- Arctic Leopard, although a new-ish brand, has been around long enough to win Dakar Rallies! I think it’s safe to say, they know what they’re doing!
- The XF is the little pocket rocket pit bike, weighing 125 pounds with 12kW of power
- The XE is the bigger version, with 20kW of power and features full-sized 21/18 wheels.
- The XE is the choice for experienced riders who want to push boundaries, while the XF is the playful, less intimidating, fun option.
- Both bikes can be modified, although they don’t need to be, to suit every riding condition and experience level.
Did you see Arctic Leopard electric dirt bikes at this year’s Dakar Rally? They won in the electric Mission 1000 category, along with winning numerous other titles. They’re the company behind the XE Pro, a bike we’ve been loving riding over the past few months. They’re also the company behind the newly announced XF, a smaller version, adding to their range for those who love the pit-bike sized fun e-motos.
What is the difference between the XF and the XE? For starters, the size. The XF is physically smaller. It also has 12kW instead of 20kW and a slightly lower top speed. But why would one of these bikes suit you better over the other? It’s a bit like comparing apples with lemons, same but different. They suit different types of riding, different experience levels, and basically have a different vibe.
If you’re new to the electric dirt bike world, then welcome 🙂 We’re GritShift, a team of like minded dirt bike riders creating a community of like minded riders who love getting out and riding! We create competition-ready aftermarket parts for anyone wanting to send it on the tracks, but also love helping new riders get out and enjoy this lifestyle.
Here is a great article to read if you’re brand new to dirt bikes:
Let’s look into both of these Arctic Leopard e-motos, what are the biggest differences, and which one is best for you:
The different types of e-motos
I want to add a quick section here that briefly explains the different types of e-moto. If you already know, then feel free to jump ahead.
When we discuss electric dirt bikes here at GritShift, I’m talking about the high-performance variety. The bikes that have a crazy performance to weight ratio, not the type you find at your local kids’ stores. These are the types that you can take to a ride day with your mates who might still ride gas dirt bikes, and keep up with them. These are made for adults or responsible older teens, with the right guidance.
Pit-bike e-moto
These electric pit bikes, sometimes referred to as e-mini, are similar in size to your typical gas pit bike. Think Honda monkey bike – style. They’re built for adults, but have a shorter wheelbase, smaller wheels, and generally a comfy rider triangle – handlebars to footpegs to seat. They’re usually not cramped in style. The e-mini bikes we sell have high-quality components, and for most of the models, require little to no modding to survive the MX track!
E-moto
E-moto bikes usually refer to electric dirt bikes like the Surron, Talaria, E Ride Pro, and Arctic Leopard. They are bigger than e-mini bikes, but generally smaller than your typical gas dirt bike, giving them a really nimble ride feel. They’re high powered, high performance dirt bikes that many riders enjoy modifying.
E-MX
This category generally includes dirt bikes that are very similar in size and performance to gas dirt bikes. They’re usually closer in price to gas dirt bikes, and you’ll find them competing in similar events. E-MX is usually associated with Stark Varg, the Surron Ultra Bee, and other competition ready electric dirt bikes.
Now that we’ve worked out the different categories, it will be easier to understand what I’m talking about in this next section.
Arctic Leopard XF specs
The Arctic Leopard XF is a pit-bike sized electric dirt bike. With a wheel base of only 47.25 Inches, it is a small little pocket rocket. 12kW propels the 125 pound XF to at least 60mph. Stop and think about that for a second. A small, lightweight machine accelerates quickly to 60mph!
As you can see, this is far from a ‘toy’ e-moto! Arctic Leopard Pro includes all the good stuff, with quality components like KKE forks, shocks, a 72volt system, and more.
For the full rundown, check out this in-depth article:
Arctic Leopard XE Pro S Enduro specs
The Arctic Leopard XE, on the other hand, is a bigger, even faster e-moto. With 20kW of power, this e-moto gets over 62mph. This is a larger bike with the usual gas dirt bike-sized wheels, 21 inch on the front and 18 inch on the rear.
It is slightly larger than the ‘industry standard’ mid-sized e-moto like the Surron, with a swingarm length including an additional 1.75 inches over other bikes in the same category. This is designed to give greater stability on the track and better performance.
