Luna launches ‘Sur-Ron killer’ Talaria Sting electric motorbike with 50% more power
What looks like a Sur-Ron electric motorbike, but packs in 50% more get-up-and-go? The Talaria Sting R MX4. And the popular California-based electric bike dealer Luna Cycle has just launched the powerful yet low-cost electric trail bike as the newest member of its rapidly expanding inventory.
For years the name “Sur-Ron” has been synonymous with fun-packed small format off-road electric motorbikes. The Sur-Ron X has offered the thrill of a dirt bike in a vehicle the same size and nearly the same weight as an electric bicycle (and nearly as easy to ride).
But Talaria, a relative newcomer to the field compared to Sur-Ron, has sought to bite off a piece of that hooligan e-bike pie. Now with the new Talaria Sting R MX4, which boasts 50% more power than a Sur-Ron X, it just may be on the road to dethroning the current leader.
At the very least, it’s going to offer some serious competition.
The small size of these bikes – barely larger than a mountain bike – makes them ideal for nimble off-road riding as well as performing stunts. The Talaria Sting R MX4 has been tested on Luna Cycle’s dyno and produced 7.39 peak horsepower, which dwarfs the 4.8 hp of the previous Talaria model and the Sur-Ron X.
When Luna Cycle began carrying the Sur-Ron several years ago, they realized that several parts including brakes and other systems would need to be upgraded to handle higher speed riding. But according to Luna Cycle, the Talaria factory seems to understand how important those components are right from the get-go. The new Talaria model comes standard with 230mm brake rotors plus four levels of regenerative braking, an upgraded IPM motor with magnetic encoder, and an upgraded 2.7 kWh battery.
Unlike the belt-reduction transmission in a Sur-Ron, the Talaria Sting R MX4 uses a gearbox. It requires an oil change every 3,000 miles (5,000 km), but it removes the hassle of replacing worn or broken belts in a belt-reduction transmission.
The Talaria Sting R MX4 ships with a speed-limited function, though a pair of wire snippers will unlock the top speed of 52 mph (84 km/h), which adds a fair amount over the Sur-Ron X’s top speed of 46 mph (75 km/h).
Compared to the US $4,350 Sur-Ron X, the Talaria costs only a tad more at US $4,500. But with nearly 20% more battery and 50% more power, it’s easy to see how the team behind Talaria set their sights on eating Sur-Ron’s lunch.
There are few other competitors in this space, though SONDORS recently unveiled renderings of its 50 mph (80 km/h) MetaBeast which looks set to challenge both Sur-Ron and Talaria. The SONDORS MetaBeast may even be street legal, though it has yet to begin production and many of its specs seem to remain up in the air.
Of course riders should keep in mind that these are almost certainly illegal for on-road operation in all 50 states, making them off-road only bikes when operated in unlocked mode.
There are also legitimate concerns in mountain biking communities about trail access cases where riders of light electric motorbikes like these have damaged mountain bike trails that are off-limits to motorcycles. So there’s a certain amount of responsibility that comes with a bike like this.
But when ridden in its element, bikes like those from Talaria and Sur-Ron help bring the fun of dirt bikes at a price closer to an electric bicycle. And now they’re doing it with even more power.
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Last week, we reported that the e-bike world had a new motor claiming to be the lightest and most efficient. Now, we’re already seeing TQ’s new TQHPR40 motor proliferate on more road and gravel e-bikes, including the recently announced E-ASTR from Ridely.
Ridley’s new E‑ASTR brings lightweight electric assistance to its already impressive ASTR gravel platform, powered by the cutting-edge TQ HPR40 mid-drive system. Unlike bulkier e‑bike setups, this system adds just 1.17 kg (2.6 lb) at the crank and a discreet 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) and 290 Wh battery hidden within the downtube, keeping the frame’s silhouette nearly identical to the non-electric version of the same bike. According to BikeRumor, riders looking closely might spot only a slightly fatter downtube, internal cable routing, and a handlebar-end LED indicator, giving visual clues without shouting “electric bike.”
What the E‑ASTR gives up in sheer power from the petite motor, it gains in ride feel. The HPR40 is said to deliver a modest 40 Nm of torque and up to 200W of assist, or enough to smooth out climbs or offer a tailwind on gravel without overpowering the rider. With support cut off at 25 km/h (15.5 mph), pedal responsiveness remains natural and fluid. Combined with the ASTR’s race-inspired geometry, the bike looks to offer sharp handling and comfort suited to the rigors of modern gravel routes.
