Thinking about getting another e-dirt bike: Which One?

[F451]

Hey guys,

What e-dirt bike would you buy right now if you were going to buy a 2nd e-dirt bike to go along with your Alta?

I would buy another Alta, but the lack of factory support has me hesitant, and prices seem to be on the rise lately. They are also porkers.

I've been thinking about getting another e-dirt bike and have been waiting and hoping one of the majors would drop an "Alta killer", but so far it looks like it not happening any time soon. I would like Alta like performance and price (or cheaper of course). Lighter weight would be huge. Quick change battery would be huge. I was on the sidelines until recently when my grown daughter mentioned she and her housemate are looking to buy a couple of cheap ICE dirt bikes. Both are not really dirt bikers, but they do know how to ride, barely.

I was thinking for their occasional trail rides, a Sur Ron Light Bee might work. I am considering buying one for my kid, and for me to use too. I just don't like the support and parts situation. And its small. And seems under-engineered (more mtn bike then dirt bike). And I'm always reading mixed experiences with Luna Cycle. My couple of communications with them have not given me any warm fuzzies, quite the opposite actually.

The Storm Bee is more inline with what I would like, especially if its a bit lighter then the Alta (not sure on that), but I really don't want to buy one from Luna. If they were available in the next couple of months from a regular motorcycle dealer in the US, and if they had better parts and warranty support, I would be more inclined to get one.

The KTM Freeride is another candidate, but they are like hens teeth, and crazy expensive. For that money, I think I'd rather have an Alta.

Anybody else considering getting another e-dirt bike soon? If so, what are you thinking of getting?

Thanks. -Ed

 

[Oded]

I would choose the Electric Motion Escape. It's a high quality trial-enduro hybrid.
Lightweight, replaceable battery, have electronic or mechanical clutch.

Did a one week course on one of these in France. Great bike.

Electric Motion

 

[F451]

I would choose the Electric Motion Escape. It's a high quality trial-enduro hybrid.
Lightweight, replaceable battery, have electronic or mechanical clutch.

Did a one week course on one of these in France. Great bike.

Electric Motion

Thanks. I'm not too crazy about the trials/enduro hybrids, would prefer a straight enduro/dirt bike.

EM has a local dealer listed as selling them, no mention about it on that dealers website though, I just emailed the dealer asking about it.

Any idea on pricing?

 

[Oded]

The Escape is based on their trial models. EM are trial specialists.

Not sure about pricing, but they are not cheap, so be prepared. They produce competition bikes.
What Alta introduced to the MX scene, EM introduce to the trial world.

 

[C5tor]

Well, are you going to get the new bike for your daughter or you? Your standards for dirt bikes might not apply to her expectations, size or skill level.

My son loved the Sur-Ron light bee, and it was great for tooling around the neighborhood, or commuting less than 10 mi., or playing in the dirt. But then he grew about a foot in the last year (he's almost 6'0 now!) and it became a bit too small for him. That's when I upgraded him to an Alta. But for someone under 5'6 or under 150 lbs., I bet it would be a fun, unintimidating, and comfortable bike to ride, and you have the option to ride it on the street, unlike a full dirt bike.

The Alta is porky, and can be a bit tall for some of the women in the group (ask @zootie). And not everyone is ready for the power. So, I guess the point is the "best" bike isn't necessarily the all-around best bike, but the one that fits your needs at the time.

For instance, I picked up a little Oset 24.0R this weekend. It is a fun little bike, but it is very small for my fat butt, you can't really sit down on it, and it is definitely focused on trials. But that's what I needed it for. I will probably keep it a while, learn some trials skillz, and then sell it. But for what it does, it is an awesome little machine.

(By the way, The Oset 24.0R is smaller than the Light Bee, and the Light Bee has a lot more power. For climbing around on rocks and obstacles, the Oset is great. Low center of gravity, bouncy suspension, very adjustable power. For long distance or hill climbs, not so much. Top speed my son could get out of the Oset was 25 mph. The Light Bee is setup for 50 mph. For other than the specific trials stuff, my opinion is the Light Bee is the better bike, hands down, considering the similar price and components.)

I would love to get my hands on the Sur-Ron Storm Bee, one of those EMAX DMX25's, a Pohlbock, Milandr, or one of @Mark911 conversions. But that will probably take a while. The Zeros look pretty cool, but pricey and not really dirt oriented. I think the Storm Bee will probably be the most available one, but not until Spring.

If you want to go the Light Bee route, but not deal with Luna, I think you have to go Segway. I had a pretty good experience with Luna, though. I don't think Segway has any better access to the Chinese parts than Segway does.

 

[F451]

Well, are you going to get the new bike for your daughter or you?

