RFN Ares Rally DLX 2.0
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RFN Ares Rally DLX 2.0

"The Endurance Machine Built for Long Days on the Trail"

January 30, 2025
Sarah Blackwell
|8 min read
Overall:7.9/10

THE VERDICT

"With the biggest battery in its class, the Ares Rally is built for riders who measure their rides in hours, not minutes."

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Biggest battery capacity in class
  • Strong 12.5kW peak motor
  • Rally-style design and ergonomics

WHAT NEEDS WORK

  • Complex battery removal system
  • Heavier than most competitors
  • Less refined than Talaria offerings

The RFN Ares Rally DLX 2.0 makes a statement before you even twist the throttle. Its rally-inspired design, with its distinctive bodywork and aggressive stance, sets it apart from the crowd of Sur-Ron clones. We took the Ares Rally on a week-long testing expedition through the Johnson Valley OHV area, where the vast, open desert terrain would put its endurance credentials to the test.

The 3.2kWh battery is the largest in its class, and it shows. On our first full day of riding, we managed nearly 4 hours of mixed terrain riding before the battery gave out — a feat that none of the other bikes in our test group could match.

Performance & Power

The 12.5kW peak motor provides strong, confident power delivery. It's not as explosive as the E Ride Pro SS, but it's more than adequate for tackling steep climbs and maintaining high speeds on open terrain. The power comes on smoothly and predictably, which is a welcome trait for long-distance riding where consistency matters more than outright aggression.

Range & Battery Life

This is the Ares Rally's defining feature. The 3.2kWh battery provides genuine all-day riding capability that no other bike in this price range can match. In our aggressive riding tests, we consistently hit 23+ miles, but in more moderate, trail-cruising conditions, we saw upwards of 50 miles.

Build Quality & Components

The Ares Rally is well-built, with a robust frame and decent components. However, the battery removal system is unnecessarily complex, requiring multiple steps and tools. This is a frustrating oversight on a bike that otherwise encourages long-distance adventure riding.

Who Is This For?

The RFN Ares Rally DLX 2.0 is for the endurance rider who wants to spend all day on the trail without worrying about range. It's for the explorer, the adventure rider, the person who measures their rides in hours rather than minutes.

VOLT DIRT SCORE

7.9
/10
RFN Ares Rally DLX 2.0
2025 Model
Performance
Great8.2
Range
Excellent9.0
Build Quality
Good7.5
Suspension
Good7.8
Brakes
Good7.5
Value
Good7.8

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Motor12.5kW peak
Battery3.2kWh
Range23 mi aggressive
Top Speed50 mph
Weight150 lbs
MSRP$4,500