At Electric Cycle Rider, we’re always on the lookout for unique opportunities in the eMoto space, and right now, there isn’t anything quite as unique as Dust Moto. Dust Moto and their prototype bike, the Model 1, is the first American-made midweight electric dirt bike, delivering a capable 35 to 40 horsepower—depending on which of the two prototypes you ride.
The Model 1 isn’t just another copy-and-paste duplication in the eMoto space; it’s a testament to American innovation, taking a category ripe for improvement, and combining the perfect blend of design and performance into a head-turning and capable machine—at least, that’s what we believe. So, when the chance arose to put it to the test at the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout (TKO), we eagerly jumped on the opportunity to see how this prototype bike would perform in a real world race scenario.
What sets Dust Moto apart is their transparency in the development process. Rather than keeping everything behind closed doors, they openly share the bike’s evolution, which is refreshing in an industry where product development is often shrouded in secrecy until the final product is unveiled. This openness allows their team to gather real-world feedback from riders and gain the trust of potential customers—a strategy that’s already proving beneficial.
The Dust Moto’s First Test: Surfercross at Fox Raceway
Before we got our hands on the bike, Dust Moto kicked off their race testing at Surfercross at Fox Raceway, putting rider Chance Gaul in the saddle. Surfercross, with its mix of motocross and surf competition, was the perfect place to debut this electric prototype. Gaul and his teammate Jeff Matiasevich (better known as “Chicken”) secured a combined 18th place finish, putting the Model 1 prototype through its paces and brought back a ton of valuable race-simulated feedback for the Dust Moto team to work with.
But Surfercross was just the beginning. After completing that event, the Dust Moto crew handed the bike off to us at ECR, and we took it across the country for its next big test at one of the hardest enduro races in the U.S.—the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout (TKO).
The TKO Challenge: From California to Tennessee
The TKO is a completely different beast compared to Surfercross. Known as one of the most grueling hard enduro races out there, this event puts both bike and rider through extreme conditions: steep rock climbs, river crossings, and technical trails that would make most riders think twice.
We called in Joey Van Roekel to take on the TKO challenge. Joey’s no stranger to the race, having taken second place in the ECR eMoto class at last year’s event riding the KTM Freeride. With Joey on the Dust Moto Model 1, we were eager to see how the bike stacked up against the rest of the field in these harsh conditions.
A New Era for the Dust Moto
The Dust Moto Model 1 has come a long way since its first appearance in our reveal video six months ago. In that time, the bike’s power output has been increased, and according to the Dust Moto team, it’s now running more efficiently than ever. They’ve also partnered with Sirris Suspension to fine-tune the chassis, giving the bike improved control and responsiveness—critical for the rocky, technical terrain we’d face at the TKO.
Having Sirris Suspension on-site at the TKO was a game-changer. The bike initially arrived with an MX-specific tune, but they worked directly with Joey to adjust it for hard enduro, modifying the internal settings of both the fork and shock to optimize performance. During testing, we discovered the steering was limited due to the design of the shroud braces. A quick Dremel modification provided Joey with more steering lock, allowing for better maneuverability in tight corners.
We also equipped the bike with IRC IX-09 Gummy Tires, Nitro Plushie mousses, and SXS Hand Guards. With these upgrades, the Model 1 was fully prepped for the gnarly conditions that lay ahead.
The Weekend Recap: Challenges and Breakthroughs
Friday Qualifying Hot Lap:
The weekend kicked off with the Qualifying Hot Lap. Unfortunately, due to a GoPro mishap, we didn’t capture Joey’s full run, but it was a solid start, allowing him to get a feel for the bike’s capabilities in a race setting. The bike held up well and Joey walked away with 5th place start position for Saturday’s ECR eMoto Race #1.
Saturday ECR eMoto Race:
Joey got off to a fantastic start, quickly positioning himself in 2nd place in the early stages of the race. However, the boulder-filled river beds of TKO soon claimed its first victim—a chain derailment. Chain issues are a common challenge in the eMoto class, especially in the notoriously rough riverbeds, where the boulder-sized rocks can wreak havoc on eMoto’s with large rear sprockets and insufficient armor to protect them. Joey managed to get the chain back on quickly and resumed the race with determination, pushing hard to regain lost ground.
