- The ETM RTR Lite is a 120-pound machine featuring a 60V system with 5kW of peak power and a top speed of approximately 45 mph.
- Designed for rider comfort, the Lite features Electro & Co. tuned 48mm front forks and a plush seat for a smoother ride on trails or roads.
- This pit bike-sized machine is ideal for beginners, teens, or adults looking for a fun bike that can still outperform most 110cc gas-powered dirt bikes.
- The bike is fully modular, allowing riders to easily upgrade the battery, motor, and suspension as their riding skills increase.
This could be the very best value for money electric pit bike you can find! The ETM RTR Lite is the baby of the ETM RTR Sport – slightly less power, slightly less serious, but a heap less money, making this a bike accessible to a much larger range of riders.
Electro & Co.’s entry-level bike can still beat most 110cc dirt bikes, making it a surprise package to get out in front of your mates! It’s a dirt bike made for adults and teens who can be trusted with a powerful dirt bike. Don’t be fooled, this bike isn’t a toy that you find at the kids’ shop. It is a proper, quality-built dirt bike.
Electro & Co. listens to its customers. Many riders were looking for an entry-level bike they could buy for their kids or the non-dirt bike rider in the family. The ETM RTR Lite gives them this option. You get the full ETM RTR build quality matched with some lower-performance parts, at a lower price.
Let’s look at the differences between the ETM RTR Sport and the Lite to help you work out which bike is the best match.
ETM RTR Lite: Specs
Like the ETM RTR Sport, the ETM RTR Lite is designed by the local Californian team Electro & Co., bike riders building bikes for bike riders! The frame is an Electro & Co.-designed steel frame with a rigid swing arm. If you’ve seen any of our other articles, you’ll hear me talk about swing arm rigidity. Long story short, if there is flex in the swing arm, you’re likely to snap a chain, or at least have a chain come off the sprocket. No good if you’re mid jump… but not a problem here.
Here are some stats between the Lite and the Sport. Same size frame and wheel size.
The differences are:
- Battery is smaller – it’s a 60V battery in the Lite
- Non-adjustable suspension, which is plusher and not as aggressive – great for newer riders.
- The seat is made from a plush material
- Minimalistic graphics
Check out this video from Electro & Co. on their new ETM RTR Lite:
The bike itself is a 120-pound machine with a 44.5-inch wheelbase. This brings it into the category of a pit bike. Smaller than most mid-sized e-motos like the Talaria or E Ride Pro range, but with very comfortable ergonomics for a fully grown adult.
The battery can be recharged in 1 – 4 hours, depending on the type of charger, and the 60V system has a peak power of 5kW. If you noticed, the standard ETM RTR runs a 72V system. Here’s where things are slightly different.
The 60V System
When e-moto first started on the scene, Surron brought out the 60V 6kW amazing machine known as the Surron Light Bee or LBX. This was way back in 2018, and wow! We all thought it was amazing – the top speed was something like 50mph, and it was so nimble compared to heavy dirt bikes! Fast forward many years, and the industry has come forward so quickly that when we reference 60 volts, many riders think that is underpowered.
However, if you think about it, Electro & Co. wanted this bike to be an entry level point for riders – both in terms of skill level and finance. 5kW is a heap of power, especially on a 120 pound bike. This will easily get you to the top of any hill climb, and holeshot most 110cc dirt bikes. What I’m trying to say is, for an entry-level bike, this is a powerful machine! The tune on this bike has smooth, quick acceleration to around 45mph.
Have a look at this comparison video from Electro & Co.:
Overall, the 60V system is more than enough for an entry-level e-moto, and it’s also how Electro & Co. have been able to keep the costs low on this model, the Lite. If you need to upgrade as your skill level builds, that is also an option – I’ll talk about that shortly.
ETM RTR Lite: Suspension
The ETM RTR has a tubular steel frame with a removable subframe. This is similar to the ETM RTR Sport. The suspension is a plush 48mm front fork that is non-adjustable. It has been tuned by Electro & Co. and optimised for the best settings on both trails and the road.
The rear suspension is a pit bike-grade rear shock. When paired together, the front and rear suspension have been deliberately chosen to deliver a softer, more comfortable ride than on advanced bikes with stiff suspension. This also allows Electro & Co. to keep the costs down for a pretty inexpensive pit bike, all things considered.
Can you mod the ETM RTR Lite?
Yes! Electro & Co. know that many riders love to mod their bikes. The ETM RTR Lite has been built to allow easy upgrades and replacements to most parts. From new plastics, graphics, and parts that allow full customization to performance parts, the ETM RTR Lite has a huge upgrade range.
What about power upgrades?
As the riders’ abilities grow, you can mod the powertrain for far more performance.
Here are a few options:
- Upgrade to the TruMoto 6+7 Mod Powertrain Kit
- Upgrade to the Alpha Motor and 420 Chain Conversion Kit
Both of these options will give you the same 5kW with the stock battery, but the torque will increase by 40-60%. If you would like the full 13kW, then upgrade the battery to Mod Pack or Touring Pack.
To match the upgrade in performance, I would then suggest looking at upgrading the suspension. It is a relatively easy swap to do, and the RTR adjustable forks are a simple upgrade with big results.
Then, if you go faster, you’ll also need to stop from faster speeds. I would also recommend a brake upgrade, or at least new pads if you haven’t changed them yet.
Another common upgrade is the street wheel set conversion, changing this bike into a street machine. Or, upgrade the wheels to the larger 14/17 off road set. This will give the ETM RTR Lite more height, especially helpful for a growing teen.
The mods to the ETM RTR Lite are almost endless, as it’s designed to grow with the rider and their abilities. If you’re reading this list, thinking there’s lots of work to do, then please look at the ETM RTR Sport as it has most of these things going for it already.
Read about the ETM RTR Sport here
Who is the ETM RTR Lite best suited to?
The ETM RTR Lite is a great bike suited to anyone! But in particular:
- The beginner rider: A beginner rider of any age will find the ETM RTR Lite the best value for money e-moto you can get, in our professional opinion. If you’ve never ridden a dirt bike before, the ETM RTR Lite is a great choice. It has plenty of power, and the size means it’s easier to get started with.
- The rider’s partner: The ETM RTR Lite makes the perfect bike for those who want to introduce their partner to the world of dirt bikes.
- A kid: An older kid or young teen would be well-suited to this bike. As long as they’re tall enough to sit comfortably on the seat with feet on the ground, and you trust they’ll follow instructions, this would be a great first bike. Check out this article for new dirt bike parents. Remember, this is still a powerful dirtbike, even if it’s the entry-level model!
- Any rider who wants to have fun: The ETM RTR Lite is also a great second bike, something to muck around on and take to the tracks to ride in between sessions, or just navigate your property or any local event where they won’t mind someone ripping around under electrical power.
GritShift Thoughts
At a low price point, the ETM RTR Lite is the best value for money dirt bike we have seen! It’s the perfect beginner bike or the perfect fun bike for experienced riders. The fact that it’s easily modifiable means the ETM RTR Lite is the bike that can grow with you – and the price point makes dirt bikes accessible to many more riders.
We’ve been working with Electro & Co. for years, and we know they always sell high-quality bikes. With the ETM RTR Lite, they have just expanded their bike lineup to include a larger range of riders.
If you’re new to dirt bikes, reading this, then welcome 🙂 Check out the ETM RTR Lite, it’s possibly the best starting point in your riding career.
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