125cc Dirt Bike Australia: Electric Alternatives to 125cc & 250cc

Riders searching for a 125cc dirt bike, a 150cc dirt bike or 250cc dirt bikes are often comparing petrol bikes by engine size. Electric dirt bikes do not have an engine size, so cc is the wrong number to compare. This guide explains what to compare instead and which electric bikes in our range suit riders coming from a 125cc, 150cc or 250cc petrol bike. We sell electric bikes only, so this is a guide to switching, not a petrol sales page.

Why cc does not apply to electric bikes

Engine size describes a petrol engine's displacement. An electric bike is described by motor power in watts or kilowatts, battery energy in watt-hours, torque, weight and top speed. Two electric bikes with the same power can feel very different because of weight, gearing and the controller settings.

What riders switching from a 125cc dirt bike should look at

For lighter trail and play riding, look at bikes around 50 kg with 6kW to 8kW of peak power. The Sur-Ron Light Bee X is 6kW and 50 kg, the Talaria XXX Black Edition is 6.5kW and 50 kg, and the Talaria Sting R MX4 is 8kW and 63 kg. Prices run from $5,490 to $7,290 AUD.

Moving up from a 150cc dirt bike

If you want more speed and range than a small trail bike, look at the 10kW to 12.5kW class: the Rawrr Mantis 72V at 10kW, the E-Ride Pro-SS 2.0 at 12kW and the Sur-Ron Ultra Bee at 12.5kW.

Riders coming from 250cc dirt bikes

For full-size enduro and motocross riding, look at the highest-output bikes: the E-Ride Pro-SR at 15kW, the Talaria Dragon at 28kW and the Stark Varg at 60kW. Compare weight too, since the Dragon is 100 kg and the Stark Varg is 118 kg.

What changes when you go electric

Electric dirt bikes are quiet, so you can ride where noise is a problem on private property. There are no oil changes, spark plugs or carburettor tuning, and a charge replaces a fuel stop. The trade-off is range, which is limited by battery size and listed as "up to" figures, and charging time. Our electric vs petrol running costs guide compares the costs.

Safety and legal use

Electric dirt bikes of this power are for private property and designated off-road areas, and you should wear a certified helmet and full gear. Whether a bike can be registered for the road depends on your state.

Next steps

Browse all electric dirt bikes for sale, read the electric dirt bike cost guide and use our adult electric dirt bike guide to narrow your shortlist.

What to compare instead of cc

Replace engine size with five numbers: peak power, battery energy, torque, weight and charge time. A bike like the Sur-Ron Light Bee X lists 6kW of peak power, a 2,400Wh battery, 50 kg and a 75 km/h top speed. The Talaria Sting R MX4 lists 8kW, 2,700Wh, 63 kg and 85 km/h. The E-Ride Pro-SR lists 15kW, 3,240Wh, 67 kg and 100+ km/h. Those numbers describe an electric bike more honestly than any cc equivalent.

A 125cc-style trail bike

For riders who like a light, nimble trail bike, the 50 kg class is the closest feel. The Sur-Ron Light Bee X and Talaria XXX are both listed at 50 kg, 75 km/h and up to 80 to 100 km of range. They are quiet, they need no clutch and gearshifts and they can be ridden on private land where a petrol bike's noise would be a problem.

A 150cc-style all-rounder

For riders who want more top speed and range, the 8kW to 12kW class fills the gap. The Sting R MX4 lists 85 km/h and 110 km of range, the Rawrr Mantis lists 10kW, 85 km/h and 90 km, and the E-Ride Pro-SS 2.0 lists 12kW, 95 km/h and 105 km. They are heavier at 63 kg to 65 kg, but still manageable for most adults.

A 250cc-style enduro or motocross bike

For riders who want full-size power, the bikes with 15kW or more are the closest class: the E-Ride Pro-SR at 15kW, the Arctic Leopard at 15kW, the Talaria Dragon at 28kW and the Stark Varg at 60kW. Our high-performance guide compares them.

Charging replaces refuelling

A petrol rider fills a tank in minutes. An electric rider recharges a battery, which can take hours for a large pack, so plan for charging between sessions or buy a spare battery. Our fast charger guide explains charger options.

