Is the Talaria MX5 the e-moto you need? Would the MX4 or the MX3 be perfectly suitable for you at a better price? Is the Talaria MX5 really the best in the Talaria lineup? The simple answer: It depends!
The Talaria Sting MX5 Pro is the most expensive option, but that is due to a few cool new features that Talaria has changed from their previous models. Here’s where it gets tricky: If you’re brand new to dirtbikes and e-moto, the MX5 may have extra goodies for the extra price – all of which you may never use.
On the other hand, if you’re not going to customize your new Sting, could the MX5 be the bike for you, even if you’re a beginner?
Since all of these bikes can be bought new today, we need to work out what the difference is between each model, what you get for the price offered, how easy it is to mod, and most importantly, what model would be the best suited to your riding style and modding needs.
What is the Talaria Sting lineup?
For starters, because they are all called some variant of the Talaria Sting, you will find me saying just MX3, MX4, or MX5 sometimes. Just know those are all variants of a Talaria Sting!
This comparison will be limited to the Sting MX5, the Sting MX4, and the Sting MX3 as they are all very similar in many ways. Talaria also made the XXX, but that e-moto is in a different category for riding. You’ll also find different variants of the MX3, MX4, and MX5, such as Expert editions, but let’s keep things simple and only compare the standard stock MX range.
What I’d like you to look at is the price point for each model and the statistics. You need to work out what you consider the best value for money for how you’re going to use the bike. Keep in mind if you’d like to mod your e-moto, you might not need the biggest battery if you’re only going to replace it in the near future.
Talaria MX5 vs MX4 vs MX3
TLDR; The Talaria MX5 has considerably more power than the Talaria MX4. Similarly, the Sting MX4 has more power than the Sting MX3. The MX5 has more robust parts to withstand the increased power, but the bones of the MX3, 4, and 5 are very similar. The price point increases throughout the range.
Under all the marketing hype of the MX5 is a trusty Talaria frame. They are all very similar in riding feel, ergos, and handling. The power increase is substantial from the MX3 to the MX5. And yes, there is a stock 72 volt system in the Sting MX5!
Take note of said 72V system on the MX5, I’ll discuss why this is important for those wanting to do some big mods in the next section.
Talaria Sting MX3
- Great entry-level e-moto and a great price.
- Perfect for commuting with little to no mods needed.
- Great for some tracks through the woods that don’t involve hard hits and jumps.
- If you want to do some big power mods and full customization, this is also the perfect e-moto – a great price and an excellent frame to build on.
As the first Talaria model ever released, the original Sting is the go-to for e-moto enthusiasts. There are plenty of aftermarket parts that are made for the OG MX3 Sting. It is a well-known, robust machine that has plenty of acceleration and performance especially if you’re just starting out on dirtbikes.
For those that are wanting something a little more than the stock machine offers, the Talaria MX3 is a great base to mod for some big power increases. It does run a 60-volt system, meaning, if you want the performance from a 72V system, you will need to upgrade the stock battery, controller and motor, versus the MX5 Pro that comes with a 72V system stock.
Find all of your Talaria Sting MX3 parts here
First released a few years ago, not long after the Surron LBX – the first production-made electric dirt bike in this category – the Talaria Sting MX3 has had many improvements throughout the years. Talaria is continuously refining and improving its bikes, so the MX3 has the advantage of years of researched data to make it the awesome e-moto it is today.
The MX3 is just as popular today as it was originally. Yes, Talaria has introduced new models, but they are continuing the production of the MX3 and even the MX4 with full force as they build the new MX5. Talaria now just has more models for different uses.
One critical aspect of the Sting MX3 is that it comes out of the box limited to 36 MPH. Thankfully, you’re only one snipped wire away from unlocking its true top speed of about 50 MPH with the limiter removed.
Read this article for a full review of the Talaria MX3
Talaria Sting R MX4
- Slightly more expensive than the MX3, with slightly more power.
- Great for beginners and intermediate riders with little to no modding required.
- Great base for modding, depending on what you want to achieve, some parts are more robust than the MX3 so those parts might not need upgrading.
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The Talaria MX4, also known as the Sting R, is very similar to the MX3, but a few items have been upgraded. These include bigger rotors and brakes, a bigger battery, and more.
The MX4 is the first in the lineup to receive the upgraded IPM motor. Simply speaking, an IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) Motor is more reliable, more efficient, and can dissipate heat better. This means if you upgrade your controller, the motor could handle more power.
Find all of your Talaria Sting MX4 parts here
The Sting R MX4 is essentially a more robust MX3 right out of the box, one with more power and a higher top speed, but all of that comes at a price premium over the MX3. Casual riders might not need the improved stock componentry, and customizers might take most of it off anyway, so the MX3 could be a better value in both of those cases.
Read the full review of the Talaria MX4 here
Talaria Sting MX5 Pro
- The most powerful bike in Talaria’s MX lineup, with more acceleration and more range.
- Suited to more experienced riders.
- Doesn’t need as much modding as the MX3 or MX4 to make it MX track-worthy.
