The 32kW US-Made Electric Dirt Bike From Dust Moto Is “Silent But Savage” – CleanTechnica

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After the e-bike sector explosion that we’ve seen in recent years, now the e-moto space is also rapidly growing, and the number of new models and brands of electric dirt bikes, which seem to be a popular choice for many new riders, is rising steadily.

The latest entrant in the electric dirt bike segment is the Dust Moto Hightail, a lightweight but powerful machine that looks able to bring the heat for some serious off-road performance. The Hightail’s minimalist aesthetic belies its rugged build and impressive specs, and within its no-frills design hides a torque-y motor and a swappable 4.4kWh battery capable of high speeds and instant power and acceleration. The company claims that the Hightail is “The most fun you’ll ever have on a bike.”

“Teaching people to ride an electric dirt bike is easier; they pick it up more quickly, and without the noise, a lot more riding opportunities become available. But the benefits of electric aren’t only for new riders. Suddenly, backyard tracks, urban areas, and natural sites with noise restrictions became accessible to riders that weren’t available with gas-powered bikes. The unrivaled agility and lack of maintenance means more time spent with a smile plastered across your face. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here, just amplify the experience for more people via the benefits of electric.” — Colin Godby, Dust Moto founder and CEO

The enduro-style Hightail is built on a lightweight aluminum frame, with a “tuned precision suspension” for maximum control and responsiveness. Weighing in at under 100kg (~220 lb), with a 1400mm (55.1″) wheelbase, yet packed with a 32kW (42hp) electric motor that delivers 660 Nm of torque to the rear wheel, this e-moto’s power-to-weight ratio is impressive.

“Hightail’s bulletproof powertrain is engineered for ultimate durability and performance. With motorsport-grade helical reduction gears and heavy-duty roller bearings, it’s ready for max abuse. The high-speed motor delivers extreme torque and power density — 60Nm and 32kW — all in a compact, efficient package built to perform its best, when you need it most.”

The only issue I could see with the Hightail is its (relatively) high price, which is $10,950. That’s not to say that it’s not worth it, just that it’s not anywhere near the impulse-buy price range (well, at least for me it isn’t), which may be a function of e-motos being a young industry, with low volume production and a reliance on early adopters to reach critical mass. That’s very similar to how the electric car industry and EV prices were not that long ago, so with a bit more maturity in this sector, we may eventually see pricing on e-motos like this which is more akin to 250cc gasser dirt bike prices. Or perhaps not quite as low as that, as their lower lifetime cost of ownership could more than make up the difference in prices.

Take a look at the below promo video for the Hightail from Dust Moto and tell me you don’t want one in your garage:

More info is available at Dust Moto, where a refundable $100 pre-order deposit will reserve one for you. The company expects to begin shipping the Hightail in late 2025.

Images courtesy of Dust Moto.