Maintenance differences

Electric dirt bikes have no oil changes, spark plugs, air filter cleaning or carburettor tuning. They still need tyre, chain, brake and suspension care, and the battery needs proper charging and storage. See our servicing cost guide.

Noise and where you can ride

A quiet bike means fewer complaints on private land and a better ride experience, but it does not change the rules on where you may ride. Electric dirt bikes of this power are for private property and designated off-road areas.

Road registered options

If you want road registered dirt bikes, an off-road electric dirt bike is not the answer. Road-registered electric bikes such as the NIU NQi GT or the Vmoto Soco TC-Max are listed as road-legal and LAMS approved, and our electric moped and LAMS guide compares them. Rules differ by state, so check with your state transport authority.

Switching checklist

Before you switch from a petrol dirt bike, decide where you will charge, how you will transport the bike, how much range you need per session and what you want to spend. Read the electric dirt bike cost guide.

Learning to ride an electric bike if you ride petrol

An electric dirt bike has no clutch lever and no gear shifting on most models, so the first adjustment is to use only the throttle and brakes. Torque arrives instantly, so be gentle on the throttle at low speed. Many electric bikes have regenerative braking, which slows the bike when you roll off the throttle and feels different from engine braking on a petrol bike. Spend a session on easy ground learning how the bike accelerates and brakes before you ride your usual trails.

Dealing with range and charging

A petrol rider can carry fuel and refill in minutes, but an electric rider recharges a battery, which can take hours for a large pack. Plan sessions around the listed range, treat "up to" figures as the best case and keep a reserve. Charge on a hard non-flammable surface and follow the advice on the NSW Government lithium-ion battery page.

What petrol riders gain and miss

Riders who switch often mention the quiet running, the lack of oil changes and fuel handling, and the instant torque. What they miss is the long refuel-and-go range and the sound of the engine. Our guide to electric vs petrol motocross running costs compares costs, and our electric motorbike vs petrol guide covers road bikes.

Which electric bike should a 125cc rider pick?

If you ride light, nimble trails and want a bike near 50 kg, look at the Sur-Ron Light Bee X at $6,490 AUD or the Talaria XXX Black Edition at $5,490 AUD. If you want a bit more speed and range with a still manageable weight, look at the Talaria Sting R MX4 at $7,290 AUD or the Rawrr Mantis at $8,190 AUD. If you want a high-power bike with more battery for long days, look at the E-Ride Pro-SS 2.0 at $8,690 AUD. If you are moving from a 250cc enduro or motocross bike, look at the E-Ride Pro-SR, the Talaria Dragon or the Stark Varg. Finally, give yourself time to adapt. Most petrol riders are comfortable on an electric bike within a few sessions, but the first rides feel different because the bike is silent, there is no clutch and the torque is instant. Ride in a familiar place, use a lower power mode and enjoy the quiet.

Where to buy: 250 dirt bike for sale, electric alternative

If you are looking at a 250 dirt bike for sale, the closest electric alternatives are the E-Ride Pro-SR at $9,990 AUD, the Talaria Dragon at $13,990 AUD and the Stark Varg models from $16,990 AUD. Shoppers who want road registered dirt bikes should look at our road-legal electric mopeds and motorcycles, and anyone comparing motorcycle dirt bikes for sale can browse every model on our electric dirt bikes page. Free freight applies to orders over $1,500 AUD, crypto and PayID payments receive 10% off and each bike has a 12-month Australian warranty.

Quick answers

What is the electric equivalent of a 125cc dirt bike? There is no exact equivalent because electric bikes have no engine size. Compare peak power, battery energy, torque and weight. Bikes like the Sur-Ron Light Bee X at 6kW and 50 kg are a common starting point.

Do you sell 125cc, 150cc or 250cc petrol dirt bikes? No. We sell electric dirt bikes only, from about $5,490 AUD.

What are the downsides of switching to an electric dirt bike? Range is limited by battery size and shown as "up to" figures, and recharging takes time. The upsides are quiet running and no oil changes, spark plugs or carburettor tuning.

Official sources and further reading

For manufacturer information see the Sur-Ron site and the Stark Future site. For background on how electric motorcycles work see the Wikipedia overview of electric motorcycles and scooters, and for battery safety see the NSW Government lithium-ion battery page.