Photographer capturing electric dirt bike jump
Our Process

HOW WE TEST
EVERY BIKE.

Our review methodology is designed to produce consistent, comparable, and reproducible results across every bike we evaluate.

THE PROCESS

MINIMUM TWO WEEKS. MULTIPLE TERRAINS. ZERO SHORTCUTS.

Every bike that arrives at our workshop goes through the same rigorous, multi-phase testing protocol. We don't do quick first-ride impressions or weekend reviews. Our minimum testing period is two full weeks, during which the bike is ridden by at least two of our three team members across a variety of terrain types and conditions.

We test in the real world — not on a dyno, not in a parking lot, and not on a manufacturer-curated demo course. Our testing grounds include the San Bernardino National Forest, the Mojave Desert, the Angeles National Forest, the Sierra Nevada foothills, and various OHV areas across California, Utah, and Arizona.

01
Day 1

Intake & Inspection

Unboxing, assembly, initial inspection, component documentation, and baseline measurements.

02
Days 1-3

Break-In Period

50-mile break-in period with progressive power increases. Battery conditioning cycles.

03
Days 4-10

Structured Testing

Standardized performance tests: acceleration, top speed, range, braking, hill climb, and suspension evaluation.

04
Days 7-14

Real-World Riding

Extended trail riding across varied terrain. Multiple riders. Different conditions and riding styles.

05
Days 14-18

Data Analysis & Writing

Score compilation, data verification, photography, and review article writing and editing.

Testing Locations

  • San Bernardino NF, CA
  • Mojave Desert, CA
  • Angeles NF, CA
  • Johnson Valley OHV, CA
  • Hungry Valley SVRA, CA
  • Moab, UT

Conditions Tested

  • Dry hardpack
  • Loose sand/gravel
  • Wet/muddy trails
  • Rocky technical terrain
  • Steep hill climbs
  • High-speed fire roads

Standardized Tests

  • 0-30 mph acceleration
  • Top speed verification
  • Range at 25 mph constant
  • 30-0 mph braking distance
  • 15% grade hill climb
  • Brake fade (10x stops)

SCORING RUBRIC

Every bike is scored across six weighted categories. The overall score is a weighted average, not a simple mean. Here's exactly what we measure and how we weight it.

Performance

20%

Motor power output, acceleration (0-30 mph), throttle response, power delivery consistency, hill-climbing ability, and top speed verification.

Measured 0-30 mph acceleration time
Verified top speed on flat ground
Hill climb performance on standardized 15% grade
Throttle response and modulation quality
Power consistency across battery charge levels

Range & Battery

20%

Real-world range testing across multiple riding modes, charge time, battery management system quality, and thermal performance under sustained load.

Range test at 25 mph constant speed
Range test in aggressive trail riding
Charge time from 0% to 100%
Battery thermal management under load
Power delivery consistency as battery depletes

Build Quality

15%

Frame construction, weld quality, component fitment, fastener quality, plastics durability, and overall fit and finish assessment.

Frame weld inspection and stress testing
Component fitment and tolerance check
Fastener torque retention after 100 miles
Plastics and bodywork durability
Electrical connection quality

Suspension & Handling

20%

Fork and shock performance, damping quality, bottoming resistance, high-speed stability, low-speed agility, and overall chassis balance.

Fork compression and rebound quality
Shock performance over varied terrain
Bottoming resistance on 3-foot drops
High-speed stability at max speed
Low-speed technical maneuverability

Brakes & Safety

10%

Stopping power, lever feel and modulation, fade resistance on long descents, rotor size adequacy, and overall safety system assessment.

30-0 mph stopping distance
Brake fade test (10 consecutive hard stops)
Lever feel and modulation quality
Wet weather braking performance
Rotor heat management

Value

15%

Price-to-performance ratio, component quality relative to cost, warranty coverage, dealer support availability, and aftermarket upgrade ecosystem.

Performance-per-dollar comparison
Component quality vs. price point
Warranty coverage and terms
Dealer/service network availability
Aftermarket parts ecosystem

SCORE SCALE

9.0 – 10.0Excellent

Best-in-class. A benchmark for the category.

8.0 – 8.9Great

Highly recommended. Minor issues that don't significantly impact the experience.

7.0 – 7.9Good

Solid performer with notable strengths and some weaknesses.

6.0 – 6.9Average

Acceptable but not competitive. Significant room for improvement.

Below 6.0Below Average

Not recommended at the current price point. Major issues present.

WANT TO SUBMIT A BIKE FOR REVIEW?

We accept review units from manufacturers, distributors, and dealers. All bikes are returned after the review period unless otherwise arranged.

SUBMIT A BIKE