You've probably seen the videos. Someone in a neon helmet silently ripping through a forest trail, lofting the front wheel over a log without the frantic screaming of a two-stroke engine. It looks like a mountain bike on steroids, but it’s something else entirely. Most people looking into this world end up stuck between two names: Sur-Ron or Talaria. But then there’s the Rawrr Mantis electric dirt bike.
It’s the dark horse. Honestly, it’s the bike that people buy when they realize they want something that actually feels like a motorcycle and not just a glorified downhill MTB with a motor strapped to the frame.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at how these machines actually hold up in the dirt. Most specs you read online are, well, optimistic. Marketing departments love to tell you a bike will go 70 miles on a charge, but they usually forget to mention that's only if you weigh 100 pounds and ride 12 mph on flat pavement. Real life isn’t flat pavement.
Why the Rawrr Mantis is actually different
If you put a Sur-Ron Light Bee next to a Rawrr Mantis electric dirt bike, the difference is immediate. The Mantis is beefier. It’s got a longer wheelbase and a seat height that doesn't make grown men look like they're riding a tricycle.
The Mantis X, for instance, sits at a 32-inch seat height. That’s a sweet spot. It's high enough to give you proper ground clearance for rocks and ruts, but low enough that you aren't doing a balancing act at every stoplight or trail bottleneck.
The power and the "Pro" problem
There are basically three versions of this bike you’ll see in 2026. The standard 72V Mantis, the Mantis X, and the heavy-hitter: the Mantis X Pro.
- The Mantis X (Base): This is the one you see for around $3,000 to $3,500. It pushes about 6.5kW of peak power. For a beginner, it’s plenty. It’ll do 50 mph, which feels plenty fast when you’re three inches away from a pine tree.
- The Mantis X Pro: This is the beast. We’re talking 15kW of peak power. To put that in perspective, that’s more than double the standard version. It uses a 72V 35Ah battery with 50S cells. These cells are the "secret sauce" because they can dump a lot of current quickly without overheating.
The Pro will hit 65+ mph. But here’s the thing—speed isn't the point of an electric dirt bike. Torque is. The Mantis Pro delivers about 390 Nm of torque at the wheel. That’s enough to loop the bike if you aren't careful with your right wrist.
Range anxiety is real
Let's talk about the "up to 62 miles" claim. If you're riding in Eco mode at 15 mph, sure, maybe you’ll see 60 miles. But nobody buys a 15,000-watt machine to ride at bicycle speeds.
In the real world, if you’re ripping through single-track trails in Sport or Race mode, expect closer to 25 or 30 miles. That might sound low, but 30 miles of hard off-road riding is a long day. Your forearms will probably give up before the battery does.
One thing Rawrr did right is the 72V system. A lot of older e-motos used 60V systems, which suffer from "voltage sag." That's when the bike feels fast for the first 20 minutes, then gets sluggish as the battery drops. The 72V setup stays punchy much longer. It’s just physics.
The "Motorcycle-Lite" Geometry
Most electric "pit bikes" feel twitchy. The Rawrr Mantis electric dirt bike uses a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear. This "mullet" setup is common in motocross because the big front wheel rolls over obstacles while the smaller rear wheel provides better torque and flickability.
The frame is 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s light—the X Pro weighs about 158 lbs with the battery—but it’s rigid.
One cool detail? The linkage. A lot of cheap electric bikes bolt the rear shock directly to the swingarm. The Mantis uses a rising-rate linkage system. This means the suspension gets stiffer the deeper it goes into the travel, which prevents you from bottoming out hard when you're casing a jump or hitting a surprise gully.
Real talk: The drawbacks
It isn't all sunshine and silent wheelies. The aftermarket for Rawrr is growing, but it’s not as massive as the Sur-Ron ecosystem. If you want to change every single bolt to purple titanium or buy a custom-carved seat from a boutique shop in California, you might have a harder time finding parts.
Also, the brakes. They use 4-piston hydraulics with 220mm rotors, which is good. But on the heavier Pro model, if you're a 220-lb rider doing downhill runs, you might feel some fade. It’s an easy fix with better pads, but something to watch out for.
Making the choice
If you’re deciding between the versions, think about where you live.
- Strictly off-road? Go for the Mantis X Pro. The extra suspension travel and raw power make it a legitimate KTM or Honda alternative for trail riding.
- Budget-conscious trail hopping? The Mantis X is the value king. At $2,999 to $3,500, it undercuts almost everything else with a 72V battery.
- Street legal needs? Look for the EEC-certified versions (like the Mantis S). These come with turn signals, mirrors, and a VIN that makes registration a lot less of a headache with the DMV.
Practical steps for new owners
If you just picked up a Rawrr Mantis electric dirt bike, don't just charge it and pin the throttle.
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First, download the app. You can actually tune the power delivery. If you're new, dial back the "Throttle Curve" and "Max Torque." It makes the bike less jerky and easier to control in tight woods.
Second, check your spokes. These bikes come from the factory, and after your first couple of rides, the spokes will stretch. Get a spoke wrench and make sure they’re "pinging" at the same pitch. Loose spokes lead to wobbly wheels, and wobbly wheels lead to expensive repairs.
Lastly, invest in a 72V fast charger if your kit didn't come with one. The standard 3-6 hour charge time is fine overnight, but if you want to ride in the morning, grab lunch, and ride again in the afternoon, a high-amp charger is a game-changer.
Check your local trail regulations. Many places are still figuring out if these are "e-bikes" or "motorcycles." Usually, if it has pegs and no pedals, it’s a motorcycle. Treat the trails with respect, keep the noise down (which is easy), and don't be the person that gets electric bikes banned from the local park.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your local OHV laws: Check if your state requires an OHV sticker for electric bikes to avoid fines on public land.
- Inspect the pivot points: Before your first ride, check the swingarm pivot and headset bolts; factory assembly can sometimes leave these slightly under-torqued.
- Set your sag: Adjust the rear spring preload so the bike drops about 2-3 inches when you sit on it in full gear to ensure the geometry works as intended.