The Best Electric Dirt Bikes of 2023

I know this just by looking at what segments of this industry electric power has already conquered. True, two-wheeled city rides may try to steer clear of electrification. But given how bikes meant for use where charging is not easily available, out in the wild, have adopted EV powertrains, it's only a matter of time until this virus spreads.

For dirt bikes, the push for electrification is spearheaded by startups as well. Names that didn't exist just a few short years ago are now the talk of the world, thanks to machines so incredible and capable few of us thought possible.

There are countless of them out there, fighting for attention and customer money, so picking the ones that stand out the most is not an easy task. Using such criteria as popularity, reliability, price, and public perception, we did manage to put together a short list of 15 electric dirt motorcycles that seem to be at the top of their game this year. You can have a look at them in the lines below.

15. Armotia Due – the one that comes in pairs

Somewhere in Italy, a duo of local guys named Antonio and Andrea decided to create a business centered on making electric motorcycles for off-road use. And they did, releasing in 2017 the Due range.

That's all they have done since, as even now the two bikes are the only ones offered. The first is the Due R, perfect for going "back home on your preferred rough road," not minding the holes in the road.

Styled pretty much like all other bikes in its segment, the Due R takes its juice from a lithium-ion battery that needs up to six hours to get to full charge. It then needs just one hour and a half to get depleted, but you can't really blame it, given what these things usually go through.

Electric motors mounted on both wheels give the bike all their 11 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque, pushing it to a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph).

The second bike in the range is the Due X. It's a bit lighter than the other one, by 3 kg (6.6 pounds), and its motors develop a tad more power, namely 15 hp. Even so, it is slower overall, topping at just 80 kph (50 mph).

The reason the Armotia Due made it into our list is its rarity, and how it can help riders feel all unique and special. Sadly, no pricing for the bikes is provided, and no info on whether it can be had outside Europe.

14. Electric Motion Escape – the French one Americans can have

Moving across the Italian border into France we stumble upon a crew that likes to call itself Electric Motion. Born in 2013, the company is now behind two separate ranges of electric motorcycles, the Epure and Escape.

We chose to talk a bit about the Escape because Electric Motion says this variant is the touring model of the entire family, and that of course got us all curious about it. I mean, who ever goes touring on a butt-naked two-wheeler meant to climb rocks above all?

With the battery hidden inside the frame, under carefully crafted body panels, and the 600 Nm of torque electric motor tied to the rear wheel, the Escape can move at speeds of up to 75 kph (47 mph) and for distances as long as 98 km (61 miles).

There are two variants of the bike on the table, the Escape and Escape R, and the numbers above apply to both of them. What sets them apart is the weight with the R tipping the scales at 85 kg (187 pounds), two kg (4.4 pounds) more than its sibling.

Unlike Armotia, Electric Motion does sell its products in the U.S., and it does so starting at $10,499 for the simple Escape variant. And the best thing about what the French have to offer? Both bikes in this range are road legal.

13. Flux Primo – the one with a mighty app

Further north, but still in Europe, in a country called Slovenia, lies a startup called Flux Performance. These guys are not exactly in business yet, meaning their product is not yet out and about, but by the looks of it the first Flux motorcycle is shaping up to be quite the capable ride.

The bike is called Primo, and it truly looks like the bad boy of its segment, with a sculpted and raised body, large wheels wrapped in clearly off-road tires, and an overall menacing look.

The Primo is powered by a 7 kWh battery pack that can be swapped for a fully-charged one once it's depleted, and that's always a nice feature to have around when it comes to EV dirt bikes.

We're not told for how long the battery will have something to offer during a ride, but we’re promised "leading” numbers in this respect. The battery feeds its power to an electric motor capable of cranking out 85 hp of peak power.

Unlike the bikes we've featured in this list so far, the Primo experience is enhanced by a "cutting-edge vehicle control unit, controlling the ride 100 times per second." Additionally, a smartphone app allows the rider to change six bike parameters on the go, including how much power the ride provides, when and where to do it.

The Flux Primo is still in development stage, and we have no info on when (or if) it will get here in production form. Test rides can be had, though.

12. Tacita T-Race – the one with a 5-speed gearbox

Back over in Italy we find a company called Tacita. The oldest on our list so far (it was founded in 2011), the company presently sells two models, the T-Race and T-Cruise, each with its own sub-models. Of interest to us today is the T-Race, of course, described as a bike "born in the desert to challenge the roads."

You all know how in the world of motorcycling the terms dirt bike, enduro, and motocross kind of blur together, and it's not easy to see what's what? Well, Tacita solved that by splintering the T-Race range into four distinct models, each destined for another style of riding and terrain: Motard, Enduro, Rally, and Cross.

