This New Electric Dirt Bike is So Quiet, You'll Hear Your Own Knees Quaking…
Image Credit: Bakcou.
Just when we thought the electric revolution was settling down, the cards have been dealt and it'll get all boring from now on, along comes a company known for e-bikes deciding, "Hey, let's make a motorcycle!" Ambitious? Yes. Slightly bewildering? Also, yes.
The masterminds behind this electrifying leap of faith are a Utah-based brand called Bakcou. Their original name was "Backcountry e-bikes," which tells you they started out making those chunky-tired electric bicycles for folks who like their nature walks a bit more accelerated. As it turns out, hunters took a real shine to them because sneaking up on a deer sounds a lot easier when your ride doesn't announce its arrival like a heavy metal concert.
Image Credit: Bakcou.
Building on that quiet success, Bakcou has decided to graduate from e-bikes to full-blown electric motorcycles. Their first offering that you can actually get your hands on? The Puma X22 SD. And let me tell you, it's got more spark than a faulty Christmas tree.
The Puma X22 SD is powered by an 84-volt, 73-amp-hour Lithium-Ion battery. Impressive numbers, darling, but what does it mean? It means this silent stalker can fully charge in about two hours. That's less time than it takes me to decide what to wear on a Tuesday. The motor itself has a rated power of 6,000 watts, but it can peak at a rather startling 22,000 watts! That's moving from a polite "excuse me" to a full-blown opera solo in milliseconds.
Image Credit: Bakcou.
And what about the torque? Bakcou claims a peak torque at the wheel of 627 lb-ft - way more twist than a bag of pretzels, and certainly enough to make you question your every decision as you're clinging on for dear life. The industry insiders are comparing its oomph to a 250cc gasoline bike. I've ridden a few 250s in my day, and they're sprightly little things. The Puma X22 SD aims to keep up, and in some ways, leave them eating its dust.
The claimed top speed of 77 mph isn't exactly going to win you any land speed records, but the X22 SD apparently zips from 0 to 62 mph in a brisk 5 seconds. And it does all this while weighing in at a rather svelte 285 pounds. Lighter than many traditional dirt bikes, which is always a plus when you're trying to maneuver through tricky terrain or, heaven forbid, pick it up after an unscheduled dismount. We've all been there.
Image Credit: Bakcou.
With great power comes the need to actually clear obstacles. The X22 SD offers a generous ground clearance of 12.5 inches, which sounds fantastic for hopping over logs and rocks. The trade-off? A seat height of 34.5 inches. That's tall. If you're on the shorter side, like yours truly, who sometimes needs a stepladder to reach the top shelf, you might find mounting this beast a bit of an adventure in itself. Perhaps it comes with a complimentary trampoline? One can dream.
Those of us who find gear-shifting as perplexing as quantum physics will be relieved to find that the Puma X22 SD features an automatic CVT. No clutch, no gears - just twist the throttle and hang on! The X22 starts looking like the scooter's much, much more rugged and adventurous older sibling. And, because electricity is all about doing things differently, it even has a reverse gear! Imagine getting yourself wedged in a tight spot on the trail and being able to just back out. Revolutionary! No more awkward 17-point turns while your friends politely try not to laugh.
Image Credit: Bakcou.
Other little cherries on top include an LCD screen, hydraulic disc brakes, and adjustable suspension. The suspension travel can be tweaked from about 3.3 inches to 9.8 inches, so you can tailor your ride from "ouch, my kidneys" to "floating on a cloud of electric dreams." And, true to its hunting-bike heritage, it features a modular rack system. Bakcou suggests it's handy for toting your "harvested meal." I'm thinking it's more suited to a well-stocked picnic basket.
But I think one of the most 'modern' features is how you acquire this electrifying steed. Forget schlepping to a dealership. Bakcou will ship the Puma X22 SD to you in a box like an oversized pizza. Some assembly may be required, which could be a fun weekend project or a quick descent into frustration, depending on your relationship with tools. The price for this boxed bundle of off-road joy? It's currently up for pre-order at $8,999, with shipping estimated around mid-July.
Is the Bakcou Puma X22 SD the future of off-roading? It's certainly got a lot going for it. It's relatively light, undeniably torquey, and has that oh-so-seductive silent operation that won't scare the birds. The automatic transmission and reverse gear are brilliant touches for usability. Sure, the seat height might be a bit ambitious for some, and the idea of a motorcycle arriving in a box is novel. But if you're looking for a way to explore the great outdoors with a bit of electric pep and a whole lot less noise, this plucky newcomer from Utah says: "This Is The Way."