- 72V system potentially keeps costs down if you want to upgrade the MX3 or MX4 to a 72V powertrain.
As the most powerful bike in Talaria’s current MX lineup, the Sting MX5 Pro is a fantastic e-moto that would suit a careful beginner (being respectful with the power and acceleration!) or a hard-core dirtbike guy or girl who appreciates the higher power output, faster top speed, and improved range.
The Talaria Sting MX5 Pro has a claimed 45% increase in power from the MX4, and it is built with similar components to what you would see in an ICE dirt bike. MX wheels, larger and thicker brake pads, reinforced swingarm, good quality foot pegs, and generally stronger, more capable, yet lighter components all around.
Other noticeable differences include the thumb-controlled variable regen, which helps with braking on the MX5. The MX5 also has a 13.5kW controller, compared with the 8kW controller on the MX4. Due to the increased power output, other differences include thicker rotors, a heavy duty chain, and much more.
In short, the MX5 Pro is a more potent and durable machine than the MX4 or MX3.
Find all of your Talaria Sting MX5 parts here
The MX5 Pro’s power output is smooth and predictable, just like all Talaria models. Yet the MX5 has a significant difference, being built from the ground up using feedback from customers. That means over 10 years of data to create possibly the best in the Talaria MX lineup, especially for those riders who are serious about performance.
So the MX5 Pro is clearly the best bike on paper, at least if your definition of “best” is “biggest numbers,” and that includes the price. However, is the MX5 the best option for your riding style and needs? Now that we know more about each model, let’s work out which Sting MX is the perfect one for you.
What really is the best Talaria Sting for me?
Ask yourself a few questions:
- Do you intend on riding on the streets, enduro tracks, MX tracks or dirt roads through the woods?
- Do you intend on modding to get the fastest top speed or head to the MX track?
- Do you intend on riding your Talaria stock with no desire to customize your ride?
- What is your budget?
You know we love modding at GritShift, and we can’t help making something faster and stronger, however, we also understand that not everyone shares that desire. If you’re after a great e-moto right out of the box, with zero items that you ‘must’ mod, then look at the MX5. That will give you the ability to ride in almost any terrain straight from the store.
However, if you’re not satisfied with a stock bike, and enjoy spending your days assembling new components, then it would come down to where you want to ride and your budget. If this e-moto is going to be mainly for commuting, I’d be looking at the MX3. It’s great value for money, has a sturdy frame, excels when ridden stock for commuting, and can be really awesome if you mod it to your liking.
If you love modding, jumping the quads, and smashing the whoops, I’d be more inclined to look at the MX5. It has a stronger frame and decent power and you could take your time modding it to be more flat-landing friendly, knowing the components are already stronger.
If budget was driving your decision, then the MX4 would be my pick. Great value and you could pick and choose when and how you mod your e-moto – if you choose to mod it at all. I would be cautious taking a stock MX4 to the MX tracks with sky-high jumps, but realistically, you would need to be careful with any stock e-moto from any brand.
The takeaway from these questions is: choose your e-moto based on where and how you ride, as well as what you want to modify. Remember there is no point getting the e-moto with the most power if you’re only going to upgrade the complete powertrain!
Talaria Sting MX3 vs Sting R MX4
The MX3’s PMSM motor produces 6kW peak power on a 60V 38.4aH battery, for a range of 50 miles and a top speed of 36 MPH (50 MPH with limiter removed). The Sting R MX4 is $700 more expensive than the MX3, achieves 12 additional miles of range and 2kW higher peak power from an improved IPM motor and 45aH battery, and tops out at 53 MPH. Various components are also improved, including the brakes.
Talaria Sting R MX4 vs Sting MX5 Pro
The Sting R MX4 makes 8kW of peak power from a 60V 45aH system, giving it a range of 62 miles and a top speed of 53 MPH. The Sting MX5 Pro has vastly more power from its 72V 40aH system, peaking at 13.4 kW with a range of 75 miles and a top speed of 59 MPH. The MX5 Pro is generally more durable than the MX4 and performs better in more demanding situations like motocross or hard enduro.
Talaria Sting MX3 vs Sting MX5 Pro
The Talaria Sting MX5 Pro boasts a stock 72V system capable of 13.4kW peak power and a top speed of 59 MPH. By contrast, the MX3 makes only 6kW peak power from its 60V system and tops out at 36 MPH (50 MPH with limiter removed). The MX5 Pro weighs 26 lbs more than the MX3 and costs $900 more. People often buy an MX3 and customize it to outperform an MX5 Pro, but at great expense. Stick with the MX3 if you’re planning to modify the driveline; buy the MX5 if you want performance right out of the box.
Talaria Sting R Price
Here are the prices at the time of writing this article:
- Talaria Sting MX3: $3,800 USD
- Talaria Sting R MX4: $4,500 USD
- Talaria Sting MX5 Pro: $4,700 USD
Whatever option you choose, you can’t go wrong. Get your Talaria outside and just ride it. When you want to mod, you know where we are.
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