At the core of all of them, except the Cross, there is an optionally swappable 8.61 kWh battery (5 kWh for the Cross), capable of providing a range between 106 km (66 miles) for the Enduro and up to 200 km (124 miles) for the Rally.

Depending on version, the T-Race bikes are equipped with electric motors rated at 34 or 44 kW. Unlike most other electric bikes out there, no matter their type, this range comes with a five-speed gearbox and hydraulic clutch.

The Tacita T-Race is not yet available for purchase, but the pre-order books are open, so fingers crossed for enough of them to be placed for the bike to go into production.

11. Vector Vortex – the one that still lets you pedal

Because of their nature, electric motorcycles, especially the ones meant for off-roading, and electric bikes used for the same purpose kind of tend to blur together. So much so, in fact, it could be tricky to clearly define a contraption such as the Vector Vortex.

The Vector company was set up in Germany by a Ukrainian-born in 2014, and it now makes something it itself describes as the "ultimate off-road e-bike." A deeper look at it will reveal it's more of an electric bike than an electric motorcycle, but given its specs and the fact it was meant to move off the beaten trail, it's a perfect fit in our list.

The bike takes its power from a 10.000 Watt electric motor installed in the frame. It's small enough to avoid the overheating issues some of its competitors' experience, but large enough to make the thing quite adept at navigating mountains, forests, and fields.

Thanks to the motor, the bike can hit 31 mph (50 kph) in three seconds. And the battery is not too shabby either: we're told the 3.8 kWh pack was good for 90 km (56 miles) during high-intensity testing, but it should be good for up to 200 km (120 miles) overall.

The cool thing about this bike is that it does offer a pedaling option, so you don't really run the risk of ever remaining stranded.

The Vector Vortex is for sale, and the asking price for one of these babies is $5,999.

10. Razor Dirt Rocket – the one for little ones

Cultivating a taste for this or that means of transportation is something that must be done from an early age, and if you plan on initiating the little ones into the secrets of electric motorcycle riding, then Razor is the name you should turn to.

The American company has been in business for more than two decades now, producing all sorts of scooters, bicycles, and other means of personal transport. For the purposes of this article, I chose the Dirt Rocket from their portfolio, because it's perfect for off-road riding.

The first thing worth mentioning is that this is not an electric dirt motorcycle for adults. It's meant for kids 13 years of age and above, with a passion for "off-road fun."

Described as "the perfect start for the next generation of motocross riders," the Dirt Rocket can reach, depending on version (there are four of them) between eight and 17 mph (13 to 27 kph).

Three electric motors are on the table for the range, from 100 to 650 watts. The battery pack, lead-acid across the lineup, can hold enough juice for fun times ranging between 30 and 40 minutes.

Razor sells the Dirt Rocket with the $260 MX125 acting as the entry-level bike. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the MX650 goes for $780.

9. Kuberg Cross X-Force Pro 50 – the one with an impressive name
It's a given that when the name of something slams together a lot of powerful consonants and some number the purpose is to impress. Not always though an impressive name comes with impressive specs attached. You don't have to worry about that with the Kuberg Cross X-Force Pro 50, as everything fits.

Based in the Czech Republic, Kuberg was created with a single goal in mind: give young riders the tools they need to explore their passion for two-wheelers. And they seem to be quite appreciated tools, as at the time of writing the company is selling ten distinct products, with another one on the way.

At the top of the range in the lineup is the Cross X-Force Pro 50 I mentioned earlier. It's a 33 kg (73 pounds) off-roading beast powered by a swappable battery and an 8 kW electric motor. The bike offers those interested one hour of riding per charge, but needs 2.5 hours to replenish should a replacement battery not be around.

All of the above might have you believe the mighty Kuberg Cross X-Force Pro 50 is meant for adults, but it's actually designed for kids between six and 12 years of age. And it's also not street legal, so you can't really buy one for the kids if no wild terrain can be found near the house.

Kuberg sells the two-wheeler for a little over 5,000 euros, which is about $5,400 at today's exchange rates.

8. Trevor DTRe Stella – the bare-bones one

Generally speaking, motorcycles and bikes meant to be used off-tarmac don't go overboard when it comes to design, so you won't see any unnecessary body parts or gear on them. But the Trevor DTRe Stella seems to have taken this approach to the extreme, looking like a sheet of paper propped on 19-inch wheels.

The name Trevor may not sound familiar, seeing how it's based in Belgium, but chances are that Stella will help the company grow in exposure.

