The Best Electric Dirt Bikes of 2023

The motoring world is going electric. And it’s not just fancy, 1,000-horsepower, six-figure electric trucks. Electric motorcycle options have been increasing over the past few years. Even the relatively humble and underpowered dirt bike segment now offers a proliferation of emissions-free options — a delightful turn of events for anyone who’s ever choked on the exhaust of an internal-combustion dirt bike while trying to enjoy the clean air of the great outdoors.

Of course, with the proliferation of this rising segment, sorting out the best options in the field can be tricky. So to help make life easier for you, we’ve set out to help you separate the battery-powered wheat from the chaff — by highlighting our picks for the best electric dirt bikes you can buy right now.

How We Tested

Gear Patrol writers and editors are continually testing the best electric dirt bikes on a variety of terrains to update this guide looking at features like comfort, ease of use and riding characteristics. Our testers have spent time riding the Zero FX and the Cake Kalk INK& so far; however, we’ll be updating this guide as we continue to test more models. To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

The Best Electric Dirt Bikes

Best Overall Electric Dirt Bike: Zero FX

Hayley Helms

• Top Speed: 85 mph
• Range: 91 miles (city)
• Curb Weight: 247 pounds
• Charging time: 1.8 hours (multiple chargers), 9.7 hours (standard)
• Price: $12,995

Zero’s FX isn’t a one-trick pony; it’s good at many tasks. It’s fast and nimble, even though it’s 50 pounds heavier than KTM’s 350EXC-F. The profile is lean and mean: your tester is 5’4” and weighs 110 pounds, yet she could handle this bike with relative ease. The FX rides smoothly everywhere, from city streets to rutted-out trails — even completely off-road in the ungroomed wild. The tires may be knobby, but they grip well on city streets, even after a light rain.

The FX can reach a top speed of 85 miles per hour, but I rarely found myself pushing it above 65. There’s a bit of a learning curve to the electric motor, as its instantaneous torque surprises until you get the hang of the feeling; I’d recommend starting in reduced-power Eco mode, whether you’re an experienced rider or not.

Zero quotes a charging time of 1.3 hours, but there’s a caveat; that’s with using the maximum amount of accessory chargers, not the sole on-board one. The standard charge time of 9.7 hours is more realistic for most buyers in America, and tracks with my experience; the bike was delivered to me with an 80 percent charge, and it took more than two hours to pump it full. The quoted range is 91 miles — a solid day’s ride, but unless you have the means to give the bike a good overnight charge, you’ll be out of luck the next day. Keep in mind, though, that the 91-mile range is for low-speed city riding; if you’re riding on the highway at a continuous 70 mph, it drops to 39 miles.

Pros:

• Handling is agile and responsive
• Whisper-quiet, even when you have it pinned

Cons:

• Torque-laden motor requires some adjustment
• Weight distribution takes some getting used to

Best for Design Enthusiasts: Cake Kalk INK&

Steve Mazzucchi

• Top Speed: 56 mph
• Range: 53 miles
• Curb Weight: 183 pounds
• Charging time: 3 hours
• Price: $9,470

We’ve been fans of Swedish manufacturer Cake for years. Founded in 2016, Cake has consistently put out smooth, innovative electric bikes that offer both gorgeous looks and purpose-built functionality.

The Kalk class of offroaders, however, is much more about play than work. The street-legal Kalk INK& packs plenty of pickup thanks to 186 foot-pounds of instantly available electric motor torque. On the handling side, meanwhile, we found that the pliable suspension that packs 200mm of travel and beefy dual-sport motorcycle tires excel at helping you keep the shiny side up when riding both on the road and on the trails.

Pros:

• The removable battery is helpful for charging
• 3 ride modes and 3 braking modes make it easy to adapt to your environment

Cons:

• Not the cushiest seat on this list
• Have to come to a full stop to adjust ride and braking modes

Best Affordable Electric Dirt Bike: Light Bee Sur-Ron X

Sur-Ron

• Top Speed: 45 mph
• Range: 60 miles
• Curb Weight: 110 pounds
• Charging time: ~3 hours
• Price: $4,400

The Electric Light Bee Sur-Ron X may not be the most exotic or quick entry on this list, but it stands out for two specific reasons; it’s light, and it’s cheap. At just 110 pounds, this electric off-road motorcycle weighs less than most of its riders likely will.

Just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean it lacks capabilities, however. This dirt e-bike offers dual drive modes — Eco and Sport. It can climb up a grade of more than 45 degrees, something a fair number of people would probably have trouble doing. Plus, its batteries can charge in as little as three hours — and they’re swappable, should you want to keep on riding.

Pros:

• Super-affordable
• Decent range
• Light weight makes it easy to manage

Cons:

• Mountain bike-like design may not appeal to everyone

Best for Long Range Trails: Segway Dirt eBike X260

Segway

• Top Speed: 46.6 mph
• Range: 74.6 miles
• Curb Weight: 121 pounds
• Charging Time: 3-4 hours
• Price: $6,499.99

You’ve probably heard of Segway. While the brand may not have become the world-changing invention that was promised before its namesake product’s reveal back in the early 2000s, it’s still gone on to become a big name in e-scooters of all shapes and sizes. But as it turns out, they also produce electric dirt bikes.

The X260 is the larger of the two dirt e-bikes that Segway makes. Now, granted, it isn’t street-legal, so you can’t depend on it as a commuter like the Cake or the Zero (unless your commute only involves riding off-road on private land). But it is super-lightweight, weighing less than many riders. It also offers nearly every 75 miles of range and swappable batteries to get right back out on the trail.

