The Pros and Cons of Electric Motocross Bikes

Electric motocross bikes are, from the name itself, cross-country motorcycles powered not by gas engines but electric batteries and motors. They are significantly quieter and lighter than their fuel-burning brethren, and they are friendlier towards the environment.

There are many advantages to getting an electric motocross bike over a conventionally-fueled one. People who love biking in the wilderness will no longer have its tranquility destroyed by a noisy motorcycle engine. The electric motor produces little to no sound and emits no pollution. This also makes electric bikes good vehicle choices for quiet suburban neighborhoods – there is absolutely no chance of disturbing the neighbors with these bikes.

The rising costs of petroleum products make buying an electrically-powered vehicle increasingly attractive, as this will significantly save a lot of money at the pump. Replacing the more complex internal combustion engine with an electric motor significantly cuts down on maintenance, as there is no more need to change oil or to clean the radiator.

Electric motocross bikes, along with other electric bikes, are more affordable and cheaper to use than electric cars. Being small, two-wheeled vehicles, these bikes can zoom through traffic between stopped cars, saving electrical power which could have been wasted in an electric car stuck in slow-moving traffic.

However, as with all other things, there are disadvantages to getting an electric motocross bike. Like all electrically-powered vehicles, electric bikes have a very limited range. An electric bike can only get an average of 45 to 60 miles on a single charge, significantly less than gas-powered bikes. Charging up the electric battery to full strength can also take a long time. Batteries usually take a few hours to return to a full charge, but gas tanks can be filled up in less than five minutes. The silence of these bikes can pose a huge safety risk for the rider, especially when driving on heavily-used roads as other vehicles may not notice the small motorcycle without its characteristic sound.

Speed can also be a problem, as electrically-powered bikes have lower top speeds than gas-powered ones. Their light weight also makes them more susceptible to theft; it is easier to carry off a small and light electric bike than to steal a heavier and larger gas-powered bike. Finally, an electric bike is more susceptible to the elements. Electric batteries perform more poorly in cold temperatures, while some electric bikes cannot be exposed to water or mud. This can be bad news for those with electric motocross bikes, as going cross-country exposes the bikes to everything that nature can throw at it.