The bike is a premium electric two-wheeler, put together by hand. It comes in two variants, one that is street-legal on European roads, and another one that can only be used on a dirt track.

The simple frame of the motorcycle holds a 2.7 kW battery, feeding electricity to a brushless electric motor. The battery needs 70 minutes to become fully charged, and once it gets going, the motor can push the Stella to a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph), for distances as great as 100 km (62 miles).

The two versions of the Trevor DTRe Stella are available for order, and they go for 12,995 euros ($14,100) for the track bike, and 14,495 euros ($15,700) for the road one. That's about as much as Harley-Davidson is charging for some of its brand-new, ICE-powered motorcycles.

7. Segway Dirt eBike – the one of famous lineage

All of the electric bikes that made it on our list so far are made by companies that are still to make a name for themselves in this industry. Segway does not need to do that, as it's already one of the most important players in the personal mobility sector.

Dating back to the turn of the millennium, Segway became famous thanks to the self-balancing personal transporter by the same name. It was a device that should have changed our world, but rather didn't, so the company had to expand the scope of its business.

Segway presently makes anything from scooters to go-karts, but also electric dirt bikes for use in places where its other products are less impressive.

Segway's range in this segment comprises two models, the eBike X160 and eBike X260. Or should we say comprised, as at the time of writing both of them are listed as out of stock.

The bikes are powered both by the same kind of electric motor, but the X260 is faster, reaching a top speed of 47 mph instead of 31 (76 kph vs 50 kph). The swappable battery offers either 40 or 74 miles of range (64 or 120 km).

The company is charging $4,499 for the X160, and $6,499 for the X260. Like most other eBikes out there, the Segway products are not street-legal in the U.S., at least not in the form they come out factory doors.

6. Cake Bukk – the one to redefine the segment

No matter how you twist it, it's almost impossible to make a list of impressive motorcycles of any kind and not include Cake. The Swedes put together machines so insane in design and specs that they're hard to ignore.

On the off-road motorcycle front, Cake impressed the world with the Kalk, but later this year a new model will join the range: Bukk. And it promises to redefine the segment, not only through looks, and also thanks to its specs.

Styled in the same IKEA-like design, the two-wheeler is built to "maximize and optimize the characteristics around the electric drivetrain." Tipping the scales at 89 kg (196 pounds), it spins its wheels thanks to a 456 Nm electric motor that pushes it to a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph).

A 2.9 kWh battery is in charge of supplying power. It can be recharged in 1.5 hours, but it's also swappable in case the rider doesn't like to wait around for that long.

The bike will be offered from September in two variants, Super Light and Power Light, and optionally it can be specced to be street legal. Cake will charge a starting price of 10,270 euros ($11,200) for one.

5. Zero FX – the famous one

As one of the largest (and oldest, having been founded in 2006) electric bike manufacturers in the world, Zero Motorcycles also has one of the most extensive lineups of such bikes. No less than nine bike models are on offer at the time of writing.

Of interest to us today is the FX, the model that draws from the company's “off-road roots" – after all, it was initially called Electricross, making no secret of what it's all about. Styled in the purest motorcycle off-road style, the FX is a beast of a machine in the great outdoors.

The thing's 7.2 kW battery pack is enough to last it for 91 miles (146 km) of riding when on city roads, and needs 1.8 hours of charging time to reach full capacity (it is also swappable if customers go for this option). The battery feeds a 46-hp electric motor that can give the bike a top speed of 85 kph (137 kph).

Unlike some of the bikes we've listed so far, which will come onto the market in the near future, the Zero FX is already here, selling off the bike maker's lot for $12,995. It's not the most affordable of the bunch, but it is certainly one of the most alluring, to say the least.

4. Stark Varg – the extreme one

In the world of motorcycle makers Stark Future is among the youngest. Created just four years ago in Spain, the company has only one product out, but it's one to remember: Varg.

I'm not entirely sure if the bike was named after the demonic wolf creature in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, or was inspired by Norse mythology (probably that, given the company's Swedish roots), but it sure does look wild, and more than properly equipped to take on difficult motocross terrain.

Selling from $12,900 on the American market, the machine offers up to six hours of riding time in the great outdoors for just two hours of charging time. That makes it among the most capable bikes out there, and it's all owed to one of the largest batteries in the market being fitted inside the frame, a 6.5 kWh piece of hardware.

In plain numbers, the hardware's grunt translates into 80 hp and 938 Nm of torque, also at the top end of the list of most capable electric dirt bikes, and a lot more powerful than even ICE bikes with 450cc engines in their frames.

