The electric dirt bike market is exploding. With a projected 19.8% CAGR through 2030, legacy brands and startups are racing to dominate this space. Bakcou’s Puma X24—an electric dirt bike claiming to hit 100 mph and outmuscle gas bikes at a sub-$10k price.

But after digging into its specs, riding the data, and grilling fellow riders, here’s the unvarnished truth.

Speed Demon or Overhyped?

Headline Claim: 100 mph top speed, 0-62 mph in 4 seconds. Sounds wild, right? In theory, that top-speed smokes rivals like the Stark Varg (75 mph) and even high-revving 450cc gas bikes. But here’s the catch: No independent tests verify this yet. I’ve ridden enough prototypes to know manufacturer claims can be… optimistic.

Reality:

  • On paper, that 1050Nm torque (think 2.5x a Yamaha YZ450F) should launch you out of corners. But Reddit user @MudSlinger420 notes: “Torque’s insane, but the weight (315 lbs) makes it feel like wrestling a grizzly in tight singletrack.”
  • Acceleration? Stark Varg’s 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds still rules. The Puma’s 4-second sprint is quick but not class-leading.

The Tech

Bakcou didn’t play safe here. The Puma X24 packs CATL lithium cells—the same supplier for Tesla—with a 6.0 kWh battery. Which translates into 60 miles of mixed trail riding (my estimate). The kicker? A 5-speed manual transmission a rarity in e-bikes.

Why It Matters:

  • Gears = Control: Need crawling torque for rock gardens? Drop to 1st. Want efficiency on fire roads? Shift up.
  • Quick-Swap Battery: Bakcou says you can yank the 70-lb pack in 2 minutes. But hauling spares? Good luck stuffing that in a backpack.

The Catch:

  • Charging time is murky. Bakcou claims 2 hours with a 40A charger, but the standard 20A takes 5-6 hours. For reference, Stark Varg charges fully in 1-2 hours.

Weight & Trail Access

At 315 lbs, the Puma X24 is heavier than a Stark Varg (260 lbs) and most gas bikes. I’ve dumped lighter bikes in mud—this could be a workout. Bakcou claims the low center of gravity helps, but YouTube reviewer @DirtSage notes: “Lugging it up hills? Bring protein bars.”

Trail Access Reality Check:

  • Despite being electric, the Puma X24 is classified as a motorcycle. That means no special access—you’re stuck to OHV zones like any gas bike. So much for sneaking onto hiking trails.

Who’s This Bike For?

Buy the Puma X24 if:

  • You crave top-speed bragging rights (pending verification).
  • You dig tinkering with gears and want a gateway to electric.
  • You’re a hunter needing stealth (or just hate gas stations).

Skip it if:

  • You’re an MX track rat needing razor-sharp agility.
  • You ride multi-day backcountry trips (charging logistics = nightmare).
  • You’re risk-averse (early adopters = beta testers).

The Puma X24 isn’t perfect, but it’s a thrilling glimpse into off-roading’s electric future. Bakcou took big swings—gearbox, CATL tech, aggressive pricing. Some will connect; others will whiff. As for me? I’m itching to test one on Colorado’s Taylor Park trails. If that 100 mph claim holds… game on.