As he approached the Uphill Swamp, a designated battery swap zone, Joey made the call to skip the swap, believing that the 30% charge indicated on the battery monitoring system would be enough to carry him through. Unfortunately, this decision would come back to haunt him. Not long after, the battery’s charge suddenly plummeted, and the bike lost power in the middle of the race, leaving Joey stranded about two miles away from any help.
Undeterred, Joey began the arduous task of pushing the dead bike 2 miles (according to his watch) through the unforgiving terrain, eventually reaching a nearby chicken farm. Luck was on his side, though—just as he arrived at the farm, an El Camino passed by. The driver noticed Joey’s predicament, loaded the bike into the back, and gave him a much-needed lift back to the ECR pits.
Once back, we performed a quick battery swap and Joey entered the course right where the bike died, determined to finish what he started. Despite the setbacks, Joey completed the race, but his battle wasn’t over yet. While the top 15 riders automatically advanced to Sunday’s final, the racers who finished in positions 16 through 19 were slated to compete in a Straight Rhythm Showdown, a bracket-style race for the last available spot in the final.
However, due to timing and scoring issues that had caused delays throughout the day, the showdown event was ultimately canceled. Rather than leaving the 16th spot vacant, TKO officials decided to allow all four riders in positions 16 through 19 to advance to the final. This ruling meant Joey, who had fought through multiple challenges, secured the final spot and earned his place in Sunday’s race.
Sunday ECR eMoto Final Race:
This race followed a time attack format, with riders starting every 30 seconds and racing against the clock. Joey began in the 19th spot, dead last, with everything to prove. By Sunday, the Dust Moto had taken a serious beating—battery mounts were bent, plastics were cracked or broken, and the chain guide was completely gone, causing the chain to repeatedly derail. While these issues were mostly cosmetic, the bike looked like it had been through a battlefield. Despite the visible wear and tear, Joey remained determined to press on.
We knew the battery swap would be crucial this time, especially after what happened the previous day. With loads of anticipation, we waited at our designated point for the battery swap called “Uphill Swamp,” roughly halfway through the course. Aside from the aforementioned chain derailments, Joey made it there without incident, securing the 3rd fastest split to the first checkpoint, and we successfully swapped the battery to ensure that the bike wouldn’t die mid-race like it had on Saturday.
With fresh power and relentless focus, Joey clawed his way through the field, picking off riders one by one. His grit and the bike’s performance—despite its condition—saw him battle through the ranks, ultimately securing an 8th-place finish.
The Takeaway: Dust Moto’s Evolution is Just Beginning
Dust Moto’s first major test at a top-tier hard enduro event was packed with challenges, yet it clearly demonstrated the bike’s untapped potential. Joey’s relentless drive to overcome obstacles, combined with the bike’s impressive performance under extreme conditions, shows that Dust Moto is onto something big. With refinements in key areas—like improving chain retention and optimizing the battery swap process, which Dust aims to complete in under 60 seconds—this bike is on track to become a serious contender in the electric dirt bike market.
It’s crucial to emphasize that Dust Moto is racing a prototype. This isn’t a showroom-ready production bike, but rather an early-stage iteration of what the final model will be. Most people might not fully grasp what that entails, as typically, manufacturers are highly protective about showing bikes at this phase of development. Dust Moto, however, is breaking that mold by offering a rare and transparent look into the gritty process of bringing a motorcycle to life—something most brands keep hidden from public view.
This level of transparency and real-world testing sets Dust Moto apart. By facing these challenges openly, they’re paving the way for innovation in electric motorcycles, showing that the future is here—and they’re ready to be a part of it.
At Electric Cycle Rider, we’re eager to see where Dust Moto takes their journey next. Stay tuned as we continue following their progress and eagerly wait to see the next version of this already capable machine.