Stark has only begun delivering the Varg bikes to its customers, so we're still waiting for first-hand impressions on how the Wolf behaves and acts like in the great outdoors.

3. Talaria Sting R MX4 – the Canadian one

Canada may not be as famous as their neighbors to the south when it comes to making its own ICE-powered vehicles, but when it comes to two-wheeled electric rides, the country seems to be creating quite the name for itself.

We've already seen how the Canada-made Damon Hypersport has quickly positioned itself as one of the best production electric motorcycle by range, and soon enough we'll probably see Canadian bikes conquering other EV bike segments as well. Thanks, not in small part, to a crew called Talaria.

The company has been in the news for a couple of years now thanks to a line of machines called Sting. Now comprising no less than four models, the lineup is spearheaded by something called the Talaria Sting R MX4.

The company describes the two-wheeler as the most powerful of its category, thanks to an electric motor cranking out 45 Nm of torque. The motor is fed by a battery pack that can hold enough electricity for 120 km (75 miles). That's at the high end of what all the other bikes on our list can do, but can only be achieved when the motorcycle travels at speeds of up to 25 kph (16 mph).

Being the most capable also means the Talaria Sting R MX4 is also the most expensive of its family. You can have one for $5,999. That's Canadian dollars.

2. Sur-Ron Light Bee X – the one everybody seems to love

Back in 2014, the electric dirt bike segment got enriched with the arrival of a brand called Sur-Ron. It's probably not the most user-friendly brand name out there, but it sure is one everybody seems to love.

At the time of writing the company's offering is dominated by something called the Light Bee X. Stripped to the bone of any unnecessary elements, the bike packs in its frame a lithium battery pack that gives it a range of up to 60 miles (97 km), depending on the ride mode chosen – there are two of them, Eco or Sport.

The battery feeds electricity to an electric motor rated at 35 Nm of torque, but can only do that after being recharged for up to 3.5 hours.

Those may not be the most impressive numbers out there for such a bike, but when you match that with the starting price for the ride, you get a very solid package. On the American market, the company is charging just $4,400 for one, making it one of the most affordable of its kind and also explaining why people in the market for a new two-wheeler seem to go nuts about the Light Bee X.

1. KTM Freeride E-XC – the one with a racing pedigree

We've been covering the best motorcycles in the world in stories such as this for some time now time, trying to put together comprehensive lists of the world's best bikes, based on various criteria. There is almost not a single such story that doesn't include Austrian bike maker KTM.

For the purposes of our 15 Electric Dirt Bikes at the Top of Their Game in 2023 coverage, KTM sent over the mighty Freeride E-XC, an electric dirt bike that deserves the first spot in our list because of two things.

First, it's the only one here to have been made by an established and experienced bike maker – KTM was established in 1934, so no one can argue about their experience.

The second thing that makes the E-XC worthy of the first spot is the fact it comes with quite the pedigree. Since entering the enduro scene three decades ago, KTM has snatched 126 world titles in various competitions using various bikes.

The electric Freeride E-XC builds on that and offers extreme thrills powered by a swappable 3.9 kWh battery pack and the 24 hp electric motor. The powertrain is backed in its mission by a suspension system with 250 and 260 mm of travel front and rear, respectively, laced wheels sized 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, and Brembo brakes.

Fun of this magnitude does not come cheap, as KTM is charging $11,299 for one.

So, there you have it, autoevolution's list of 15 of the world's most appealing electric dirt bikes. All are machines destined for a special breed of rider, the ones that like more extreme handling and terrain, more powerful thrills that you get on the highway and, above all, not bad on the environment.

Now that we have the list, let's answer three of the questions that pop into riders' heads the most when it comes to this kind of machine.

Are dirt bikes road legal?

Generally speaking, no, because they are not built to be used on the road, but in places where traffic rules and regulations don't apply. Yet, many bike makers, including the ones on our lists, offer customers the chance of having their bikes delivered in road-legal configuration as well.

What is the fastest electric dirt bike?

With dirt bikes it's not speed that matters the most, but the two-wheelers' ability to go over harsh terrain with ease and safely. Generally speaking, electric bikes sit at around 50 mph (80 kph), and given how most of them are capable of doing that, it's impossible to choose an absolute champion.

What is the range of an electric dirt bike?

Just like with speed, range doesn't matter all that much when it comes to electric dirt bikes. That's because riders using them don't necessarily measure that in the usual fashion, using miles, but tend to track how long the batteries last between charging cycles. Taken like that, electric dirt bikes usually provide just a couple of hours of fun.

If we were to pick a distance champion from our list, though, that would definitely be the Tacita T-Race, with 124 miles (200 km) of range.