And if you’re looking for something more modest for the kids or beginner riders in your life, the smaller X160 model offers a lower top speed and less range.

Pros:

• Light curb weight at just 121 pounds
• Long range of 75 miles
• Swappable batteries let you get right back out on the trail

Cons:

• Not street-legal for commuting
• Pricier than other trail-only options on this list

Best for Fans of Traditional Moto Brands: KTM Freeride E-XC

KTM

• Top Speed: 50 mph
• Range: 20-30 miles
• Curb Weight: 245 pounds
• Charging time: 1.8 hours (230-volt charger)
• Price: $11,299

If you’re into motorcycles, you’ve probably heard of Austrian manufacturer KTM. The brand offers a bevy of different internal combustion models for all sorts of different tasks, from off-roading to touring and even track competition. The EX-C is a little different; as you’d expect from its inclusion on this list, it’s electric, and it’s a dirt bike.

It’s still built to the standards you’d expect of such a storied moto maker, however. It’s packed with high-end componentry, like a 24-horsepower motor, shocks with 250 mm of travel up front and 260 mm in back, and three different drive modes — including an Economy mode that adds regenerative braking to help you stretch out as many miles as possible.

And should you want to keep the party going, the battery is quickly removable, so you can swap in a new one easily. When it comes time to charge, you can be at 100 percent in 110 minutes or 80 percent in just 75. (Note, however, that’s on 230-volt power, more commonly found in Europe.)

Pros:

• Established, reputable brand name is hard to beat
• Capable of relatively quick charging
• Looks fairly conventional

Cons:

• American outlets likely won’t charge it as quickly
• Range, as independently tested, is only okay

Best for Fans of Retro Style: Trevor DTRE Stella

Trevor Motorcycles

• Top Speed: 59 mph
• Range: 62 miles
• Curb Weight: 223 pounds
• Charging Time: 1.2 hours (3 kW charger)
• Price: €11,979 ($12,874)

Never heard of the DTRE Stella? Don’t feel bad — it’s a relatively new offering from Trevor Motorcycles, which builds its bikes in Belgium but designs them in California. It comes in both street-legal and non-street-legal versions over in Europe, but here in Amrica, you’ll be relegated to keeping it off the public roads.

Still, your money gets you a simple, cleanly designed electric dirt bike that’s remarkably minimalist — one sure to stand out on the trail. A 15-horsepower motor provides the pep, a 2.7-kWh battery provides the electrons — and it can recharge quickly if you find a 3-kW charger. It only comes in white from the factory, but you can buy additional body panels in other colors to swap in.

Pros:

• Retro design looks very cool
• Capable of fast-for-a-dirt-bike charging

Cons:

• A bit pricey
• Colors beyond white cost extra

Best for Kids: Kuberg Trial Hero

Kuberg

• Top Speed: 17 mph
• Riding Time: Up to 2 hours
• Curb Weight: 72 pounds
• Charging Time: 6 hours
• Price: $2,044

The Kuberg Trial Hero probably won’t be a good fit for you — but it is a great option for kids age 5-12 who want to start dabbling in the world of dirt bikes. Speed is limited compared to a full-size electric dirt bike, topping out around a sprinting pace; plus, it’s light enough that most kids in the target range should be able to handle it.

On top of that, the sleek design is sure to catch all sorts of eyes at the off-road park the moment its young rider rolls in. And you won’t have to worry about them staying too long; with a battery rated for two hours of riding, it’s ideal for using during that sweet spot between homework and dinner.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Easy to handle for kids, with different power levels

Cons:

• Colorway only appeals to Monster Energy fans
• You’re not a kid anymore so you can’t ride it

What to Look for in an Electric Dirt Bike

Segway

Street Legality: Like combustion dirt bikes, many of them will not be street-legal. And you may live in a municipality that will confiscate and crush them if you try to use them for that — electric or not. There are dual-sport electric dirt bikes (lighter than adventure motorcycles), which can also be used as commuter bikes, but make sure you clarify which is which before buying.

Battery Range: Range is a significant drawback for any electric vehicle. You want to ensure you have enough range to do the amount of riding you’re planning. More expensive electric dirt bikes will have range that can exceed what most riders can handle physically.

Battery Charging: Another important factor beyond range is how long it takes to charge the battery. Shorter is better. Manufacturers may offer accessories that improve charging speed. Some dirt bikes can instantly swap in a newly charged battery and return to the trail.

Why Should I Buy an Electric Dirt Bike?

Zero Motorcycles

Helps Save the Planet: Small motorcycles are far from the most fuel-thirsty vehicles. But electric dirt bikes still reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and every little bit helps.

Less Maintenance: Electric motors require far fewer moving parts. That means more time riding and less time (and money) replacing parts. You also don’t need to buy things like oil.

Less Noise: Electric dirt bikes do make some noise, but they make less than internal-combustion dirt bikes — noise that can diminish the enjoyment of being in nature for riders and those nearby.

More Accessible to New Riders: Like electric cars, electric dirt bikes do not need a manual transmission. This may disappoint some riders looking for a traditional feel. But it’s also way easier to manage while off-road.

Torque: Electric dirt bikes tend to have a lot of torque, and it comes on instantly. This helps them accelerate rapidly and feel quick in everyday riding.

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