2019 KTM 450SXF Factory Edition Conversion to Electric Street Legal
- Thread starter DonCox
- Start date
That looks very good ! What's the specs ?
Very nice, the Don Cox conversion really works well, like you said very low C.G. - battery can be swapped pretty quick and lower weight.
I know you use the EBMX X9000 V3 controller, I found this index finger throttle for regen, it is easier to use than the thumb throttle type.
I know you use the EBMX X9000 V3 controller, I found this index finger throttle for regen, it is easier to use than the thumb throttle type.
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2018 KTM 250sxf, QS138 70H, EBMX X-9000 V2, Amorge 20s 12p using Reliance RS50 cells for 72v 60ah. After a few rides I'll install the X-9000 V3 for comparison.
Kiwi_Swede
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Hi Dave, have you been out on this bike much? how's it going? hows the range?
dbc105
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Dave & Don, how do your bikes compare to the gas models? I have a 300 XC-W and I don't plan to do another crank & rod so I'm interested in what you are doing here. I guess what I'm asking is would you compare the power to a 200 or a 250 or bigger? I don't know if you've heard of NATRA, North Alabama Trail Riders Assoc. we held the Rad Dad Nationals(
) years back and that is where I ride, it is different than what you guys are on but single track is single track mostly. I'm old so I'm slow but I'm trying to get an idea of what a build would run like.
Thanks Guys,
DC
Thanks Guys,
DC
DonCox
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The motors, controllers and battery combination we are running I think have as much power as a 250CC ICE bike. I will give you links to me riding my KTM (QS138 70H V3, Votol controller, EM260, and a 72V nominal battery 50-55AH (20S12P) battery. Dave has a bigger battery at 20S13P, that should give him about a couple more laps. And then I will give you a link to a Pro friend riding the same motor, controller, and battery on a Honda. He is good.
This is me an 80 year old riding my KTM,
This is Casey Casper riding the Honda E-Moto
On My start, I got off the gate better in the next moto. I don't race that much any more. I was ridding with Eddie Lawson #21 Kawasaki, last Tuesday and I could stay with him for a while, and then he smoked me...no video He was on a new Kawi 250, but not that much faster.
I am building a bike right now for a guy from Knoxville Tenn. It is a 2009 KTM 250XCF He sent me the frame, swingarm and subframe. I'll send it back ready to put a battery in it.
On My start, I got off the gate better in the next moto. I don't race that much any more. I was ridding with Eddie Lawson #21 Kawasaki, last Tuesday and I could stay with him for a while, and then he smoked me...no video He was on a new Kawi 250, but not that much faster.
I am building a bike right now for a guy from Knoxville Tenn. It is a 2009 KTM 250XCF He sent me the frame, swingarm and subframe. I'll send it back ready to put a battery in it.
dbc105
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Thanks Don, that's what I was curious about. Hope I'm still able to ride at 80, I've got 12yrs to go. I know the Alta ran with the 250s in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm.
Hi DC,
I fully agree with Don about the power; they run like a well tuned 250F motocross bike. On the Glen Helen 1.1 mile long motocross track I get 20 to 25 laps from my battery. On single-track trails I get between 30 and 45 miles from my battery. Range depends on how hard we ride and the type of terrain. Obviously sand and hills suck drain power faster than smooth, hard, flat surfaces...
I'm 69 yes old. Recently I took a couple really good 40 somethimg yr old riders for a single track ride. They were on 2026 KTM Ertzberg 300 bikes. I was on my converted Honda CRF250 electric bike. I completely smoked them without breaking a sweat! Later the two KTM riders tried my bike. They both said my bike was the fastest and best handling single track motorcycle they had ever ridden. Seriously, You need to try one to truly appreciate how fun and easy they are to ride.
Finally, my normal go-to bike has always been my "built to the hilt" KTM 150XCW. I can honestly say that all three of my electric motorcycles are worlds better than my KTM 150XCW. My converted KTM 250sxf electric is my favorite. The only negative to electric is the lack of range.
Hope this helps!
