KTM Globally Announces Production Electric 50cc-sized Model

September 19, 2019 10:20am | by: Jason Weigandt

Ten months ago, KTM announced its intention to bring a 50cc-sized electric motorcycle to market, the SX-E 5. We've heard about prototypes of this machine being tested around the world, there was a story about these bikes competing in the KTM Jr. Supercross Challenge, and much more talk and conjecture, but this morning a press release from Europe has finally confirmed the availability of these production bikes "during the last quarter of 2019 at authorized KTM dealers."

We've talked to some folks from KTM North America and it appears these bikes could be available in dealerships in November. The bike should be plenty innovative, as we've been told the engine mapping can be adjusted to turn the bike from something just fast enough for a new rider to maintain balance, to something powerful enough for a ten year old. That's a range well beyond the adjustment of a gasoline bike, and as such KTM has developed some chassis and bodywork innovations to allow the bike size to be adjusted for a variety of ages and sizes.

Many details, such as pricing, are still waiting. Also, we have heard of proposed AMA rules that would create separate classes for electric-powered kids-sized bikes. The electric market is changing rapidly, and we may have finally reached a tipping point here. Be ready for more mini electric bike announcements in a very short time frame.

We expect to get more info on these KTM bikes for the U.S. market at the beginning of October.

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KTM's global press release is below:

KTM is proud of its innovative approach to motorcycling, and no more so than the introduction of a new electrically powered junior machine, the KTM SX-E 5. Announced last year, this READY TO RACE model grows with the rider whilst offering premium performance along with all of the benefits that electrically powered vehicles enjoy.

KTM has put a lot of effort and all of its of electric know-how that’s evolved over the last 10 years into the development of the KTM SX-E 5. The result is a highly competitive electric minicycle with a comparable power output to the KTM 50 SX, yet with minimal maintenance and noise. The bike has six power modes allowing a complete beginner to step onto a READY TO RACE machine with ease, whilst the full power mode is exciting and challenging for the fastest junior. With a premium chassis developed by our KTM engineers, the KTM SX-E 5 is fully adjustable in terms of ride height, especially with the additional KTM PowerParts lowering kit, and is aimed at riders aged three to 10 years old. The bike grows with the rider both in ability, and in size – a special feature for this high-quality machine.

This innovative junior bike has an electric motor powered by an ultra-modern lithium-ion battery pack with a robust housing for maximum protection and safety was really at the core of the development of this new model. The power is smooth and controllable offering rideability benefits over other bikes in its class, whilst also providing fantastic agility on the motocross course. Like its combustion counterpart, the KTM SX-E 5 is fitted with WP XACT 35 air fork technology, as well as the WP XACT shock absorber, and it also features high-quality components such as premium disc brakes, cast footpegs, tapered aluminum handlebars and proper race ergonomics. In fact, the KTM SX-E 5 has undergone the same development process as the bigger SX models as raced by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. It’s truly an exciting, safe, innovative yet racy machine that will create new riding possibilities for riders and tracks in the future.

“The KTM SX-E 5 is a model we’re really excited to see arrive in dealers. It offers a premium chassis, like those on all of our SX models, but also a lot in terms of rideability thanks to the electric motor, as it’s easy to ride, but at the same time it can be super-fast without making noise. We tested the bike with such a wide range of riders; the complete beginner can ride on a track almost straight away with this bike as it’s so easy to ride, yet a national level rider can have comparable lap times to that of the combustion bike, which is something special. The adjustability of the bike means that a rider can use it for years as they get faster – they can also be more independent in the operation of the bike, and apart from oiling the chain there is really minimal maintenance required. In terms of safety the electronics team worked hard to reach a really high level, and so with top level performance combined with a huge adaptability for the rider, the KTM SX-E 5 is a fantastic new model in the KTM line-up,” said Joachim Sauer, KTM Senior Product Manager Offroad.

The e-mobility sector is becoming an important part of modern travel, and KTM has a dedicated R&D team working on this segment that are developing platforms for KTM’s future plans in e-powered motorcycles. This, combined with years of knowledge in creating premium sportmotorcycles, ensures that KTM is at the forefront of e-technology. KTM has announced it is committed to 4kw-18kw (peak power), low voltage motors and is working to adhere to the most stringent safety standards. The launch of the KTM SX-E 5 an exciting next chapter in KTM’s e-mobility story.

The new KTM SX-E 5 will be available during the last quarter of 2019 at authorized KTM dealers.