You Can Get Dirty While Being Environmentally Clean!
Article Quick Nav
These are the best electric dirt bikes in 2023:
While the first few electric motorcycles that have appeared over the past decade or so have been aimed at roadgoing riders, more and more manufacturers are now tossing their hat into the off-road ring. This is great news not only for us riders but also for the communities we live in, as one of the best features of electric bikes are that they are relatively silent compared to the sharp bark a 250 cc dirt bike can produce. Not that a sharp bark is a bad thing, but I digress…
As the saying goes, “the future is electric.” After doing our research and swinging our legs over some electric motorcycles (and electric bikes), we’ve been able to put together a list of the best 5 electric dirt bikes you can ride in 2023.
See also:
About Our Selections
These selections considered ease of use, rideability, price, and how effective each motorcycle was achieving the stated goal of its class. We are confident that any of these bikes will be superb options for most riders.
To qualify, the bike in question must meet only have two requirements: Be an electric bike, and be capable of being used exclusively as a dirt bike. There is an electric dual sport in our list, but it is meant to be used primarily off-road, so it does still qualify
2023 Electric Motion Escape
More of a trials/pit bike than a pure dirt bike, but has the ability to do pretty much everything off-road
Why We Picked It:
France’s Electric Motion produces three models of electric dirt/trials bikes, however, the Escape is the most widely recommended. It comes with a 2690 Watt-hour (Wh) battery and has the ability from the handlebars to emulate either 125, 250 or 300 cc motors in terms of power and torque. Peak output is 16 HP and 20 lbs-ft of torque, and are so popular that they are starting to be carried in inventory at powersport dealerships across the USA. Base pricing for the Escape models hovers around $10,000, but for that you get a properly solid bike.
Using a brushless motor, a fast-charging lithium-ion battery, and suspension that would not be out of place on a motocross bike, the Escape is a great option for some silent backwoods running. The average charge time is between 4.5-2.5 hours, depending on if you use the standard or high amperage charger available from Electric Motion. Ride time varies depending on use, but at least an hour is expected at the 300 cc emulation.
Specifications:
Price: $10,499
Engine: Brushless permanent magnet DC moto
Power: 8 HP Nominal / 16 HP Peak
Torque: 20 lbs-ft
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Curb Weight: 183 lbs
Strengths:
Solidly built to take all the punishment of jumps, scrambles, and enduro use across even the toughest terrain
On the fly ride mode adjustment to emulate 125, 250, or 300cc power curves
Learn More:
2023 Cake Kalk OR
It looks a little weird, but it can take an unbelievable beating for all your off-road needs
Why We Picked It:
Cake’s story and design philosophy is an interesting one. Based in Sweden, Cake started off with the idea of making a hybrid gas and electric motorcycle for moderate on-road and heavy off-road use. They then decided to ditch the gas engine, and go fully electric. Borrowing from their Scandinavian neighbors, Cake designed the bike to be easily serviceable by thinking of it as LEGO. If a part fails or needs to be factory serviced, simply unplug it from the bike and replace it.
Powered by a 2.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, with the power coming in at 15 HP and 31 lbs-ft of torque, the Kalk OR has three riding modes depending on your intended usage. Explore limits the speed to just under 30 MPH, but gives maximum range with 3-4 hours of battery time. Excite is more for the enduro type of riding, with some adventure riding thrown in, with an expectation of 1-2 hours of range. And Excel is the motocross mode, giving max torque and speed, but will drain the battery in an hour.
Cake bikes are not cheap, however, due to the materials used and the nothing-but-the-best approach to production. Of the other offerings on this list, Cake is also the only manufacturer to provide a solar charging option using proprietary accessories.
Specifications:
Price: $12,970
Engine: Brushless permanent magnet DC motor
Power: 7 HP Nominal / 15 HP Peak
Torque: 31 lbs-ft
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Curb Weight: 152 lbs
Strengths:
Built to withstand unbelievable amounts of punishment, which is why there are no fancy paint or graphic designs on the exposed steel and aluminum.
Uses bespoke Ohlins suspension, designed in partnership with Cake
Learn More:
2023 Zero Motorcycles FX
It looks a little weird, but it can take an unbelievable beating for all your off-road needs
Why We Picked It:
Zero Motorcycles is one of the premiere names in on-road electric motorbikes, and with good reason. They are highly rated, dependable, durable, and have an exceptional range for the emerging electric motorcycle segment.
The FX is Zero’s capable dual-sport platform, with an emphasis on off-road and light adventure riding over on-road riding. Using a proprietary motor, the FX has 46 HP and 78 lbs-ft of torque. The 7.2 kWh battery in the top-spec FX7.2 gives up to 90 miles of road riding, or about 45 miles of off-road light adventure riding, and 30 odd miles if you are using the bike as a full dirt-bike. Charge time varies from 9.7 hours down to 1.3 hours if using Zero’s rapid charger accessories.
Specifications:
Price: $11,995
Engine: Z-Force 75-5 brushless DC motor
Power: 46 HP
Torque: 78 lbs-ft
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Curb Weight: 289 lbs
Strengths:
Despite being a dual sport, the FX was the bike that put Zero on the map as it made riding to a trail, riding the trail, and then riding home on an electric motorcycle a reality
The only model on this list that is also road legal
Learn More:
2023 Segway Dirt eBike X260
An electric trail bike, and yes, it's from that Segway company
Why We Picked It:
Launched initially as an Indiegogo project, and entering full production in Q1 2020, the Segway X260 is the personal transporter company’s first-ever motorbike. The X260 is joined by the less powerful and far shorter range X160, however, the X260 is the more capable off-roader. Using a brushless DC motor powered by a 700 W lithium-ion battery, the X260 produces approximately 7 HP and 25 lbs-ft of torque, however, it is super lightweight at only 121 lbs.
Boasting a riding range of 75 miles, this bike is more than capable of being used for a day trip off on a trail, as well as being used for some adventure off-roading as well. The expected recharge time is 3-4 hours.
Specifications:
Price: $6,499
Engine: Brushless permanent magnet DC motor
Power: 4 HP Nominal / 7 HP Peak
Torque: 25 lbs-ft
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Curb Weight: 121 lbs
Strengths:
Uses minimalist design to make the bike as light as possible
Despite appearances, is quite robust and can handle a full day of riding on the trails without worry
Learn More:
2023 KTM Freeride E-XC
Who else but the masters of off-road riding could make a list-topping electric dirt bike?
Why We Picked It:
Powered by a brushless DC motor producing 24 HP and 31 lbs-ft of torque, the 245 lbs KTM Freeride E-XC has three power modes. Eco will give you maximum range and even has regenerative braking simulating engine braking when you come off the throttle and coast. Enduro mode is for the serious adventure trail riding, and Cross mode is the track setting for maximum power and speed, but also maximum battery drain.
Unlike the other electric dirt bikes on this list, the KTM must be charged off a 230-240 V socket fused for 10-13 A. The KTM charger will give the bike a full battery in 2 hours, and an 80% charge in a little over 1.25 hours.
Specifications:
Price: $11,299
Engine: Brushless permanent magnet DC motor
Power: 12 HP Nominal / 24 HP Peak
Torque: 31 lbs-ft
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Curb Weight: 244.7 lbs
Strengths:
For those that are serious about off-road riding, as the KTM features the same top shelf components as their petrol powered dirt bikes, including WP XPLOR suspension, KTM Formula brakes, and the same Neken aluminum handlebar that their motocross bikes use
Must be charged at 220 to 240V, but charges extremely quickly so you can keep riding
Learn More:
Other Best Motorcycle Lists
See all our motorcycle lists.
