The electric powertrain revolution that has reshaped Formula E and introduced an electric category to the Dakar Rally is quietly doing the same thing at the consumer end of off-road riding. Compact electric dirt bikes now offer power outputs that would have required a significantly larger internal combustion machine a few years ago, and the engineering questions — throttle response, terrain management, battery life under load — are not entirely different from those facing professional endurance teams.
Top speed is an attention-grabbing number on any electric dirt bike, but it tells only part of the performance story. How a motorcycle delivers power, responds to challenging terrain, and maintains control can matter just as much once the wheels leave smooth ground.
The Valtinsu EM5 Ultra combines a compact frame with a high-output 72V powertrain, delivering up to 8,000W of peak power and a manufacturer-claimed top speed of 56mph (90km/h). Its trail-oriented wheel setup and suspension are designed to support riding across uneven off-road surfaces.
For riders looking for more, Valtinsu has developed the EM5 Ultra Storm. It builds on the same 72V platform with improvements in acceleration, top speed and riding range, alongside upgraded electronic controls and revised hardware. Rather than focusing on a single performance figure, the Storm takes a broader approach to improving the original Ultra.
Watch the Valtinsu EM5 Ultra in action here.
A 72V platform with power for different riding conditions
The Valtinsu EM5 Ultra uses an electric motor rated at 3,000W continuous output and up to 8,000W peak power, with a listed maximum torque of 275Nm.
These figures indicate the motor’s output potential, but what matters on the trail is how effectively that power reaches the ground. When accelerating out of a corner or navigating uneven terrain, predictable throttle response and available traction are essential for maintaining control.
The Ultra offers three riding modes with speed limits of approximately 48, 68 and 90km/h, allowing riders to select a setting that suits the conditions. The lower setting can make navigating narrow trails and technical sections more manageable, while higher modes allow greater speed on suitable open stretches. A reverse gear adds further practicality, particularly when repositioning the motorcycle in confined spaces where turning around would be difficult.
Together, these features give riders different ways to manage the motorcycle’s performance instead of relying solely on its maximum power output.
Built for the trail, not the street
The EM5 Ultra’s steel frame and 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheel configuration reflect its off-road focus. The larger front wheel is intended to help negotiate uneven surfaces, while the overall layout maintains relatively compact dimensions. The suspension also plays an important role when riding over rocks, ruts and rough trails.
Hydraulic front suspension works alongside an adjustable rear air shock to absorb impacts and help the tyres maintain contact with the ground. This is particularly relevant when the surface changes repeatedly, forcing the suspension to respond to different obstacles.
The motorcycle’s actual handling characteristics will depend on suspension adjustment, tyre selection, rider weight and terrain. These factors are important when assessing whether the chassis can make effective use of the available motor power.
Climbing steep ground
Valtinsu rates the EM5 Ultra for a maximum climbing angle of 45 degrees. It is an ambitious manufacturer claim, particularly for a compact electric dirt bike, and one that would benefit from testing under clearly defined terrain and traction conditions.
What makes electric powertrains interesting in technical climbing situations is their ability to provide controlled low-speed response without conventional gear changes. For riders negotiating steep or uneven sections, that characteristic can be just as relevant as maximum speed.
Battery, charging, and range
The EM5 Ultra uses a 72V 25Ah battery and comes with an 84V 5A charger, with Valtinsu quoting approximately seven to eight hours for a full charge.
The manufacturer claims a maximum range of up to 120km (75 miles) on a single charge. However, actual range will depend on riding speed, throttle use, terrain, rider weight and environmental conditions.
Steep climbs and frequent acceleration can increase energy consumption, meaning riders using the motorcycle’s full performance potential may achieve considerably less distance. For longer off-road sessions, choosing appropriate riding modes and planning around the expected terrain can therefore be just as important as the battery’s stated capacity.
EM5 Ultra Storm: Taking performance further
The EM5 Ultra Storm builds on the standard model’s 72V platform, introducing additional electronic controls, updated hardware and a more distinctive exterior design.
Although an upgraded controller and a claimed top speed of approximately 59mph (96km/h) distinguish the Storm on paper, its broader appeal lies in the combination of these changes rather than the speed increase alone.
One of its most notable additions is an app-connected display, allowing riders to adjust speed settings through a smartphone. This provides another way to configure the motorcycle according to individual preferences and riding conditions. For riders who regularly alternate between open trails and restricted spaces, having access to adjustable speed settings can be particularly useful.
The Storm also introduces a metal motor cover in place of the standard Ultra’s plastic version. This changes the motorcycle’s hardware specification, although any improvement in protection or long-term durability would need to be established through testing.
Glossy purple, glossy white and black-blue finishes further distinguish the Storm’s appearance, giving riders additional choices beyond the standard model’s equipment.
Both motorcycles use a 72V 25Ah battery configuration, but the Storm adopts a different cell specification to support its revised electrical system. Despite the shared nominal battery capacity, Valtinsu reports improved riding range for the Storm. The exact difference will depend on comparable testing conditions, but the range improvement forms part of the manufacturer’s broader performance upgrade claims.
Taken together, these changes position the Storm as a more extensively equipped version of the EM5 Ultra. Its appeal extends beyond maximum speed to include smartphone-based adjustments, revised hardware and additional design choices.
Where this leaves off-road riders
The EM5 Ultra and Ultra Storm share the same basic idea: bringing substantial electric power to a compact motorcycle designed for off-road use. But they approach that goal with different priorities.
The standard Ultra focuses on delivering the core experience, combining its 72V powertrain, adjustable riding modes and trail-oriented chassis in a relatively straightforward package.
The Storm takes that foundation further. With claimed improvements in acceleration, maximum speed and riding range, plus smartphone connectivity and revised hardware, it offers riders a more extensively equipped alternative.
The choice is not simply about whether 56mph or 59mph sounds more impressive. It is about how much additional performance and control a rider wants from the same platform.
All performance figures are based on manufacturer specifications and have not been independently verified through testing.
