 x 1/4″ drive chain for stable off-road riding, a liquid-cooling system, and a regenerative braking system for additional range.

The Delfast Prime 2.0 is a hybrid electric dirt bike made for traversing all terrain. It’s got an adjustable seat height that varies between 29 and 36 inches so riders of all sizes should be able to set the bike’s seat height up based on their preference.

The Delfast Prime 2.0’s best feature is its 236-mile range on Eco mode. The Prime 2.0 holds the record for an electric dirt bike with the longest range.

The bike also features street legal accessories. So you can ride to your favorite track or trail using main city roads. Just don’t forget to gear up.

If you want a lightweight adult electric dirt bike that can keep up with the big boys, then it’s time to meet the Zero FXS. With a curb weight of just 250 pounds and a powerful motor capable of reaching 70 mph in seconds, this electric motocross bike will get you where you need to go—fast.

In terms of power, the Zero FXS delivers. Its high-torque Z-Force motor is driven by lithium ion batteries that are almost twice as powerful as standard batteries found on other electric bikes. What’s more, the battery charge lasts for longer than most competitors’ offerings so you can ride for longer without needing to recharge.

On the down side, however, the Zero FXS is also one of the most expensive electric dirt bikes on the market. Its steep price tag means it might be out of reach for some riders, and its lack of traditional features like a throttle or clutch mean you won’t get an authentic motocross experience when riding it.

Overall, though, the Zero FXS is an impressive electric dirt bike that should have no problem keeping up with more traditional models. If you can afford its hefty price tag, then this could be the ideal option for you.

The Zero FX motorcycle is another large-size electric dirt bike by Zero Motorcycles with several top of the line features.

These features include an onboard charger, which simplifies recharging by allowing riders to park right next to a power outlet and start charging. There’s also an option to add a second battery which can then switched to on the fly without taking out the power pack.

The Zero FX motorcycle also features connectivity and configurability with mobile phones through the use of Zero Motorcycles’ mobile app which is a perfect feature given that the FX is a dual-sport bike and performance flexibility is a must.

If you’re in the market for an electric dirt bike, the Stealth H-52 is a great choice. It’s powerful and lightweight – weighing just around 70 lbs – making it easy to maneuver on any terrain. Plus, its price tag won’t break the bank; you can buy one for under 2,000.

The Stealth H-52 has plenty of features that make it stand out from other electric dirt bikes on the market. Its advanced lithium battery technology provides a longer riding time and faster charging speed than most others available.

It also has exceptional pedaling efficiency so you can go farther with less effort. And, if you’re looking for some extra kick, it comes with an optional turbo boost mode that will let you accelerate quickly and reach top speeds faster.

Overall, the Stealth H-52 is a great electric dirt bike option. It provides speed, power and plenty of features to make it an attractive choice for riders looking to get some good off-road action without breaking the bank.

If you’re on gear patrol for a reliable electric dirt bike, we highly recommend checking out our buying guides for this model and seeing if it meets your needs.

For modern MX fans, the Stealth H-52 should be interesting. The H-52 performs exceptionally in all kinds of terrain. This is thanks to an info-dense LED display, great suspension, long rear shock travel, and a pure, custom-built cockpit.

The Kuberg Freerider Street is an electric dirt bike perfect for both younger and older riders alike. With a few hours purchase, you can be sure to hit the trails in no time! This model is one of the leading electric models on the market, offering powerful performance without compromising safety.

At just 28 pounds, it’s also lightweight enough to take anywhere. Plus, the charge time couldn’t be better – just two hours and you’re ready to go! Plus, this model comes with a braking system that’s smooth yet responsive so you know your ride will be safe at all times.

Overall, the Kuberg Freerider Street electric dirt bike offers great power and convenience in one small package.

With its lightweight design and fast charge time, you’re sure to be hitting the trails in no time! It may not be for everyone, but those who are looking for a fun and exciting ride won’t be disappointed.

Like the base model, the Kuberg Freerider Street electric dirt bike features Wi-Fi app connectivity and wireless performance configuration. You can also view your bike’s current status (such as odometer and battery level) through the app in your mobile phone.

For those looking for a bike view with plenty of power and speed, the Stealth F-37 Electric Dirtbike is the way to go.

Whether you’re looking to race or just enjoy a casual ride in the park, this electric dirt bike from Stealth — a direct competitor of the popular Stark Varg — offers you all that and more. It’s sleek design and powerful motor make it an ideal choice for any rider.

So what makes this particular electric dirt bike stand out? Let’s take a look at some of its main features.

