Will we start seeing more electric bike models?

KTM been shutdown because of bankruptcy so im sure they havent done more development and dont have anything ready to production or money to do it. Kawasaki told they have many e-models in 26-28 but hard to tell if anything is coming. Stark should done small bike because it will sell as they are doing great bike for adults and small bikes have less limiting factors. 

KTM presented its 2025 Freeride in October 2024, it was supposed to be released in January 2025. Since then all trace of it quietly disappeared from KTM website without any explanation. 

AFAIK it's the only model that got ditched during restructuring. Specs were underwhelming (26 hp, 5,5 kWh, 112 kg) and current Freeride is already more expensive than a Varg. They might have realized it was going to tank?

Honda has been working in its CR electric proto for 8 years without ever giving a single spec. A production model may or may not come out of it before it celebrates its 10 years anniversary.

Kawasaki got its first electric street bikes out, courageous but not really encouraging ($7600 is quite a sum for a 12 hp, 140 kg "Ninja").

Yamaha investing in Electric Motion in late 2024 is more promising.

I am pretty doubtful we will see the current main OEMs make electric bikes in the next 5 years primarily due to the fact it undermines the current business model of ICE engine makers and dealerships. It is generally well known that dealerships make hardly anything from bike sales, and the OEMs have pretty slim margins (depends on the model and economy). Paralleling this is the auto industry which pretty much has the same business model. Basically - they make money from parts and servicing, rather than the original sales. Also, they prop up a decent after market as well (with some concerned solely to engines).

Tesla and Stark are market disrupt-ers - they had no skin in the game, and at least in the case of Tesla, designed their product with extremely high profit margins per manufacturer. This is the opposite of other auto makers. With Tesla, their margins have fallen. That could be, in part, due to the flood of cheaper EVs from Chinese makers. There is fair evidence to show China basically is bank rolling these companies thus the true cost of those vehicles could be higher (At least in Australia this is occurring). Stark seem to have a decent balance sheet right now, with basically no competition for a comparable product of similar quality. But I am sure there are Chinese companies copying their product as we speak!

Back to bikes - there is probably less demand to get current major OEMs to be forced to make electric bikes - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Secondly, a lot of "misinformation" still persists about range anxiety, fire risk and other minor considerations. Generally, not really a problem when you consider the typical ride time people have. Local to me, a track which as forced to close 15 years ago is possibly opening as an electric-only track. So that will be awesome if it can. Definitely good for riding... just means people will need to buy new bikes!

There was this company. American made, fills in interesting void in the market between Starks and Surrons. Supposed to start shipping in 2026.

https://www.dustmoto.com/products/hightail

The energy density of batteries probably needs to at least double.

Wont happen, market isn’t large enough

Honda launches their first E street bike this week. 

Was this the one they had on display at Pala this year? There was a couple guys setup talking about their bike. I recall it being a fairly good looking bike. The guys were pretty informative on their product.

My bad, it's September 2nd not August.

Thanks, Honda already offers small electric scooters and the like, they really are developing their EV range. 

I guess it could be a 125cc-equivalent street bike like the Ninja e1, I would be glad to be wrong and see big H offer a reasonably priced "performance" bike (like a fun 50-60 hp roadster).

They've just released the E-VO for the Asian market through their Wuyang Honda joint venture with Chinese OEM. 21 hp, 143-156 kg, that's Ninja e1 territory but they've integrated a much larger 6.2 kWh battery for the heavier version and it seems reasonably priced at about $5k for the Asian market.

https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/honda-e-vo-electric-bike-lau…

I rode a Stark for the first time a week ago. I’m very impressed with the bike but it’s a hard sell for me bouncing between it and my ICE bikes. Since it’s not capable of being your only bike between range and racing rules, I feel like using it as a fun practice tool during the week might not translate to better racing on your 450 on the weekends. I still like it and will probably own a used one but it’s an expensive toy for me right now.

Sure hope so, at least by the time my boy outgrows his E5. I kind of figured KTM would have something in 65/85 size coming. Heard rumors online about Stark coming out with an 85 size bike. Cobra has an electric 50 equivalent. Oset has some decent trials youth bikes.

Thanks to electric allowing us to ride around the house without annoying the neighbors, my boy got to start riding at age 3. He could ride almost everyday instead of waiting for the weekend to load up and drive to the trails if he had a gas bike. We have a small woods loop that we can ride out of the house. Would be nice to continue to have that option as he grows.

He started on the E5 at 5 years old on the lowest seat height tippy toeing and is now on the tallest seat height a year later. They grow fast. Rides in mode 4. We trail ride no moto. Easy to charge between loops, never run out of battery during a ride day. Bought the bike used as a 2020 model. It was raced hard. Haven't had any issues with it. Probably has 1-3 more years until he's ready to size up.

I ride a Stark for the same reasons. Sold all the gas bikes, for now.

Hopefully not.

It's cool to have limited areas to ride and practice. The less time on the bike the better you become... just pop on a Yoshi pipe and it makes up for riding almost every day....

I was out riding today 3min from my house, just having fun and practicing turns in loose sand.... could never have done that on my CRF, neighbours call the police. The Stark Varg has given me so much more seat time than the CRF... then again, that Yoshi pipe and of course made up for me not riding for 10days many times hahah

Now, those who are "lucky" to be living out in the middle of knowhere far from other people, I get it... the sound is nice (it is) and you can ride us much as you want close to your home, every day after work... but many of us doesn't live like that.

No

The E bike class at LL got red flagged for lightning and they had to move the race to the next day because the batteries wouldnt make it any extra laps...lame LOL

I’m with u on this one we have the surron hyper bee for my son and don’t get me wrong it’s cool as heck but the battery doesn’t last long and it’s not nearly as fast as his gas gas 65, he likes it tho. It seems as if the Chinese have a lockdown on the price/ performance you get out of battery powered bikes