For adults seeking thrilling off-road adventures, electric dirt bikes have emerged as a game-changer. Offering a blend of performance, environmental consciousness, and ease of maintenance, these e-bikes are rapidly gaining popularity. If you’re an adult rider looking for a lightweight yet powerful electric dirt bike without breaking the bank, particularly under the $5,000 mark, you’ve come to the right place.
We at usabikers.net have rigorously tested eight of the most sought-after lightweight electric dirt bikes currently available. Our experienced team of riders, with backgrounds spanning from professional enduro racing to downhill mountain biking, put each bike through its paces. We evaluated them across various terrains and scenarios to provide you with a comprehensive, real-world comparison. This review is designed to help adult riders like you make an informed decision when choosing your ideal electric dirt bike.
Meet the Contenders: 2024’s Lightweight Electric Dirt Bikes
Our test lineup included a diverse range of electric dirt bikes, each with its unique strengths and intended riding style:
- Beta Explorer
- Surron Lightbee X
- Talaria Sting R
- Rawrr Mantis
- E Ride Pro SS 2.0
- Stage 2 M1
- RFN Ares DLX Version 2.0
- 79Bike Falcon M
To provide a structured and fair comparison, we assessed each bike across key performance metrics. These included peak power, drag race performance, battery range, ease of battery removal, braking effectiveness, weight, suspension quality, and of course, price. Let’s dive into the results.
Power Unleashed: Peak Power Performance
When it comes to power, essential for tackling challenging trails and jumps, the RFN Ares DLX and Beta Explorer stood out, both boasting a peak power of 12.5kW. Closely following was the E Ride Pro SS 2.0, delivering 12kW peak and 5kW nominal power. On the other end of the spectrum, the Surron Lightbee X and Stage 2 M1 shared the lowest peak power rating at 6kW peak and 3kW nominal.
It’s worth noting that the E Ride Pro SS, Beta Explorer, and RFN Ares DLX are equipped with a turbo button. This feature provides a temporary surge of power, adding an extra dimension to their performance. For adult riders seeking sustained power, considering nominal power alongside peak power is crucial.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes with the Best Peak Power
Drag Race Domination: Acceleration and Top Speed
To gauge acceleration and top speed, we conducted a series of drag races. Initially pitting the Beta Explorer, Surron Lightbee X, Talaria Sting R, and Rawrr Mantis against each other, the Talaria Sting R quickly emerged as the fastest in this group. We then matched the Sting R against the RFN Ares DLX, E Ride Pro SS, and Stage 2 M1, where the E Ride Pro SS demonstrated superior speed and acceleration. Finally, with the arrival of the 79Bike Falcon M, we raced it against the Talaria Sting R. The Falcon M proved to be the second-fastest, but the E Ride Pro SS remained undefeated, claiming the top spot for acceleration and top speed, making it a prime choice for adult riders who prioritize speed.
drag race against the fastest electric dirt bikes in 2024
Going the Distance: Battery Capacity and Range
Range anxiety is a common concern for electric vehicle riders. To assess real-world range, we rode each bike until the battery level reached approximately 15%. The RFN Ares Rally DLX boasts the largest battery capacity at 3.2kWh, followed by the E Ride Pro SS with 2.9kWh. However, in terms of actual range, the E Ride Pro SS led the pack, achieving 25 miles per charge. The 79Bike Falcon M was a close second with 24 miles, and the RFN Ares DLX delivered 23 miles. The Talaria Sting R managed 19 miles, the Surron Lightbee X 17 miles, the Beta Explorer 15 miles, the Rawrr Mantis 14 miles, and the Stage 2 M1 provided 11 miles of range. These figures are vital for adult riders planning longer excursions.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes with the Best Battery Range
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes with the Best Battery Capacity
Swappable Batteries: Convenience Factor
For adult riders considering battery swapping for extended rides, the ease of battery removal is a significant factor. We ranked the bikes based on how quickly and easily their batteries could be swapped.
What is the easiest swappable battery on the 2024 electric dirt bikes?
The Surron Lightbee X, Talaria Sting R, E Ride Pro SS, and 79Bike share a similar battery compartment design, making them relatively easy to swap batteries. Among these, the Surron Lightbee X stood out as the easiest, followed by the Talaria Sting R and E Ride Pro SS. The 79Bike Falcon M, despite the similar design, proved more challenging due to its larger battery size within a comparable compartment. However, easier removal sometimes correlated with battery rattle, suggesting the need for shims to secure the battery.
The Rawrr Mantis features an automatic button for battery removal, simplifying the process, although it has a drawback of the system not functioning when the battery is completely disconnected. The Stage 2 M1, RFN Ares DLX, and Beta Explorer presented more complex battery removal processes, with the Beta Explorer edging out the RFN Ares DLX due to the RFN’s heavier battery.