First off, the bike comes equipped with fat tires that give it great traction on different terrains; it also has front shocks that absorb impact for comfortable riding.

Plus, thanks to its built-in LCD display screen located at the center of the handlebars, you can get a great view of your speed and battery life.

The Stealth F-37 also offers plenty of power, with a 500W brushless motor that allows for speeds up to 25 mph.

The bike runs on 48V lithium ion batteries that provide an impressive range of 22 miles when fully charged. Even better, it takes just 4-5 hours to charge the battery completely.

The Kuberg Freerider is a lightweight electric dirt bike built for short rides across dirt trails and small hills. It is one of two Freerider variants, the other being the Freerider Street which is street legal.

The Sur Ron X is a highly engineered monster electric dirt bike with highly sophisticated styling, and top of the line parts and performance. The Sur Ron X was awarded the German Red Dot Award in 2018.

The Epure is a full-size electric trials dirt bike made for both professional and beginner trial riders. It’s one of the three latest models released by Electric Motion in 2020, along with the Escape (a trail dirt bike) and the Etrek (a bigger motocross dirt bike).

The Epure is unique in that it’s a low-rider. Meaning, it’s got pegs that are closer to the ground and has a low center of gravity. This provides more balance and control. The bike also features higher handlebars which make riding the Electric Motion Epure feel like riding a scooter.

When it comes to buying an electric dirt bike, the Cake Kalk OR is a style-conscious rider’s dream come true.

With its clean lines and sleek design, this eco-friendly model stands out from the crowd and will turn heads when you hit the trails.

But that’s not all – the Kalk OR offers plenty of features to get excited about, too! It has a long range battery life, adjustable suspension settings for improved agility on challenging terrain, and fast shipping times if you need your ride in a hurry.

However, one thing to consider before taking the plunge is that this bike isn’t suitable for riders under 16 years old.

This electric bike also features an onboard charger. This is a fairly uncommon characteristic among electric bikes in the market. It simplifies the charging process and allows you to park charge at any outlet without having to pull out your battery or carry an external charger.

The Kalk is Cake’s second dirt bike in the Kalk series, right after the Kalk OR. The Cake Kalk is street legal, meaning you can use it on the main road without getting fined.

As a street legal bike, the Kalk comes with accessories required by city laws when driving on city streets. These include side mirrors, headlight, tail-light, light reflectors, and a plate holder. The Kalk’s performance matches the Kalk OR.

The Stealth B-52 is one of Stealth’s most advanced electric dirt bikes sporting flagship features, parts, and performance.

The Stealth B-52, with its sleek design, state of the art electronic and mechanical parts, and peak performance is a technological marvel.

The Stealth B-52 looks different from its peers due to its elongated swing arm and rear hub mounted motor. The ebike’s frame lives up to the name, comprised of aircraft alloy.

The Yamaha TY-E Electric Trials Dirt Bike is a dirt rocket with some noteworthy features.

It has an electric motor for propulsion, paired with a manual gearbox so you can go full throttle on your ride. With the help of its adjustable suspension, the bike’s handling is said to be great and it is lightweight enough for easy maneuverability.

Additionally, this Yamaha model comes with a guide that will provide helpful instruction about getting started on electric dirt bikes, and electric scooters and riding safely.

On the other hand, some users have reported that the battery range proves to be short when using all available power – making it less than ideal for long-distance trips or extended rides.

Nonetheless, if you’re looking for something small and nimble that can take on a variety of terrain, the Yamaha TY-E might be for you.

With its adjustable suspension and powerful motor, this dirt rocket is sure to thrill.

Kalashnikov UM-1 Electric Adventure Bike

Whenever you hear the word “Kalashnikov”, the first thing on your mind would probably be guns. That’s not the only thing they make apparently. Kalashnikov also makes electric off road motorcycles and this big beauty is one example.

The Kalashnikov UM-1 is going to be an electric adventure bike capable of long range travel (longer than those of Zero Motorcycles’ adventure bikes according to how Kalashnikov promotes it). The gun manufacturer originally planned the UM-1 for military use, but it stole so many biker’s hearts that they simply had to develop a civilian version.

Though the lack of development updates from Kalashnikov on the UM-1 is pretty disheartening, we can only hope that this badass beauty gets released before this year ends. Besides, the bike has been in the development phase for over 2 years now. It won’t be long before we can finally see it in person.

Honda Mugen E-Rex

The collaboration of motorsport giant Honda and world class custom ride specialist Mugen brought us this little badass. The Honda Mugen E-Rex sports the ultimate in off road motorcycle styling — the prehistoric concept.

