There's no denying it, the realm of off-road motorcycling is experiencing a shift. By the end of 2024, electric dirt bikes had dramatically risen in popularity, fuelled by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. However, the primary reason, as new and old dirt-bikers will emphasize, is the exceptional performance of an electric drivetrain.
Torque
There's much discussion about torque. On the tarmac, e-moto racers are struggling to match the lap-times of their ICE (internal combustion engine) counterparts due to various factors, with endless torque being a key disadvantage. The effortless way an electric motor can lift the front wheel or spin out on debris poses a challenge for many. Tuning can resolve this to an extent, but it also requires riding style adjustments.
In the dirt bike realm, spinning rear wheels is part of the deal. The immense torque provided by an electric motor can drive you and your off-road bike up steep slopes, over jumps, or through rugged terrain with ease. It's crucial to ensure you won't get stuck, and that's where torque can be a decisive advantage.
Consumer Preferences
The demographic of dirt bike riders is changing, with younger generations increasingly favouring electric models and old pro's taking full advantage of the electric drive-train. This shift can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, electric dirt bikes are generally lighter and easier to handle, which makes them more attractive to novice riders and those who might find traditional bikes daunting. Secondly, the cost of ownership is lower, as electric dirt bikes incur reduced maintenance expenses and eliminate fuel costs, along with the absence of grease, gas, or oil.
Environment
Dirt biking can be a noisy affair. Large gatherings and track days can be heard for miles, whilst individual bikers might find it hard to covertly slip down a side road when their engine is screaming blue murder. Moving to electric is an obvious choice if excessive noise is a concern.
Dirt-biking can contribute to pollution, as oils and fuel can disperse into the environment. Additionally, internal combustion engines emit fumes that pollute the atmosphere. Meanwhile, landowners are growing more worried about the impact of localized pollution on their properties. Electric vehicles eliminate these issues.
Volts
Dirt bikers are a unique group, being not only early adopters but also builders and modifiers themselves. This creates an engaging scene from which the rest of the e-moto industry could gain valuable insights.
Firstly, dirt bikers typically use much higher voltage systems in their bikes compared to those used in road-going machines. On a road vehicle, you would usually find a 72-volt system. However, I am increasingly observing 96-volt systems becoming popular in the dirt biking sector and some self builds pushing 144 volts.
Being an off-road sport, safety is assessed by different criteria, allowing bikers to push the limits of their drivetrains with higher voltages, which enable higher speeds. Meanwhile, 72 volts is currently regarded as the safe range for road use.
The EVTeker 02 Max Dirt is a purpose built off-road dirt bike with a 96v drivetrain as standard. This machine offers 38kw, 890nm of torque at the wheel and the whole bike is IP67 rated.
Regenerative Braking (regen)
Another area where the e-dirt scene is at the forefront is the adoption of regenerative braking, which is becoming a regular feature at the track. The Sur-Ron Ultra Bee comes with reneg as a standard feature and was recently selected to support the Met Police Force's efforts to combat street crime in London.
Conclusion
The rise of electric dirt bikes in 2025 marks a significant shift in the off-road motorcycling landscape, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. Electric dirt bikes are not just a trend but a promising future for the sport. As the industry evolves, riders can look forward to an exciting era of innovation, accessibility, and high-powered action.
