Small sized dirt bikes are the new craze. Lightweight, high-performance, small frame. Perfect for kids to learn on, but also wicked fun for adults. If you’re in the market for one of these fun machines, you may be thinking – but… there are so many choices!
And the thing is, you’re right! Now, with electric dirt bikes added to the mix, options are endless. This article will be a comparison between the industry leading Electro and Co ETM RTR electric pit bike, and 2 other well known gas dirt bikes, the Kawasaki KLX 140 and the Yamaha TT-R125.
Typically two types of people buy a pit bike, firstly – the parent buying one for their kid, then they end up mucking around on it (because, you’re just ‘testing’ it…) and the other person who just buys one for themselves, because you don’t need a kid as an excuse to buy one!
The point is, these small bikes are made for both learning and for adults to have fun with (and we all know, you’ll end up riding it too!) The bigger, and more important question is – do you buy gas or electric?
If this is the first article you’ve read on electric bikes, here is the cliff notes version of electric dirt bikes:
- High-quality electric dirt bikes are high-performance machines; some are capable of outperforming gas dirt bikes. (I’m from a dirt bike background, love my YZ250, ride it most weekends, but also have added e-moto to my garage!)
- I highly recommend always purchasing an electric dirt bike (e-moto) from a reputable, authorized dealer, like you would with a brand-name gas dirt bike. Purchasing a cheaper option from Amazon will likely end in tears. This applies to both pit bikes and larger e-moto.
- Range is way better now than it was years ago – battery technology has made massive leaps. You’ll get a good track session from one battery, and there are plenty of options to increase range.
- Torque and acceleration are nuts… and you can fully customise the curve on many models! Without heavy components of an internal combustion engine, when you twist the throttle, you get instant acceleration.
- For more battery/controller/motor information, check out this article
- For a run down on electric dirt bike 101, check out this article
The ETM RTR, KLX 140, and TT-R110 all have very similar performance, so let’s have a close look at the differences between the models and the pros and cons between electric and gas.
ETM RTR vs KLX 140 vs Yamaha 125
There are a few obvious differences between the ETM RTR, KLX 140, and the TT-R125, the biggest being the power source! Apart from the ETM RTR being electric and the other two being internal combustion, all of these dirt bikes are similar, including in size. The TT-R125 has a slightly higher seat, but sizing is otherwise comparable.
The RTR produces 8kW of power which is roughly equivalent to 10 horsepower. The KLX makes 11.9 hp while the TT-R makes roughly 9.8 at the engine. But we know the power delivered by the RTR is mostly in the form of instant torque – no torque numbers are public but we would expect 300+ easily.
Top speed is very similar, and even the price is comparable. The biggest difference is the weight, but we’ll get to that shortly. Let’s dive into the details to help you work out what is best for you.
Who are these bikes made for? Really?!
All jokes aside, these small bikes are actually really good for both older kids wanting to learn how to ride a dirt bike, and for adults who want to have a sick time. If you’re not familiar with electric dirt bikes, you might not have considered the fact that electric dirt bikes have no clutch. You do need good throttle control, but you also get different power modes. The ETM RTR has 3 power modes for different experience levels. Having no clutch means you can concentrate on other aspects of riding.
A few years ago, we had a TT-R125 for a season, and it was great fun. Lightweight (compared to my usual YZ250 or 450), flickable and around a tight track, I almost didn’t notice the top speed lacking. The ETM RTR, being that much lighter, is simply next level! Awesome fun, highly maneuverable – and you can put it in your car – lie it down, slide it in, it doesn’t matter – no fuel will leak out!
As for someone heavier than a kid on these bikes, both the KTM 140 and the Yamaha TT-R125 will easily take the additional weight. I did find the suspension bottoming out on jumps on the TT-R125, and the front end didn’t feel as planted, but you kinda ride it knowing it’s an entry-level bike. I simply don’t expect it to behave like my race dirtbikes.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the case for the ETM RTR…
The ETM RTR can definitely take a beating. Just watch what we did to it!