Good question, and thanks for the input. The bike will be for both of us. I would buy it, and it would be "mine". I would let my daughter use it as much as she wants. Hopefully we could go riding together at my club property and up in the mountains, as much as range and skill allows. This is something we have discussed before, but she has been busy with college, work, and her horse. She is almost done with college now, so will have a bit more free time depending on her work schedule of course.

If she takes to it and shows that she would take proper care of the bike and use it responsibly (not ride on the streets, wears proper gear, etc), I would consider giving it to her to keep as her own.

She's about 5'9", athletic, has ridden horses and competed in eventing (jumping) since she was little, has only a little experience riding dirt bikes. I would rate her as a beginner. She is a pretty tough kid and tends to get deep into things she is interested in, went to the National Eventing Championships in Kentucky with her team one year, so I would not be surprised if she gets really into dirt bikes.

If I was going with ICE bikes, I'd get her a TTR125/DRZ125/KLX140 type bike, and I think she'd grow out of that in no time. They are really too small for her size, but they are tame and she could work on getting used to the controls.

Next up would be a 250F or a 150 2 stroke, KTM 200, set up for enduro/trail riding. Possibly a Rekluse, flywheel weights, etc.

If the Altas weren't so heavy, I'd be looking for another one of those. I could see her starting out on Map 1, riding around the easier flat trails at our club property and going from there.

I wish the Storm Bees were available now, I'd love to see one in person. Might be the perfect starter e-dirt bike for someone like her. KTM Freeride too, I just feel they are too expensive for what you get.

 

[C5tor]

Can you just adopt me? I already like motorcycles, and you can buy me bikes. Actually, I'm letting @B. FRANK adopt me first, because I like both dirt bikes and guitars.

Sounds like your daughter needs a transition bike. Maybe something like this:

 

[F451]

Can you just adopt me? I already like motorcycles, and you can buy me bikes. Actually, I'm letting @B. FRANK adopt me first, because I like both dirt bikes and guitars.

Sounds like your daughter needs a transition bike. Maybe something like this:

Lol!

B.Frank is definitely the better choice. I’m wringing my hands over a $5-10k purchase here for goodness sake.

I will add, never, ever, ever. Ever. Get your kid a “day at the barn” horse back riding birthday gift when they are already a 6 year old walking authority on horses.

I will never forget telling my wife years ago that I wasn’t sure that was the best idea. I told her we would instantly be in the horse world over our heads, reminded her we are not horse people. Asked her was she ready to give up plans for a cabin, or major retirement investment funds, etc.

She completely blew it all off.

I bring the kid to the day at the barn. She’s immediately the happiest kid in the world and is busy deciding on her favorite type of horse.

Holy shit. Fast forward 18 years later the cash is still flying out the door.

Oh well, we had some good times and the kid appreciates it.

 

[B. FRANK]

guys seriously!! I have what I like because I don't have children so sorry but no adoptions, but if you're ever out my way stop in and jam and ride and hover. on a side note tw 200's are cheap, easy to ride and street legal. they also hold their resale value and have a low seat height. I have a pair of them to teach folks to ride.

 

[snydes]

B. Franks place for the Alta gathering 2021!

 

[Rashid510]

This just came across my email...electric TW?

Grunt – Volcon | ePowersports

 

[C5tor]

This just came across my email...electric TW?

Grunt – Volcon | ePowersports

With tires that wide, you probably wouldn’t even tip over. It’s like an electric Weeble bike.

 

[snydes]

Somewhat reminds me of a Rokon... in fact a electric Rokon would be pretty awesome now that I think about it

 

[F451]

B. Franks place for the Alta gathering 2021!

I’m in! Washington’s Crossing area is beautiful, Lol.

 

[Redwolf]

B. Franks place for the Alta gathering 2021!

I’m in! Washington’s Crossing area is beautiful, Lol.

I have an extra seat in my van if you want to carpool Ed!

Road trip!!!

 

[enjoythesilenc]

I have event horses. A light bee would be great to take to the events. Seems like a zero fx modular would be good, too.

 

[Redwolf]

The light bee makes an awesome pit bike, small enough to park out of the way, easy to handle and quiet enough not to scare a horse.

 

[F451]

Agreed on the Light Bee for horse events. Here’s me on our TTR 90 on my way to a big dinner thing, margarita in hand, Lol. Friends Ford hot rod in the background.

Although, the horses are used to all the machinery, they could care less. A plastic bag blowing by in the wind, complete freak out. At every event you’d see a spooked horse full on gallop go by. Saddle, bridal, no rider, Lol.

 

[Redwolf]

...snip...At every event you’d see a spooked horse full on gallop go by. Saddle, bridal, no rider, Lol.

And this is why I prefer transportation that does not have the need or ability to think and act for itself.

 

[wwmotors]

eBock - Pohlbock