We recently had the chance to spend a few days in Florida riding the upcoming Bonnell 805 and 902 electric dirt bikes. Before getting into it, it is important to set expectations. These were not final production bikes and this was not meant to be a full review.
Bonnell had a fleet of bikes on hand and they were actively testing throughout the week. Different suspension tunes, different motors, different controller settings, even different controls and cockpit setups were being evaluated. In other words, these bikes are still in the final stages of development.
Because of that, it does not make much sense to dive too deep into specific settings or exact performance numbers yet. Those details will matter when the final production bikes arrive. What we can do is step back and look at the bigger picture. After riding multiple versions of each bike, it becomes pretty clear what Bonnell is aiming for with the 805 and the 902 and who these bikes are likely meant for.
Bonnell 805 First Impressions
We will start with the 805 since that is the bike expected to arrive first and the one that felt closest to a finished product.
The 805 immediately stood out.
It fits squarely into the mid size electric dirt bike category and right away it feels like a proper dirt bike when you get on it. The rider triangle is comfortable and natural. At the same time, the bike rides slightly smaller than the numbers might suggest.
Part of that comes from the relatively narrow wheelbase. The 805 is quick to turn and very easy to move around underneath you. It feels nimble and light while still maintaining enough stability that it never feels nervous.
The overall impression is a bike that encourages you to ride it aggressively but does not punish you for doing so.
Belt Drive and Chain Testing
The production version of the 805 is expected to run a belt drive system. During this test session, however, Bonnell chose to run chain drives.
With multiple riders pushing the bikes hard in deep Florida sand for several days, the chain setup provided a bit of extra durability insurance while the bikes accumulated hours. It will be interesting to try the belt drive version when it arrives since belt systems often offer smoother operation and less maintenance than traditional chains.
Personally, I tend to prefer belt drives when they are done well, so that will be something to watch once the final bikes arrive.
Power Delivery
Power on the 805 was impressive, although the first bike I rode felt slightly softer off the bottom than I expected. It still pulled strongly once you rolled deeper into the throttle, but it did not have quite the immediate snap I anticipated.
Later I learned that the bike I was riding was running a motor that likely will not make it into production.
After that I had the chance to ride Max Beaupre’s race bike, which was running the newer motor configuration. The difference was immediately noticeable.
The updated motor still delivered smooth, controllable power down low, but it added a sharper response when you cracked the throttle. A quick blip would lift the front wheel easily and when you really rolled into the throttle the bike simply felt faster. On the deep sand track we were riding that extra punch made a big difference.
Bonnell 805 Suspension
Suspension was another area where several setups were being tested throughout the week.
The configuration that stood out the most to me was Max Beaupre’s race setup. It had a lively feel that made the bike feel playful and responsive. Brett Baldwin joked that the setup matched Max’s personality and that description actually fits pretty well.
The suspension had a soft initial feel but built resistance progressively as you got deeper into the stroke. For riders who want a pure motocross race setup it might not feel quite firm enough everywhere, but the personality of the bike seems to lean toward fun rather than pure race intensity.
The test bike was also running the new Sirris 2SC shock setting and the added high speed compression seemed to help the bike stay planted in bigger braking bumps.
Controls and Details
Braking performance on the 805 felt strong and predictable. One nice touch is that the brake levers are interchangeable with existing aftermarket levers, which gives riders more flexibility if they want to fine tune the feel. The stock levers also feature quick finger adjustability.
Durability testing was clearly a priority throughout the week. The bikes spent hours being ridden hard in deep sand by a wide range of riders and despite that abuse the 805 never threw a chain.
That might sound like a small thing, but riders familiar with this category know that swingarm flex has caused chain derailment issues on some electric dirt bikes. The fact that the 805 handled that punishment without issue suggests Bonnell spent time addressing those weaknesses during development.
Another topic that popped up online was concern about the key fob potentially coming loose. In person that concern seems unfounded. The fob sits securely in place with a ledge that keeps it firmly seated in the bike.
The Joy Con control system was another highlight. We did not test the regen or clutch functionality since those were disabled on the test bikes, but the interface itself was easy to use and the display was clear and intuitive.
Thankfully the system does not rely on mounting a smartphone to the bars. There is an app available for setup, but once your preferences are dialed in you can leave the phone in the truck.
Bonnell 902 First Impressions
Moving over to the 902, the difference in size is noticeable right away.