The Honda Mugen E-Rex features a rugged, but unique design that will probably net a lot of biker hearts when it gets released. No updates yet from Honda, but we’re pretty sure it’ll come out soon enough. Big disappointment for Honda if it doesn’t.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading our nifty list of the best electric dirt bikes for adults and that you are much closer to making a choice. Have fun bombing trails over the weekend or sliding through traffic on your way to work with one of these awesome electric dirt bikes for adults.

Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike First Ride Review

Electric dirt bikes have been making waves in the motocross industry in recent years. While new bikes like the Stark VARG and Flux Primo have garnered a lot of attention, the loss of Alta has left many wondering when Honda, Yamaha, and KTM will enter the full-size electric dirt bike market.

Amidst this yearning for new technology, it’s easy to overlook the decades of perfectly tuned chassis that have been developed by the best engineers, test riders, and racers in the industry, and they are ripe for electric conversion. Luckily, we’ve got some companies trickling into this space to make electric conversions that bolt on to some of the most proven motocross bikes that our industry has created.

Enter the Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike, built by Xtreme Electric MX (XEMX).

After experiencing a few successful electric conversions (and with other future ones in the works, wink wink), our attention has been captivated by the XE4 Yamaha, expertly crafted by XEMX. Our intrigue was piqued after witnessing JoJo Toole’s remarkable performance on the bike during the ECR eMoto Race at the 2022 Red Bull TKO.

XEMX Yamaha Electric Dirt Bike Specifications and Details

XEMX makes 2 different kits, the XE2 (air cooled) and the XE4 (liquid cooled).

The XE4 is a bolt-on conversion kit that is compatible with the Yamaha 250 and 450 YZF and YZFX bikes from 2014-2019 for the 250 chassis and 2014-2018 for the 450 chassis.

The liquid-cooled version utilizes the stock YZF radiators with a small 12v pump to circulate Engine Ice. Liquid cooling is the best way to keep the motor cool, making the XE4 more efficient the cooler it runs. The XE4 also features a proprietary fast-change battery swap technology, which is the fastest battery change on the market, taking less than 10 seconds to swap fresh batteries.

The XE4 bike that underwent our testing process is built upon a 2016 Yamaha YZ250F Chassis. XEMX currently utilizes a 12T front and 52T rear Sprocket, sometimes replaced by a 12T-54T combination. The bike’s components, such as sprockets, plastic, suspension, and grips, are all stock Yamaha parts. Front sprockets are sourced from a stock YZF450.

XEMX is currently experimenting with several different controllers to determine which one provides the best overall performance. The controllers under consideration include the Curtis 1236SE, Votol EM-260S, EBMX X-9000, Fardriver, Kelly, and the A5, which is a Curtis clone. All of the controllers will undergo racing tests to verify which one works best for the bike.

The Curtis 1236SE controller, rated at 450 amps at 72 volts, was the controller we tested on our bike.

XEMX’s batteries are rated at 72V nominal and 600 Amp max output, with a total capacity of 4.3kWh. Since the batteries are custom-made, XEMX can modify the type and amount of cells to meet the customer’s needs.

XEMX has developed proprietary fast-change battery swap technology that utilizes a modified aerospace connector, delivering 600 amps per terminal. The battery compartment features the lid formerly used for the Yamaha YZF gas cap. It’s a clean, straightforward design that takes less than 10 seconds to swap fresh batteries.

The bike has three ride modes that are fully programmable, as well as a reverse, auto regen braking, and options for lever regen braking. Additionally, the bike offers optional motor sounds with a speaker, a feature we’ve never encountered before.

The XEMX Yamaha XE4 is a custom order bike, but kits will be for sale once beta testing is complete. You can see below for a breakdown of cost options for the kits.

Riding the Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike

While we’ve had the opportunity to ride the Stark VARG and Alta Redshift, it’s more common to see the ECR crew on the KTM Freeride EXC and smaller, modified electric dirt bikes like the SurRon Lightbee X.

The XEMX Yamaha XE4 provides an incredible experience. The Yamaha YZF Chassis has become a reliable platform over the years, largely due to its unique reverse motor design that creates horsepower unmatched by the other manufacturers in the pro MX scene.

Since the motor is replaced by the electric powertrain in this bike, the gas power plant is no longer a talking point. However, the design allows XEMX to adapt the space for their motor and battery.

The Yamaha chassis is renowned for its stability and surefootedness in rough terrain. The proven KYB SSS suspension is sought after by many riders and comes stock on Yamaha YZF bikes.

