E Ride Pro electric dirt bikes have some weak points when ridden beyond their limits, as do all mid-sized e-moto bikes. But this doesn’t affect every rider. If you’re someone who is perfectly happy to ride within your own limits and the limits of your bike, it will perform exactly as you want, provided you maintain it appropriately.
The trouble is, what is ‘the limit’? As electric dirt bikes get more powerful, especially in this smaller mid sized range, the limit is getting blurry. I think it’s safe to say:
- Commuting = within limits,
- Dirt track = within limits,
- MX track = outside limits.
If you’re scrubbing jumps and landing into the berm, you really are pushing those limits!
Think of it this way, engineers are coming up with some awesome stuff, but with current technology, it’s a big ask to create a lightweight frame that can also take the beatings a solid gas dirt bike can, and still be reasonably priced?
It’s because of this conundrum that GritShift was created. We’re the ones sending it over gnarly jumps, competing in rocky, challenging enduro events, and blitzing whoops like we’re on 450s.
We know the e-motos we ride aren’t made for this type of beating. But they’re just so much fun, so why not make them capable? That’s why we find the weak points (by literally riding them ‘til they break!), then designing components that will hold up for those wanting to push the limit.
I guess this is what makes us different from other companies. We don’t make the sparkliest, blingiest parts; we make parts that work. Parts that will get you to the finish line of that enduro event. Every time. I know I want to find my personal limit before hitting the limit of my bike.
Why do e-motos have weak points?
As you know, most e-motos like Surron, Talaria, and E Ride Pro are considered lightweight electric dirt bikes. They’re slightly smaller than a 125cc dirt bike, much lighter, and much more maneuverable. E-motos are also heavier than a traditional pedal-style mountain bike and they can also carry more speed.
So the big question is, do you put heavy but sturdy gas dirt bike parts on a super lightweight high-performance electric machine, or do you put top-quality mountain bike parts, which might do exactly what you need them to do but lack the strength to take the extra weight of the e-moto?
For the majority of riders, lightweight, high-quality mountain-bike-like parts do the job. It’s when you’re landing a jump or riding endless whoops where MTB parts often lack the strength.
As for the frame, manufacturers tend to go on the side of weight saving to match the performance of the componentry. This lightness is at the expense of strength. Again, fine unless you’re trying to beat lap times or land big jumps.
What are the general weaknesses of most e-motos?
By now, you’ve probably noticed that an E Ride Pro, and most premium e-motos are perfectly capable machines for most riders. The weakness appears on the back of a big landing, or a long whoops section, or while practicing some new stunts.
Put simply, if you’re riding your e-moto outside its intended limits, that is when you might start to cover areas that could benefit from some beefing up. This is easily fixed by strategically upgrading components known to be susceptible under these extreme conditions – and that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.
Compared with other top-quality e-motos, we’ve found E Ride Pro to be really good in areas where other e-motos have been lacking. The footpegs, linkage and triangle, and other parts are significantly better on the E Ride Pro, due in part to people like us breaking the old versions and E Ride Pro responding by improving what they make – which we all like to see.
Read about the Surron LBX, Talaria Sting, and the E Ride Pro SR here:
So, what did we find on the E Ride Pro?
What weaknesses did we discover on E Ride Pro?
After releasing the E Ride Pro SS 1.0, getting lots of customer feedback and making massive improvements to create the E Ride Pro SS 2.0, the ‘typical’ e-moto weaknesses are hard to find.
E Ride Pro footpegs – best we’ve seen on a stock bike, suspension – great for just about any type of riding unless you’re competing in enduro or MX events. Even the rear linkage and triangle design is way better than all the competitor bikes. No worries there.
However, there is one big issue.
The E Ride Pro swingarm is the big weakness across all current modes. If you’re pushing the limits on your bike, this applies to you. The swingarm flex is unreal. It isn’t something that is usually talked about on YouTube or forums, but the swingarm flex can be the culprit of many bent rear axles and swingarm bolts. In other words, it could leave you parked.
If you start getting some unexplained side wear on your linkage, that is due to swingarm flex. So, what can you do about it?
Who does this apply to?
If you’re commuting, or even heading through the woods, but tend not to get airborne, then you have nothing to be concerned about.
The swingarm flex is only applicable to those who are impacting heavy loads onto the rear wheel. Landing jumps, long whoop sections, and hard hits when jumping logs or rocks. You’ll know if you’re in that category. Typically, someone whose ‘lazy’ ride consists of finding the alternate route. The one that contains the rock jumps, the inviting berms, and a random wheelie. I think that describes most of us here at GritShift.
What can you do about it?
It’s not all doom and gloom. There are so many aftermarket options on parts to upgrade your e-moto. However, we’ve found the E Ride Pro to be the best stock e-moto you can get, and many of the ‘usual’ e-moto weaknesses simply don’t exist on the E Ride Pro. Suspension, footpegs, handlebars – these components only need upgrading if you prefer something in particular and are in a modding mood.
As for the swingarm, this part is worth considering for upgrading. The easiest option is to replace it with a sturdy, yet lightweight swingarm that’s been engineered by riders. Check out the Heavy Hitter Rogue Swingarm which Rusty and his team designed specifically to fix the problems encountered when riding hard on an E Ride Pro.
Our biggest tip is to add the swingarm upgrade to the top of your modding list. The reason is easy: make the upgrade before you damage the linkage, rear axle, or worse, motor (and hurt yourself).
Yes, even if you have upgraded the swingarm bolt, rear axle, and rear linkage, with the swingarm flex, you can still damage these new parts. So, grab yourself the Rouge Swingarm and save the damage. But did you know you have a few swingarm options? Why just upgrade to the same thing – improve your ride. Here’s how:
What is the Rogue Swingarm?
The Rogue Swingarm for the E Ride Pro e-moto is a super strong, fully welded 6061 T6 aluminum swing arm designed to withstand the hardest enduro race and more. But, knowing Rusty and his team, they didn’t stop at just making it extra strong. They’ve improved the swing arm in a number of ways.
The center cross support allows the chain to go around it, not through it, giving it extra strength. If you look at the Rogue Swingarm with the 2.5” extension, you’ll see that the geometry has also changed, improving the rear shock ratio. This gives better traction and control, and better cornering speed.
Extended vs. Stock Length
If you like the stock swingarm length, the Rogue Swingarm also has the option for the stock length instead of a 2.5” extension. It would depend on your riding style and what type of riding you prefer to do.
Is the E Ride Pro worth buying?
If you’re after a boring, ordinary weekend, then don’t buy an E Ride Pro…. For everyone else, yes, it’s absolutely worth buying an E Ride Pro.
- The build quality is the best we’ve seen, far better than Surron or Talaria
- They are far more durable in stock form than any brand we’ve tested
- The aftermarket scene is excitedly building parts to make them even better
Are they as strong as a gas dirt bike? No. But, that’s the point: they’re lightweight yet high-powered, flickable fun bikes that, with a little extra strengthening, can compete on the same MX track as a gasser. Wild! Did I mention, they’re just a heap of fun!
If you are someone who will be giving your e-moto a thrashing, then aftermarket parts are plentiful. Just us here at GritShift’s Heavy Hitter have been constantly adding new and improved parts specifically designed for hard riding.
We don’t just design parts, we create parts that we need to get us to the finish of multiple hard enduro races. If it can hold up to this, it will be strong enough for anything. Check out our parts range today and support our company so we can support your riding.
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