If you’re on the market for the best mid-size electric dirt bike in today’s market, you have arrived at the right place. We tested five of the most exciting mid-size eMotos to find out the pros and cons of each bike.
To ensure well-rounded feedback, we recruited six ECR test riders with varied backgrounds and skill levels. Together, we tested each bike across a range of offroad terrain to determine how they perform in the real world.
The Test Bikes
We tested the following bikes:
- Arctic Leopard EX800
- Electric Motion Escape XR Limited Edition
- Surron Ultra Bee
- ECR Modded Surron Ultra Bee
- Dust Moto Alpha Prototype
The bikes in this category hover around the 200-pound mark, making them larger and more powerful than lightweight eMoto bikes but smaller and nimbler than full-size electric motocross bikes. If you want to see the lightweight electric dirt bike comparison for 2024, we have that here and if you want the full size electric motocross comparison, we have that here.
Peak Power
When it comes to peak power, the Dust Moto led the pack with a massive 29kW, followed closely by the Arctic Leopard at 26kW. The Modded Ultra Bee landed in third with 17kW, offering a noticeable improvement over the stock Ultra Bee’s 12.5kW. The Electric Motion Escape XR rounded out the group at 13kW.
Battery Capacity and Range
Battery capacity doesn’t always translate directly to range, but here’s how the bikes performed in our real-world range test. We rode each bike on identical terrain until they were no longer fun to ride.
The Arctic Leopard dominated this category, delivering an impressive 34 miles per charge, followed by the Modded Ultra Bee at 26 miles. The stock Ultra Bee hit 23 miles but started losing power at the 20-mile mark, making it less fun to ride toward the end.
The Electric Motion Escape XR managed 21 miles, while the Dust Moto, running on a prototype battery, only reached 14 miles. However, we expect the production version of the Dust Moto to have a significantly improved battery.
Brakes
The Modded Ultra Bee stood out with its upgraded braking system, which included larger floating rotors and EBMX competition brake pads. This bike offered the best stopping power by a significant margin.
The stock Ultra Bee took second place, demonstrating good overall braking performance for its class. The Dust Moto came in third, Electric Motion in 4th, which, with its Nissin brakes, honestly surprised us, and the Arctic Leopard lagged behind due to its less refined braking option.
Weight
We weighed each bike to see how they compare. The stock Ultra Bee was the lightest at 191 pounds, followed by the Arctic Leopard at 194 pounds. The Electric Motion Escape XR came in at 202 pounds, while the Modded Ultra Bee was heavier at 211 pounds due to its larger wheels, Sirris Suspension, and added components.
The Dust Moto prototype was the heaviest at 223 pounds, but with its production weight expected to drop closer to 210 pounds, it could become more competitive in this category.
Suspension
The Modded Ultra Bee, equipped with Sirris F43 Fork and Sirris R46 Shock, was the clear winner in this category. The upgraded Sirris suspension transformed the bike, making it feel stable and capable on a wide range of terrain.
The Dust Moto impressed us with its suspension setup, which is also a Sirris combination, handling high-speed sections with ease, though its weight made it less nimble in technical terrain.
The stock Ultra Bee’s suspension performed well, though not at the same level as its modded counterpart. The Electric Motion’s suspension felt harsh and lacked adjustability, while the Arctic Leopard’s overly soft setup left us wishing for more support and control.
Price
The stock Ultra Bee remains the most affordable option at $5,800, offering exceptional value for its price. The Arctic Leopard is a significant jump at $9,399, while the Modded Ultra Bee comes in at around $12,500. The Electric Motion Escape XR is the most expensive at $12,999, and since the Dust Moto isn’t yet available for sale, it wasn’t ranked in this category.
Individualized Breakdown
Dust Moto Alpha Prototype
- Pros: Strong power, stable chassis, great suspension.
- Cons: Heavy, limited battery range, and still a prototype.
Electric Motion Escape XR
- Pros: Smooth power delivery, quality built, unique features like a regen lever and hydraulic clutch.
- Cons: Harsh unadjustable suspension, awkward ergonomics, high price.
Surron Ultra Bee (Stock)
- Pros: Light, nimble, great value, solid all-around performance.
- Cons: 19” front wheel, slightly underpowered and unrefined suspension in stock form.
Surron Ultra Bee (Modded)
- Pros: Improved power, better suspension, enhanced braking, and comfortable.
- Cons: Higher cost, heavier than stock.
Arctic Leopard EX800
- Pros: Great battery capacity, high peak power, and impressive range.
- Cons: Poor suspension, rattling components, and a cheap overall feel.
Final Rankings
After combining individual scores, the bikes ranked as follows:
- Modded Ultra Bee: The clear winner for its unmatched balance of performance, suspension, and versatility.
- Dust Moto Alpha Prototype: A promising prototype with room for improvement.
- Stock Ultra Bee: Exceptional value and a strong contender with simple upgrades.
- Electric Motion Escape XR: Great for technical riding but held back by its suspension and price.
- Arctic Leopard EX800: A powerful bike with great range but let down by poor build quality.