Riding the XEMX Yamaha XE4 is an experience that lives up to all the hype that the Yamaha YZF chassis has received in the stability and suspension department. The bike feels incredible, especially after riding sub-150-pound electric dirt bikes that struggle in rough sand whoop terrain in Florida. It’s like you’re riding a Yamaha YZF250F, albeit with an electric powertrain, which is a great thing.

If there’s any complaint about the YZF chassis, it’s that the bike sacrifices some front-end steering for stability. It’s a bike that is notoriously known for benefitting from riders that “steer with the rear”, or those who prefer stability over a sharp turning bike like KTM, Suzuki, or Honda. Needless to say, we are simply splitting hairs here, and adjustments can be made to improve the turning characteristics and front-end feel of the YZF chassis.

In our video about the Yamaha XE4 electric dirt bike, we did encounter some issues. The bike would fault if we hit a sand whoop too hard when we were hard on the throttle. Mark from XEMX explained that the sensor and magnet in the motor were slightly misaligned from each other, causing the bike to shut off intermittently. This can be a common issue in new motors, and XEMX has resolved 99% of the issue since filming, claiming it is just an issue with the older style connectors. Regardless, it’s is an issue that will be resolved before kits will be sold.

In the field, Mark from XEMX made some changes by dialing the power back as much as 20%. In other words, only 80% power was being used when we tested the bike. This particular controller we were testing was only rated for 450 Amps, and the batteries have the capacity to put out 600 Amps. Needless to say, there is a lot more power that can be created on this platform.

XEMX Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike Pricing

XEMX have not officially started to sell kits, but will make Custom Billet motors(to order) and the parts needed for those who want them first. With their complete A kit, and rolling frame prepped, it is possible to build the bike in one day.

You will need a Yamaha 250 YZF or FX 2014-2019 or 450 YZF 2014-2018 Rolling Frame.

These motors have all Ceramic bearing with a Carbon sleeved rotor. They are finished all Black. (Cerakoting or Powder coating is extra)

BILLET 6061 ALUMINUM MOTOR ALONE: 3,500.

XE4 ALL BILLET AXIAL FLUX MOTOR WITH CARBON FIBER SLEEVED ROTOR, LIQUID COOLED, CERAMIC BEARING, 2.08 TO 1 GEAR REDUCTION. MAX RATING OF 58 HP. @ 600 AMPS NOMINAL 38 HP.

COMPLETE MOTOR A KIT: 6,995.

XE4 BILLET MOTOR AND KIT, WHICH INCLUDES: 1-3

#1 COMPLETELY BUILT BATTERY TRAY, BATTERY SIDE BRACKETS, BUSS BARS AND

#2 BRACKETS, FRONT, MID AND TWO REAR SEAT BRACKETS CARBON FIBER AIR BOX

COVER, SEVEN PIVOT POINT HINGE, HALL THROTTLE, WATER PUMP, MAIN CONTACTOR,

DC TO DC CONVERTER,12 T FRONT SPROCKET, CARBON FIBER AND MID SEAT PAD.

#3 CURTIS 1236SE-6571 PRE PROGRAMMED CONTROLLER AND COMPLETE WIRING

HARNESS. POWER PANEL, MODE AND ON/OFF SWITCHES.

QUICK SWAP BATTERIES SOLD SEPARATELY FROM THE KIT: 3,295.

INR 25R Samsung (400) 18650 CELL BATTERY 500 AMP PEAK AT 84V 4KW

10 MODULES (40 18650 CELLS EACH) MOLICEL P42 and P45 Available now also.

OPTIONAL CHARGER: 250.

MODEL S2500 BATTERY CHARGER INPUT: 120V AC VOLT

OUTPUT: 84V=10AMP WITH LED DISPLAY AND FINISH CHARGE INDICATOR.

(OTHER CHARGER OPTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE (HIGHER AMP/FASTER CHARGING)

OPTIONAL PROGRAMMER: 695.

HAND HELD PROGRAMMER FOR THE CURTIS SE1236-6571 CONTROLLER

OPTIONAL SEAT: 250.

CUSTOM SEAT CONCEPTS SEAT COVER FOR QUICK SWAP BATTERY SYSTEM.

In conclusion, the Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike is an innovative new twist on a proven chassis that is sure to give riders yearning for a full size electric motocross bike something to look into. With a powerful electric powertrain and proprietary fast-change battery swap technology, the XE4 is a true work of art.

Sources:

https://chargethebike.com/what-are-electric-dirt-bikes/
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/stark-varg-electric-motocross-bike/
https://www.mudbike.com/best-electric-dirt-bikes/
https://electriccyclerider.com/2023/04/09/the-yamaha-xe4-electric-dirt-bike-by-xemx-first-ride-review/