For the full details, check out this article:
Performance Comparison XF vs XE
While it’s hard to do a direct comparison of the Arctic Leopard XF and XE, I’ll discuss the benefits and downsides of both so you can see where they fit in – and what would be best for you.
Arctic Leopard, across all their models, always includes a quality build, strong components, a powerful drive train, and is simple to mod.
Size:
The XF is smaller than the XE. The seat height is somewhat similar, but the wheelbase is very different: 51 inches on the XE compared to 47 inches on the XF. The wheel sizes are also different, 17/14 on the XF compared to 21/18 on the XE.
Power:
The XF has 12kW of peak power, giving around 340Nm of torque. The XE has a 20kW peak power and around 600Nm of torque.
Suspension:
The XF has an adjustable KKE 35mm fork with a rear adjustable KKE shock.
The XE has KKE 37mm front forks with a 202mm stroke and a KKE rear adjustable
Price:
At the time of writing, the XF has a lower cost than the XE at around $4100 for the XF, compared to $5900 for the XE.
Can you mod the XE and the XF?
A usual question from e-moto riders is ‘can you mod it?’ and yes, you can mod either of these bikes. It depends on how you want to ride it and where, but there is a range of aftermarket parts for each of these bikes – from perfecting ergonomics, increasing power, or just customizing.
Check out the range that we have here for the Arctic Leopard XE
As the XF is new for 2026, you’ll find fewer aftermarket parts specific to the XF. That will quickly change as R&D departments, like ours here at GritShift, start making the necessary parts to take this bike to new heights.
To keep up with the latest on the Arctic Leopard XF, subscribe to our free email community. As we learn more about the Arctic Leopard XF and work out what other e-moto parts fit on it, we’ll let you know. Email is also where we’ll let you know about any new parts our R&D team starts creating specifically for the XF and other bikes.
Is it the Arctic Leopard XE or XF that you need?
Pick the XE Pro S if:
You love pushing the boundaries, enjoy a day at the MX track, riding through the woods, or even commuting. If you have prior experience, you’ll appreciate the power and controllability of the XE.
Pick the XF if:
You just want to have fun! You want something to ride around just ‘cause. It probably wouldn’t make the best commuter bike, and I wouldn’t intend on racing the XF – not for lack of power, but the size of the wheels might hinder extreme offroading.
This would possibly suit a beginner or someone not wanting a bigger e-moto. It’s also great for storing in the garage as it doesn’t take up much space! But, just because I’ve said it’s great for a beginner doesn’t mean it’s underpowered! Pro-level riders will also love this bike for a bit of fun.
GritShift thoughts
If you’re having a hard time deciding between the XE and the XF, it’s simple. Just get both! 🙂
Seriously though, think about where you want to ride, what style of riding you want to do, and how you’ll transport the bike – the XF is smaller and might fit in your car better. Will you need something to start competing with, or would you prefer to muck around on a quick, nimble machine?
Here are a few other articles to read if you want to look at what else is around (I get it, buying an e-moto is a big investment. You need to make sure the bike you get is the best one for you.)
Pit bike size:
E-moto:
Whatever the e-moto that you end up getting, the only thing we highly recommend is just get out and ride! If there’s anything you want to upgrade, then check out our website or give us a chat if you want some advice on your modding journey.
Happy riding!
Random facts to look cool with your mates
What’s the difference between DOT and mineral oil brake fluid?
It’s the type of fluid that is in your brake line. The pressure is transferred via this fluid from your levers to the pads on the rotor, stopping the wheel. Different fluid has different properties. DOT fluid can absorb moisture from the air, which can then heat up too much and start boiling the fluid; however, usually DOT fluid is the industry’s preferred, mainly because it won’t boil except in extreme circumstances. Read more here
Sintered vs Organic Pads
Another weird choice you get for your brake system! The pads are the part of your brake system that contact the rotor when you pull the brake lever. It transfers the energy of the wheel into heat. Sintered pads are made from metallic particles. They handle the heat better than organic, but can be louder and wear away your rotors.
Organic pads are made of fibers and resin. Some riders prefer them due to the ‘softer’ feel, but they can wear out quicker.
Want a random question answered? Email us, and we can include your random question here.
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