The build on the ETM RTR is solid, possibly the best we’ve seen on the pit bike sized e-motos. Don’t be fooled into thinking that lightweight means weaker parts. This bike has a fully boxed swing arm, 15mm swingarm bolt, and is made for riding hard.
In the words of Sam Pilgrim (my latest YouTube obsession, watch his channel if you haven’t already!), and read in a British accent, ‘dreams’!
Size difference
All three of these pit-bike-sized e-motos are similar in size. The seat height is around the 30-inch mark. The wheel base is similar, although the ETM RTR is the smallest of the dirt bikes at 44.5 in wheelbase, with slightly smaller wheels.
On the Electro and Co ETM RTR, you have the option to purchase a 17/14 wheel upgrade, which would increase overall size, if you prefer the bike to be slightly larger. That’s the same size you will find on the KLX 140, and it signals that Electro & Co. knows that the RTR can hang with physically larger gas bikes just fine.
Just for the record, check out this video of a few of us at GritShift sending this small yet mighty pitbike over some pretty big jumps – with standard tires! (and a backflip…!)
The biggest difference is the weight between the electric dirt bike and the gas dirt bikes. The electric dirt bike is almost half the weight of the gas bikes! Most of that would be thanks to the technology on the very light electric motor, with no heavy cylinders and casing.
ETM RTR
- Wheel base: 44.5in
- Wheel size: Front: 60/100-14 Rear: 80/100-12
KLX 140
- Wheel base: 49.6in
- Wheel size: Front: 70/100-17 Rear: 90/100-14
Yamaha TT-R125
- Wheel base: 50in
- Wheel size: Front: 70/100-19 Rear: 90/100-16
Power comparison
The top speed of the ETM RTR is over 55mph. The top speed of both the Kawasaki KLX 140 and the Yamaha TT-R125 is also over 55mph, so very comparable. Acceleration is similar, although thanks to instant torque on the electric motor, the ETM RTR is slightly faster.
If you’re brand new to electric dirt bikes, I’d recommend checking out this article, which explains the power, but I’ll explain a few interesting numbers on the ETM RTR. It has a 72V 25Ah battery, giving a peak output of 8kW.
For reference, if you’ve seen the Surron light bee, which was one of the original high-performance e-motos in the industry, it had a 60V system, a 6kW output, and it was still fast! The 72V system is better in terms of power output – higher voltage typically means it can run lower amperage, which keeps things cooler, so therefore, it’s more efficient.
Also for comparison, if you wanted to buy a kid’s ‘toy’ electric bike – like those you see on Amazon or even some electric dirt bike shops, typically they run a 36V system and have a peak output around the 400-800W range. You simply can’t compare the ETM RTR with ‘toy’ bikes – just as you wouldn’t compare the KLX or TT-R125 to the toy bikes.
Range
- Yamaha TT-R125: fuel capacity is 1.6gal
- Kawasaki KLX 140: fuel capacity is 1.5 gal
- Electro and Co ETM RTR: battery capacity: 72V 25Ah
Comparing range is like comparing the length of a piece of string. Range will always be determined by the rider, the terrain, the conditions, and more. Range under race conditions will be very different from a slow rider learning how to navigate the track.
Having said that, all of these dirt bikes will give you a great afternoon at a track on a single tank/charge. You’ll easily get a full moto. We’ll have to put this to the test in the future – make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to find out all the cool things about e-moto!
Taking a jerry can will extend the range on the gas bikes, and as for the ETM RTR, you have the option of purchasing the extended range battery – up to 45aH (almost double capacity), or grab a second battery for a quick swap. This is known as a hot-swappable battery system, allowing you to swap batteries in seconds with zero tools needed.