Braking Performance: Stopping Power
Effective brakes are paramount for safety and control, especially for adult riders tackling challenging terrains. The 79Bike Falcon M impressed us with the best brakes among the tested bikes. These brakes are a notable highlight, setting a new standard for stock eMoto braking performance. The E Ride Pro SS secured second place in braking performance. In contrast, the Rawrr Mantis lagged behind, ranking last in this critical category.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes with the Best Brakes
Weight Factor: Handling and Agility
Weight plays a crucial role in the handling and agility of a dirt bike, particularly for adult riders navigating technical trails. The Surron Lightbee X is the lightest in the group at 123 pounds, enhancing its maneuverability. The Rawrr Mantis is the heaviest at 165 pounds. The 79Bike Falcon M strikes a good balance, weighing 130 pounds despite housing a larger 72V battery, making it a lightweight option with substantial power.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes by weight
Suspension Systems: Ride Comfort and Control
Suspension is critical for ride comfort and control, absorbing bumps and ensuring the bike tracks well, especially important for adult riders seeking a smooth yet responsive ride. The Talaria Sting R boasts the best suspension setup in our test group. Equipped with a FastAce fork and shock on our test bike, and with some models featuring a Talaria Factory fork, it offers the most refined factory suspension we’ve encountered.
The Surron Lightbee X was a close second, surprising us with its improved suspension compared to earlier models. The E Ride Pro SS offered good suspension hold-up, though it lacked the compliance of the Sting R and Lightbee X. The Stage 2 M1, equipped with a FastAce fork, was desirable, but its linkage-less shock was a slight drawback. The Beta Explorer and RFN Ares DLX had decent suspension but fell short compared to the top performers. The Rawrr Mantis felt stiff and also uses a linkage-less shock, while the 79Bike Falcon M had the least impressive suspension among the bikes tested.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes with the best suspension
Price Point: Affordability and Value
Price is always a significant consideration for adult buyers. Prices can vary depending on the retailer and any potential upgrades, but based on MSRP, the Stage 2 M1 is the most affordable at $4,200, while the Beta Explorer is the most expensive at $5,200. All bikes in this review fall within or close to the $5,000 budget, making them accessible options for many adult riders.
2024 Electric Dirt Bikes by price
Individual Bike Highlights: Pros and Cons
To further assist adult riders in their decision-making, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of each electric dirt bike:
Beta Explorer
- Pros: Iconic brand reputation, extensive dealer network for support, aesthetically pleasing body work, 18” rear wheel with reliable Kenda tires.
- Cons: Brake sensors are not easily disconnected, swingarm exhibits flex, battery removal is complex, low front end may limit aggressive riding, relatively low power output.
Surron Lightbee X
- Pros: Established dealer network ensuring parts and service availability, vast aftermarket parts ecosystem for customization, well-suited for dirt jump and BMX style riding, improved suspension in recent models.
- Cons: Underpowered compared to competitors, outdated brakes and ergonomics, compact size may be less comfortable for larger adult riders.
Rawrr Mantis
- Pros: Larger bike feel suitable for adults, decent initial power delivery, stiff suspension for aggressive riding.
- Cons: Power drops off quickly at higher RPMs, brakes are underperforming, step seat design may restrict rider movement.
Talaria Sting R
- Pros: Solid, comfortable ergonomics, consistent and predictable power delivery, excellent suspension system, abundant upgrade options available.
- Cons: Battery rattling issue requires attention, small 44-tooth rear sprocket may limit top-end speed in some conditions.
RFN Ares Rally
- Pros: Extended “rocket mode” for bursts of high power, upgraded tires for improved traction, high-quality foot pegs, versatile swappable headlight/number plate combo, reinforced swingarm for durability.
- Cons: Low front end may hinder aggressive cornering, somewhat disconnected throttle response, tendency to drag pegs in ruts, power is on the lower side compared to some competitors.
Stage 2 M1
- Pros: Comfortable riding position, good overall ergonomics, solid front fork performance.
- Cons: Slow acceleration and top speed, poor battery range, unusual handlebar bend may not suit all riders, lacks battery percentage readout for precise monitoring.
E Ride Pro SS
- Pros: Fastest bike in the test, highest top speed, suspension offers good hold-up for aggressive riding, packed with desirable features.
- Cons: Front end can feel twitchy or overly sensitive, large display screen may be vulnerable in crashes.
79Bike Falcon M
- Pros: Fast acceleration, powerful and effective brakes, minimal battery rattling.
- Cons: Reports of stripped primary belts, clunky linkage noise from suspension, suspension performance is weaker than class leaders.
The Verdict: Top Lightweight Electric Dirt Bike for Adults
After extensive testing and careful evaluation, the E Ride Pro SS Version 2.0 emerged as our unanimous top pick for the best lightweight electric dirt bike under $5,000 in 2024. Its superior speed, range, and overall performance make it an excellent choice for adult riders seeking top-tier eMoto capabilities without exceeding their budget.
The Talaria Sting R secured a very close second place. Its exceptional suspension, comfortable ergonomics, and smooth power delivery are highly commendable. We concluded that if the Talaria Sting R matched the power output of the E Ride Pro SS, it would be the undisputed champion.
What is the best lightweight electric dirt bike in 2024?
Final Rankings: Lightweight Electric Dirt Bikes for Adults
- E Ride Pro SS
- Talaria Sting R
- 79Bike Falcon M
- Surron Lightbee X
- Stage 2 M1
- RFN Ares Pro DLX
- Beta Explorer
- Rawrr Mantis
Stay tuned to usabikers.net for upcoming content as we explore modifications to the Surron Lightbee X and Talaria Sting R, aiming to enhance their performance and see if they can challenge the dominance of the E Ride Pro SS. We are committed to providing adult electric dirt bike enthusiasts with the latest insights and comparisons to fuel your passion for off-road riding.