Ridley is currently offering the E‑ASTR in three spec levels: a value SRAM Apex XPLR AXS build €7,199 (or approximately US $8,500), a mid-range SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×13 version for €8,199 (or approximately US $9,700), and a top-tier Shimano GRX 2×12 Di2 model for €8,899 (or approximately US $10,500). Each features high-end drivetrains, integrated cockpit options, carbon wheels, and industry-standard gravel brakes and tires. With its race-ready frame and stealthy, lightweight e‑assistance, the E‑ASTR is positioning itself as a high-performance gravel machine that stays true to its roots, delivering help when needed, without overshadowing the rider.
Ultra-lightweight motors like the TQHPR40 are quietly reshaping the e-bike industry by making electric assistance almost invisible, both in looks and in feel. As systems shrink and integrate more seamlessly into traditional bike frames, they’re opening the door to new categories of performance-oriented e-bikes that preserve the ride dynamics of analog bikes while offering just enough support when it counts.
For riders who value a natural pedaling experience but still want a little help on climbs or longer days, and especially for aging riders who want to maintain their riding habits despite father time taking an impact on joints and muscles, these minimalist systems are proving that you don’t need a bulky battery or a massive motor to get the benefits of going electric. The result is a wave of stealthy, high-performance e-bikes that are less about replacing effort and more about enhancing the ride.
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After a month off trying to wrap our heads around all the chaos surrounding EVs, solar, and everything else in Washington, we’re back with the biggest EV news stories of the day from Tesla, Ford, Volvo, and everyone else on today’s hiatus-busting episode of Quick Charge!
It just gets worse and worse for the Tesla true believers – especially those willing to put their money where Elon’s mouth is! One believer is set to lose nearly $50,000 betting on Tesla’s ability to deliver a Robotaxi service by the end of June (didn’t happen), and the controversial CEO’s most recent spat with President Trump had TSLA down nearly 5% in pre-morning trading.
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Hyundai is getting ready to shake things up. A new electric crossover SUV, likely the Hyundai IONIQ 2, is set to debut in the coming months. It will sit below the Kona Electric as Hyundai expands its entry-level EV lineup.
Is Hyundai launching the IONIQ 2 in 2026?
After launching the Inster late last year, Hyundai is already preparing to introduce a new entry-level EV in Europe.
Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Europe, confirmed that the new EV will be revealed “in the next few months.” It will be built in Europe and scheduled to go on sale in mid-2026.
Hyundai’s new electric crossover is expected to be a twin to the Kia EV2, which will likely arrive just ahead of it next year.
It will be underpinned by the same E-GMP platform, which powers all IONIQ and Kia EV models (EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9).
Like the Kia EV3, it will likely be available with either a 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh battery pack option. The former provides a WLTP range of 267 miles while the latter is rated with up to 372 miles. All trims are powered by a single electric motor at the front, producing 201 hp and 209 lb-ft of torque.
Although it may share the same underpinnings as the EV2, Hyundai’s new entry-level EV will feature an advanced new software and infotainment system.
According to Autocar, the interior will represent a “step change” in terms of usability and features. The new system enables new functions, such as ambient lighting and sounds that adjust depending on the drive mode.
It’s expected to showcase Hyundai’s powerful new Pleos software and infotainment system. As an end-to-end software platform, Pleos connects everything from the infotainment system (Pleos Connect) to the Vehicle Operating System (OS) and the cloud.
Pleos is set to power Hyundai’s upcoming software-defined vehicles (SDVs) with new features like autonomous driving and real-time data analysis.
As an Android-based system, Pleos Connect features a “smartphone-like UI” with new functions including multi-window viewing and an AI voice assistant.
The new electric crossover is expected to start at around €30,000 ($35,400), or slightly less than the Kia EV3, priced from €35,990 ($42,500). It will sit between the Inster and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s lineup.
Hyundai said that it would launch the first EV with its next-gen infotainment system in Q2 2026. Will it be the IONIQ 2? Hyundai is expected to unveil the new entry-level EV at IAA Mobility in September. Stay tuned for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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