The 902 is clearly the larger platform, although it currently sits just shy of what most riders would consider a full size motocross bike. The test bikes were running 43 millimeter suspension components and if Bonnell ultimately equips the production bike with full size suspension the 902 could easily move into full size territory.
Suspension Makes a Big Difference
One of the most interesting things about the 902 was how dramatically the bike changed depending on suspension setup.
The first configuration I rode leaned toward a trail or woods tune. In that environment it worked very well. The bike felt plush and comfortable, absorbing roots and small trail obstacles without much effort.
On the track that softer setup made the bike feel slightly heavier and more wallowy, although it still cornered well and remained comfortable through chop.
Switching to a stiffer suspension setting completely changed the personality of the bike. With more hold up in the suspension the 902 suddenly felt lighter, more stable, and far more aggressive on the track. It felt racier and more playful, especially when pushing harder.
That contrast shows how much potential the platform has depending on how it is set up.
Powertrain Impressions
The biggest standout on the 902 was the powertrain.
Yes, the bike is extremely powerful. But what really impressed me was how good the power delivery felt. It was smooth, controllable, and refined rather than abrupt or overwhelming.
Even in the most aggressive mode the power felt usable. It is the kind of delivery that lets you ride fast without feeling like the bike is trying to get away from you.
Bonnell expects the production version to shed some weight compared to the prototype we rode, particularly from motor changes. If that happens the bike could become even more appealing.
Where the 902 Might Fit
In its current configuration the 902 actually feels like it could become a very capable enduro style machine.
Some manufacturers have tried to build larger electric off road bikes and struggled to find the right balance. The 902 feels like it could land in a sweet spot for bigger adult riders who want something closer to full size without stepping straight into a very aggressive race focused machine.
Like the 805, the 902 uses the same display interface and control system.
What About Battery Range
Battery range is the question everyone asks about electric dirt bikes.
Unfortunately this test environment was not designed for meaningful range testing.
Riders were constantly switching bikes, swapping settings, and jumping on and off throughout the day. On top of that Bonnell was swapping batteries around the fifty percent mark for battery management testing. Because of that I never started a ride at one hundred percent and never rode one down into the lower percentages.
Any range number from this type of test would have been misleading, so that is something we will wait to evaluate once we get time on finalized production bikes.
Early Takeaways
Even though these bikes are still being refined, the direction already feels clear.
The 805 comes across as a thoughtfully designed mid size electric dirt bike. It is nimble, fun, adjustable, and after several days of riding in deep Florida sand it also appears to be a very well built platform.
The 902 represents the larger option. The powertrain already feels excellent and the chassis feels stable. With a few refinements it could become a very interesting option for riders looking for a larger electric off road machine.
Bonnell invited us down to get an early look at these bikes and we appreciate the opportunity. The good news is we should be getting more seat time on them soon.
Once the production bikes arrive we will be able to dig deeper into performance, setup, and real world testing. For now, the early signs are promising.
Bonnell 805 Specifications
Peak Power: 56 hp (42 kW)
Battery Options: Core Battery 3.9 kWh, Race Battery 4.7 kWh
Top Speed: 80+ mph (130+ km/h)
Weight: 211 lb (96 kg)
Wheelbase: 52.8 in (1340 mm)
Suspension: Custom Sirris suspension, 245 mm travel front and rear
Wheels: 21 in front, 18 in rear
Brakes: Bonnell forged brakes
Frame: Forged aluminum chassis
Ride Modes: Five customizable ride modes, reverse mode
Display: Multi-view display with integrated lap timer
Features: Regenerative braking, electronic clutch (E-clutch), traction control, boost mode, wheelie control
App: Bonnell companion app
Bonnell 902 Specifications
Peak Power: 87 hp (65 kW)
Battery Options: Sprint Battery 4.7 kWh, Core Battery 5.6 kWh, Race Battery 6.7 kWh
Top Speed: 90+ mph (145+ km/h)
Weight: TBD
Wheelbase: 56.5–57.6 in (1435–1465 mm)
Suspension: Enduro setup 285 mm travel front and rear, Race setup 310 mm front / 320 mm rear
Wheels: 21 in front, 18 in rear
Brakes: Magura forged MX brakes
Frame: Forged aluminum chassis
Ride Modes: Five customizable ride modes, reverse mode
Display: Multi-view display with integrated lap timer
Features: Regenerative braking, electronic clutch (E-clutch), traction control, boost mode, wheelie control
App: Bonnell companion app
