Ninety horsepower. Seven hundred and nineteen pound‑feet of torque. On a dirt bike that weighs just 138 kilograms. That’s not a typo — it’s the STRiX electric enduro, a machine engineered from military DNA and now pointed straight at civilian riders and Dakar competitors.

Ninety horsepower, 719 lb‑ft of torque — on a 138‑kg dirt bike. Credit: New Atlas



STRiX eMotors, based in Slovenia, didn’t start with the consumer market in mind. Their first design was tactical, built for defense operations. From that foundation, they’ve created a bike that straddles three worlds: military deployment, rally racing, and hard‑enduro trails. That explains the numbers. Electric motors are known for torque, but STRiX’s figures dwarf those of comparable 450cc combustion enduros. The power‑to‑weight ratio lands at 0.296 horsepower per pound — serious territory for off‑road competition.

STRiX’s swappable 6.22‑kWh battery keeps riders moving long after the trail ends. Credit: Kickstarter



Range is the constant question with electric bikes. STRiX’s answer is a 6.22‑kWh NMC liquid‑cooled battery pack running at 345 volts. It’s designed for roughly 1,500 charge cycles and, crucially, it’s swappable. Riders can carry a spare, swap mid‑trail, and keep moving. The company claims about 70 miles per charge, translating to 80 minutes to four hours depending on riding style. Built‑in safeguards limit power when voltage dips below 10 percent, and shut the system down at zero to protect the pack.

Kayaba forks, Ohlins rear suspension, and military‑grade IP67 protection — built for terrain most bikes avoid. Credit: New Atlas

The chassis is built with intent. A chrome‑molybdenum steel frame, aluminum subframe, Kayaba forks up front, Ohlins suspension at the rear — soon to be replaced by Bitubo. Wheels are standard enduro sizes, 21 inches at the front and 18 at the rear, wrapped in Mitas tires. Ground clearance is 355 millimeters, seat height nearly a meter. Most components, including the motor, carry IP67/68 ratings, meaning they’re dust‑tight and water‑resistant. Even the rear brake is mounted on the handlebar, a tactical choice for situations where foot control isn’t practical.

“We’re aiming for Dakar 2027.” The company’s rally mission is already underway. Credit: New Atlas


Top speed is quoted at 130 km/h. Ride modes include Eco, Normal, Sport, plus a Reverse mode for maneuvering out of tight spots. Homologation for Europe’s L3e‑A3E class is underway, which would make the bike street‑legal for licensed riders. And while the civilian model is the headline, STRiX’s ambitions stretch further. The company has set its sights on Dakar Rally’s Mission 1000 class in 2027 — a proving ground for alternative‑energy vehicles.

Funding is coming through Kickstarter, with a Founder’s Edition priced at $13,700 in the US and £10,200 in the UK. Crowdfunding always carries risk, but STRiX frames it as a way to bypass traditional retail and build a direct community of riders. Shipping is estimated to begin around this time next year, assuming the campaign and production go to plan.

The bigger picture is clear. Electric motorcycles are no longer confined to city commuting. With platforms like STRiX, they’re moving into the toughest terrain, competing head‑to‑head with combustion bikes. If the company delivers on its promises, the Dakar stage could mark a turning point — not just for STRiX, but for the credibility of electric enduro machines as a whole.