Dave
760 822 7344
dbc105
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I'm a retired Boilermaker and most of my body is tired and wore so range is not such an issue with me. We have a lot of tight woods with hills and such and if I can make 12-15 miles on the single track plus the couple of miles back to the truck I'm fine. I've gotten slow over the years so I general get in the back of the pack and given that we have 5000 acres to ride I never ride alone so if I did get stuck there is always someone to get the truck. I know several years ago the big thing was a KX 125 with a KDX 220 engine, I'm wondering about a 125-200 sized bike with the 138 for the woods. Would be a little smaller than the 300, and no stalling on the off camber hills. It's hard to kick start a 300 when your left foot can't reach the ground due to a slope. LOL, 10 years ago I never went slow enough for it to matter. Now I worry about breaking a hip.
I went to the Tenn Knockout this year, it is about 3hrs East of me and I watched the Stark finish 6th or 7th overall, I thought that was a big feat in itsself. But the biggest thing we all noticed about the cordless bikes was the way they just tractor up a hill. These were hills the ICE bikes had to be up on the pipe with back tire roosting and the Vargs and Surrons never checked up, just turned the corner and smoothly went up.
Thanks for the info guys, I'll keep a watch on your builds.
DC
I went to the Tenn Knockout this year, it is about 3hrs East of me and I watched the Stark finish 6th or 7th overall, I thought that was a big feat in itsself. But the biggest thing we all noticed about the cordless bikes was the way they just tractor up a hill. These were hills the ICE bikes had to be up on the pipe with back tire roosting and the Vargs and Surrons never checked up, just turned the corner and smoothly went up.
Thanks for the info guys, I'll keep a watch on your builds.
DC
DonCox
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I have found that most 125 have the same frame as the 250 and 450, at least the same height, suspension and wheels. I you want something a little smaller, look at the KTM or Husky 85cc moto big wheel version. They are a little bigger than the KX85-100 big wheel bikes. I have a good sized battery in my YZ85, 20S10P and it is good for 35 miles on the road. That battery will fit the KTM and Husky 85 bikes. I am building a Husky TC85 soon.
My experience is you have to ride one of these conversions to really understand how well they perform, low center of gravity, super low speed response to super fast just by twisting the throttle. For people new to high power e-bikes better throttle control is needed as so much instant power but most people learn quick.
Regarding size, the modern bikes are taller and bigger overall, I chose a 2005 KX because the older bikes are smaller.
Regarding size, the modern bikes are taller and bigger overall, I chose a 2005 KX because the older bikes are smaller.
F451
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Couldn't agree more on you have to ride one to understand how capable and fun they are. And of course test ride in an area similar to your favorite riding places (single track, motocross, etc). The precise, instant, predicable, and repeatable nature of the throttle is fantastic. Never needing to worry about stalling, holy cow, you don't realize how much energy you put into this on hilly, tight single track until you get used to not having to ever even think about stalling.
Regarding the power (more knowledgeable folks please chime in if this is not accurate), you'll have to judge for yourself, but one thing to consider with the electric dirt bikes, the full power of the motor is available right off idle, the torque is amazing, makes it so easy to clear gnarly spots and to get going when stopped on steep hills.
I'm a not too healthy 65 yr old, 6'5" slow poke single track guy and my favorite dirt bikes have been my 125 2 strokes. I loved my old Alta in the gnar, loved my Sur Ron Ultra Bee too (but too small for me) and am now plotting my next move. Varg is too heavy like the Alta (great bikes though) so I'm seriously considering converting a KTM 125 (thanks to Don and all the other pioneers here who have put in the hard work and are sharing their knowledge with us - thank you guys!). Just have to see how my health does over the next few months, if it doesn't improve, then my dirt bike days are over, will probably sell my BMW street bike too - with age comes the cage! Damn it. Lol.
dbc105, good luck with your decision.
F451
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Very kind of you, thank you. I'm basically fine, not dying anytime soon (that I know of ha ha), just adjusting to diminished capabilities. I've had many years and many great times riding dirt bikes, so all good. Last summer I bought a 26 yr old, 330,000 miles Porsche 911 convertible and drove the wheels off it all summer before selling, was surprised how much I enjoyed the open air drive, as close to a motorcycle as you can get. So that's the fall back plan if the bikes have to go away.
And that KTM looks sweet!