Suspension
Yamaha TT-R125:
- Front: 31mm telescopic fork, adjustable preload; 7.1-in travel
- Rear: Single shock, adjustable compression and rebound; 6.6-in travel
Kawasaki KLX 140:
- Front: 33mm telescopic fork; 7.1 in
- Rear: Uni-Trak linkage system and single shock with 5-way preload adjustability; 7.1 in
Electro and Co ETM RTR:
- Front: 48mm E&C Tuned Dual Adjustable Forks
- Rear: Pit Bike Grade Adjustable Rear Shock
Suspension on all three of these dirt bikes is adjustable. If you’re looking at a long whoop section or a moderate jump, I’d suggest looking at upgrading the suspension on the TT-R125 or KLX 140, but for a kid learning, the suspension will work well.
The ETM RTR, on the other hand, has chunky forks made for hard riding. This small, yet mighty dirt bike will withstand much more. To see the ETM RTR suspension in action, check out this video:
The option is available on the ETM RTR for larger wheels, Electro and Co Big Wheel Set, and the KLX 140 has a large wheel (KLX 140R L) and full-size wheel option (KLX 140R F).
Price
All three of these dirt bikes are around the same price. At the time of writing, the Electro and Co ETM RTR is $3260, the Yamaha TT-R125 is $3599, and the Kawasaki KLX 140 is $3699.
Modding
If this is the first time you’ve come across us here at GritShift, let’s just say we’re a bunch of guys and girls who love riding, and we come from a range of different types of riding, but most weekends you’ll find us all on e-moto. And typically, we all like to send it around MX tracks, big jumps, and explore hard lines through the woods.
Most of our e-motos are also heavily modded.
Modding occurs generally for two reasons: you need more strength and power, or you want to change the look. We mod generally for higher power and bigger strength. The more you send it, the more you need to look after your e-moto because things are going to break!
E-motos are much easier to work on than gas dirt bikes. Most parts are plug and play, and with average knowledge, you’d be able to work out how to upgrade parts. That also includes the motor/battery and controller. Something you wouldn’t likely think about upgrading on a gas dirt bike!
To give you an idea, on my YZ250, I typically upgrade the tires, grips, sometimes add a lowering-link as I’m short, and sometimes change the handlebars. An Akrapovic exhaust has made it to one or 2 of my bikes. That’s about it. Everything else I leave stock. I don’t really feel the need to get crazy with mods.
But, on an e-moto, it’s just yelling at you to mod! It’s so easy, so customisable, and it’s all something I have either done or am willing to give it a go. There are so many types of riding, so many experience levels, and mods that suit all of them!
Make sure you’ve subscribed to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things e-moto, including the latest mods and parts that we create ourselves here at GritShift.
E-motos give you a different vibe when you’ve created something that is perfectly in tune with you. This would be how a pro-rider would feel, I’m sure!
Should you buy an electric or gas dirt bike?
This is a personal opinion, but here are my thoughts:
If you’re brand new to dirtbikes and your kid is wearing you out with the ‘I wanna dirt bike…’, I would suggest looking at the Electro and Co ETM RTR, they’re simple, easy to look after, lots of aftermarket parts where the bike can grow with your kid, different power settings while they learn, and you can put the bike in your car, lie it down, whatever you need – no fuel will come out. And, it’s a bike that you can ride too!
If you’re looking for a small dirtbike for yourself, again, I would suggest the Electro and Co ETM RTR – it’s made for hard riding, and so far, it’s holding up to everything we throw at it! Not that you need to, but there are options to increase the power and customise for your style of riding.
If you’ve got dirtbike experience, the smaller gas bikes are still a heap of fun, but I would personally be looking at a full-sized dirtbike for yourself if you’re adamant on gas bikes, and if it’s for your kid, keep an open mind about the electric dirt bikes. I think you’ll be surprised!
Either way, as long as you are out riding, you’ll have the best weekend! And if the awesome ETM RTR bike is on your radar, check it out here.
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